Firstly, I’d just like to thank you for all the lovely feedback in regards to yesterday’s post on cleaning out my wardrobe, I’m so chuffed that you guys liked it. As promised, I am back today with a special How-to post, so you guys can try it out for yourself!
As we all know, one of the not-so exciting aspects to starting a new season is the dreaded wardrobe spring-clean. As painful as the task may seem, de-cluttering your wardrobe for the season ahead is just as important as the new items you will be adding it. Here are my Top 5 tips to make the process as easy as possible, so you can make the transition into Spring/Summer with a happy closet!
Preparation:
Give yourself a few hours to get the task done, you wont want to abandon it midway. Set the mood by playing some music, such as a funky Spring-cleaning playlist. Clear some space in your room, on the bed or on the floor, as you’ll need it once you get started.
1: Take Stock of Everything.
The idea is very simple. You are now going to start by taking stock of your entire wardrobe, yes I mean everything! You are going to pull every single item out, and try it on. Ask yourself the following questions: Does it fit? Does it suit my body-type? Do I feel comfortable in it? Have I worn it in the last 6 months? Its it damaged? Will it still look good next season? Ask yourself these questions and BE HONEST with yourself. If the answer to any of these questions is “No”, then you need to seriously think about tossing it. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, you have to be ruthless!
2: Use the Pile Method.
As you are going through your wardrobe and asking the above questions, separate your pieces into “Yes”, “No” and “Maybe” piles, which will give you a good indication of what you can get rid of, what you need to keep, and what you need to take another look at. Keep going until you have gone through your ENTIRE wardrobe. Congratulations, the hardest part is over!
3: Donate, Sell or Swap:
Now you have finally assigned a pile of clothes to get rid of, try to avoid dumping anything unless it is actually damaged, as there are many ways to pass these clothes on without being wasteful. Local charity shops are always in need of donations, so be sure to pay a visit there to pass on some of your unwanted pieces. You can also earn a bit of extra cash by selling of your pre-loved clothes through apps like Depop, or by bringing them to a consignment shop like Siopaella, or at a local market or rail-sale. You could even arrange for a group of your friends to hold wardrobe clear-outs, and have a a fabulous clothes-swapping party afterwards!
4: Asses your weaknesses:
Now that you have successfully de-cluttered your wardrobe you need to assess where your weaknesses are. Are you in need of more shirts for the office, or maybe another formal dress for a wedding next month? Do you have an arsenal of shorts, but very few skirts? Look at the problem areas in your wardrobe, and make up a (realistic) wish-list of pieces you need to bring your wardrobe into the new season. If you need some inspiration, hit up Pinterest or some of your favourite fashion bloggers to get some fresh ideas.
5: Reward Yourself:
Now comes the best part! After all your hard work is done, you’ll have the pleasure of browsing an organised, de-cluttered wardrobe every morning, making your daily outfit-choosing that much easier. As a reward for all your hard work, why not treat yourself to one of the items on your wishlist? You may even have finished your clear-out in time to nab one or two of your desired items in the January sales! If you’ve decided to sell some of your castoffs, then you should have some funds to play with also, so you can afford to treat yourself.
Above is a photo of my current wardrobe (minus my shoes) and I am still shocked at how much smaller it is than before, (multiply X4 to get an idea of what I was working with pre-clearout) and to be quite honest, I have not had ONE of those “I’ve nothing to wear!” moments since the overhaul. Granted, it does look a bit messy and could be organised a bit better, but hey, nobody’s perfect! That’s a battle for another time š
I hope you’ve all enjoyed this How-to post, and if you have any other tips and tricks for wardrobe de-cluttering, then please share them below!
Happy Culling,
Ciara x
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