How to Conduct a Wardrobe Edit
(A Step-by-Step Guide from a Personal Stylist)
A wardrobe edit isn’t just about decluttering: it’s about curating a wardrobe that works for you. As a personal stylist, I often see clients feel overwhelmed by their closets. My approach is simple: use your colour palette, body shape, and style personality as your framework, and make decisions confidently.
A wardrobe edit is also a chance to reconnect with your clothes: some pieces carry memories, sentimental value, or nostalgia. Acknowledging that is part of the process, but the goal is to keep the items that serve you now.
Here’s my step-by-step guide to doing a wardrobe edit that’s practical, empowering, and even enjoyable.
Step 1: Prepare for Your Edit
Set aside uninterrupted time: ideally a few hours.
Have a mirror and good lighting ready.
Create space to lay out your clothes clearly.
Wear something comfortable and easy to change in.
Think of this as a focused styling session with yourself: intentional, mindful, and decisive.
Step 2: Use Your Style Framework
Decisions become much easier when you have a clear filter:
Colour Palette – Stick to the colours that suit you best and that mix easily together.
Body Shape – Keep clothes that fit well and flatter your current shape.
Style Personality – Keep pieces that feel like you. If a piece doesn’t align with your overall style, it’s harder to wear.
This framework keeps the process objective, even when sentimental feelings arise.
Step 3: Take Everything Out
Pull all your clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories out so you can see everything side by side. This allows you to assess your wardrobe as a whole, rather than making decisions item by item in isolation.
Step 4: Sort into Four Piles
For each item, ask yourself:
Did I wear it in the past year?
Is it in my colour palette?
Does it fit and flatter my body shape?
Does it fit my style personality and combine easily with at least three other pieces?
If you are unsure, try it on. You will get a better feel for it.
Sort items into four piles:
Keep – Items you love and will continue wearing.
Maybe – Items you’re unsure about or that might need minor adjustments. Consider whether tailoring could improve fit or style.
Donate / Sell – Pieces in good condition that no longer work for you.
Recycle – Worn-out items beyond repair.
Step 5: Handle the “Maybe” Pile
The maybe pile is where emotions and practicality often intersect. For these items:
Ask whether minor adjustments or alterations could make them wearable.
If you’re still unsure, store them out of sight for a month. If you don’t reach for them, it’s a sign they can be released.
Consider the sentimental value—sometimes it’s okay to keep a single item as a memento, rather than in your everyday wardrobe.
Step 6: Rebuild Your Wardrobe
Once your keep pile is ready:
Hang items by category and colour for easy access.
Use uniform hangers (wooden or slim velvet) for a neat, cohesive look.
Start testing outfits and combinations. This is when you see the power of a curated wardrobe: everything works together, and styling becomes effortless.
Step 7: Maintain Your Edit
Reassess your wardrobe every few months.
Use the hanger trick: hang clothes backward, flip as you wear them; unworn items at season’s end are candidates to release.
Follow the “1 in, 1 out” rule when shopping.
Photograph favourite outfits to simplify daily dressing.
Final Thoughts
A wardrobe edit isn’t about having less but it’s about having more of what works for you. It’s also about being honest with yourself and your style. Some pieces may carry memories or sentimental value, and that’s okay—but the goal is a wardrobe that supports your life now.
✨ Feeling overwhelmed? I offer one-to-one wardrobe edit sessions where I guide you through the process. Together, we’ll make thoughtful decisions, explore outfit combinations, and create a wardrobe that feels effortless and enjoyable.