Week 3: Wardrobe simplification

 

  • Evaluate your day to day needs
  • Optional: create a style uniform (if nothing in your closet brings you joy)
  • Build your capsule
  • Create a loose organisation in the closet
  • Store away anything not in the capsule
  • Tip: At all times, remember this is NOT a closet declutter. You can do that at a later time. If you see anything you want to throw away or donate, you can throw it in a bag. But take that bag to the donation center or container right away. And anything you are not sure about, just keep it and store away for later.

Evaluate your needs over the course of the month

Before you can build your capsule, you need to identify what you need on a day to day basis. I will give some suggestions based on my personal needs, but always adjust it based on your own situation.

  • Any specific requirements for workwear (dresscodes, uniform, personal preference)
  • Workout sessions per week
  • How much you go out (formal/party wear)
  • The current season/the next 3 months (shoes, jackets, raincoats)
  • Other categories you need

The suggestions will be based on having weekly access to a laundry machine. If that is not your situation, you might want to increase or decrease the number of days you plan for.


Building the Capsule

Once you identified your needs, it is time to build your capsule. We are going for enough clothes for 2 weeks (14 days). With your weekly laundry day, you will still have enough clothes to last if it is pushed a few days. You will have enough variation to not be bored, but not so much that you shut down with decision fatigue.

When selecting, pick your favourites first, and if you are missing items, fill it out with basics that help make the favourite pieces more versatile.


Suggestions for a temperate climate 14 days

  • 6 long sleeve blouses (one use)
  • 8 short sleeve blouses (one use)
  • 4 cardigans (two use)
  • 2 knitted sweaters (multiple use/for warmth)
  • 8 bottoms (2-4 uses)
  • 1 coat for the season
  • 1 raincoat or umbrella (having both are fine)
  • 1 large bag
  • 1 medium bag (my daily bag)
  • 1 small bag
  • 1 outdoor scarf
  • 4 pairs of shoes (and 1 pair of workout shoes if relevant)
  • 4-6 workout sets for 3 workouts per week (sportsbra, t-shirt, pants)
  • 14 sets of socks and underwear
  • 4-7 bras
  • 3-5 nicer items for going out

Try to pick out a few favourites of belts, scarfs, jewellery and other accessories. Again, you are just storing the rest away for now, not getting rid of anything. 3-5 in each category. Again, this will help you with decision fatigue, but still allow versatility.


If nothing in your closet sparks joy, and you have no idea what to wear, you might want to consider making a style uniform. I will have a separate document on this, in case that is relevant.


Create (loose) organisation

Now that you have your simplified wardrobe, put it back in the closet. Depending on your closet, make sure it is something that is realistic for you to maintain, and ideally looks somewhat visually appealing to you.

If you don’t have the energy for hangers, don’t use hangers. If you are not likely to neatly fold, don’t fold it. But having less clothes overall, it will take less time putting away (especially with your new laundry routine). So you may find you have energy to fold or hang, even if you don’t usually do that.

Separate baskets for underwear and socks are great. If you don’t really care about socks, I recommend buying 14 pairs of the exact same socks. You will never have to sort socks again, you can just grab and go.

A cube storage shelf can work great for other clothing items if you don’t like to fold.


Store away any remaining items

As the last step, gather all the items that didn’t make it into the closet, and store away out of sight. Preferably some place you don’t see it often, and preferably not under your bed. But of course, this will depend on your storage options. The main point is that they don’t clutter your closet, or are right in your face every day.


The Why


The wardrobe simplification is the last key step. Picking out clothes can feel daunting, putting clean laundry away feels impossibly hard, and there is a lot of decisions on a regular basis, and guilt over the things you don’t get used. By simplifying the options, using your favourites, you will feel better on a daily basis, and feeling presentable and effortless can also boost your mental energy, and make you happier overall, and more likely to say yes to social offers.


The goal here is to make things easier for you - not to punish you. If you particularly enjoy accessories or jewellery, or for some reason need more (and you have the space for it), feel free to personalise it to you. 

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