How To Declutter Your Wardrobe Step by Step

This week I am starting a new video series about creating a wardrobe for the 50 plus woman and one of the key steps you will need is to see what you already have and streamline your wardrobe – that means a good declutter. So here is my guide to declutter your wardrobe step by step.

You might want to work on your complete wardrobe in one go, or if you have a lot of items perhaps split it into sections so that it’s not too overwhelming.

Whichever you choose start by getting everything out – if you have a free standing rail put everything on there or if not put it all on the bed.

Step 1

Work through methodically through all the items. Asked yourself these questions for each item:

• is the colour is one you want in your wardrobe
• does the item fit and is it flattering – you feel good in it, not “it will do”
• does it work for your lifestyle
• does it fit with your personal style
• it is in good condition and doesn’t need repairing, tailoring or cleaning

Only once you are satisfied can it go back in the group of items that you will return to the wardrobe.

You will get faster at this tick list as you go through each item.

If you find you can’t make a decision about an item, check whether you are being honest with yourself. Go back over this checklist and really think about whether it works.

If you love the colour but not the shape, make a note to look out for something better in that colour. Or perhaps you love the style but the colour isn’t quite right – can it be dyed? If not again make a note to look out for something in this shape but a better colour.

If the item is well loved and ticks all the boxes but it is looking old and tired make a note to replace it with a new version.

Anything that needs cleaning or repairing but is otherwise good, add to a new group of pieces that need maintenance.

Anything that is not right but is still in good condition add to a group to either resell or donate.

Finally anything that just needs throwing, add to a recycling group.

Step 2

Be prepared to try things on and work with them as you go through the items. Look at yourself from all angles and if you are unsure take a photo – sometimes you will notice things in a photo that you don’t see in the flesh.

Make sure you have a full length mirror and some pins or safety pins to hand, so that you can try pinning things to alter them and see if they work better. Perhaps turning a hem up, lengthening or shortening sleeves, lifting shoulders and so on. Sometimes just a small tweak will give the garment better shape or balance and make it work. Try things on with different shoes and accessories as well, making notes as you go.

Make a list of any items that come to mind that you want to add to your wardrobe. It may be, for example, that a dress would look much better with its own belt replaced with a leather belt instead. Or perhaps a long length pendant would make a neckline work better, or a camisole top would stop a wrap style from gaping and revealing too much cleavage.

Step 3

Once you have gone through everything give your wardrobe a good clean. Dust and hoover and make sure you have a good moth repellant.

Make sure that everything that goes back in has enough space. If clothes are packed in too tightly they are likely to need ironing every time you want to wear them.

Get decent hangers! Get rid of any dry cleaner’s metal hangers as they ruin the shape of your clothes. Look for padded hangers for delicate items and space saving velvet hangers, which also stop items slipping off the hanger. 

If you are using clip hangers for skirts or trousers, cut a small piece of fabric to put between the the clip and the garment if the clip isn’t already padded as this will prevent the clip from marking the garment.

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Step 4

Now you can start to put the items you are keeping back into your wardrobe and drawers. Only put back items that don’t need any maintenance.

How you organise is up to you. I like to group the same items together – tops, skirts, trousers etc. However, you may prefer to group in colour blocks, so all whites/creams together, all blues together and so on. Do whatever works best for you when it comes to finding a particular item.

I also find that if I can’t see things I forget about them. This does depend on how much space you have but if you can keep as much of your wardrobe in the same place as possible you are less likely to forget about an item.

Look for some space saving ideas – hanging your scarves on hooks on the inside of the wardrobe door. Or adding some low shelving in the bottom of the wardrobe for shoes. There are also a whole host of solutions, such as adding a second rail that hangs from your existing rail lower down so that you could have tops at the top and trousers hanging below folded in half. Or hangers that have multiple rungs to hold several pairs of trousers.

Step 5

Deal with the groups of items that aren’t going back into your wardrobe as soon as possible. If you leave them laying around for too long, some will be likely to creep back into your wardrobe and you will have wasted your time doing the hard work of sorting and thinking about them.

Lessen the guilt of items that still have their tag on them by reselling them – that way you can use the money for things that you want to add that are right. Get rid of anything that is too small that you will “diet into”. This is demoralising and if it doesn’t happen you will keep reminding yourself every time you look at that item.

Remember we are building a wardrobe of pieces that make you feel good and give you confidence. Items that are too small do none of that!

If you found this pos about how to declutter your wardrobe step by step useful, you may want to watch the video series I am creating, I’ve linked the first video which has just gone live below.