How to Prepare for a Closet Detox: Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainable Fashion

To make room for something new in our lives, we often have to let go of the old—and that includes our closets! A closet detox is the first step toward discovering your unique style, and you don’t need to wait for a special occasion to do it. In fact, many stylists recommend cleaning out your closet at least twice a year to keep things fresh.

Think of it like Feng Shui for your wardrobe: clutter creates stagnant, low energy that can drain you and keep you from living your best life. We often resist closet cleaning because it feels like a big time commitment, but the real reason might be deeper. Clearing out your closet is an emotional process that requires letting go—both of physical items and the memories or identities attached to them.

Why a Closet Detox is Worth It

Since the 1990s, fast fashion has led to a global clothing crisis, with waste piling up at alarming rates. We consume 400% more clothing than we did 20 years ago, and much of it ends up in landfills. In the U.S. alone, 12.8 million tons of clothing waste was generated in 2017, but only 13.6% was recycled. This waste poses serious environmental, social, and health problems.

Why do we have so many clothes we don’t wear? A lot of it comes down to impulse buys—picking up random items while grocery shopping or grabbing designer deals that were just too good to pass up. But more often than not, we wake up to a closet full of clothes and still feel like we have nothing to wear. Studies show that people in countries like Belgium and the U.S. have the highest rates of unworn clothing—88% and 82%, respectively!

Ready to take the plunge? Here are some great resources to help you on your journey:

Movies to Watch

True Cost (2015)

A powerful documentary exploring the hidden impacts of fast fashion.

Minimalism (2016)

The Next Black (2014)

You can also watch the famous Sex and the City scene where Carrie Bradshaw gets her dream closet from her fiancé, Mr. Big, and has to decide which items to keep.

Video credit: Sex in the City Clips

In this beautifully crafted style guide, German author Anuschka Rees takes you on a journey to discover your personal style and build your dream wardrobe. The book is packed with practical advice and comes with a workbook that doubles as your personal style diary. You’ll find space to jot down your thoughts, tackle fun exercises, and strategize your closet cleanse, outfit planning, and shopping lists. This guide will empower you to:

1. Shop with intention and focus
2. Maximize your fashion budget
3. Perfect outfit combinations and color schemes
4. Tailor your wardrobe for any work environment
5. Evaluate garment fit and quality like an expert
6. Build a versatile capsule wardrobe that truly reflects you

Available on: Amazon (book and workbook)

Details Men’s Style Manual

Get the ultimate men’s wardrobe guide from the experts at Details magazine! This manual offers head-to-toe advice for every occasion, from business meetings to casual weekends. Learn how to dress up or down, find the perfect fit, and master your style with full-color illustrations and tips from style icons. Details Men’s Style Manual is your essential resource for looking sharp and confident.