How to have a major clear out

[Notcontent]

Right - I have quite a lot of clothes. I probably need to buy less, and that’s something I need to work on.

In the meantime, I would like to have a clear out as it depresses me a bit to see all the stuff I don’t wear. Do you think the rule “if you haven’t worn it in the past 12 months then it should go” is a good one?

It's a great rule, with the exception of big expensive things - eg I have a ballgown I haven't worn for a year but realistically I'll wear again so not chucking.

I love the 'spark joy' Marie Kondo concept too - allowing yourself to get rid of things you don't LOVE.

Yes, I agree that the rule doesn’t really apply to special occasion items...

I would Marie Kondo it rather than chucking on the basis of frequent wear. The best thing about her method is that anything with sentimental value can be put aside and dealt with as a separate category, making it easier to be rational when you're ready to deal with it.

No. It’s fine to hold on to something you really love. When I last did a clearout I found over 20 more or less identical black vest tops (I wear them most days as a base layer). I need 7 max. These are the kind of things that clutter up your wardrobe, not the odd special outfit you bought on sale and wore once (which you should sell/give away unless you really love it).
I wore my wedding dress once 15 years ago and I’m never giving that away! It still sparks joy...
Plus there’s also things like my late father’s tuxedo - he died over ten years ago - but this year my son wore it to his prom!

Ok, maybe I need to have a look at each individual item and ask myself if I love it and/or do I actually wear it...

I do a mix of all of these rules, but also try stuff on. I might love something, find it sparks joy, and have worn it recently, but actually the colour doesn’t suit me that well, the shape’s not that flattering, or whatever. If I don’t feel good in it, it goes. Anything that’s there “just in case” is likely to go too, with the exception of occasion things - whether that’s a Christmas jumper or an evening dress.

I do it by season - so in Spring I sort out winter clothes. I throw out things I don’t fit and things that are worn. If they are repairable I will put in repair pile.
Then I will look at things honestly and if I haven’t worn 2-3 seasons and good order I will take to charity shop.
I think not throwing out after not wearing 12 months is a bit tough -I often look at those things and thing about wearing differently.
A glass of wine helps the process!

I regularly clear out my old stuff - mainly items that don't get used or duplicates.

I work on the basis of items that are still in use or will be used in coming season, are kept.

Items that don't get used, are chucked out. This can sometimes mean a new item that was a poor purchase, will get thrown out.

(When I say thrown out, I mean it goes to the charity shop - only very ratty stuff actually goes in the bin.)

Sometimes there are the items that I really love or are sentimental, that I keep. But as time goes on, even they can get gifted, as they become less loved or distance of time makes them less sentimental.

There is some saying about things needing to be beautiful or useful - I suppose that is the 'sparks joy' part (that I still don't quite understand).

I lOve a seasonal clear out! I do it when I'm beginning down one season and putting the other season away. I only do it twice a year with spring/autumn stuff always handy. In the beginning I'd get rid of loads but as time goes on that's lessened as I've Been smarter. I look at all the ideas.
Does it fit well, in good condition, I like the way it looks on me and feel good in it, I actually wear it, etc.

When you have had your first sort, hang everything back in your wardrobe with the hangers backwards (ie the point of the hook facing you).
As you wear items, hang them back the normal way. In a couple of months you'll see things that haven't been worn and you can think about why.

Take everything out of your closet and put it on your bed.

Your resolve to hang on to things in case you lose weight / in case you go to a second black tie event, even though it’s been 8 years since the last time you wore the dress / etc weakens very quickly once you’re faced with a mountain of clothes to fold & hang.

I do this about yearly, usually around April, and can categorically say I haven’t missed anything I’ve jettisoned to the charity shop.

I really really need to do this but I'm procrastinating over it like crazy.

I've recently changed jobs and now work outdoors so no longer need the uninspiring selection of 'smart casual' stuff that I have.

But still I hold onto stuff 'just in case' and my wardrobe is a bulging tangled mess!

I find there's a big difference between the choices I make in a trying on, clearing out session, and what I actually wear out the house. When I'm just in front of the mirror in my bedroom, I convince myself a certain outfit/item will work, for a certain event, at a certain time, so I best keep hold of it. End of the season, and it hasn't made it out of the wardrobe, or worse, the tags are still on it. I have a major problem with dressing for the lifestyle I actually have sometimes.

So for that section of clothes, I resolve to wear them the very next day. If I put it on, then cave in and change into something else, it needs to go. If I make it out the door and feel uncomfortable in it (either through ill-fit, or feeling silly), it also goes.

Also worth remembering that the shops will never run out of clothes, there will always be something to replace what you get rid of, it's not a now or never decision!

Once I’m back into shape after DS2 arrives, I’m going to have a big clear out. I’ve had my colours done & will follow up with my shape analysis in a couple of months.

My aim is to have 4 seasonal capsule wardrobes.

My plan of action is:
• Throw out anything which doesn’t suit my shape
• Throw out anything that doesn’t suit my colouring UNLESS I love it regardless (can always make it work with accessories)
• Put my remaining clothes in my Stylebook app so I can see what looks I can create with what’s left & see where the gaps are. Aim for clothes which can be worn 3 different ways or can be worn in different seasons by layering, wearing boots instead of sandals etc.
• Buy what’s missing