If your closet feels overwhelming, you’re not alone.

A big wardrobe might seem like a good thing, but if it’s filled with unwanted items, similar styles, or clothing items that no longer fit your current lifestyle, it can lead to decision fatigue every single time you get dressed.

That's why I ( and all professional organizers) am a huge supporter of editing your closet regularly. When you declutter clothes in your closet seasonally or at least once a year, you can trim the fat a little bit at a time.

Decluttering clothes doesn’t have to be an exhausting, all-day event. The best approach is a step-by-step process that works for you.

Whether it’s your first time doing a wardrobe declutter or you’ve tried before and still feel stuck, these top tips will help you take control of your own wardrobe without stress.

1: Take Everything Out (Yes, Everything!)

The first step in the decluttering process is seeing what you actually own. The only way to do that is to take every article of clothing out of your closet and drawers—even the stuff at the bottom of your wardrobe or tucked in storage bins under the bed.

Lay everything out so you can visually assess what you’re working with.

Not only do you get a clear vision of what you have, but you can also see the sheer volume of items you have. This will help you start to let go of items and accept that less clothes is the end goal.

2: Categorize & Identify Patterns

Before you decide what to keep, I recommend sorting by category: jeans, sweaters, dresses, shirts, etc.

You’ll start noticing similar items—and can then ask yourself, do you really need five of the same classic style white button-up? The answer is probably no.

This is also a good place to recognize your personal style and eliminate clothing that no longer fits your aesthetic.

3: Use the Reverse Hanger Trick

The reverse hanger trick is a tried-and-true professional organizer method originally popularized by Peter Walsh; this trick helps you identify what you actually wear without having to think too hard. How it works:

Flip all your hangers backward (I prefer the claw facing you). When your clothes are off, the hangers are the best time to do this. As you decide on what to keep, you'll hang your clothes on the hangers and put them back into the closet.
As you wear items, return them with the hanger in the correct direction.
After six months to a year, check what’s still untouched/ has the hanger facing the wrong way—those are the first items to let go of.

This eliminates emotional attachment and makes it easier to part with items that are just taking up closet space. I go into more detail about this technique in this blog.

4: The “Keep, Donate, Trash” Piles

Once you have all your clothing in categories, you'll start to dive into whether the pieces are worth holding onto.

Go item by item, deciding the fate of each piece of clothing.

Obviously, keep the items you reach for often and adore! I recommend hanging those pieces so they are front and center.

If something is in good condition, but you don’t wear it, consider donating to a charity shop or selling it ( put items you are selling or donating out of your room immediately so you're more likely to take that action).

Items that are damaged beyond repair go in the trash bag—be honest with yourself! If you're unsure about some items, that's okay.

A good idea is to set a deadline: If you haven’t worn it in the past year, it’s time to let it go. Using the hanger trick mentioned before, you'll be able to see this easily if the items are hung.

5: Address Sentimental Items Last

Sentimental items like wedding dresses or gifts from best friends tend to be the hardest decisions to make.

I recommend saving these decisions for last because, by that point, you already have a good sense of your possessions and what you're keeping, and you can be more rational about whether you have the space to keep sentimental items.

Ask yourself:

Does this item bring me joy (hello, KonMari Method)?
Am I keeping it for sentimental reasons or because I actually love wearing it?
Would I buy this again if I didn’t already own it?
Is there a way I can honor or keep this piece in another format?

Sometimes sentimental items can be put on display using shadow boxes or altered to be turned into something you can wear. I'm never one to say you have to get rid of stuff, but you need a plan for your things and how you plan to maintain them.

We don't hold onto things and never acknowledge them just because. If you still can’t decide, put it in a storage container and revisit it in a few months.

Again, give yourself a deadline, just like a homework assignment, and add it to your calendar so you can hold yourself accountable.

6: Create a “Capsule Wardrobe” for Less Decision Fatigue

Having fewer clothes can actually make getting dressed easier. Consider curating a capsule wardrobe with versatile staples in good shape that mix and match effortlessly.

Placing these in the center of your closet will make them easier to see and grab. You'll also be able to identify any gaps in your wardrobe this way and have a more focused lens when you go shopping or give out gift ideas to your loved ones.

More importantly, this helps avoid the waste of money that comes with buying more than you need.

7: Invest in Smart Storage Solutions

Now that you've gone through everything, you can start to think through the best storage and organizing products to help you keep everything in order in the long term.

Velvet hangers are a great place to start—they maximize storage space and keep your clothes from slipping.

Below are a few of my favorite closet-organizing products.

8: Reduce Future Clutter with the “One In, One Out” Rule

I always tell my clients that maintenance of your organized space is more important than the organizing itself. You need to have a plan for what to do when new items enter the space you just organized.

You can either purge more so you have space to fill or you can institute the "one in, one out" rule. Every time you buy new items, remove one old item from your own closet.

This keeps your big wardrobe from growing out of control again.

9: Monthly Decluttering Challenges

Make decluttering part of your daily life by doing regular mini-cleanouts. A monthly decluttering challenge can help you stay on top of things without feeling overwhelmed.

You can break this into different categories so every month, you're focused on decluttering one type of item versus entire rooms or spaces. I tend to host these types of challenges, so if you're interested, join our email list.

10: Find New Homes for Unwanted Clothes

Now, if you're someone who really struggles with parting with unwanted clothes or feels like it's wasteful to just donate them to Goodwill, I recommend thinking outside the box.

You can host a clothing swap with friends, consider reselling high-quality pieces on platforms like Poshmark or Depop, or finding causes that accept the items you're donating. You can even hold your own yard sale too.

Getting rid of unwanted items doesn't have to be wasteful, unsustainable, or difficult. But you do need to get more comfortable with parting with things you aren't using, because that is wasteful if you really think about it.

These items were created to be used so if they aren't that's a waste for the item, for your energy, for your home, and for your sanity.

11: Organize Your Keep Pile Like a Pro

There are a few ways you can organize the items you are keeping. You can arrange by category, by color, or by function to make getting dressed easier.

Whatever approach you decide, I always recommend keeping favorite and most used items front and center.

12: Celebrate Your Decluttered Closet!

Decluttering is hard work, so take a moment to appreciate your organized closet and pat yourself on the back. If you want to show off your progress, take a picture and share it on social media for accountability.

At the end of the day, you’ll feel less stress, less clutter, and more clarity every morning.

Final Thoughts

Decluttering clothes doesn’t have to take a lot of time if you follow a simple steps approach. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, these top tips will help you create a wardrobe that works for your current lifestyle. Have a good idea or trick that works for you? Drop it in the comments!

How to Declutter Your Wardrobe: 12 Tips from a Pro