It’s January, meaning the last of the Christmas leftovers have been eaten, the January sales are wrapping up, and I’m officially in back-to-work mode. The collective consensus is that we’re ready to welcome 2023 with open arms and shed things that no longer serve us – clothes included.
The first week of January is a reflective time. On one hand, we’re mourning the festivities, yet on the other optimistic about the year to come, so what better way to christen 2023 than with a complete wardrobe refresh?
I’ve been a fan of a wardrobe clear-out since the beginning of time. Ask any of my friends and they’ll attest to me aged 11 rallying around to help them rejig their wardrobes. It’s a kind of magic, you see – when by making small increments of change, you can level-up your mindset and feel more positive about the pieces you already own.
With the popularity of capsule wardrobes, it seems everyone is on a mission to streamline their collections – paving way for forever pieces. If like me, you’re a stickler for wardrobe organisation – read: a Marie Kondo fan girl, then you’ll be familiar with the many methods of organisation, but a wardrobe clear-out is as simple as a few steps – give or take.
Start with a clear work space
The first (optimal) step to any wardrobe clear-out is completely stripping it bare. There’s something about a) seeing it empty, and b) compiling the entire contents in a heap, that’s both satisfying and a humble reminder that you probably don’t need to buy any more clothes. Once empty the cleaning can commence. Like you would spring clean, hoover the neglected corners, and polish the rails ready for the return of the pieces that have passed the test.
Read more:
- Your New Year wardrobe refresh: the pieces to buy and how to style them
- Unwanted Christmas gifts? This is what you can do with them
- 6 insider hacks for looking after your clothes properly so they last forever
- Your New Year wardrobe: the back to work pieces I’m restyling for 2023
Wardrobe clear-out essentials
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A try-on is a must
If you’re an avid Sex and the City viewer you’ll be familiar with the infamous closet dress-up scene, where Carrie comes strutting down her wardrobe aisle in many of her iconic pieces. This is the assessing stage, sans the cinematics (although I do encourage them). Consider this your allocated fashion show time. Due to time constraints, chances are you haven’t tried every single item you own for quite some time, so why not now? This will allow you to analyse each piece, deduce what you feel best in and assess what you need more or less of. If you’re a trend seeker, you may notice recurring themes and patterns that can help you attune your personal style further.
Review everything
After your try-on, put the pieces that no longer align with you aside. Keep clothing that makes you feel your best, in terms of comfort, fit and style. That’s not to say you’ll be thrilled about every piece you own. Some clothes are purposeful depending on lifestyle and climate, so consider those pieces part of your core basics – like a white t-shirt or leggings. If you haven’t worn something in 6-8 months (aside from occasionwear) chances are you probably won’t wear it in the coming 6 months, so consider when to part with those items.
Now it’s time for categorising
Time to separate the ‘still me’ from the ‘what was I thinking?’ and ‘beyond-repair’ piles. For the pieces you’ve fallen out of love with you may consider listing them on re-sale sites like eBay, Vinted and Vestiaire Collective, clothes swaps with friends and family, or donating to charity. Don’t forget to mend your favourite pieces that simply need a stitch or two.
Do a seasonal stowaway
The seasonal switch-over has changed the way many of us present our clothing. It’s a helpful method for storing and organising clothes, according to A/W and S/S seasons – meaning you have clothes in your wardrobe you can wear at any given time. For winter, you’ll be able to reach your chunky knits and layering staples easily without the hassle of fumbling through sleeveless tops and likewise for summer.
To make accessing your clothes easier, you may consider stowing summer pieces away and reintroducing them in your midst come spring, weather permitting. Not only does this method keep your clothes in pristine condition (and away from mites and dust), but it can also inject some excitement into your existing wardrobe, as you’ll have plenty of welcome surprises when you’re reunited with your long-forgotten pieces in the later months. The storage methods I find most efficient are tubs, under-bed organisers and vacuum-packed bags (especially if you’re limited on space).
Organising for aesthetic
By now, you’ll likely be happy with the contents of your wardrobe but there’s always room to uplevel your wardrobe even further – by way of aesthetics. If you’re an organisation fiend like me (you’ll probably have a stack of corresponding hangers and storage dividers at the ready). Organise your clothes in the way that best suits you and your space – whether that’s down to accessibility, colour, grouped by garment type – or all three.
Now, create a shopping list
Now is the time for the really fun part. At this point, I make a seasonal wish list, comprising missing pieces, clothes that need replacing and anything I’d like to introduce. I invest in pieces I can see myself wearing forever, so this is an extremely meticulous process. This season I’m eyeing up Mary-janes (a trend piece I know will surpass spring 2023), a full taffeta skirt, a striped sweater, and a woollen scarf to carry me through many winters ahead.
Wardrobe essentials to always keep hold of in a clear-out
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My top storage tips:
- Fold chunky knitwear (to retain the shape).
- Hang clothes in order of drop and sleeve length to make them easier to pull.
- Keep transeasonal pieces in your wardrobe.
- Keep bags and accessories easily accessible (on display if possible) to encourage wearing on rotation.
- Swap wooden hangers to thin non-slip hangers to optimise space.
- Utilise vertical spaces.
- Use over-door organisers, dividers, and multifunctional hangers.
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