How to declutter your wardrobe: What to keep and what to let go - IOL

Hanging onto clothing that no longer fit, or a style you've outgrown, then it's time to let it go.

If your wardrobe is so full that finding something to wear has become a daily battle, it may be time to clear it out.

Spring is a natural time to take stock of your clothes as the seasons change, but decluttering your wardrobe is about more than just making space.

It can also help you see what you actually wear and what has been sitting untouched for years.

The difficult part is deciding what stays and what goes.

Here’s a simple way to work through your wardrobe without getting stuck on every item.

It is tempting to stand in front of your wardrobe and remove a few things here and there. That usually doesn’t go very far.

Take everything out and sort your clothes into two piles: “keep” and “go”.

If you are particularly attached to your clothes, you can add a third pile for items you are genuinely unsure about.

Come back to this pile once you have worked through everything else.

Start by taking all your clothes out.

Start with the clothes you wear regularly and feel good about wearing.

Keep good-quality pieces that are still in excellent condition and that work with the rest of your wardrobe.

Classic items such as a well-fitting blazer, white shirt, simple black dress, tailored trousers, coats and good denim can earn their place if you actually wear them.

But don’t keep something simply because it was expensive.

If you bought an expensive jacket years ago but never wear it, its price tag is not a good reason to let it take up valuable cupboard space.

You may want to keep your matric dance outfit, something specially made for you or a piece of clothing handed down through your family.

These items don’t have to earn their place through regular wear, but you also don’t need to keep every sentimental item you have ever owned.

Keep good-quality pieces that are still in excellent condition and that work with the rest of your wardrobe.

Be honest about the condition of your clothes.

If something is badly stained, damaged or torn beyond repair, it is probably time to let it go.

If you have been telling yourself you will fix it for the past two years, chances are it is not going to happen.

The same applies to clothes that no longer fit into your life.

If you haven’t worn something for more than a year and it has already been through every season without being missed, that is a strong indication that you can let it go.

If a garment no longer fits you comfortably, it's to let it go.

The “someday” pile is often the hardest one to tackle.

These are the clothes you are keeping because you might wear them one day; they might come back into fashion, or they might fit differently in the future.

There is nothing wrong with keeping a few special pieces, but an entire wardrobe of “maybe one day” clothes can quickly become unmanageable.

If you have changed your style, don’t feel obliged to keep wearing the clothes you loved years ago.

Perhaps you used to love florals and frills and now prefer simpler, cleaner styles.

Your wardrobe should reflect what you enjoy wearing now, rather than a previous version of yourself.

Trends come and go, and some eventually return. But that doesn’t mean you need to keep every trendy item you have ever bought.

If you haven’t worn something in years because it no longer feels like your style, let it go.

You may also find that you have several versions of the same thing.

If you own five similar black tops but only ever reach for two of them, you probably don’t need all five.

Not everything you no longer want belongs in the rubbish.

Clothes that are clean, wearable and still in reasonable condition can be donated or passed on to someone who will use them.

However, be realistic about what you donate.

Charity organisations do not need bags of clothing that are stained, badly damaged or no longer wearable.

If something is beyond repair, dispose of it responsibly or look for a local textile recycling option where available.

When donating items make sure that they are in a good condition.

Once you have finished, look at what remains.

You should be left with clothes that fit your current life, your current style and the way you actually dress.

A less crowded wardrobe also makes it easier to see what you already own, which can prevent you from buying another version of something that has been hiding at the back of the cupboard.

And if you do find yourself wanting something new after the clear-out, you’ll have a much better idea of what your wardrobe is actually missing.