How to Declutter Your Wardrobe
NoĀ drawer,Ā closet, orĀ shelfĀ is safe from me at this time of year. I want to start the year feeling unencumbered by all the excess stuff that has found its way into myĀ wardrobe.Ā Cleaning out yourĀ wardrobeĀ helps inĀ declutteringĀ your space, but it also allows you to reevaluate yourĀ personal style. In fact, that’s a major component for effectively cleaning out yourĀ closet, so let’s dive into how toĀ declutterĀ yourĀ wardrobeĀ after 50.
I’m updating this post from last year and leaving your comments because so many of them are full of great ideas!
Where To Start
Many people like to attack theirĀ wardrobe, alaĀ Marie Kondo, but thatās never appealed to me. It’s not realistic for me to take everything out of myĀ closetĀ at one time andĀ tossĀ it into aĀ pile. That process creates a mountain of work. If the job is overwhelming, decision fatigue can set in, so you end up rushing to finish and start making poor decisions.Ā
I like to make this simple. Start at one end of the rod or go through one drawer at a time.
Before youĀ declutter, be sure you donāt just need to reorganize what you own. If yourĀ closetĀ is messy, itās hard to find the pieces you need to put a look together.Ā
Have four bags or boxes at the ready:
- This box is for items you want to donate or send to consignment stores.
- This trash bag is for things that are too worn to salvage or donate. Our landfills are clogged with discarded clothes, so you could also investigate non-profits that will accept textiles in any condition.
- This bag is for garments you want to keep wearing, but they’re in need of repair, cleaning, or alterations.
- This not-sure box is for anything you’re on the fence about.
The not-sure box is super important! You can bravely place things in this box because you know itās not leaving your house. The decision is temporary and allows you to revisit the pieces later, but they arenāt hanging in your closet to see each day. Tape the box closed and store it in a guest room closet or the garage to examine in 6+ months.
Questions To AskĀ as You Declutter Your Wardrobe
Our taste and style recipe is ever-evolving, so it can be helpful to revisit theĀ three-word method to find yourĀ personal style. This gives you an additional reference to refer back to for each item you scrutinize.
For each item you pick up, ask yourself:
- Does it fit you properly at yourĀ currentĀ weight?
- Do you have 5 or 6 multiples of the same type of garment?
- Is it expressing who you are now at this stage of life and your current style?
- Is it still in good shape, or does it need repairing or altering?
- Does the color and style flatter your current hair color and body shape?
- Do you feel fabulous wearing it, or does it spark joy per the konmari method?
- Is it still in style, or has the trend passed so you’ll look dated wearing it?
- Have you reached for it in the last year or so? Some people recommend getting rid of things you haven’t worn in six months, but I don’t agree. There are several categories of clothes we need to have in our wardrobe that are rarely worn but are invaluable to have on hand, such as formal wear or things to wear to a funeral.
Closet Cleanout Tips and Mistakes
Take Your Time
Listen to your intuition, and don’t be too hasty. If youāre unsure about an item, remember that it can go into your not-sure box #4 above.
Don’t Be Overly Emotional
Is this theĀ scarfĀ your aunt gave you, but you dislike how it looks on you and never wear it? Is this the suit you wore when you got that fabulous promotion, but you’ve retired and now live a casual lifestyle?
DeclutteringĀ Essentials Without A Plan
Your basic blackĀ pantsĀ are shabby looking because you wear them so often. Be sure to make a concrete date to replace them before youĀ donateĀ your worn-out ones.
Cost Does Not Equal Value
This is a slippery slope. Just because you paid a lot for something doesnāt mean you should keep it. And if you got a smokinā hot deal on something that doesnāt look great on you, itās not serving you well either. If you did pay a lot for something, sell it at a consignment shop to recoup some of your original investment.
Relying Solely On Joy
A functionalĀ wardrobeĀ needs items that serve a purpose, and they donāt all have toĀ spark joyā¦sorryĀ Marie Kondo. Wardrobes need functional basics that we may feel neutral about but are essential pieces to complete ourĀ outfits. That said, do not keep anything you donāt like!
You Keep Too Many Duplicates.
My hand is raised on this one. Itās so easy to justify another great pair of blackĀ pantsĀ because I like and wear them so often. Keep a few best of the best, and release the rest. Last year I was struggling with decluttering my jeans collection. Surprise! I find myself in the same spot again this year.
You’re Overzealous
We talk aboutĀ finding yourĀ personal styleĀ often on AWSL. Our style evolves as we learn and grow, so getting rid of large portions of yourĀ wardrobeĀ in one fell swoop can lead to remorse. Iād rather have three not-sure boxes than regretĀ donatingĀ a piece prematurely. Packing things up and removing them from your dailyĀ wardrobeĀ often helps clear your mind so you can get a better idea of how you want to look going forward.
The one category I seldomĀ declutterĀ from myĀ wardrobeĀ isĀ accessories. They take up very little space, and I often change my mind about them.
How To Organize Your Wardrobe
As you go through this process, begin to organize your wardrobe in a user-friendly way. Some people like to organize by color, and others use categories. I find categories make the most sense, then I further refine it by color.
Hang all your shirts on theĀ rod, facing in the same direction. Group all jeans together and allĀ pantsĀ together. The same with skirts,Ā jackets,Ā sweaters, and knit tops. You can further categorize them by color (light to dark) or formality level (casual to dressy). This helps you see what you have, identify duplicates, and spot the things you’re missing from yourĀ wardrobeĀ essentials.
Get a good lint remover and fabric shaver to keep your clothes in good shape moving forward. Ā My favorite is this Gleener and this shaver.
Wardrobe Storage Tools
Velvet hangersĀ save a ton of room on yourĀ rodsĀ and virtually double yourĀ closet space. The flocked surface helps grip your tops so they don’t slip to the floor. A large box is very reasonable from Amazon.
I prefer to hang my seasonal clothes,Ā sweaters, and woolens in these clear wardrobe storage bags so I can see what I have while they keep the moths at bay. You can also use under-the-bedĀ storageĀ bins, but I fear I would forget what I own!
Hardest clothing to declutter
Some categories are easier toĀ declutterĀ than others. The pieces you struggle with the most will likely be your favorite type of garment. We often own the biggest quantity of them, and because we love them, itās easy to justify keeping them. For me, thatās jeans because I wear them most days.
What item of clothing do you struggle with the most when decluttering clothes?
Jennifer…this was a wonderful post, so helpful. I’ve already started the process but the wardrobe is so hard for me to do. Thanks again!
I’m so glad it was helpful.
I find parting with special occasion pieces the most difficult. I also see that fancier occasions are not as common these days. A good jacket is like a work of art to me. Since my weight fluctuates and I am dealing with a larger waistline I did decide to treat myself to having a semi dressy jacket made to my own design. It was expensive but it is a forgiving swing jacket design which can easily accommodate fluctuations. It was a thrill to design and choose the colors and fabric I wanted.I made it reversible and I deserve it! All I can say to those who are struggling with weight for the first timeā¦Be grateful you had the ease of wearing what you wanted for so long. Iām not sure you realize how lucky you are.
Your jacket sounds fabulous, Teri!
My hardest items to declutter is my dressy blouses. It is hard to find the right ones as a petite. So you have challenged me with the not sure box. Thanks
This works for me!
I tried various methods of sorting. Taking everything out of the closets at one time? Overwhelming. Minimalism? No, not for me. Do I love my socks or thermals? No, I need them.
I bought a half-dozen soft-sided transparent clothing storage bags with zippers from IKEA. I fold the out-of-season items and store them in the bags on shelves. These bags stack well. The weather here goes backward and forward during shoulder seasons, so I can easily take something out or put something in until the weather settles. Best of all, I can see what’s in each bag without taking them off the shelves.
I pull items that are no longer useful to me out of circulation in the season when I’m wearing them. This way I know if they fit or look worn without a mega try-on session. They go directly into a clear plastics bag. I wash them up and donate when the bag is full.
It would be so much easier to deal with one season all year long, but we do need clothing for all extremes here.
I love shoes, so they are the hardest to cull.
Okā¦now Iām not only in the mood to purge – but motivated to start decluttering both mine and my hubbyās closet too! Great post, so thanks for the nudgeā¦š
It has been three years since a California wildfire burned down my house and “decluttered” for me. I’m now at the point where I need to refine my new closet and get rid of some stuff. I have things I bought without much thought right after the fire. When you need to start from scratch, you can’t be too picky. I have things donated to me from kind friends, but most of them are not “me.” I have also collected things I thought a wardrobe needs but turn out to be not necessary (mostly cold-weather accessories in this category.) I bought “cheap” in the beginning, and I regret several choices. So my new mantra is “If not now, when?” I was pulling something out of the closet, hesitating and putting it back, thinking I would wear it eventually, maybe. My new mantra is helping. If I can’t identify a time I would wear the garment, it goes into the donation pile. It’s a process, but I’m aiming for a useable wardrobe of things I really want.
I’m so sorry you went through that, Kay. I love your new mantra. We need to all have that attitude about our things.
A Plan! Now, if you cold only give me the energy to dig in! Happy New Year, and thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you very much for sharing your decluttering method! I feel ready to tackle this chore just knowing I donāt have to purge everything. Iām going to get that Not Sure tote ready now!
I will also give myself time to get out my rolling rack and array my jeans (and white tops) and try them on.
I have eclectic taste, but feel best in classic wear so I often love what I see (and buy)ā¦ on someone else. Does anyone else have trouble letting go of things you loveā¦ but donāt really love you?
I have eclectic taste too, and that’s what usually gets me into trouble.
Hi there
This should mean you will not be buying anything this year – right? Just kidding!
I’m always amazed as to how much clothes you have. I wish I enjoyed shopping.
Thanks for the tips.
Happy New Year to you.
Iām hoping for help here. Feeling desperate. Most sweaters and tees have big, round neck openings. My neck is thin and becoming very wrinkled and my most worrisome area. Only collared shirts help a bit. Turtlenecks catch on the wrinkles. Necklaces bring attention to the problem I would love to donate them all but I have to wear something. Help. Hi
I have a suggestion for you Verna. Perhaps try out some soft scarves, lightly tied. The scarf could add a pretty punch of colour near your face , which if itās the right colours, would be very cheery. Thereās fullness and softness .
I have had fun watching videos about ways to use different shaped scarves.
Hope this gives you some ideas. We all have areas we like to hide a bit. At 72+ my neck has changed a lot too!
Look for a crew neck or high v-necklines, which will be the most forgiving. You could also try scarves.
You could try a fake collar to put under the sweaters. There are lots on Amazon.
I lost a lot of weight in 2021 and 2022. Plus we moved 1,500 miles and the area is much more casual than city life and opposite in climate. I donated and sold a lot of clothes on Mercari. It is a wonderful site and easy to work with. Just an idea for others.
Thank you, Jennifer, for this wonderful post. So many helpful hints for decluttering.
Thanks for the decluttering tips. I need the nudge, and your tips were good! I really like the Not-Sure box (or boxes! š )! That could really help me. Lately, I feel so much guilt if I donāt try to sell items on Poshmark or ThredUp. And, gosh, that takes so much time and effort. Happy New Year!
Great post! And perfect time of year to do it!
12 years ago when we retired and relocated permanently from the Washington, DC area to SWFL I had a massive purging job to do since we already had a completely furnished house/wardrobe in FL at our part time home. I had to get rid of about 3/4 of my clothes since SWFL is pretty much summer all year with seasonal cooling at night. I had a sitting room attached to our bedroom where I laid all of one category of clothing on the floor on one side of the empty space at that point. I then walked down the room and moved everything to the opposite side of the room that I knew immediately I did not want to take with me. When the job got tough I left and went and did something else for a few hours or rest of the day. When I went back to the job at hand it was amazing how many additional items I could add to the “not take with me” side of the room. At the end of each day I bagged the “not take with me” items and donated them the following morning so I couldn’t change my mind. It took a while to go through my entire closet but at the end I tried all the “keeps” on and still donated some as they didn’t look as great as I remembered them. I still kept too many business type clothes as I retired when I left and I now have gotten rid of all but a very few of them for meetings I still attend now and again.
Now that I live in a pretty much 1 season climate I’m trying your process!
Great post! Jeans, sweaters and casual shoes are the things that accumulate in my wardrobe, mostly out of a fear that I wonāt have enough choice when I get dressed every day. However, like many ( most?) of us, I constantly reach for the same few things, leaving the others languishing. Iām feeling inspired today to get ārealā about these items, knowing that if I TRULY ever feel thereās not enough choice, I can go shopping!š
I need this despite the fact that I have a smallish wardrobe I think. After retiring from teaching I donated bags and bags of blazers, skirts, dress pants and classic shirts. I kept 2 blazers. I need jeans that are smaller but Iām tough to fit. I own only 4 pair.
I invest in cashmere tops mainly and some cute work out clothes, but not too many of anything except sweaters
and unique tops. .
In my climate, I go from short sleeve tees to heavy gauge wool sweaters. There aren’t really shoulder seasons. I have too many pretty, J Crew, fine gauge sweaters and silk blouses. They don’t get worn but I love them. My rule is if I love it, it can stay.
I decluttered my overflowing cosmetic drawer over the weekend. My resolution is to throw out/assess it four times a year.
My makeup drawer got cleaned out too.
Magnificent column! Thank you! I retired exactly a year ago and am struggling with suits and blazers. Iāve decided to keep one winter suit and one summer suitāwhichever ones fit best and look most classic. Iām allowing myself to keep only my four favorite blazers because I love to pair them with jeans. Ok, Iāve decided this without looking at my closet yet, but am doing so todayāwish me luck!
Along with some of the other suggestions for donations, I like to also recommend Suits for Vets. These items go to service women (and men) who are re-entering the workforce after their service to our country.
Many times I take photos of myself with my phone in a mirror (front, back and side views). I then realize that a particular item I thought looked great really doesnāt
That’s a great way to determine how things look
I love the ānot sure pileā idea. I will definitely use that when I get my courage up to tackle my closet.
Good advice that I’ll save for later. I declutter and examine my closet at the end of each season — we have 4 in the Northeast — and right now, we are in early winter with more to come. I would add one tip: ask yourself what you need BEFORE buying new clothes. This will save you money and keep you from having a dozen pairs of jeans. The ‘save for later’ tip doesn’t work for me. It simply kicks the can down the field, and I need to deal with things once and done.
I just decluttered my closet yesterday! Also need to declutter my costume jewelryā¦.excellent article, and I bought the hanging sweater shelves. Neat idea! Please consider showing us a capsule wardrobe for some inspiration. Iām thinking this will help me with decluttering as well. Now to start on the kitchen pantryā¦.
Cheers!
Great article. I started decluttering this weekend. (I also have 25+ pairs of jeans with price tags still attached.) It has made me realize how many things I have purchased on a whim. I also have “corporate world” suits that I will never wear again. I found a site fineclothing.com that is a re-sale shop for higher end clothing. This is a wonderful site, the owner is wonderful to work with. She will work with you on how to package your items and will arrange for a shipping label to be provided. She has a complete selection of St John items and will rate the condition of the item when posting for sale. I have also purchased items from her website. Wishing all a Wonderful 2023!!
Hi Jennifer,
Very timely post. I reorganized my small walk in closet in the last year.
I use Une Femme d’un certain age method to hang my tunics and sweaters and it works well. https://unefemme.net/how-to-hang-sweaters.html
I am on a “do not buy anything for 6 months”- but if you know of a great light gray jeans let me know! In terms of recycling: a shout out to Ridwell. They are an adjunct to the trash people and several households could purchase the service. My neighbors contribute all their used batteries biweekly and I can recycle a large part of my plastic regularly. They are a Seattle based service and just started in Berkeley.
Thanks for a fabulous blog!
Thatās how Iāve hung my sweaters for several years! I never get āhanger shouldersā that way. Didnāt know it had a name!
I love your posts, Jennifer. They are practical, thoughtful and most of all inspirational. This one about decluttering the closet certainly got me thinking and up off the couch!!! Look forward every morning to your musings and other gems from your posts.
I’m so glad you found it helpful
Thank you, Jennifer! I scheduled a donation pickup and will start with jeans and corduroys, some of which are close to 10 years old, and will move on to winter scarves. Hopefully, someone else will find a treasure. Good luck to all!
This is a well thought out post. All good advice. The Marie Kondo way of attacking your wardrobe doesnāt work for me either. Putting all your clothes on a pile on the bed? I can see every piece better hanging. Does it spark Joy? Youāre right, every piece does not need to bring you joy. I do ask myself, ā Would I buy this today?ā if undecided. If not, it goes.
I never thought to go through my husbandās closet until you mentioned tackling yours. I promptly went into his and selected old, washed out or tattered jeans, one too many white shirts, and shirts that are too big now. I removed them and when he came home we went through it together. They are being donated today!
Good job Jennifer! This free video by a professional organizer is what helped me declutter and reorganize my closet. She has a fun sense of humor about the topic. https://youtu.be/QPidZ5kBRVs
It is fun!
The toughest items for me to part with are shoes & handbags! I do have a metal tree for my handbags that I hang my favorites on. Shoes are beginning to be easier to part with, as I am definitely donating the uncomfortable, obvious outdated ones.
Thank you for the New Year nudge!
Wow is this ever timely and helpful! I intuitively started going through my wardrobe with a vengeance this weekend. It seems Iām not the only one! These are great tips. I actually packed my no longer lovables in unused suitcases which are normally standing empty. I love all your ideas. Thank you Jennifer, and I hope 2023 is just fabulous for everyone!
I love the suitcase idea!!
Thanks for great tips ! .. it helps me to feel good about where i donate too .! if i picture someone needs Clothes I donate, then i clear out more !.. i found a place that gives directly to homeless or needy families and i like knowing theyll get them .āŗļø Recently lost a size and some tight things fit again and some are way too baggy. So im really tossing things
ā¦i have most trouble getting rid of special dressier clothes, i just dont wear but keep in cases an occasion arises ,,ā¦. But rarely does . After covid even more rarely š©š©.Just purged all my jeans and my abundance of black pants ..
A lot of good suggestions in today’s post! I declutter at the end of each season (4). I decluttered my jeans at the start of fall and have been very pleased with the selection that has remained. My biggest problem is tunic length tops. I haven’t been wearing leggings or jeggings but some of the tops are still so nice and comfy but don’t look good with a bootcut jean. I may hang on to them till next fall and then decide if I need to get rid of them. Womens styles change so much…. skinny jeans to bootcut…that it definitely changes your mind about what you’ll be wearing on the top part of your body too. Well, happy decluttering everyone!!