The change of seasons is a wonderful time to consider a wardrobe clean-out and to get your wardrobe organised again. It is the perfect opportunity to access your cooler weather clothes and to decide which summer clothes can be put away for next season and which may not make a return. We understand it isn’t always that simple to let go of some of the clothes we barely ever wear. Today we discuss why we keep clothes, and knowing these reasons may help you let some go.
If you don’t usually pack away your out-of-season clothes, we highly recommend that you do. Having only seasonal clothes in your wardrobe makes it easier to find what you are looking for and makes getting dressed in the morning easier. It also frees up a lot of space in your wardrobe, so you can keep it better organised.
The basics of a wardrobe clean-out:
1. Be in the right frame of mind
A wardrobe clean-out is a significant task, so you need to be in the right mindset and thoroughly prepared to complete the job successfully. Make sure you have time. Set aside a morning with no other interruptions. Be ready with some boxes or bags for the clothes you want to get rid of. A notepad and pen are handy for making notes on items you might need to fill any wardrobe gaps. Queue your favourite playlist and get stuck in.
2. Unpack everything
There is only one way to clean out your wardrobe properly: to unpack your entire wardrobe and thoroughly go through it. It is also important to try things on, especially if you are unsure. You may find that a pair of jeans that consistently ended up at the bottom of the pile actually still fit you like a glove, or that top you bought two summers ago with the tags still on (which you swear you will still wear) truly doesn’t fit you anymore.
3. Decide what to get rid of
Clothes with tears and stains. Get rid of any clothes that are beyond repair or have an unremovable stain.
Clothes that don’t fit well and that don’t make you feel good. If an item doesn’t fit nicely and doesn’t make you feel good at present, it is time to let it go.
The one-year rule. If you haven’t worn a clothing item for over a year, it must go. If an entire year has passed and you haven’t had the urge to wear it, it’s time to get rid of it.
4. Decide on the keepers
It is self-evident that an item is a keeper if it is genuinely comfortable, makes you feel good, and is worn frequently. Furthermore, hang on to classic, good-quality pieces such as a white shirt, denim items that fit you perfectly, a simple black dress, and a pair of tailored pants.
5. Access your current situation
Now that the wardrobe clean-out is done, it’s time to take a step back and assess your situation. Make a list of the items you need. Noting the pieces you need can help you prioritise future shopping. Making a priority list will make you less tempted to buy a trendy (but not needed) item you see pop up in your Facebook feed next week. When you go shopping, you’ll know what clothing items you actually need.
If you need some help trying to fill the gaps you have in your wardrobe there are many articles on how to create a capsule wardrobe with versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. Here is such an article about staple pieces for winter 2025. However, remember, you don’t need to follow every fashion tip; think of your lifestyle and what works for your body shape and pick pieces that work for you.
Letting go of clothes you don’t wear
For many people it is a struggle to let go of the clothes they don’t wear anymore. There are some common reasons why we want to hold on; recognising some of them could help us let go. By thoroughly cleaning out your wardrobe and getting rid of the clothes we don’t currently wear, you can create a simplified wardrobe you love. Here are some of the mental stumbling blocks holding us back.
Reason 1: The item is new or barely worn, and you feel guilty about wasting money.
Occasionally you buy something you think you will love and wear, but it just doesn’t work for you. It’s time to let it go, whether you bought it on sale or it doesn’t match your other clothes. Remind yourself that you’ve already spent the money, and holding onto it won’t result in a refund. We all make purchasing mistakes. By keeping it, it will just be a constant reminder and prolong your feeling of guilt.
Reason 2: It is something you are ‘supposed’ to have in your wardrobe.
Fashion rules can easily influence your choices. You have heard of certain things that every woman should have as a staple in their cupboard, for example, a fitted blazer, but your lifestyle doesn’t dictate that you ever need to wear a blazer. Or you may sometimes need a blazer, but the one you have doesn’t fit you nicely, yet you keep it because it is a ‘staple’. Don’t keep things that don’t make you look and feel great or fit in with your lifestyle. We are all different and have different wardrobe needs. Clear out unnecessary wardrobe items and shop thoughtfully for staples that you do really need.
Reason 3: You tried a new trend, but it doesn’t work for you.
We have all been there; we buy an item that is trendy currently because we feel it may update our wardrobe. Often trends don’t work for everybody; they don’t fit every person’s body or lifestyle. Try to figure out what your personal style is. Think about your favourite outfits—those that make you look and feel great. You’ll likely notice they share common elements. For example, you may love how you look wearing jeans, a button-up shirt, sneakers, and maybe a pretty scarf to top it off. Knowing your style will help you avoid trends that don’t fit your body and lifestyle.
Reason 4: Your weight has changed, and you have clothes in multiple sizes.
Try to keep only clothes that fit you right now. Many people have one or two items they hang onto for ‘someday’ when they perhaps lose weight. Having clothes in your cupboard that don’t currently fit you adds to the visual clutter, making choosing what you are going to wear more difficult. Seeing clothes that used to fit you but don’t anymore can stir up negative feelings. You should love your wardrobe, and it should make you look and feel your best now. Clean-out clothes that don’t fit you from your wardrobe. If you lose weight in the future, treat yourself to new clothes.
Reason 5: You don’t have anything to match or wear with an item.
Sometimes we buy an item we love, but we soon realise we have nothing to wear with it. We convince ourselves that it will work as soon as you find the right pants, shoes or accessories to go with it. If you are already having trouble finding the right pieces to make an item work, the chances are it doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle. The key to a successful wardrobe is versatility and being able to mix and match with different pieces. Let that piece go and stick with pieces that easily work with the rest of your wardrobe.
Reason 6: Something is sentimental to you.
There is no question that sentimental items can be some of the most difficult to declutter. It is OK to keep some sentimental items, like a dress that was crafted for you for a special occasion or an heirloom piece handed down to you. Sometimes, however, it is crucial to remove sentiment from other items.
Try to be intentional and selective with what you keep sentimental to you. Maybe set a limit on how many sentimental items you keep. Ask yourself if the item is really that important to you.
You may have a slew of crop tops and mini skirts that bring back exciting memories from your student years, but will you ever wear them again? No. It may be hard to get rid of some things, but it is important to keep asking yourself, ‘Does this make me feel my best?’ If it doesn’t, there is no room for it in your wardrobe.
Reason 7: It’s something you’d wear in your past or future.
Like with so many things, it is important to live in the now. Your lifestyle now is different from what it was 5 or 10 years ago. So let go of the clothes from a past life.
The same goes for the future. Don’t fill your closet with things in anticipation of possible future plans. If you decide to go back to the corporate world one day, get yourself a corporate wardrobe then, unless you have specific plans to return soon.
Be realistic about what you actually need right now and get rid of things that don’t fit your current lifestyle.
Moving on and getting organised:
We aren’t therapists, but we hope the list above has helped you understand why you keep clothes you don’t wear and has helped you move on so that you can purge your wardrobe.
Once you’ve let go, you can create a simple, organised, and functional wardrobe that you love. The best way to have an organised, functional wardrobe is to have enough storage space. A functional wardrobe provides the ideal amount of shelves, drawers, hanging space, and shoe storage to ensure everything is neat and tidy and in its proper place.
Fineline Wardrobe Solutions are the masters at designing the perfect internal configuration for your wardrobe. A Fineline salesman can assess the current items in your wardrobe and design the perfect amount of storage space. We draw up and approve the design up front so you know exactly what you are getting.
Well-thought-out wardrobe design.
Have a look at the wardrobe internal below designed by Fineline Solutions.
- Above wardrobe storage. This extra storage is perfect for storing away out-of-season clothes and larger items such as suitcases.
- Shelves. The best for folded t-shirts, sweaters, shorts, casual pants, handbags and hats.
- Drawers. For smaller items and accessories like underwear, socks, sleepwear, swimwear, scarves and belts.
- Short hanging space. This space is ideal for storing all your pressed clothes, including shirts, blouses, tops, and trousers.
- Long hanging space. Often not thought of but ideal for dresses and longer coats that could possibly drape on the floor if the hanging space is too short.
- Shoe storage. An organised wardrobe requires ample shoe storage. These angled show shelves keep your shoes neat and tidy and display them beautifully.
If you really have the space and budget, a beautiful walk-in wardrobe from Fineline Solutions gives you ample storage space and a touch of luxury.
Finish off your beautifully organised wardrobe with a stylish set of sliding wardrobe doors in any finish you desire, such as a mirror, glass, solid colour, wood grain, melamine, or a combination of materials. Your wardrobe will look just as elegant on the outside as it is organised and beautiful on the inside.
So take the first step: clean out your wardrobe and treat yourself to the perfect layout and organisation just in time for the cooler months. Contact Fineline Wardrobe Solutions today.
For more creative tips and ideas, look at our trendy blog.
