Melissa Epifano
If clothes could talk, mine would probably be slightly annoyed at my closet organisation skills—or lack thereof. It's probably no surprise that, as a fashion writer, clothes are my go-to way of self-expression. I love both collecting wild pieces that feel inherently like me and learning from my favourite editors and content creators on the art of creating timeless outfits for various occasions. However, I've struggled to keep my clothes tidy since my teenage years, when my adoration for clothes emerged. Until now, I'd say more outfits have ended up on my "floordrobe" or clothes chair than in my actual wardrobe.
I figured it was time to learn how to clean out a closet and keep it organised, once and for all. Of course, it's never nice to do anything alone, so with the help of an expert, I've created the perfect plan for this upcoming weekend.
Whether you have spare time on a bank holiday weekend or have decided on a random Tuesday night that now's the time to make a clean closet happen, I have you covered. Who What Wear enlisted the help of London-based style consultant and wardrobe organiser extraordinaire Oriona Robb. With more than 20 years of experience in the fashion industry and a list of seriously busy, powerful women on her books, she has shared a handful of tips, all of which are totally doable, and some that completely surprised me at their ingeniousness.
"I truly believe smaller wardrobes are more successful wardrobes," says Robb. "We often only wear 30% of our entire closets. So if you can see everything you have, and everything you have is focused and suited to you, then you cannot go wrong.”
Ready for a serious closet refresh? This weekend is your perfect chance. Scroll on for the expert tips and products I'll be making the most of for a successful result.
How to Clean Out Your Wardrobe This Weekend
1. Take Everything Out and Start Laundering
To start, a full closet cleaning session involves more than pulling things out one at a time. So, let's fully commit (I'm saying this to hold myself accountable too) and face the entirety of our wardrobes.
“To do an effective clear-out, you cannot just stand in front of your wardrobe and look at it," explains Robb. "You have to take everything out and place it all onto the bed or a sofa, and then go through it item by item, creating five piles: donate, keep, love, store for another season and alterations and dry cleaning."
Once you've separated out piles, start doing laundry. This is something I often put off, so it's smart to begin the process as soon as possible. I'll also take things like winter coats and occasion dresses for cleaning as I've procrastinated this for a little too long.
“You’d be surprised by the number of people who put something dirty that needs dry cleaning or a pair of trousers that need the hems taken up back into their wardrobes," says Robb. "You know you won’t wear them, so the cost of dry cleaning or alterations is far less than buying a replacement."
After you've done this, it's time to move onto sorting. I'd also suggest getting some storage containers and bags that'll keep clothing clean and in good condition once you're ready to put everything back.
Shop Closet Organization:
Perfect for keeping dresses and coats safe and clean.
I think this laundry hamper is beautiful, and it'll be handy too.
Popping this in the bathroom so clothes are always sorted and not piling up.
2. Try on Everything and Sort
It's so easy to hang onto items you assume you'll wear "one day" (we'll get to this mindset in a little bit), but it leads to a cluttered closet. To avoid holding onto excess, this step is extremely important in a wardrobe clear-out.
“In order to work out whether you should keep something, make sure you can create more than one outfit out of it," recommends Robb. "And don’t try anything on without a full-length mirror, the right underwear and the shoes you would realistically wear the look with." So it's time to get a mirror and free up time in your schedule to really dedicate to trying everything on.
Shop Full-Length Mirrors:
Having a chic mirror inspires me to actually try things on.
Not only is this ideal for a closet clean-out, but it's perfect for outfit photos too.
From an interiors perspective, this would completely brighten up your room and give the illusion of more space. The wood is so visually warming, too.
3. Think Seasonally
I'm thrilled that warm weather is on its way, which makes cleaning out your closet even more vital. Summer always feels like a hug, and I find summer outfits are much lighter and freeing. However, it's never nice to have to swim through jumpers and heavy clothes whilst trying to get to your shorts and vests. That's why it's great to separate your clothes by seasonal capsules.
"Become the person who swaps over seasonally," says Robb. "It’s not crazy; it’s incredibly helpful on a day-to-day basis. Also, if you buy something in the sales for the winter, be sure to pack it away and not shove it into your summer wardrobe."
Shop Seasonal Staples:
Both black and white linen trousers are summer staples in my eyes.
Meet the vest that has remained through every closet clean-out. I've worn it for four summers now and love that it's comfortable and stretchy but looks sleek.
A leather sandal is another staple that'll last you for seasons to come.
4. Create Your Perfect Capsule Wardrobe and Create a List of Needs
You've decided what you love and what needs to go; now it's a matter of pairing items to create a capsule wardrobe for each season. This also allows you to take inventory of what's missing from your wardrobe and what pieces are essential for creating the outfits you love wearing each day. Add anything you don't have to your list. Robb also suggests creating a pie chart for a helpful visualisation.
“Divide what you need from your wardrobe into a pie chart on paper, marking out the percentages of how often you need to wear that part of your closet," she says. "Then arrange, for example, your work wardrobe together, your weekend wardrobe together, your fitness wardrobe together, and if you spend more of your time at work, then make sure you’ve got enough clothes to cover it."
If your
Consider what your usual "uniform" is, too. Are you missing a great pair of jeans? A good white T-shirt? "It’s okay to have 20 of the same thing if it’s part of your day-to-day wardrobe," explains Robb. "I have so many grey sweaters, but each one makes me feel differently."
Shop Timeless Wardrobe Staples
Straight-cut denim has stood the test of time through all the trend cycles jeans have gone through.
Needing to replace your white T-shirt? Opt for this editor-approved staple. This is one of my all-time favourite tees too.
A little black dress has remained a long-standing, iconic closet addition for a reason.
5. Organise by Season, Colour or Item
Look at us go. Closet cleaning doesn't have to be a stressful nightmare after all. With a capsule wardrobe sorted and an idea of what you have left, it's time to reorganise everything. Your system comes down to what's easiest for you to understand. That could be sorting by season, fabric, item type or colour.
“By assembling your clothes into similar colours and fabrics, you’ll find that everything goes together more easily when you’re in a rush,” Robb says. You can also showcase things that don't fit in your closet—or are too beautiful to hide behind drawers and doors.
“Look after your clothes properly, but don’t be afraid to display them as well," says Robb. "Sometimes, having every bag in a dust bag will mean you forget about them. I show my Chanel bag on a hook—I almost get just as much enjoyment out of seeing it there as I do wearing it. The more you put on display, the more you will wear them."
Perfect for sharing your prettiest coats and bags with the world.
Useful and the woven texture is sweet.
I love stone finishes. This hook is gorgeous for modern organic rooms.
8. Move on to Accessories, Shoes and "One Day" Items
Your shoes and accessories also deserve a little decluttering attention. If your necklaces are tangled and your shoe racks are overflowing, it might be time to downsize. Try on all your jewellery and accessories (like hats and bags) and make sure it all still works with your personal aesthetic. Do the same with your shoes, check for comfort, fit, quality and style alignment. And as for those "One Day" items? Robb has advice.
“If you aren’t sure about chucking something away quite yet, make yourself a small box labelled up as ‘Wear One Day’ to save and revisit when you are ready—just don’t let it grow out of control,” Robb says. There's nothing wrong with having occasion outfits or pieces that feel more "fun," even if they're not pieces you'd reach for on a typical day.
A stunning investment for those special occasions. It may not be an everyday dress, but you'll want to wear it when those big nights roll around.
Not a daily wear, but essential for sunny days and holiday plans.
You have your usual line-up of sandals and summer shoes, but in my opinion, I always think it's good to have one statement shoe. These are so fun!
Tips for Keeping a Clean Closet
- Try the safety pin test: “Pop a safety pin in [your clothes] and take it off if you ever wear the piece out," says Robb. "If you haven’t even tried it on in six months, it’s probably a safe sign that you can get rid of it."
- Get organisational tools in place: For the most streamlined closet, outfit your wardrobe with baskets, bags, containers, and shelves that'll allow you to keep everything tidy. It'll make you more likely to put things back if they have a place, rather than on your clothes chair.
- Do a clear-out every season: Avoid constant cluttering by reviewing what you own each season. If you find items you no longer want, give them to friends, sell them on secondhand platforms or donate them to charity shops.
This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
