How to Do a Wardrobe Detox: A Step-by-Step Guide
A wardrobe detox is an excellent way to declutter and organize your closet, making it effortless to put together stylish outfits that truly reflect who you are. By clearing out items that no longer suit your lifestyle, body shape, or personal taste, you'll make room for clothes that boost your confidence. For women looking to simplify their style, a wardrobe detox is a game-changer, turning the daily task of getting dressed into a stress-free experience.
When I work with personal styling clients, this process is always the first step. If your wardrobe is disorganized, it’s essential to get it in order before adding any new pieces. This ensures that your closet is functional and aligned with your needs, preventing unnecessary purchases and making sure every item serves a purpose.
Benefits of a wardrobe detox
Simplifies Decision-Making: By clearing out clothes that no longer serve you, a wardrobe detox makes it easier to choose outfits quickly and confidently.
Boosts Confidence: Keeping only the clothes that fit well and reflect your current style ensures you feel your best every time you get dressed. Items in different sizes that don't fit will only make you feel rubbish about your self.
Reduces Clutter: A detox helps eliminate unnecessary items, creating a more organized and manageable space. When you see what you have then you are most likely to wear it.
Refreshes Your Style: It allows you to reassess your personal style and add versatile pieces that suit your current lifestyle and body shape.
Here’s my simple, step-by-step guide to help you declutter your own wardrobe.
Step 1: Clear Out Your Entire Wardrobe
Start by pulling out all the clothes from your wardrobe into a pile so that you can see exactly how many clothes you have. You will need to be honest here... go through each item and ask yourself the following. Have I worn this in the last year? Does it still fit me? Does this item reflect my style? Can I wear this item more than one way?
Once you decide on each item, then divide them into piles i.e. keep, send to charity or need fixing. You may also have items of clothing that are sentimental or hold memories that you find hard to part with, if you wish to keep such items for this I advise you store them in a box or suitcase away from your wardrobe if you have the space.
Step 2: Sort Items into Categories
If you struggle to decide on which items to keep why not call a friend who will give their honest opinion on what suits you. You can always rely on a best friend for their trusty advice. Create three piles: Keep, Donate/Sell, and Discard.
Keep: Only hold onto pieces that you love, that fit well, and that suit your current style and lifestyle.
Donate/Sell: Any items in good condition that you no longer wear can be donated or sold.
Discard: Worn-out or damaged items should be recycled or thrown away.
Step 3: Evaluate What You really Need
Throughout the wardrobe detox process keep a note of what items are missing from your wardrobe. i.e Do you have enough basic's in your wardrobe?? I believe basics are the building blocks of any outfit. So, these items are important to have. These will slightly differ from person to person. Mine are my everyday jeans, t-shirts and basic crew neck jumpers. These are the pieces that work seamlessly with all the other items in my wardrobe.
Note down any key pieces that you think you need, also think about how these pieces will work with other items of clothing in your wardrobe. Think about how these items will create multiple outfits for your everyday style.
Step 4: Organising YOUR WARDROBE
Before you start putting back your clothes in your wardrobe thoroughly dust, hoover and wipe down your wardrobe. (Make sure you do this regularly to detract any moths)
Once you have decided on all the items you want to keep then you can start categorising them together. i.e all shirts, blouses, day dresses and evening dresses. Organising your clothes this way will make it much more easier to find what you are looking for. You can even go as far as colour coding them in their groups i.e from the colour black, blue to cream. If you are lucky to have a large wardrobe then I would hang jeans and tailored trousers on clip hangers. If you have limited space then simply fold them and place them where they can be seen.
All t-shirts and and jumpers should be folded. Why? because they lose their shape when hung on hangers. I must say I do love the clothes folding method by Marie Kondo. I like this way of organising my jeans, t-shirts and socks and underwear in drawers. If you are interested in seeing this folding method please check out the Kon Mari Checklist at Happy Home DIY.
Colour coding your jeans, tops, dresses and knitwear makes a wardrobe even more pleasing to look at. Of course you don't have to do this but I find it makes it much easier to find things this way, especially if you are looking for a particular item. Also, you will remember exactly where an item need to go back!
Step 5: Maintain Your Detoxed Wardrobe
Keep your wardrobe clean and organized by regularly reviewing your clothes. Seasonal edits and conscious shopping habits will help you maintain a tidy and functional closet. I recommend my personal styling clients to edit and detox their wardrobes at least one a year.
I hope my How to do a wardrobe detox guide has been helpful in giving you some clear guidance on how you can start detoxing your own closet. Please do not overwhelm yourself by trying to detox your wardrobe in one day. Sometimes, it is easier to do one section at a time.
OTHER TIPS AND ACCESSORIES you need in your wardrobe
buy the right HANGERS
Never use wire hangers as they very easily bend and take clothes out of their natural shape. The best hangers to use are flocked hangers, they are slim and take up a lot less space which will give you room for even more clothes!!! They are also brilliant to keep silky tops in place. You can also use wooden hangers but they do take up more space, I much prefer to hang heavier items on this hanger such as coats and evening wear.
STORING SUITS AND EVENING WEAR
If you can keep suits and heavy evening wear in dust proof storage bags. I usually store all my heavy Indian suits this way. You can buy suit bags from Morplan, Ikea or even Ebay.
STORAGE BOXES
Amazon has a great range of smart storage solutions. I love these large cream storage boxes that is perfect for over head storage in a large closet.
SHOES STORAGE
If you have the space, store all shoes in their boxes to keep them dust free. You can even add a photo at the front of the box or write down exactly what they are so you know what is inside.
BELTS AND SCARVES
Roll up belts and store them in a drawer where you can see them. If you don't have a space then you can always use a shoe boxes that can easily be stacked. Ikea is a great place to find great storage solutions for accessories. Hang or twist scarves in to storage compartments so you are more likely to wear these items.
Necklace Storage
Hang necklaces where you can see them. Earrings can be placed in clear storage boxes. If these accessorises are out of sight they will be out of mind. So, if what to get more wear out of your jewellery then place them where you can see them.
A wardrobe detox is about simplifying your life and making sure every piece in your closet works for you. Ready to transform your wardrobe? Once you have de-cluttered your wardrobe you will have a more positive approach to getting ready on a daily basis as you can see exactly what you have. You may also find that you have twice as much to wear with half as many clothes.
If you find clearing out your wardrobe is too much of a stressful and daunting task, then why not hire me to receive more personalised expert advice. Book your wardrobe Detox transformation today!
Many thanks for reading!
Jas
Wardrobe Detox | Wardrobe Consultant London | Wardrobe Transformation | Wardrobe Edit Service Essex and London |
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