Image by tappitake

We all know that over a period of time, our wardrobes accumulate a large number of unwanted, unfashionable, and unsightly clothes that for whatever reason, we wouldn’t be caught dead in! It’s very easy to keep piling up the mess and when it starts to spill out onto the bedroom floor a good solid push will send the tat straight to the back of the wardrobe. Out of sight, out of mind. I’ve done it myself on many occasions.

So, without further ado, here’s how to separate the stylish threads from the charity shop-bound junk.

8 simple steps to banish bad clothes from your wardrobe

Step 1

Throw everything you own onto the bed! It will make it much easier to sort through. Now you can clean out your wardrobe and replace those old, nasty wire coat hangers (that absolutely destroy your clothes) with wooden ones; half a dozen for your suits and maybe a dozen for your shirts.

Step 2

Store your gym/holiday clothes separately so that you’re not always going through piles of unsuitable clothes whenever you’re looking for something to wear. Ideally, you can put them in an under-bed storage bag. Also, if you can, keep special occasion clothes elsewhere too. Perhaps a separate wardrobe.

Step 3

Match up your ties with your shirts. Unless you’re going to buy a shirt especially for your stray ties that don’t currently go with anything, you can just go ahead and throw them away. I find it simplifies things by hanging appropriate ties over suitable shirts to save time when it comes to getting dressed.

Step 4

Banish anything that you haven’t worn in years, doesn’t fit, still has a price tag on (unless it’s brand new, obviously), that needs repairing or is only good for decorating in. There’s no sentiment in fashion, so don’t get attached to your clothes.

Step 5

Make sure that everything that’s left still goes with at least three other items - even if one of those is a plain white t-shirt. Bin all items that go with nothing else. (Or store them if you’re still having a bit of trouble letting go!)

Step 6

Buy replacements for items you know you look good in. Write down a list of items you look good in, clothes you need to create new outfits and any basics you need more of.

Step 7

Keep an eye out for clothes that need maintenance. Keeping your clothes looking good is as important as what you wear. Take care of missing or loose buttons, creased fabrics, worn shoes, and faded colours. If you’re not particularly fussed about eliminating old clothes, you can always buy replacements instead.

Step 8

Take some time to look at the banished clothes before you throw them out. This is the time to assess your mistakes so you don’t make them again. Why did you buy them in the first place and why didn’t you wear them? It might make you less inclined to impulsively buy something you’re never going to wear next time.

The final thing worth mentioning in your Great Clothing Clear Out is banishing clothes moths. There’s nothing worse than pulling out your prized cashmere sweater to find that it’s been devoured and destroyed by a clothes moth. Fight back with cedar moth balls, pheromone traps and good old-fashioned hoovering/vacuum cleaning.

Also, moths are attracted to grease and sweat. When packing away winter coats, sweaters and so on, store them in vacuum storage bags.

So what are you waiting for? Declutter your wardrobe and banish those bad clothes today!

I’d like to hear your best spring cleaning stories in the comments. What terrible and embarrassing articles of clothing have you found hidden in the dark corners of your wardrobe? Any novelty ties (perhaps with flashing lights)? Or have you seen your favourite sweater violated by an evil clothes moth? Let us know.