Recharge your wardrobe
For me, January is a month for taking stock and planning for the year ahead. Detoxes and dark nights mean we’re all happy to be at home a bit more, making it the perfect month to refresh, revitalise and recharge your wardrobe.
But the idea of organising your wardrobe can be an overwhelming one, and despite knowing you’ll feel better once it’s done, it can be difficult to know where to start.
So, where is the best place to start and how do you get yourself into the right mindset for clearing out your wardrobe? Let’s take a look.
The benefits of recharging your wardrobe
Before we get into the details, let’s take a look at why clearing out and re-energising your wardrobe can be so beneficial.
Enhanced clarity and focus
When you’re living out of a cluttered wardrobe, this can lead to decision fatigue as you struggle to find something to wear each day. By clearing out unnecessary items and organising your wardrobe, you’ll experience clarity and focus in your daily routine, right from the start.
Boosted creativity
A well organised wardrobe allows you to see your clothing options clearly, sparking creativity in how you mix and match different pieces to create new outfits.
Reduced stress
An overcrowded and disorganised wardrobe can contribute to stress and anxiety. Clearing it out helps create a serene and calming space that promotes a positive mindset.
Sustainable lifestyle
Recharging your wardrobe encourages sustainable habits. By purging or reimagining items you no longer wear, you contribute to reducing textile waste and make room for pieces that align with your current style.
Time and energy savings
An organised wardrobe streamlines your daily routine, saving you valuable time and energy that would otherwise be spent on searching for clothing items.
Where to start with clearing out your wardrobe
The first thing you should note is that you’re not going to get it all done in one day, especially if you’re trying on your clothes as you work through your wardrobe.
From my experience with clients, three hours is usually the tipping point, so try to break your clear-out up over a few different sessions. This means you won’t give up halfway through and end up with a heaped mess in the middle of your bedroom floor.
I alway suggest using a portable rail, allowing you to pull out your wardrobe in sections and make it easier to see what you’ve got. You can then look at each item and ask yourself the following questions:
Does it need altering or mending?
We’ve all got those pieces in our wardrobe that if we just had the waist taken in or the hem mended, we’d wear them. Pull them out of your wardrobe and don’t put them back in until they’re fixed.
Does it still fit?
It’s very tempting to hold onto those jeans that used to look amazing, in the hope that one day you’ll get back into them. But trying to squeeze into clothes that don’t fit anymore will do nothing for your confidence, so remove them from your wardrobe and make space for clothes that work for your body shape now.
Do you have something to wear with it?
I see a lot of clients with pieces in their wardrobe which they like, but they have nothing to wear them with. I always recommend when making new purchases that you know you can style them in at least three ways with items already in your wardrobe. If you don’t want to invest in something new to wear with these pieces, then there’s no point in keeping hold of them. If you do want to invest, then write a list of the pieces you need to create the looks you want. These should be the items you buy with any money raised from items you sell from your declutter.
When was the last time you wore it?
There are many reasons why you might not have worn something for a long time (see points 1, 2 and 3 above). If none of them apply, then the chances are it no longer represents your personal style. Again, it’s very tempting to hang on to clothes that remind us of a period in our lives, but your wardrobe should reflect the person you are now - so LET THEM GO.
Embracing your new wardrobe
Once you’ve done the above, you should end up with four piles:
Keep
Mend
Donate
Sell
There are lots of ways to sell your unwanted clothes - dress agencies, eBay, Vinted, DePop, car boot sales…the list is endless. If you’re lucky enough to be selling any designer items, take a look at www.vestiairecollective.com or www.reluxefashion.com
Finally, I would recommend that you hang all the clothes going back into your wardrobe by style and colour. This will make it far easier to see what you have in your wardrobe and make outfit selecting everyday a breeze.
Working with a Personal Stylist
If this process still seems daunting, then hiring a Personal Stylist to help guide you through is one of the best investments you can make. Not only can they bring their creative eye to your wardrobe, giving life to your old clothes, they can also help you work through your wardrobe objectively.
It’s very easy to underestimate the emotional connection we have to our clothes, so having someone there to help make those decisions without judgement (and the desire to help you look and feel your best self) is an investment worth making.
If you think you would like some help with your wardrobe, then please get in touch to arrange a free 30-minute phone consultation. Alternatively, find out more about my Wardrobe Recharge service.