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Top Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet

Transform your wardrobe and embrace sustainability with our top tips for a fun and effective closet clean-out. Learn how to declutter, organize, and refine your clothing collection into a stylish and eco-friendly capsule wardrobe!

In our guide on setting wardrobe detox goals, we mentioned creating an “activity wheel.” Let’s revisit this idea and keep it in mind as you sort through each item. Set the mood by playing your favorite music, doing your makeup, styling your hair, and slipping on your usual heel height—this will help you get into the spirit and prepare for a few hours of fashion fun with your private collection.

What You’ll Need

6 to 8 bags or boxes, 1-2 trash bags, a mirror, and your favorite music.
 

The Basics of Closet Cleaning

  1. Remove Seasonal Items: Start by taking out clothing that’s out of season.
  2. Use Your Lifestyle Wheel: If you have 10 evening dresses but only attend fancy events 5% of the time, keep just your favorite one.
  3. Tackle Categories One at a Time: Start with dresses, then tops, bottoms, shoes, bags, and finally accessories.
  4. Remove Ill-Fitting Items: Say goodbye to anything that doesn’t fit anymore.
  5. Get Rid of Items with Negative Associations: That unlucky dress from your last bad date? It’s time for it to go!
  6. Discard Worn-Out Pieces: If it looks old or beaten up, consider repairing or repurposing it as loungewear.
  7. Forget About the Money Spent: Don’t hold onto items just because of their cost; focus on what you love and use.
 

Aim to keep your top 40-50 seasonal pieces to form the foundation of your capsule wardrobe.

 

Start the Process

We’ve made this process as enjoyable as possible by coming up with seven questions to help you evaluate each piece of clothing.

Question 1: Is It Seasonal?

First, strip away all seasonal items that are still hanging around from the last season, like Christmas sweaters or summer dresses, and put them in a “Seasonal” pile.

 
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Question 2: Did I Wear It Last Year?

Now ask yourself the most important question: Did you wear it frequently last year? This simple yes or no question cuts through sentimentality. Move anything you haven’t worn in the past year into an “Under Investigation” pile for further sorting.

Question 3: Is This an Absolute Must-Keep?

Look at your “Under Investigation” pile. Decide if any of these items are worth keeping. Maybe some didn’t fit, or you just never liked them. Try on each piece to see how it feels. If you love it but haven’t worn it, move it to a “Keepsakes” pile. If it’s damaged but worth fixing, set it aside for repair.

Question 4: Am I Okay with Selling or Renting It?

Consider whether you could sell or rent any of the remaining items. If you have high-value or designer pieces, they might be worth selling on platforms like eBay or TheRealReal. If renting sounds like a fun option, check out peer-to-peer platforms like Tuleri.

 
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Question 5: Can I Wear It at Home?

Evaluate the clothes you could wear at home. If your home style is much more casual than your outside look, consider elevating it. Put comfy, stylish pieces in the “Home” pile.

Question 6: Can I Give It Away to Friends or Family?

Think about giving some items away at a swap party or to family members who might love them. Put anything suitable in the “Give Away” pile.

Question 7: Can I Donate It?

For any items still in good condition, consider donating them to a local thrift store. It’s an easy way to help others and the environment.

Anything else left over should go into the “Trash” pile, but be mindful about how much you throw away. Textiles can clog recycling machinery, and handling them creates extra work for facility staff.

 

Wrap-Up

By now, you should have several piles: Seasonal, Favorites, Repair, For Sale, Home, Give Away, Donate, and Recycle/Trash. Pack them up and give yourself a few days to reflect. You might decide to let go of even more! Celebrate with a cup of tea and think about how much lighter and more organized you feel.

To keep the inspiration going, revisit your favorite fashion moments—like the iconic closet scene from Sex and the City—and think about what truly makes you feel your best.

 

Video credit: Sex in the City Clips on Youtube

 
Curious about what to do with the extra clothing after a closet detox? Check out our post on managing your clothing once you’ve decluttered!

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