The guide to decluttering your wardrobe

Whether you recoil at the idea, are thrilled by it or, having watch Netlix doc The Minimalists, you’re contemplating a new, simpler way of life, it’s safe to say that a wardrobe clearout – especially now when we’re all stuck at home – can do you good. It’s hard to blame anyone for falling into a style rut over the last year – wearing on rotation the same handful of pieces – so an edit of those identical white T-shirts and grey sweatshirts might be worthwhile. Knowing where to begin is often the hardest part, though, so we spoke to author, professional organiser and expert declutterer Vicky Silverthorn for the scoop on how to declutter your wardrobe.

It’s no secret that the state of your surroundings can impact your wellbeing and productivity. A messy desk or an overcrowded kitchen can instantly bring feelings of stress, anxiousness and disorganisation – and your wardrobe is no different. ‘Control, productivity and wellbeing are all connected,’ Vicky explains. ‘Decluttering and organising is something that we have direct control of, even if there’s a lack of control in other areas of our lives. Having visual clarity of your surroundings has an energetic effect on you, which massively affects your productivity.’

Vicky believes that slow and steady wins the race. She doesn’t advocate setting unrealistic goals such as decluttering your entire wardrobe in the space of a couple of hours. Instead, she recommends breaking it all down into sections and completing each of those before you move on to the next. If you make a task too overwhelming, you’re more likely to get distracted or bored. ‘Don’t work from your wardrobe: pull out sections onto your bed or the floor,’ she explains. ‘Start with a rail, then do a drawer. Stop when you’ve had enough, feel the positive effects of what you’ve achieved and come back to it later that day or the next.’ We all work differently, so approach decluttering the same way you would a mammoth task at work.

While some experts recommend using a timescale to know what to get rid of (if you haven’t worn it in X number of months, it goes), Vicky suggests the opposite. ‘If you have an overflowing wardrobe, you’re not going to be able to see everything in it, so there will be things in there that you might not have worn for years,’ she says. ‘The question is: can I live without this item? Do I really need it? Put aside feelings of guilt if you’ve spent a lot money on something and barely worn it,’ Vicky continues. ‘It’s also important to recognise the difference between a sentimental piece and something that you’ve had for a long time. There’s nothing wrong with holding on to a few genuinely sentimental items that hold proper meaning or you’re keeping for your children or special occasions, but ensure that you can differentiate.’

The options are endless. Depending on your time, finances and patience, use resell sites or apps – but make sure it’s worth it. ‘Be selective about how much you’re selling, especially if you’re doing it online,’ advises Vicky. ‘Weigh up the time and effort (plus the amount you’ll actually make versus what you’ll spend) before you commit to selling everything you’ve decluttered.’ If you’d prefer to donate items or give them to friends and family, you’ll need to be organised about it at the moment. ‘Most charity shops won’t be open for a while, so designate a space in your home where you can pile, categorise and neatly store boxes that you’re giving to charity or friends,’ Vicky suggests.

Once you’ve completed the decluttering process, invest in a couple of organisational pieces that’ll keep your wardrobe clean and chaos-free. What you choose will depend on the size of your wardrobe and the number of items left behind, but each of Vicky’s picks will help you keep on top of things. ‘Slimline hangers can more than double the space in your wardrobe and create an overall uniformed look that’ll make a big difference to how you see your clothes each day,’ says Vicky. She also recommends the stackable Like-it storage boxes which are great for gym kit, underwear or anything else that can be neatly folded to make extra space. A drawer organiser or two is always a great idea to split up socks, cufflinks and other accessories, while Kvell storage boxes are perfect for items that you’ll only wear on holiday and don’t need to see everyday.