Since the rise of fast, online fashion, it is easier than ever to accumulate piles of clothing that you only wear once — or still have the tags on them. Impulse purchases, once trendy items and unwanted gifts can quickly become the bulk of your wardrobe, leading to indifference and even dislike towards the majority of your clothing.
Further, it can become overwhelming to open your closet each morning and be confronted with countless pieces. In fact, having more clothing options can make it more difficult to choose an outfit, causing you to continually default to the same few combinations.
Having a bloated wardrobe leads to decision fatigue and many unloved pieces, while also taking up valuable storage space.
Spring — the season of renewal —is the perfect time to declutter your closet, allowing it to be full of re-wearable, cherished items. But, how can you decide which pieces to keep and which ones to let go of?
It can be a challenging decision-making process, but it will transform your wardrobe into a curated and beloved representation of your personal style.
Try On Everything
The most important factor in deciding if you should keep or say goodbye to a piece of clothing is if you look great and feel confident. Although it is time-consuming, trying on the majority of your clothes can make you more aware of what you actually like and wear.
Of course, if you have staple pieces that you wear every week, it is safe to say that you will keep them and do not need to try them on.
But for the rest of your wardrobe, trying on each item is the optimal way to declutter. Without trying something on, you may hastily decide to hold on to a piece for the future. Trying it on allows you to see if it actually fits how you prefer and let go of items that no longer fit or you do not love.
Focus on Creating Outfits
It can be tempting to keep items that you might wear for a specific occasion, or unique, standalone pieces. Full-length gowns for weddings or holiday-themed sweaters are perfectly reasonable pieces to have.
But if a chunk of your wardrobe is purely meant for special occasions, you will ultimately have many unworn clothes. If you have not worn something in the last year or cannot foresee yourself wearing it in the next year, it is probably time to let it go.
Instead, focus on finding pieces that have diverse purposes. For example, a white button-down can be worn as a beach cover-up or under a blazer for a job interview.
Consider what kind of attire you wear in your everyday life, and prioritize making the majority of your wardrobe consist of those kinds of pieces.
Having fewer pieces can actually result in a larger array of cohesive outfits rather than disconnected items that do not get frequent use.
Set Conditions for Clothes You’re Unsure About
It is okay to not come to a firm decision about every piece you try on, but make sure not to toss them in the back of your closet and let them take up unnecessary space.
Put those pieces in a specific area of your closet or drawers, and set a time parameter. If you do not wear the item by that time, it might be time to donate or sell it.
This strategy allows you to prevent indefinite clutter that slips your mind.
When you start your spring cleaning, make sure to dedicate time to sifting through your wardrobe — your future outfits will thank you.
