Decluttering My Closet Continues: Can I achieve a simplified wardrobe?

The Closet Declutter Continues …

If you’re just catching up, fear not! You can dive into the first part of this thrilling decluttering saga here.Last time, I embarked on a ruthless journey of decluttering my closet, categorising my many clothes into ‘keep’, ‘discard’, and the pesky ‘unsure’ piles.

It was more than just sorting; it was a revelation! The sheer volume of clothing was honestly staggering.

Now, it’s time to get even more ruthless. Reflecting on my past shopping sprees and choices has been quite an eye-opener.

If you’ve ever had a goal to reduce the clutter in your closet, read on for some helpful tips I’ve gleaned in my personal journey to a simplified wardrobe.

Clear out your closet and only keep the regular wear items

First tip: Clear out your closet of the items you rarely wear and focus on the core, seasonal pieces. For me, this is a vital step to simplify your wardrobe.

I’ve realised that simplicity is key.

I got rid of the clothes I don’t wear regularly – those special occasion clothes, like the once-worn little black dress or the fancier dresses, to another space. For me, it meant relocating my winter gear to another closet, simplifying my wardrobe for the sunny Australian days ahead.

This decluttering step made the process less overwhelming and helped me focus on the clothes I genuinely wear. Speaking of which, I’ve discovered that my ‘regular’ wardrobe is surprisingly small. As someone who works from home, I find myself reaching for the same outfits repeatedly. It turns out I don’t need a closet full of clothes, just a few favourites. (who knew!?)

This of course is just one way to declutter your closet and I continue to find new helpful tips as I move through this process!

Decluttering and Questionable Decisions

Ever found yourself holding onto clothes for no clear reason?

That’s the dilemma I face with my “H&M Trench Coat Saga”. Bought because it was chic and affordable, it now serves as a reminder of unrealistic expectations versus reality. The reality is, as a WFH person who lives in a perpetually sunny climate, exactly why did I think I needed a trench coat?

Sure, there will be a time in our rainy winter season that could call for a stylish trench coat… but let’s be honest here friends, how many days will I actually be reaching for a trench coat??

My advice? Be as ruthless as possible when decluttering your clothes. If it doesn’t make you feel great, it might be time to let it go.

And yes, I realise I am suggesting this and seem to be resistant to my advice! Here I am, still pondering over that trench coat. It seems my journey to a decluttered, simplified wardrobe still includes this piece, at least for now.

For more tips I’ve picked up, read this article next: 8 Closet Cleanout Tips to Make Decluttering Your Closet Easier

Time to Get Ruthless – The Black Clothing Saga

Oh looky looky – here I am, once more engulfed in my endless sea of black clothing.

The mantra I’ve been telling myself is almost comical now: Black is slimming! It’s versatile! It hides sweat! But here I am, questioning whether I’m auditioning for a role in a noir film. Why have I shied away from colour all this time?

But let’s be real: the issue in decluttering my wardrobe isn’t about the colour palette. It’s about the overwhelming volume. I’m not about to abandon my love for monochrome, but do I really need 14 black tops? That’s overkill!

I still have a dream of one day achieving that sleek, monochrome capsule wardrobe. Oh a girl can dream ….

I’ve realised the real challenge in tackling these undecided items isn’t about sentimental value; it’s about confronting guilt. Unlike the clear-cut ‘keepers’ that confidently landed in the ‘definitely keeping’ pile, these black garments are steeped in hesitation and ‘what-ifs’. (I mean, what if I end up in a travelling theatre troupe and rue the day I let go of my noir wardrobe?)

But, one small win to report in my closet decluttering mission! I have successfully downsized my collection of black attire.

I became ruthless, getting rid of duplicates or similar styles. Why cling to 6 pairs of black shorts when 3 are more than enough? This purge has not only cleared space in my closet but also refined my shopping habits. Now, when I’m out to buy clothes, I think about what already sits back in my closet, steering clear of unnecessary additions.

These small victories in decluttering my clothes are shaping my journey towards a simplified, more manageable wardrobe.

Make it Easier to Declutter by Having Fewer Clothes

So here’s a twist in my “declutter your closet” adventure – what if the real trick is to not just get rid of clothes but to stop bringing in new ones?

I’ve been pondering this as I tackle my closet full of clothes. I’m not the type to ruthlessly purge 90% of my wardrobe – that’s just not me. But, I’ve started to approach this whole decluttering project from a different angle: reducing the influx of new items.

Enter my new challenge – the No Buy Challenge Month. It’s all about buying less, not just clothes but everything, to minimise the constant stream of new additions to my already packed closet. It’s a tad challenging, but I’m hopeful it will make a significant impact.

You can catch up on the details of my No Buy Challenge Month here.

In the meantime, my journey of decluttering clothes continues one step at a time. Here’s to fewer clothes, more space, and a hopefully more streamlined wardrobe in the future!

Fancy a laugh with a self-declared declutter-er who doesn’t take herself too seriously? You can find me at @girlseeksbeach