9 Simple Ideas to Thin Out Your Closet

There are many reasons the capsule wardrobe movement is growing so rapidly. A thinned out minimalist wardrobe is less stressful, less time-consuming, and more convenient.

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Recent videos:

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Most popular videos:

7 Daily Habits for a Clutter-Free Home: Declutter for Good

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You can read more tips in my book, The Minimalist Home, or pre-order my new book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life.

Read hundreds of articles on decluttering and owning less on the Becoming Minimalist blog.

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[kathleenkline]

When I was in 8th grade many, many years ago, my English teacher wore only black clothes with accessories in winter, and white with same the rest of the year. She always looked fantastic, and no one thought anything about her fashion choices. She was way before her time!

[AudreyEKim]

1. Start easy - remove clothes that are stained, ripped, faded (1:02)
2. Remove seasonal items from your closet (1:19)
3. Get rid of clothes that don't fit - if you're in between sizes, consider keeping both (1:39)
4. Reduce your need for additional accessories (2:10)
5. Consider the idea of "one" - if one can be enough, embrace it (2:40)
6. Re-assess current trends (3:09)
7. Physically handle every item (3:42)
8. If all else fails, pick a number - find [10] things you can get rid of (4:11)
9. Experiment with less (4:39)

[kibbylollabee]

Most of all I appreciate Joshua’s presentation.He knows what he is going to say when he starts out, and he speaks well. I am amused and annoyed by those “declutter” videos where the speech is so cluttered with mushy language and repetitions that I can’t watch. This makes me believe Joshua knows what he’s doing in the realm of eliminating the unnecessary. I used to have 19 pair of black pants; I only have 13 now. Getting better!

[christined]

I decluttered my closet 4 years ago, I actually decluttered the whole house. It’s amazing how easy it is to dress in the morning when you own less when your closet has all your favorite clothing.
I donated all my costume jewelry, and only kept my fine jewelry. Purses, scarves, belts also donated.. I love my closet, and I am very mindful now what I buy and bring home. I can’t imagine living any other way.

[cookysmith]

Number 10: chose a favorite color combination and stick to it. It will be easier to mix and match, creating dozens of outfits from a few pieces, and easier to replace items when necessary.

[paulahastings]

I had over 200 items hanging in my closet. I bought new hangers. Set of 50. My new limit. And turning around hangers of things I'm really wearing! So I'll know what to get rid of next time.

[johill]

I love clothes so I struggle here, but I'm going to go find 10 things to get rid of...Thanks for the inspo!

[TheFeldhamster]

When you declutter clothes and want to donate them, preferably declutter at the beginning of each season. Nobody needs winter coats in spring and summer. The donation center will just chuck them in the landfill if they even accept them.
Donate at the beginning or at least IN the season and people will actually be glad to receive those clothes. Win-win, you'll have an easier time to part with those clothes because you know they'll be appreciated (this is a big thing for me, I hate to trash things that are still perfectly good) and the people who actually need them will be happy.

Same goes for other things, eg. kid's toys - best time to donate is just before Christmas, gardening tools or outdoor furniture are best donated in spring / early summer, skiing equipment in winter, etc.

[aileenzafra]

I found myself nodding to everything you just said. 😆😁 This video just came at the right time. Thank you again for all your tips in living a simple and cutter-free life, Joshua! Always appreciate it. 👍

[sharipeace]

I had someone comment recently when seeing my closet, where do you keep the rest of your clothes? I replied, this is all of my clothes and I’ve just done laundry so it’s all here. The puzzled look was priceless. Yes, do much easier to get ready. Plus with lots of space in between clothes, less wrinkling and no ironing. Steve Jobs wore the same thing everyday. Said it cleared his mind of that one decision every day so he could think about other things. As I’m typing this on one of those other things, an iPhone, I’d say Steve did pretty good at thinking less about clothes and on more important pursuits.

[VickyHafler]

👗
Decluttered my closet a year ago. Couldn’t be happier.

[wortelsorbet]

I like that you keep on stressing to donate the removed items. One problem that I have is that it is often difficult to buy the exact same item again once it wears out (producers just keep on changing their products). If I like an item, I therefore end up buying several copies, just because of this issue.

[andrewbrendan]

Excellent PRACTICAL advice. Thank you, Joshua. I was reminded of Isabella Rossellini (in the U.S. she may be best known as a model and actress) and of how she would wear a black blazer, white t-shirt, black pants, white socks and black shoes---the shoes being from the men's section. In her book "Some of Me" Ms. Rossellini wrote about learning that way of dressing from her boss who wore essentially the same thing all the time though with some differences in materials or shade. Ms. Rossellini also said, "My closet is just a certain size, and I don't intend to make it bigger".

[lizziemcdougall]

Excellent advice. I reduced my closet significantly and still found that there were clothes that I wasn't wearing. One good test is to look at what you pack for a week away; for me, these clothes tend to be my favorite clothes. The other clothes that I didn't choose are not my favorite, and these clothes need to be reconsidered. I try to donate whatever I am not wearing. Someone else should enjoy these clothes. Many thanks for another great video!

[mindibear]

I narrowed my wardrobe palette to 2-3 colors that looked the best on me and that went well with each other. I purged all of my other clothing items. It made my closet much more visually inviting and it’s easier to put together an outfit since everything can mix and match. Also less stressful shopping since I only buy clothing and accessories in those 2-3 colors.

[LeMErin]

Wonderful advice!! I’ve recently lost 50 lbs, so it has been a great time to cull my closet. I work from home now, so I’ve only purchased a few new items- jeans, some leggings, a few dresses, and about 12 tops. My goal is to buy zero clothing for the rest of the year (except for a good denim jacket). I think I’m going to find that I love a simplified wardrobe 🥰

[carolinekaplan]

I remember being pregnant with my twins and having a lovely but decent capsule wardrobe the last four months. It was so easy.
Flash forward 25 years and I’ve downsized everything including the work wardrobe as a lawyer. I simplified my jewelry scarves and purses. My 15 year old niece got a huge box including makeup and skincare items as well. I simplified everything.
I still have way too much but I know what my next few rounds will probably look like. The rule of thumb I’ve learned is pretend you are going on vacation to a nice resort for ten days. What would you pack ????
I even simplified my linens.

[Sabina-veie]

My closet (in Germany) is still totaly full - so thank you for the great tipps!
I want to add an idea: When I pack my suitcase, I always think, that these are the clothes I really like. So maybe try to pack a (big) suitcase three times: One for summer vacation, one for winter and one for transition season. Your closet ist still filled without all that suitcase clothes? Maybe you don't really need them...
Thank you Joshua for your convincing and conclusive Videos 👍🏼

[tonyariesterer]

I have to wear a uniform to work every day so that makes it easy to choose clothes im the morning. I wear mostly purple clothing, so I that keeps more wardrobe simple. I even keep my socks simple. I have black socks for work and white for other days. By doing all of this, it makes my mornings so much easier, which is wonderful since I am most definitely not a morning person!

[wandalanders]

New subscriber here. Wish I had seen your videos last month haha. I just ordered a lot of containers to get everything organized ... Oh boy ! Lots of small ones and I just want to say you are right. I have become an online shopaholic !! Everytime, I get rid of two or three boxes in comes 3 more. Yikes, I am going to stop watching TV. Haha ! My husband has dementia and I think I am stress shopping and I don't go out because of the covid thing. I was going to start this week to organize and get rid of a lot of things I had for awhile and I know no one else will care for, as I do. My family lives 700 miles away and I have no kids of my own, why I need these things, I don't know. I love pretty things but, know when I am gone someone else would be glad they didn't have to deal with it all. They won't need or want 95% of these things. Time to clean out and stop this. Thanks !