Declutter Clothes From Your Closet

5 Things To Declutter

This post shows how to declutter clothes once and for all without feeling guilty. While it’s helpful for most of us to declutter clothes once or twice a year, decluttering should not be used to buy more unnecessary items for your wardrobe. It’s important to ask yourself why you need to declutter clothes. Is it to be more intentional with your wardrobe? To reduce shopping regrets? Whatever your reason, it’s helpful to think about it when you’re decluttering clothes to remind you why you’re letting pieces go.

Having a clear intention behind why you want to declutter clothes can help you release any guilt you feel about parting with certain items. Try to view decluttering as an opportunity to become more aware and intentional about what you’re bringing into your closet. Instead of falling into the cycle of buying, letting go, and repeating, start paying attention to your shopping habits.

Why It’s Helpful To Declutter Clothes

Let’s explore why you should declutter clothes. The number of decisions we make daily can lead to stress and decision fatigue. Having fewer items in your closet, pieces you genuinely enjoy wearing that reflect your unique style can reduce stress because there are fewer decisions to make. It saves time when putting outfits together since you’re not sifting through clothes you don’t wear to find the ones you love. Use this post as a starting point to edit your closet and identify items that don’t work for you. Then you can approach future purchases with greater intention and focus.

One common theme I’ve noticed when working with personal styling clients during closet edits is they feel guilty letting go of items they spent money on. If you’re experiencing guilt during the decluttering process, it’s common. I encourage you to focus on the bigger picture. The goal isn’t to get rid of items but to create a wardrobe of pieces you love.

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The first thing to let go of are pieces you never reach for. Those items that have been sitting in your closet, unworn, sometimes with the tags still attached. These are the pieces that, every time you try them on, something feels off. Maybe they don’t align with your personal style, the fit doesn’t flatter your body type, or you just don’t want to wear them. Pay attention to how you feel when you put an item on. Start by pulling these unworn pieces aside.

For the ones you’re ready to part with, let them go and give them the chance to find a new home. For the pieces you’re unsure about or still on the fence about take some time to experiment with them. Style them into outfits and see how you feel when you intentionally include them in your wardrobe rotation. If these items still don’t feel right, or you find you’re not excited to wear them, it’s time to let them go.

2. Declutter Clothes You Haven’t Worn In A Year

The next items to edit out of your closet are those you haven’t worn in at least a year. However, there are exceptions such as if you’re pregnant or experiencing weight fluctuations and expect your body to change. In such cases, it’s understandable to hold onto certain pieces. But if you have items that haven’t fit for a long time and you don’t foresee your body changing, it’s time to consider letting them go.

For example, you might have pieces from a previous chapter in your life. Perhaps you used to work in a corporate environment, but now you’re retired, and your style is more casual. These items might no longer serve a purpose, and it’s okay to get rid of them. They’re likely just taking up space in your closet.

If you find it difficult to part with certain items due to their emotional significance, such as a piece handed down by a loved one, it’s important to acknowledge the emotion. For these items, consider having a sentimental box. This allows you to keep these cherished pieces out of your everyday wardrobe while still preserving the memories attached to them. This way, you can declutter your closet without feeling like you’re letting go of the memories they hold.

3. Things You Don’t Wear Because They’re Uncomfortable

The next items to let go of are anything in your closet that feels uncomfortable. This could be a pair of tight shoes that give you blisters, a top that irritates your skin, or a sweater that feels itchy.

If something is uncomfortable, you’re not going to reach for it, no matter how much you want to justify keeping it. Letting these pieces go creates space for items that you’ll enjoy wearing. Pieces that are chosen with intentions that align with your comfort and style. It’s okay to prioritize feeling good in your clothes!

4. Declutter Clothes You’ve Tried Wearing That Don’t Make You Feel Good

The next items to let go of are pieces you’ve tried styling but still don’t feel excited to wear. These are the items that don’t make you feel confident when you put them on. When I do a closet edit with a client, I often ask questions like: Do you wear this piece? Do you like it? How do you feel in it? If their response is, “It’s fine”, or “It’s okay”, then I ask, Is this what you want for your wardrobe?

A closet filled with items that are fine doesn’t contribute to a wardrobe that makes you feel confident about yourself. Your wardrobe should reflect pieces that make you feel your best. If you’re not excited to wear something, it’s a sign to let it go and make space for items that make you feel good.

5. Old Trends You Don’t Wear

The next category to declutter is old trends. While fashion trends come and go, holding onto pieces that no longer resonate with your style can clutter your wardrobe. Many clients I’ve worked with still have items from 20 years ago thinking they might come back into style. But if they don’t fit your current preferences or wardrobe goals, it’s time to declutter them.

This is why I recommend being selective when incorporating trends into your closet. If you enjoy trying out trendy pieces, add one or two each season rather than filling your wardrobe with them. A closet overloaded with trends leaves you stuck in an ongoing cycle of decluttering and buying more. Instead, focus on building a wardrobe you’re excited about. Let go of old trends guilt-free by setting a new intention: to bring in pieces with awareness and purpose. This approach will help you create a closet you love, filled with items that bring you joy and confidence.