The best way to do a complete wardrobe de-clutter?

[Perplexing]

I have 2 questions - (1) how to declutter ruthlessly; and (2) what to do with the stuff you get rid of.

I really, really want to get sorted out today. I have tried in the past and usually end up getting everything out, lying it all on bed, faffing about being indecisive, putting some stuff in 'get rid' pile / ebay pile. Then come the end of the day I will look at the pile, change my mind and put several items back again. Result is a wardrobe almost as crammed as before, especially after I've hung up stuff which previously was lying around on chairs etc . (That's if I even get to the putting back into wardrobe stage before bedtime!)

Also my spare room looks like a bomb-site - with clothes everywhere - the ebaying will take ages . How do you all cope - do you just donate stuff to get it out of the house - or go through the pain of the ebaying process (enduring spare room mess) and try to re-coup some of the value?

Please help motivate me!

Unless you need the money I wouldn't bother ebaying. It's a faff, postage costs are very high and nothing sells for much. (in my experience of selling maternity and kids stuff)

When I declutter I take each thing out

• does it fit?
• do I like it?
• do I need it - work purposes etc

If the answer is no then it goes in a charity bag. It it's really decrepit then it goes in the fabric recycling bin.

We're getting new wardrobes soon so I will be on a declutter mission soon. Shame the decorating means there's no £ to replace the chucked stuff.

Same rules as sudden, and I donate it all to charity.

Also, if you've got stuff that you think, well it's ok, or feel you haven't had money's worth from, I do two things:

Put it in a maybe pile. Then try on the thing I look best in, feel happiest in, then try on the maybe garments again. You should be able to tell then whether it makes you look or feel good. Having a mate round to give a thumbs up or down helps.

If not, I put it in charity bag and visualise the pennies going into the charities coffers, versus it sitting unworn in my cupboard.

Also, when I'm out shopping and something catches my eye, I stop myself lobbing it into my trolley thoughtlessly by imagining me putting it in a charity bag a few months later

You are both talking sense. I suppose I have problems around the 'does it fit' question - as if it's stretchy it will fit!

Also, I have no idea whether anything suits me or not. When I am in one of these clearing out moods I have no make-up and bird's nest hair - so few things actually look good anyway.

I suppose I know deep down which things I like, but that may not be the same as looking good on me?!

Also, the minute I give away something that is definitely too tight / uncomfortable, I lose weight. It's always the same, guaranteed!

If I'm unsure about something I pack it away. At the next clear out if its still unworn it goes! I clear out a lot though, so that's usually about 3-6 months later, we're not talking years!

I put on my favourite jeans/ trousers and shoes and then go through my tops ( as I always have more of these) and I'm ruthless - anything that I ummm over, it goes ! Anything that I haven't worn in six months ( unless its formal wear, therefore a good reason !) that goes too !
It's ever so cathartic to only keep the stuff you love, that you look good in !
You can then easily see where there are 'gaps' in your wardrobe, after my last clothes cull, I found I only needed a decent pair of black trousers !

Oh and for the stuff you love but doesn't yet fit ? I have a small box at the top of my wardrobe for those bits ... < ignores fact I've still not slimmed into those two beautiful shirts, one jumper and 2 pairs if jeans >

I've been working steadily all day.... Assume the 'have not worn for ages' rule does not apply if you had forgotten you had said garment and it looks OK...?

The 'visualising' money for charity tip is working well... I am going to sell in aid of NSPCC. :-)

OK... sum total of my observations today:

• 'Admit' your natural style: if you are a Joules girl, you just are, no matter how much you wish you were a Zara girl
• Everything will look better if you lose 1/2 stone
• Keep some stuff (which is non wearable but has significant memories attached to it / sentimental value) in a 'sentimental vintage' box
• Grade stuff from 1( v bad) to 10 (v good) in a line along the bed. You will just know where stuff fits instinctively - go with the flow / gut feeling - don't question it
• you will be left with some surprising choices - but safe in the knowledge each should look good you will be able to make outfits from them.
• Store 5 -7 somewhere else - I have used a blue Ikea bag in spare room and labelled - 'maybes' with date (revisit in 6 months!)
• Put grades 7-10 back in wardrobe and wear
• Get rid of 8-10
• (disclaimer - anything from grade 1-8 which is too small is allowed to be stored for 6 months - especially if your weight yo-yos like mine)

HTH anyone else embarking on a major wardrobe de-clutter :-)

Good tips; good inspiration for tomorrow's 'to do' list!

Sounds like you've done well OP! I like your grading line idea.

Well done Perplexing I am a ruthless annual declutterer. I do it at the end of the year just after Christmas and I have a simple rule. If I haven't worn it once that year and there isnt a good reason why then it needs to go. This year I did a mid year declutter in May after those 6 months of winter. I figured that we had just had the longest winter ever and if I didn't wear it then, I was never going to wear it!

I have found that my tastes and style has changed roughly ever 3 years (roughly early, mid snd end of each decade) so I will do a huge purge one year and then buy in my new tastes so less purging the next couple of years.

I can't be bothered to e-bay either so it all goes to charity.