How to Declutter Your Closet! A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever feel like ‘I have nothing to wear!’  Even though your closet is overflowing. Do you scroll online thinking ‘Maybe if i just buy this one item, everything will work’. When packages arrive you literally squeeze them into an already overstuffed closet, only to almost forget about them. Is getting ready for work chaotic? Or getting ready for events exhausting, trying not to ruin your flawless makeup with tears during a wardrobe meltdown?

It might be time to declutter! A tidy wardrobe doesn’t just free up space—it can also help you rediscover old favorites and refine your personal style. If you’re ready to refresh your closet and enjoy a simplified wardrobe, keep reading. This method is designed to help you decide what to keep, donate, or restyle, all while finding joy in getting dressed again.

Round 1: Quick Sort—Yes, No, Maybe

Start by separating your clothes into three piles: Yes, No, and Maybe. This round should be FAST—don’t overthink it!

• Yes: These are the items you reach for with no hesitation. They make you feel great, and you wear them often.
• No: These pieces are damaged, worn out, don’t fit, or simply don’t reflect your style anymore. These go straight into the donation pile (or the trash if damaged).
• Maybe: These are clothes you’re unsure about—perhaps you’ve hardly worn them or they’re for specific occasions like holidays. Set these aside for further evaluation. You may find that some of these maybe items can be decluttered.

Round 2: The Try-On Session

This round might take more than a day, so set aside time when you’re in the right mindset. It’s time to try on everything in your “Maybe” pile in front of a full-length mirror, preferably in daylight. Have all the right underwear and footwear too. It’s best to go all in to truly see what you love. Work your way through the maybe pile adding to the original yes and no pile and restarting a new maybe pile;

• Yes: Anything you feel confident in and want to wear again goes into the “Yes” pile, ready to stay in your closet
• Add to ‘maybe’: You like these items, but maybe they’re a bit too long, super seasonal (think holiday-specific or formal wear), or just not something you’ve worn recently. These will move into a “Yes” pile if they still feel right.
• Add to ‘no’: If you don’t feel good wearing it, it goes into the “No” pile, no second chances.

All items in the “No” pile should go into a donation bag (or the trash if they’re too damaged to be passed on). You might need some garbage bags for this round!

Round 3: Styling Experiments

Now for the fun part—get creative! Take some of your “Yes” items and pair them with pieces from your “Maybe” pile. This step helps you see if your “Maybe” items can be integrated into outfits you’ll actually wear. The goal here is to assess versatility. If you’re aiming for a more streamlined wardrobe, ask yourself whether you’d be happy cutting back on new purchases by using these items more.

Round 4: Testing A Capsule Wardrobe

Put your decluttering to the test by creating a one-week capsule wardrobe. Keep it simple, maybe just introducing 1 or 2 ‘maybe’ pieces so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Don’t know where to start? Type whatever the item is into Pinterest, followed by ‘outfit’ for endless new styling ideas. 

• On a Sunday, plan your outfits for the week ahead based on the weather and any appointments or events you have coming up.
• See how your choices hold up—are you missing any basics? Do you find yourself defaulting to the same items?

This is a great way to identify any gaps in your wardrobe or realize you don’t actually need as many clothes as you thought. For items like formalwear, occasion pieces, or seasonal clothes, give yourself a deadline to store or repair them. If repairs don’t happen by the deadline, it’s time to let go.

After going through this process, I realized I was holding onto too many clothes that didn’t serve me anymore. Now, my wardrobe feels fresh and functional, whether I’m working from home or just popping out for groceries. By taking the time to declutter and curate your closet, you’ll not only feel more confident in your daily outfits but also discover new ways to make your wardrobe work for you.

Ready to love your wardrobe again? Start decluttering today and let me know how it goes in the comments! What surprised you the most about your closet? And don’t forget to subscribe for more tips on simplifying your life and style!