Walking into your closet should feel like walking into your dream store: you love everything, and everything fits and feels good.  If this isn’t your experience, don’t worry, I’m sharing 13 questions to help declutter your clothes and create a wardrobe you love.

Decluttering Clothes is Hard

Understanding why we’re holding on is key to overcoming our hesitation and letting go when decluttering anything.  For most decluttering projects (for myself and with clients), I use this list of questions to help in the process.

However, in my experience, clothing presents unique challenges.  To address these challenges, I use the 13 questions below that are tailored to the specific obstacles encountered when decluttering clothes.

A Quick Tip Before You Begin Decluttering Clothes

Before we get to the questions, remember to tackle your wardrobe right after laundry day.  To accurately assess what you have and make informed decisions, you need to have everything in front of you.

Now to the questions!

Question #1: Do You Feel Good Wearing it?

Pay attention to fit & comfort.  Is it itchy?  Does it wrinkle easily?  Has it stretched out?  Do you like the fabric?  Do you like the colour?  Is it too tight or too loose?

Whatever the reason, if you wouldn’t be happy wearing something for a whole day, let it go.

Question #2: Have You Worn It In The Last 6-12 Months?

Even if it fits and is generally comfortable, if you haven’t worn it in the last 6 to 12 months, you probably don’t really like it or have a use for it.

Question #3: Is It A Duplicate?

If you have 5 navy sweaters, you likely wear your favourite 3 most often.  Let the rest go.

Question #4: Are You Keeping It Because It Was Expensive?

The money was gone when you bought the clothing.  There is zero financial benefit to keeping it in your closet & letting it go won’t cost you any more money.  Just note what you don’t like about it and make better purchases going forward.

Question #5: If You Were Shopping Right Now, Would You Buy It?

If you wouldn’t buy it now, why are you keeping it?  If money is the reason, see above: your money is gone.

Question #6: Are You Keeping It Because You Hope To Fit Into It Again?

The goal is a wardrobe that makes you feel great exactly as you are now.  Let go of items that suited you better in the past & focus on the present.

Question #7: Will You Alter or Repair It?

If you haven’t repaired or altered something in a reasonable amount of time, it’s a good sign you don’t love or need it.  What’s reasonable can vary, but at the outer limit, if you haven’t done it within 6 months, let it go.

Question #8: Does It Suit Your Current Lifestyle and Personal Style?

Our lifestyle & personal style change over time.  Let go of anything that doesn’t reflect who you are now.

Question #9: Is It In Good Condition?

If it’s stained, has irreparable tears or is very worn, let it go.

Question #10: Does It Serve A Specific Purpose?

Keeping a few items to wear for specific purposes, such as events that require more formal wear or tasks like cleaning and painting that can cause damage, is fine.  But only keep what you reasonably need.

Question #11: Are You Willing To Care For The Item Properly?

If you don’t have the time and/or interest to properly follow care instructions (dry-clean only, hand-wash, hang dry etc.), let go of clothing that requires it.

Question #12: Still Have Doubts?  Wear The Piece of Clothing.

If you’re on the fence about an item, make a point to wear it over the next few days or weeks.

Often, we pull something out, put it on for a few minutes, aren’t sure if we still like it, take it off and hang it back up until the next time we try it on.  Rinse and repeat.

When you wear something for more than a few minutes, you’re reminded the fabric itches, the fit is off, or you don’t like the neckline etc.  Armed with this knowledge, you can decide once and for all whether to keep it or to let it go.

Question #13: Are You Keeping It Because You Might Need It Someday?

If you absolutely can’t let go because you’re worried you may need it someday, create a maybe box & put the clothes in it.  Set a reminder to check the box after a few months.

If you haven’t missed the clothes, it’s a good sign you don’t need them & can confidently let them go.

Dresser and Closet Organization Tips

After you’ve edited your wardrobe down to pieces you love and feel good in, you may want to organize your closet and dresser to make finding the exact piece you’re looking for fast and easy.

To help, here is a link to my favourite dresser organization essentials and here is a link to my favourite ways to make the most of your closet space.

Conclusion

I know editing clothes can be challenging.  Asking yourself these 13 questions will make it easier.  I promise it’s worth the effort and will make getting ready faster and more enjoyable every single day.

What’s your biggest obstacle when it comes to decluttering your clothes?  Let me know in the comments below.  And if you liked this post, please share it.

Happy organizing!