Spring clean your wardrobe

Have you ever looked in your wardrobe and despite having lots of things in there, you’ve got nothing to wear? Welcome to the story of my life. I have some favourite pieces that I have on constant rotation, and the rest kind of sit there sadly, being worn once every so often (or not at all). As I’ve made the decision to refine my style and go back to a more neutral colour palette, I thought it was high time to clean out my closet. A few people wanted to know how to spring clean your wardrobe, so here are a few tips to help you out.

Whenever I tidy my room or clear out a cupboard, I find that I get easily distracted. Trying on clothes, remembering times I’ve worn them … I end up convincing myself that I need to keep everything and I will totally wear that neon yellow cropped tank that’s been sitting in my drawer, unworn (I’ve been saying this for the last four years)! It’s best that I have an action plan, so what I do is sort everything in to piles. I do this on my bed so that I am forced to finish the task before I can go to sleep – yes, that’s how distracted I can get! The struggle is real.

1. Sort your clothes in to three piles

Clothes to get rid of:

• Anything that doesn’t fit
• Things you never wear
• Things that you don’t feel great in
• Anything worn out (those jeans that are succumbing to chub rub, I’m looking at you)
• Dated items (90’s power suits, be gone!)
• Things that are stained or ripped

Clothes to keep:

• The great pair of pants that goes with everything
• The cute top that is your go-to
• The dress that makes you feel like a million bucks
• The skirt that makes you feel cool
• Your favourite jacket
• Things that make you feel great

Clothes to take a second look at:

• The orphan – half of a set. Can you make it work as a separate, with something else?
• The dressy dress you got for an occasion. Can you wear it for another occasion?
• The things that need dry cleaning – send them to the cleaners!
• The things that need mending – decide whether they’re worth mending or not (and if they are, fix them!)

2. Put things away

If you’re keeping it, put it away in it’s proper place. When I cleaned out my closet, I used it as an opportunity to get rid of the bulky mismatched hangers and switched them out for felt ones that are thinner and let me fit more clothes in my wardrobe.

3. Sell it, donate it or bin it

If it’s not in your “keep” pile, obviously it will have to go somewhere, right?

Clothes to sell:

• Great condition
• Designer pieces
• New things that you’ve never worn
• Vintage/desirable pieces

You can have a yard sale, put them on Trade Me, list them in a Facebook group, take them to a thrift store that will sell on your behalf… Selling good quality clothes is a great way to help give you a bit of cash to spend money on new clothes – it’s a win win! You could also organise a clothes swap with some of your friends or within your community.

Clothes to donate:

• New/near new condition
• Make sure they’re clean with no mending required

I donate clothes to causes that I support – Women’s Refuge, Dress For Success, and local charities that run thrift stores like Mercy Hospice and the SPCA. There are so many organisations out there doing great work that I urge you to donate your goods to one whose work you believe in.

Clothes to bin:

• Things that are torn/stained/worn out
• If anything can be re-purposed, do it! Use it as cleaning cloths, tear in to strips to tie up plants … if you have other ideas, let me know below!

So, how’s your wardrobe looking? Hopefully by now the task of spring cleaning your wardrobe is less overwhelming! If you have any tips of your own to share, make sure you leave them down below!