If your clothes rails are full-to-bursting but you’ve ‘nothing to wear’, it’s time for a closet cleanse. Fashion director Amanda Marcantonio shares her tips on what to cull and what to keep
1 MAKE A START
The first step to your ultimate wardrobe detox starts with setting your intention. Don’t think of decluttering as a chore or a form of self-punishment for all your purchases, instead frame it as a gift that you’re giving to yourself. Whether that gift is making getting dressed faster and less stressful, creating space in your home or having a wardrobe that fills you with joy every time you open it, focus on what you’re gaining from your wardrobe clear-out.
Then set aside a whole day, if possible. Even if you’re naturally organised, a thorough clear-out is guaranteed to take longer than you think. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to get everything out in one go – you’ll just find it too overwhelming. Instead, tackle one section at a time, such as T-shirts, trousers or your knitwear. Take them off their hangers – you need to know what’s lurking underneath (yes, I’m talking about those forgotten multiple items on one hanger) – and embrace the mess that your bedroom will inevitably become. It’s only temporary.
2 EDIT LIKE A FASHION EDITOR
Saying goodbye to clothes you’ve held on to for years, possibly decades, will be difficult. One of the major reasons we hoard clothes is because of their financial value and the feelings of guilt that we may associate with the price tag. Though we may think that the value of clothes is rooted in how they look, the true value of any item is how it makes us feel.
There are a few questions I always ask myself: ‘Does this make me feel good about myself?’ ‘Does it fit and flatter my figur
