Do you have too many clothes and struggle to find the best way to declutter? Here are 10 different approaches to decluttering clothes. Read through the list and have a go at the one that seems like the right fit for you.

I’ve started with a few easy ones to help you get started. Once you catch the minimalism bug, or if you need a hard reset, try some of the more extreme approaches down the list.

1. TURN YOUR HANGERS AROUND

If you feel like you have too many clothes but don’t have the energy to do a big declutter, this is your strategy! Turn all of your coat hangers around, and make a note in your calendar for 6 months. When you wear your clothes, put them back in your wardrobe with the hangers the correct way around. At the end of six months, get out all of the clothes that still have their hangers turned backward. Unless you have a reason to keep them, donate, or sell them. Keep the clothes you wear.

2. EASY WINS

Grab all the clothes that need mending, clothes that don’t fit, clothes you don’t like anymore, clothes that aren’t comfortable to wear, and clothes you know you’re never going to wear again. Don’t think about it too hard. Let them go.

3. DUPLICATES

How many pairs of jeans do you need? How many white button-downs? How many little black dresses? If you’re anything like me, you always reach for the same one or two, and the others rarely get worn. Declutter the duplicate pieces in your wardrobe.

4. ANYTHING WITH A TAG

If you bought something a while ago and haven’t worn it, you need to let it go. Sometimes, we have plans that don’t come through, or we get caught up in a sales frenzy. It’s okay. It happens to the best of us. But don’t let those sneaky purchases clutter up your wardrobe and make you feel guilty whenever you move them aside. Sell or donate them.

5. PAST OR FUTURE BODY SHAPE

Did you use to be a different size, shape, or style? Or, do you have a collection of clothes you are hanging onto in the hope that your future self will fit them or love them? Embrace who you are today and let go of the past and future versions of yourself.

6. SPECIAL CARE

I used to have a few shirts that I loved, and they were expensive, good-quality pieces, but they sat at the bottom of my ironing pile because they were horrible to take care of. If something is dry-clean only, needs special laundry care or is hard work to iron, let it go. Life’s too short.

7. THE 40 HANGER CLOSET

I learned about this one from this blog post by Ruth Soukup, and it worked for me. Count out 40 hangers. It’s nice if they are all matching. Then, take everything out of your wardrobe and curate a collection of 40 pieces. Include all of your favourites for work and leisure. When you go shopping for a new item, remember you will need to get rid of something else you have, so choose wisely.

8. CREATE A UNIFORM

Some of the most famous people in the world wear the same thing every day. We all have our personal style, whether it is jeans and a button-down, a flowy maxi dress or pencil skirt and blouse. Whatever you love to wear, suits your lifestyle and makes you look and feel great. Build a wardrobe that will last two or three weeks and embrace it. Let go of the items that don’t fit.

9. PROJECT 333

This is the approach I used when I lived in the caravan. You can read all about it here. You basically select 33 items of clothing (including shoes and accessories but not underwear) to use for a 3 month period. You change out the items each season, so you have some extra in storage. If you want to give it a go there is a book and a course and a whole online community. Even if you just do this for a season or two, it will change the way you relate to your clothes.

10. SHOP YOUR OWN WARDROBE

This approach only works if you have a spare room or storage. You empty out your closet into another space, and then when you need an outfit you go ‘shopping’ from the items you already own. It’s a great way to rediscover old pieces and put outfits together in a different way. It’s amazing how just moving clothes from one space to another will open your eyes to items you forgot you owned or haven’t put together before.

I hope you have gleaned some ideas to help you declutter your overcrowded wardrobe. Having a closet with plenty of white space filled with only the clothes you love to wear makes the beginning of your day easier and happier. It makes your laundry routine simpler, and it cuts down on decision fatigue. It can be a challenge to drop all those lovely clothes into the donation bin, but you will gain more than you lose, I promise.

Simplify Your Life: 10 Effective Strategies for Decluttering Clothes