Do you have a wardrobe full of clothes yet nothing to wear? The Style Coach, Sharon Huggard shares tips for a clothing clear-out, to mark International Declutter Day

WITH International De-clutter Day on September 21, it is as good a time as any to simplify your wardrobe and your mind.

We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, so let’s start de-cluttering our wardrobes to see what actually lies beneath. With increased awareness about sustainability, it is a great place to start.

The ultimate aim is to have a capsule wardrobe that works for your lifestyle and reflects your unique body shape, style personality, colouring and lifestyle.

THE AIM OF DECLUTTERING

• Save time
• Streamline your wardrobe
• Fewer clothes, more outfits
• Shop for gaps in your existing wardrobe.
• Reveal any habitual buying patterns.
• Gain clarity about who you are and if it is in alignment with the image you are actually portraying.
• To feel invigorated and liberated, as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
• Regain control of your personal appearance.

GETTING STARTÉD — WHAT YOU NEED

• Time approx. 2-3 hour
• Heavy duty bin bags
• Good quality hangers
• Zip lock storage bags
• Full-length mirror

STEP 1

Empty all the contents of wardrobes (yes, all of them) onto your bed.

Give your wardrobe a deep clean and vacuum.

STEP 2

Go through every item of clothes and ask yourself some difficult questions: When was the last time I wore it? If it was more than 18 months ago then it’s not very likely you will wear it again. I am being nice to you. If I have not wore an item in 12 months, I let it go!

Would you buy the item now if you saw it in the shops?

Does it suit your body shape?

Does it fit?

Do you feel good in it? How does it make you feel?

STEP 3

Sort into piles:

Keep — washed, clean, ironed and ready to wear

Donate — do this ASAP, Who else has a black bags in the boot touring the country for sport?

Discard — they are beyond redemption!

Repair/Dry Clean Sell (R.O.I. Return on Investment if it’s a designer piece that is just no longer serving you.

STEP 4

Sort your clothes that go back in into you now capsule collection by season.

Remove the summer items into a spare wardrobe or storage. The aim is to be able to pull outfits more easily and create put together outfits.

Remove any items that are sentiment but do not form part of your capsule wardrobe e.g. wedding dress, bridesmaid dress, etc.

STEP 5

How you arrange you clothing is a matter of personal choice: colour code, by lifestyle work, downtime, etc. or by category, eg, all blazers together, tops together, etc.

Sharon’s top tip: I invite you to think of your time and creativity levels in the morning and if you struggle with either or both then take a few minutes to get your outfit and accessories ready the night before to create an effortlessly put together outfit.

STEP 6

Go through the same process with your accessories, scarves, underwear and shoes.

For your complimentary de-clutter guide, visit www.sharonhuggard.com.

For more, contact 087 - 2330779 sharonstyle4you@ gmail.com