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?
Happy new year! Great post!
I think the trickiest category is « kept too long/not worth donating? » but not raggy/throwAway yet.
This is where your mental encouragement comments
are so valuable!
Happy New Year, I absolutely love your suggestions for decluttering my closet.
I do clean it out twice a year but your suggestions are very useful and valuable. Thank you and have a great weekend
Happy Weekend Pat!
Of all the declutter and reorganize posts I have seen for 2025, yours has hit the mark 100%! Thank you for you clear and thoughtful tips.
I’m so glad this helps Joann
I found Velvet hangers at Sam’s Club. They come in different colors too! They are on sale now for 10.98 for 50! Certainly worth the price to help organize closets.
Great post. I retired in April and went through my closet. I keep a bag I. The closet and as I dress if something doesn’t fit or decide it doesn’t work I put I put I. The bag. Then donate when full.
Jennifer, thank you for your thoughts , I need to declutter..my Achilles heel is a white t-shirt , I’m afraid to count how many I have..I do know that anything with a round neckline will have to go, along with jeans….and I seriously need to edit my shoes. Your guidelines are by far the best I’ve read….Happy 2025 and I look forward to reading. your every morning…
I’ve just tossed a few white tees because they got a yellow cast. I hate to be an enabler but the COS ones I replaced them with, are awesome quality.
Very helpful post! I’m afraid I’m a belt hoarder with my 35+ after reading the recommendation online that only 3-5 belts are necessary in a wardrobe. I was wondering how many you have and any thoughts you have on belts?
Belts are accessories so I have many. Some are over 25 years old. I like unique ones so I don’t limit myself plus storage is easy.
Since retiring, I’ve moved away from structured garments. I find my new wardrobe easy to care for, comfortable, and versatile. However, I’m struggling to store it. Almost everything is knit or silk. The bottoms are easy to hang. I almost always wear a third piece. Many of the tops and third pieces can’t be hung without distorting the shoulders. The same is true for dresses with sleeves. Additionally, I downsized my home, and the closets are small. There has to be a way to store my wardrobe. So far, it eludes me.
Try folding soft tops and drape over a hanger with other tops.
I’m a bit of a minimalist. Although I wear jeans most of the time, I don’t think I’ve ever owned 6 pairs at once! I do, however, have to weed things out of my wardrobe from time to time for many of the reasons that you’ve touched on here. This winter, I’m trying to put on every item in my closet at least once and when I do, I evaluate whether it’s something I should keep or not by asking myself many of the questions that you’ve suggested. It’s a gradual clean out, but it works for me.
It’s important to note that I am a fashion blogger and brands send me clothes throughout the year so my collection is larger than most women’s.
I totally agree with you on donations — and some stores take clothes even if not from them (e.g. Madewell takes jeans). I think the more important thing by far, however, is not to purchase some much to begin with. When I go to the grocery store, I have a list. The same should be true of clothes. My biggest issue is jeans — love them and a good deal — but I am a lot smarter about purchasing sustainable clothing. I’m a work in progress. I also believe in ‘buy one new item, donate one old one. This year I am putting myself on a clothes allowance — number of items not cost. I am exempting lingerie, socks, required footwear, and things that have to be replaced.
Happy New Year! Thanks for all you do.
Decluttering for me is always ongoing. Since I retired a couple years ago, have a rule, if something is added in, another garment comes out. Really helps to keep things under control. Love the tips!
I’m trying to get my husband to do the same…and I need to as well.
I constantly edit my closet, but I’m doing a #nonew90 for a pause and to reassess what I have, how it fits and how it goes together (proportion wise). Around two years ago I started transitioning my wardrobe to my seasonal color palette and it was the best thing I have done. Everything goes together color wise and I no longer have those orphans that don’t match anything else. My biggest struggle is a size change and I can no longer rely on styles I used to wear. I keep some of the favorite older items in an underbed box just in case, with my skinny jeans that I never liked but was stuck with all those years.
Knowing how to see and alter is so valuable.
Sweaters, coats and shoes are my downfall. I have sweaters from 6th grade ( I’m now 73!). I wear coats from my Mom and Mother-in-law that date back to the 40ties. Unfortunately I have heals in all colors and styles that I can’t wear til I resolve my vertigo issues. Other shoes and boots are from 25 years ago to last week. Buying good things, taking care of them, and having space to organize things is the key.
Your idea of a not sure box is brilliant! It takes away that black and white decision making and offers some wiggle room for a decision to to be finalized later.
Gotta say I totally appreciated all your input on closet reorganizing and put it into practice immediately. Can be such a chore but when broken down into bite-size pieces is totally freeing. You speak my language of practicality!
Definitely jeans! I have way more pairs than I wear, and when I find a pair I love, I buy another. Time to purge.
I also ordered some of the wardrobe storage bags. Besides clothing, I think one will be perfect for my seasonal table runners. They’re in dry cleaning bags right now, and it’s time to upgrade. 🙂
I love to declutter! It should be my profession. lol
I went through everything with the change of seasons. When my two grown daughters were out in the summer & fall I told them to take any footwear they wanted except a choice few. I also donated some. Now, I have on,y my favourites and those that are comfy. I kept one pair black heels for those special occasions. My closet has only those pieces that fit me at this weight. Anything I don’t reach for often during the winter months will be donated come spring, I also went through my totes of smaller sizes yesterday. Anything in a size 6, I put in a garbage bag and dropped off at the thrift store. I don’t think I’ll reach that low weight again. But to be honest, I did hold onto a select few of my quality, favourite pieces. 🤫
I wear jeans most days. I have four pairs in my closet – two indigo, straight leg, one black, straight leg and one grey, slim leg. Anything with a wider leg, I donated too. I just wasn’t reaching for them as I didn’t find them as flattering.
I have used the trash, donate, and maybe box. It works well. I left the maybe box sitting by my closet and each day as I passed I glimpsed in and thought do I really want to keep this? I ended up donated most but gave myself time to think first.
That’s fabulous! I still have some to go through but it feels so good to clear things out.
Black pants. I just counted 8 pair in my closet. I think I might have a problem!
I have you beat there Kay!! I had 9 and too many of them were similar.
Jennifer, thanks for the tips….I’m in a process to declutter my closet. Most of my clothes will go to a local shelter, and some have been in a donation bag….this is my New Years resolution…donate!! Sometimes , though I do think of a few items I donated an regret not giving them a second chance. But hopefully they have good homes…
I have regretted a few donations myself so I use the not sure box as long as necessary now until I am sure.
Thank you for this post. I definitely need to move some things out of my closet, and replace some with more flattering colors and fit. The area I have the most trouble with is things that fall in the sentimental category.
I think many of us struggle with sentimental items. I know I do.
You’re certainly not alone with that one.