Ruthless Wardrobe Declutter: 8 Steps to a Minimalist-ish Closet

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Most of us have been there. Years are passing by, and over time, we accumulate clothes we don’t wear.

They take up space, create clutter, and make it harder to find the outfits we love.

If you’re ready to take a no-nonsense approach to decluttering your wardrobe, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

How to build a wardrobe you’ll love wearing

Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything or of things you love – it’s about keeping only what truly serves you. Here’s how to build a wardrobe that’s both beautiful and practical:

• Think in outfits, not individual pieces. If an item doesn’t work in at least a few outfits, it’s probably not worth keeping.
• Keep only what makes you feel good. If it doesn’t spark joy, confidence, or comfort, let it go.
• Avoid impulse buys. Consider if an item will fit well within your wardrobe. Just because something looks nice doesn’t mean it suits your wardrobe or daily life.
• A great wardrobe should be: Full of practical pieces that you feel good in & easy to mix and match.

Ruthless wardrobe declutter: 8 simple steps

1. Count what you have & set a goal

Count everything (yes, even those forgotten pieces in storage). Seeing the full picture helps you set a goal, like cutting your wardrobe by a third or half. Having a target keeps you focused.

While setting a limit isn’t a must, it will help you be more ruthless when decluttering and motivate you to try to reach your goal. 

At the time of writing this post, I counted all my clothes (including shoes, jackets, swimsuits, pajamas, and bras) and ended up with about 85 items. Then, I decided that my goal number would be half of this, around 40 – 43 items.

2. Take everything out

Pull every single item out of your closet, dresser, storage bins – wherever you keep clothes. Spread them out so you can see it all. You might be shocked at how much you own (we all are).

3. Sort into categories

To make things easier, group similar items together:

• T-shirts & tanks
• Jackets & outerwear
• Dresses & skirts
• Jeans & pants
• Workout clothes
• Pajamas
• Shoes & accessories
• Other stuff

This helps you see duplicates and figure out which sections of your wardrobe need the most trimming.

4. Try it on & snap some pics

Trying everything on is key – you need to see how it actually fits and feels. Take some pics or even videos for an objective look. If it’s uncomfortable, unflattering, or doesn’t make you feel great, it’s time to let it go.

5. Create 4 piles

Every item goes into one of these categories:

✅ Keep – You love it, wear it, and feel amazing in it.
❓ Maybe – You’re unsure (more on this below).
🎁 Donate/sell – It’s in good shape, but no longer your style.
🚮 Toss – It’s damaged, stained, or beyond repair.

6. Be ruthless with the “get rid of” pile

Time to be brutally honest. Ditch clothes that:

• Don’t fit your current lifestyle or style.
• Are uncomfortable or make you feel self-conscious.
• You haven’t worn it in over a year.
• Duplicates of something you already love.
• They’re impulse buys that don’t match anything else you own.

7. Tips to handle the “maybe” pile

Still stuck on some pieces? Ask yourself:

• Can I make at least three outfits with this?
• Is it comfy and flattering?
• When did I last wear it?
• Do I already have something similar that I wear more?

If you still can’t decide, toss it in a “maybe box” and store it out of sight for 3 months. If you don’t reach for it, you don’t need it.

8. Organize what’s left

Now that you’ve cleared out the clutter, set up your wardrobe in a way that works for you. Keep similar items together and store everything where it’s easy to grab. Bonus: A tidy closet makes getting dressed so much easier.

How many clothes did I get rid of?

I got rid of 36 items in total. That means I currently have 49 items. Wow! While I didn’t reach 100% of my goal, I’m extremely satisfied with my progress.

How to keep your closet clutter-free?

Now that you have downsized your wardrobe and decluttered your clothes, you can do a couple of things to keep it that way.

• Re-assess regularly: Notice what you wear and what you don’t. Let go of items that haven’t been worn in months.
• Plan before you buy: Avoid impulse buys. After decluttering, identify gaps in your wardrobe and make a list of what you need.
• Check second-hand stores: Look for new pieces in second-hand shops – it’s budget-friendly and eco-friendly.
• Sleep on it: If you see something you like, wait a couple of days before buying to ensure it fits with your wardrobe.
• Create outfits: Put together outfits to identify what’s missing and avoid buying unnecessary pieces.

Ruthless decluttering tips

• Set aside a whole day: Pick a weekend day with no major plans – it might take a few hours or even the entire day.
• Sell items in great condition: Try selling clothes online or locally. Reselling helps extend the life of your items, as only about 1% of clothes are recycled into new garments.
• Gift or swap with others: Give clothes to friends or family, or organize a clothing swap with others to refresh your wardrobe sustainably.
• Recycle or upcycle: Turn old clothes into something useful, like cleaning rags or produce bags. Get creative and give them a new life.
• Donate the rest: Donate clothes in good condition to a local charity or organization that will put them to good use.
• Let go of guilt: Don’t keep items because they were gifts or are expensive. Focus on freeing up space for what truly serves you.
• Analyze what you’re getting rid of: Look at patterns in what you’re donating or selling. Identify if you’re discarding trendy pieces, colors you no longer enjoy, or items you don’t wear often, and avoid buying similar things in the future.
• Declutter between seasons: The transition between seasons is the perfect time to reassess your wardrobe. See what worked last season, what’s missing for the upcoming one, and make space for new items.
• Decluttering isn’t final: You don’t have to get it perfect all at once. Revisit your wardrobe in a few months, and you’ll find more to let go of each time.
• Use the “One In, One Out” rule: To keep things manageable, whenever you buy something new, let go of an old item.

FAQ:

How do I know which clothes to keep?

Keep the clothes you love, wear often, fit well, and feel comfortable in. If an item no longer serves you – whether it’s not comfortable, outdated, or doesn’t fit your lifestyle – let it go.

What are the benefits of decluttering my wardrobe?

• Smarter shopping: You’ll be more mindful of future purchases.
• Faster outfit decisions: With fewer clothes, choosing your look becomes quicker and easier.
• Boosted confidence: Clothes you love = feeling good every time you get dressed.
• Save time & money: No more impulsive shopping sprees or buying things you don’t need.
• Organized closet: A tidy, well-curated wardrobe makes it easier to keep your space neat.

How often should I declutter my wardrobe?

It’s an ongoing process! Declutter seasonally, or whenever you notice your wardrobe feels overwhelming. If you find yourself not reaching for certain items, it’s a sign that it’s time for a refresh.

How can I make sure I don’t accumulate too many clothes again?

Adopt a “one in, one out” rule. For every new item you buy, donate, or sell one piece. This helps maintain a manageable wardrobe while preventing unnecessary clutter from building up.

Should I keep clothes I only wear for special occasions?

If you wear something once or twice a year, decide if it’s truly special enough to justify taking up closet space. If it has sentimental value, it may be worth keeping. If not, consider donating or swapping it for something more practical.

What’s the best way to organize my wardrobe after decluttering?

Organize by type (shirts, pants, jackets), color, or season, depending on what makes sense for you. You can also try using storage solutions like bins, shelves, and hangers that maximize space and visibility, so it’s easy to see and access your clothes.

Final thoughts

Yes, decluttering takes effort. But once you do it, you’ll feel so much lighter. No more decision fatigue, no more digging through piles of clothes you don’t even like. Just a wardrobe that makes getting dressed easy, stress-free, and fun.

So, what are you waiting for? Go clear out that closet. You won’t regret it. 🙂

I would love to hear from you. Let me know in the comment section if I missed something or if you want to add any additional tips!