Simple Steps to Declutter Your Wardrobe
I’ve spent the last few weeks going through my wardrobe with a fine-tooth comb, being more honest than usual about what I do and don’t want to wear again. The last year delivered more than a few outfit frustrations, and I’d like to avoid repeating them.
I don’t have a crystal-clear vision of how I want to dress in 2026, but I’m very clear about what I didn’t enjoy wearing in 2025. Since my personal style continues to evolve, staying on top of what no longer works has become part of the process.
Decluttering isn’t just about creating space. It’s a way to remove the distractions that make getting dressed harder than it needs to be and to take a closer look at what still aligns with how I want to live and dress now.
Before you declutter, be sure you don’t just need to reorganize what you own. If your closet is messy, it’s hard to find the right pieces to put together a cohesive look.
I’m updating this post from last year because this is not a one-and-done exercise. Our wardrobes change as we do, and a simple, thoughtful reset goes a long way.
How To Start
Many people like to attack their wardrobe, ala Marie Kondo, but that’s never appealed to me. It’s not realistic for me to take everything out of my closet at one time and toss it into a pile. That process creates a mountain of work, and it would depress me long before I finished it. If the job is overwhelming, decision fatigue can set in, so you end up rushing to finish and start making poor decisions.
I like to make this simple, so I start at one end of the rod or go through one drawer at a time.
Have four bags or boxes at the ready:
1- This box is for items you want to donate or send to consignment stores.
2- This 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.
3- This bag is for garments you want to keep wearing but they’re in need of repair, cleaning, or alterations.
4- 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 into this box because you know it’s not leaving your house. The decision is temporary and allows you to revisit the pieces later, but they aren’t 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 Ask as You Declutter Your Wardrobe
If your taste and style are evolving like mine, you may find it helpful to revisit the three-word method to find your personal style. I’m in the process of redefining my words this year, so I’m being extra careful about what I donate.
For each item you pick up, ask yourself:
- Does it fit you properly at your current 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 with your current style goals?
- 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 if you wear 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 disagree. There are several categories of clothes we need in our wardrobes that are rarely worn but invaluable to have on hand, such as formal wear or what to wear to a funeral.
Closet Cleanout Tips and Mistakes
Take Your Time
Listen to your intuition, and don’t be too hasty. If you’re unsure about an item, remember that it can go into your not-sure box #4 above.
Don’t Be Overly Emotional
Is this the scarf your friend 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?
Decluttering Essentials
Have a notepad nearby to jot down items you need to add to your wardrobe. If you discover that your favorite black pants are looking a little worse for wear, make a note to keep an eye out for a new pair. Be sure to replace them before you donate your old ones.
Cost Does Not Equal Value
This is a slippery slope. Just because you paid a lot for something doesn’t mean you should keep it. And if you got a smokin’ hot deal on something that doesn’t look great on you, it’s 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 functional wardrobe needs items that serve a purpose, and they don’t all have to spark joy…sorry, Marie Kondo. Wardrobes need functional basics that we may feel neutral about, but that are essential pieces for completing our outfits. That said, don’t keep anything you don’t like!
You Keep Too Many Duplicates.
My hand is raised on this one. It’s so easy to justify another great pair of black pants because I like and wear them so often. Keep a few of the best, and release the rest. Last year, I struggled to declutter my jeans collection. Surprise! I find myself in the same spot again this year, with multiple pairs in a donation bag!
You’re Overzealous
We often talk about finding your personal style here on AWSL. Our style evolves as we learn and grow, so getting rid of large portions of your wardrobe in one fell swoop can lead to remorse. I’d rather have three not-sure boxes than regret donating a piece prematurely. Packing things up and removing them from your daily wardrobe will help clear your mind so you can get a better idea of how you want to look going forward.
The one category I seldom declutter from my wardrobe is 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 that categories make the most sense, and then I further refine them by color within each category.
Hang all your shirts on the rod, facing in the same direction. Group all jeans together and all pants together. The same goes for skirts, jackets, 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 your wardrobe essentials.
Note – I no longer separate my items by formality because life is too short not to wear the good stuff. It’s fun to wear a silk blouse; add jeans, sneakers, some amazing earrings, and a faux fur vest. I firmly believe we should not save our best pieces. We deserve to enjoy them every chance we can get.
Get a good lint remover and fabric shaver to keep your clothes in good shape moving forward. My favorite is this Gleener and this shaver.
Wardrobe Storage Tools
Velvet hangers save a ton of room on your rods and virtually double your closet space. The flocked surface helps grip your tops so they don’t slip to the floor.
I like to hang my seasonal clothes, 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-bed storage bins, but I fear I would forget what I own!
Hardest clothing to declutter
Some categories feel easier to declutter than others. The pieces you struggle with most will likely be your favorite types of garments. For me…it’s jeans because I wear them most days. Try not to justify keeping too many duplicates because it’ll make it harder to get dressed each morning.
The goal isn’t a perfect closet. It’s one that works better. A little space goes a long way, and you don’t have to be ruthless to get there. When something gives you pause, set it aside and move on.
What’s the category that’s hardest for you to declutter?
I just decluttered my closet yesterday! Also need to declutter my costume jewelry….excellent article, and I bought the hanging sweater shelves. Neat idea! Please consider showing us a capsule wardrobe for some inspiration. I’m thinking this will help me with decluttering as well. Now to start on the kitchen pantry….
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!
That’s how I’ve hung my sweaters for several years! I never get “hanger shoulders” that way. Didn’t 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 doesn’t 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? You’re right, every piece does not need to bring you joy. I do ask myself, “ Would I buy this today?” if undecided. If not, it goes.
I never thought to go through my husband’s 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 I’m 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 .☺️ Recently lost a size and some tight things fit again and some are way too baggy. So im really tossing things
…i have most trouble getting rid of special dressier clothes, i just dont wear but keep in cases an occasion arises ,,…. But rarely does . After covid even more rarely 😩😩.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!!
Wonderful post Jennifer, I know I will refer back to this one often. I also find jeans the hardest thing to let go of. I literally have a tote full of jeans in my quest to find the ‘perfect pair’.
This is a keeper post! I am so glad I signed up for your newsletter! This post gives very good guidelines for organization and purging my closet. As stated before my waistline is disappearing and very little fitted not stretchy clothes fit me anymore. Thanks for the help.
What a helpful and much needed post. I recently went through all my jeans and tried on each pair. Some were actually worn out. That showed me how much I wear jeans. I never want to part with any but I do know that I will always be buying new pairs so that made it easier. I like the idea of putting things you are unsure of in a box. On the spot decisions are hard so that can ease your mind. Thanks for being so helpful.
A terrific post. I love the organized, reasoned approach. (I’ve never been able to relate to spark of joy…). I do relate to others in their comments about how work clothes still hang in closets long after retirement. I’m inspired to tackle my closet. Thank you for the nudge. And Happy New Year.
Happy New Year!
One reader mentioned a question I had and forgot to ask…. How DO you store your clothing… tees, pants, sweaters, scarves, purses. I’m sure we all would love to see your closet as well! Come on ladies…let’s cheer her on!
My closet is tiny! I hang tee shirts too. If I fold things they get wrinkles 😁 I’ll see if I can get some photos.
Visuals are everything! Please do share how your closet looks and how you store shoes and accessories. It’s so helpful to see a closet that works and your closet is busier than most of us who are retired. Thanks!
Yes please, I was just going to request the same thing.
Great ideas here, very helpful. Thank you and happy New Year!
I also hang my tees! Summer weight tees are folded and go in my summer bin during winter. The same with shorts, pajamas, etc. That opens up room for winter clothes that come out of that same bin. I hang everything. I have a walk-in closet I share with my husband. I have to switch out his clothes too. Fortunately, we have big closets in our family room that are for off season clothes and coats. I group all jeans together and then by color. All tops by color in a low hanging rod. Sweaters are on satin padded hangers, as I don’t have drawer space to fold them. All of my cardigans are together then by color, light to dark. I purge in the spring and fall. Maybes go in the family room closet again to be reevaluated in the fall. My weight has been stable but like the other Sydney, my waist is expanding so many things have been donated to Goodwill.
I enjoy decluttering and organizing my closet by color and type of garment but this has not always been true for me. I do love good cotton socks so I hang on to them past their prime as it’s hard to find good cotton socks. I also hang on to shoes even when they are worn out or uncomfortable. I have challenged myself to declutter shoes and socks over the last six months. And lastly, I am hanging onto my good ponte pants that fit well even though I am now retired. They are hard to find in a high quality fabric at this point, so I reasoned it would be better to save them. And they still fit, are in style, and look great.
Ponte pants are some of my favorites so I certainly hold on to them!!
It so hard , I KEEP trying.
I’ve found that Eileen Fisher Ponte items fit and last well; worth the extra money. They also have petite sizing – important to someone who’s 5’2″!
I love the Quince ponte pants. I’m also 5’2” and they carry petites that are just right. They are very reasonable at $39.99 a pair and come in several colors. They’re a great fabric weight and thick enough to hide any lumps and bumps! They carry straight leg (my choice) and boot leg (they were too long and too wide for me). You might want to check them out!
Jennifer, this post on decluttering is the best I have read. I moved last year and I had some of the issues you discuss. I think it is great that you include jeans in our decluttering. We keep way too many. Thanks for posting this timely article🥳
I wish I’d done more decluttering when we moved. It’s the perfect time!
Great read!! I am about your size and soon turning 64. We live and work on our dairy farm. Jeans that fit always get moved to the work pile. I work I more than I go to town, so my theory is be comfy and love what I work in! I lost 20 lbs in 2022! I had donated all my smaller sizes before I decided to loose those excess pounds. I kind of wish I still had some of them! I am a soft summer color palette and shopping for smaller sizes has been fun!!! Thanks Jennifer for advice and inspiration!!!
Great ideas here! Thanks so much for allowing me to have my not-sure box without guilt. I tried on all of my jeans recently and found a couple of pairs I did not remember I owned and that now fit perfectly.
That’s a fun discovery!
What a great post! I have to declutter 10 at a time as I tend to get rid of things too quickly. I absolutely love your method. Not sure what I have the most problems with. Maybe tee shirts and sweaters. I have too many.
Excellent tips Jennifer, so pinned for future reference as ’tis the season being winter’ ‘ for me to declutter paperwork as use the fireplace instead of shredding otherwise for garments I try to do it at the end of each season. On that note though, do hope you kept at least one pair of your straight leg slimmer cut and/or skinny jeans which IMHO work/look best with tunic length tops.
-Brenda-
I do have one pair I really like but they’re shabby looking so I plan to hit Talbots to replace, then I’ll donate my old ones 😁
I put all my ‘go to’ clothes in my bathroom, which serves as my dressing room, my panties are in a cabinet drawer by the toilet, along with any necessary hygeine products my bras are in a Victorias Secret bag that hangs next to my bathrobe on a hook, and my exercise pants and sweats hang over the towel rod. I put my tops on the stylish hooks that hang over the door. Right ouside the bathroom, I place my hoodies on hooks, and socks in a cool basket next to my umbrellas. Oh yeah, my favorite pj.s hang next to my robe and over the laundry basket. These minimal articles of clothing have served me well while healing from an injury and now after a year of using a makeshift dressing room I am ready to debulk my stores of clothing that more than occupy my bedroom.
Start with a dressing room that is small, then declutter, keeping those few extras that fill your heart, for example my Wedding Dress, my Graduation Gown, my babies little walkers, and of course my favorite purses.
Great information! Thank you. I struggle with how to store handbags. Any ideas?
@Marcia: For storing/organizing outerwear winter accessories (scarves/gloves etc.) I invested in ‘hanging closet shelves’ (similar to Jennifer’s link) however also discovered they work well for handbags (and some do come with dust covers or zippers) plus there is the ‘pocket design’ (i.e.: Zober/@ Amazon) which is another option that I use for small scale bags fitting at least two per pouch. Hope this helps. -Brenda-
Many like to store them hanging from a rack. I find they get dusty that way so store them in bags in my armoire. Thanks for reminding me I have to declutter those too!!
I have put several hooks on the back wall behind my hanging clothes where I now hang 2-3 purses on each. With 2 levels where my shirts hang and 1 level for my slacks/dresses, I can have at least 9 hooks. The few I only use occasionally are in clear plastic boxes on a shelf with a label on the outside as to which purses are inside. Works great!!