decluttering 350+ clothing items for the new year (this was so hard!)

time for a major declutter of my clothes.. I have over 350 items and I definitely don’t wear every single thing… let’s see if I can cut my wardrobe in half!

[alanbirkner]

About 40 years ago(I'm 74)-I made a chart of all the combinations I could make with 4 pairs of nice slacks, 6 shirts, and 4 cardigans in solid colors. Lately, I have
3 pairs of jeans, 5 long sleeve tees and 6 short sleeve tees. I have costume jewelry, too. We don't need lots of clothes. Tina, Al's wife

[samanthabaines]

Please don't put yourself down, you have done amazing!! As someone whose weight fluctuates I know how tempting it is to have extra 'just in case '. Take credit for how much you've got rid of. Best wishes from a new UK subscriber xx

[thisismacktrying]

lol please be nice in the comments! I'm feeling very judged by the comments regarding amount of clothes I have, my methods, and how much I didn't get rid of... and I get it, but I obviously know it's a problem which is why I'm decluttering... we're all just trying our best! most of you have been very kind--let's keep the comments positive please!

[LauraTucker-nvhz]

Do a time out box containing the items you never wear. That way they are out of your space but you haven't really gotten rid of them either. It will motivate you to see your closet so beautiful and really show you that you won't miss those items like you feel you will.

[kathleencremmins]

Round one done...now you see what you have to create new looks or realize that the item(s) do/don't work...! Bravo!!

[fl]

I feel that such massive decluter can't be done in one go. You first get rid of a lot of excess but then when you revisit you realize you can actually get rid of more! I have done 2 go at my closest and know I need a 3rd one if I'm being honest with myself. You did really great! I think your downfall is that you keep thing for the memories they have and it's not serving you! Also great suggesting of someone for a time out box

[jeanetteagain]

Donating helped me let go so much things and not feel bad 😊

[carolineonline]

Kitty break to pet the cat is my favorite part of the video! 😻😻😻

[gracejarvis]

That's 361 decisions you had to make, which is hard work! And now 101 less things to runmage through. Even though it's not the 50% you were hoping for I'm sure this will make your life so much easier 💗💗 can't wait to see your other decluttering videos x

[donnacolwell]

I've done mass clean outs in the past as my weight fluctuated. I was still hanging on to smaller sized clothes I wore in my 20s when I was in my 40s. I realized that those styles didn't suite me anymore, even if one day they might fit again. It is hard to let go of a goal, even if it is unrealistic. I'm 57 now and I'm still learning. I still make some regrettable clothes purchases. I thrift a lot of my clothes, so I don't feel too bad when something doesn't work out. I just re-donate it. I've got several bags of clothes ready to donate to a church charity. After watching your video, I pulled a few additional items out of the closet and dresser to add to my donation.

Also, please don't use this donation to rationalize buying more clothes. Whenever I think I need more clothes, I do a fashion show at home. I hang all my work clothes on a rolling rack, and then I make outfits. I review the results in a full-length mirror. I'm always surprised at how many different outfits I can make with the items already in my closet. This is also a good way of identifying articles of clothing that don't coordinate with anything else you own. I'm very guilty of buying something with a fun print or unusual color only to find out I have nothing to wear with it.

[Emily_onFashion]

You got rid of 100 items?!?! I bet your closet and drawers have so much new space!!! Huge congratulations!!!! 🖤🖤🖤

[erinjohnson]

I kept "one day" clothes in my closet, tags on, for ten years. Do not let your clothes make you feel bad about yourself. I gave 80% of them to my best friend two weeks ago and donated the rest. I saved two "one day" outfits because I'm like 30 pounds from wearing them comfortably and I am trying to do better... but cake exists sooo... 😂
I saved two shirts in my cedar chest. My highschool graduation shirt and my proud Mama shirt from when my daughter graduated highschool. I had to be really tough on myself because I was running out of real estate for things that make me happy and saving it for clothes that made me sad made no sense to me. You're doing great. I watch Jodi Dunn declutter her house and she always says that sometimes it takes a few rounds to be ready to part with something, and maybe you'll never be ready, and that's ok too. Have a lovely day dear ❤

[dreamerlotus]

I love that your cat was giving moral support. Well done on this, clear outs are exhausting. ❤

[annw]

I find Dana K White's "container concept" hugely helpful. You evaluate what to keep based on the space (container) you have. When there's too much to easily fit in the space, you keep your favorites and take out your less favorites. You evaluate what is most container-worthy to keep. Also, if you buy anything new (which you don't seem to need to do) then you decide which is more container-worthy: the new item or something you already own.

[toni]

I am a self confessed clothes hoarder. I have every type of clothing in every colour and fabric that I like. This includes shoes, boots, jackets, cardigans and coats to match each colour too. I have gotten rid of clothes in the past during an attempted declutter. However, 11+ trash bags barely even made a dent. I know I need to be ruthless but It's incredibly difficult to let things go. I currently have a small bedroom that is my walk in wardrobe but it's crammed full and disorganised with overspill to other rooms in the house. I don't know if I could count each item like you as I'd probably shock myself stupid with the amount of things I have, but I'm going to try to see if that helps :)

[maddeerae]

This is exactly what I am looking for in a declutter inspo vid. Thank you. Seeing the numbers helps me a lot too. You’re great!

[rhondaroberts]

ZERO judgment here because I know this struggle first hand. 😮 The struggle is real. Good job on staying focused on improving your situation. It totally impacts our home and our mental wellness. Less is more. I am a continuous work in progress. 😂

[saran]

about a year ago I read a book (the conscious closet) that made me really commit to decluttering my clothing. I have done three closet purges since then, but with significant time in between so I could determine what I really wanted to keep and where the gaps were in my wardrobe! decluttering your clothing with intent takes awhile and 100+ pieces on the first round is awesome. congrats!

[teresayeates]

Hun, you did so well. As someone who has helped many declutter and who declutters myself on the regular I understand the turmoil. A lot of cluttering has to do with our mental state, a catch 22 really. When things are cluttered we are stuck, when we are stuck things get cluttered.
One thing I recommend always which you did was to work in catagories. I love that you sorted things first.
Also it can be overwhelming to begin, starting with a drawer is often a wonderful place. Think knickers. Empty the drawer, toss old, ripped, stained, ones. Fold the good ones. Do the same with socks and bras. You will feel so much better having only good ones when you open them.
You choose what you want to declutter next and think about this, does it fit, are there any holes, stains, rips, do should seams sit on your shoulders or not, does it flatter your shape, is the colour good on you, is it your style?
What also helps is pinning pictures on pinterest of things you like clothes wise to get a sense of your style. Refer to these while going through your things to see if they align with that.
Remember if you are sad about letting something go that someone else will have joy in wearing it. You have already had that joy and can look forward to new things.
Continue to go through your things on a regular basis and you will see you have more things that you will be able to let go of the second and third time around. Celebrate your wins. You should be excited to open your closet. Your clothes should never dictate what you wear so only have things that fit. Never items that fit on "skinny days" etc.

[caroledumbleton]

It is hard. I went from having a whole bedroom that my husband turned into a giant walk in wardrobe just for me to a single wardrobe when we moved to a smaller house and can honestly say I feel so much better for getting rid of 90% of my clothes and just keeping my absolute favourite things ❤️