Baltimore Sun Sunday

5 stress-free ways to declutter your wardrobe

- By Aramide Esubi

With all the time being spent at home while quarantine­d, you may have gotten the itch to start getting rid of things and doing some declutteri­ng. A good place to start is with your wardrobe. The thought of this might bring on a sense of dread, but declutteri­ng your closet doesn’t have to be overwhelmi­ng.

Declutteri­ng your wardrobe may help you restore a sense of calm to your life. Here are a few easy-tofollow tips to get you on the path to a completely new (and organized) wardrobe.

1. Take everything out.

The first step is to take everything out. Go into as deep a dive as possible and pull things out of the deepest nooks and crannies of your closet and drawers. We often use “declutteri­ng” as a way to simply move our things from one place to another. Therefore, a complete overhaul is necessary — you can’t begin to declutter your wardrobe without first knowing what’s in it.

If you haven’t worn an item in six months (excluding a seasonal item or something for special occasions), take it as a sign that you’re most likely not going to wear it at all. It’s a hard truth to come to terms with, but making these realizatio­ns is important if you really want to declutter your wardrobe for good.

2. Set a timeline.

Take the time to sort everything out according to occasion. Put all of your active wear in one corner, followed by work wear, casual wear and so on. Sorting your clothes into these piles helps you keep track of just how many leggings you have versus how many you actually need.

3. Sort by occasion. 4. Keep some statement pieces.

Dressing up should be fun and declutteri­ng isn’t a punishment. Statement pieces can elevate outfits and allow you to experiment. Accessorie­s that have sentimenta­l value are worth keeping as well, so don’t be too strict with yourself here. The key is to not give yourself too much leeway, otherwise you’re defeating the whole purpose of getting rid of things you no longer want or need.

5. Go to what makes you feel good.

Gravitate toward the pieces that make you feel your best when you wear them. Whether it’s a piece that flatters your figure or something that’s in a fun color, your emotional connection to these items will motivate you to wear them again and again. The secret to an organized and wellthough­t-out wardrobe is relying on tried-and-true pieces year after year, so go with your gut.

Knowing how to declutter properly will help you successful­ly make room while also letting you enjoy the whole process. Don’t get overwhelme­d and try to have fun.

 ?? SARA KAMOUNI/GETTY-AFP ?? The first step to wardrobe declutteri­ng is to take everything out of the closet or dresser.
SARA KAMOUNI/GETTY-AFP The first step to wardrobe declutteri­ng is to take everything out of the closet or dresser.

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