There’s nothing like a new season to inspire you to do a thorough clean out of your wardrobe and purge it of any unwanted or unusable clothes taking up valuable closet real estate. After all there’s nothing better than a completely organised space where you can see everything you own at a glance and not have to dig through piles of clothing that you last wore in 1998. I’ve already covered in depth how to spring clean your wardrobe and also how I keep my own organised however if you’re going to embark on a big clearing spree it pays to know what to keep and what to bin to ensure you end up with only the clothes that you will definitely get plenty of use out of. And just think, once you’re done you’ve freed up essential space for any new purchases.
Stained/damaged/misshapen garments
Go through every single item of clothing you own (yes even socks and undies) and bin anything in bad shape. First and foremost this means clothes with stains or rips that can’t be mended and anything that’s a bit misshapen or stretched. It’s better to have a tight edit of clothes that are in pristine condition than a ton of clothes that are only partially usable.
“Someday” clothes
I think most women have clothes in this category in their wardrobe. It could be that dress you’re hanging onto for when you lose a few kilos or the jeans that you once loved but are hoping could come back in fashion. Be brutally honest and ask yourself whether you’re really going to wear them again. I’m betting that most of the time the answer is no.
Anything you haven’t worn in a year
If you’ve survived an entire 365 days without the urge to take out a particular item of clothing once, chances are it’s time to break up with said garment. And you may say that you’ll swear to wear it someday but the reality is it’s probably just going to end up gathering dust in the back of your closet for another 365 days. Bite the bullet and bin it or donate it to charity.
It belongs to the old you
As we age and move into new phases of our lives often our wardrobe can be left behind. Whether it’s changing jobs to an entirely new industry where your collection of suits just no longer works or being a mum who lives in casual lounge wear but has a closet full of non-child friendly clothes, it’s time to start dressing for the life you have not the one you had. You’ll feel so much better looking into your closet having plenty of feasible outfit options everyday than feeling despondent every morning that you have nothing to wear.
…and what you should definitely keep
Hang onto classic pieces that are timeless staples of every woman’s wardrobe. These are the clothes that will last you season after season and will still be with you long after the latest trend becomes a distant memory. I think there are 10 items every wardrobe needs but as a general guide these things will not date and are worth hanging onto:
- A crisp white shirt
- A black or navy blazer
- A trench coat
- A leather jacket
- A great pair of jeans that fit you perfectly
- A little black dress
- A striped tee
- A pair of leather pants/leggings
- A quality winter coat in black, grey, navy or beige
- A pair of black dress trousers
If you’re honest with yourself and are able to let go of what’s going unused I promise that after this you’ll end up with a wardrobe that you’re just dying to wear…and a valid excuse to go shopping for some new additions!
What are some of your tips for a good wardrobe clear out?
2 Comments
This was such a helpful post! I always have trouble deciding which items to keep and get rid of. Great read!
Turquoise and Chaos
Hi Ashley,
So glad you found it helpful! Hopefully it comes in handy the next time you do a wardrobe spring clean. :)