When did you last take a proper look into your wardrobe? You’ll have found that pair of jeans you haven’t been able to fit into for years, but secretly hope you might again one day. Or that hideous jumper that only sees the light of day on a sofa day! Many past loves and past lives live in our wardrobes but it’s time to move on. A new year should mean a decluttered wardrobe. But it’s not easy getting rid of our past, so here are some handy hints.

The best way to check out what you have, what works and what doesn’t work in your wardrobe is to go through each item piece by piece.

So, allow yourself a day and switch on the answer machine! Make sure you are accompanied by your favourite, upbeat CD.

And finally, you’ll need enough space for 3 piles of clothes: These will be: Pile One; Clothes you will keep. Pile Two; Clothes you might keep, Pile Three; Clothes that must go. This could be to a charity shop or if not in good condition, for the rubbish.

Here are the questions you need to answer to allow you to decide on which pile each item is heading for:

Is it the right colour? If yes, put in Pile One. If no, put in Pile Three.

Is it the right colour but the wrong style? Can it be altered or worn differently to make it work? If so, put into Pile Two.

Is it the right style but the wrong colour? Can you wear it with a complementary colour from your palette? If yes, put into Pile Two.

If it’s the wrong colour and style, it must go in Pile Three.

If you are undecided, ask yourself; How many times did I wear it last season? If it was less than 5 and it probably won’t see the light of day this season, then it must go into Pile Three.

Is it torn, or stained or worn? If so, and the stain in non removable, it must go into Pile Three.

Only items which make you feel good and look good should stay.

Pile One:

Organise garments by categories: all coats together, all jackets, all suits, all skirts, trousers, dresses, blouses and shirts/tops together. Then group each category by colour. This will give you a clear view of each item and ideas for combining clothes.

Ensure you don’t put anything back into the wardrobe that is not clean. Also make sure you don’t crumple clothes together as they hang in the wardrobe. Button up all jackets, coats and zip up zips so they hang straight.

Pile Two

This pile contains the items you are unsure about. First of all check every piece against what you have in your wardrobe to see if it could be worn with anything hanging there. For example; if you find a top that is not the right colour, could you wear it with a jacket you are keeping, that is the right colour?

Can the item be altered for a good fit or to bring it up to date for the season? For example; shortening a skirt that is too long or shortening the sleeves on a jacket. Changing the buttons on a jacket may bring it up-to-date for the current season.

If there are still some items you are undecided on, put into storage for 6 months. If at the end of that 6 months, you have not worn any of these items; they have to go!

Pile Three

The third pile is full of the items you are not going to keep. You can dispose of these items in a number of ways;

1. give them to a friend

2. give to a charity shop

3. sell via an online auction site or at a clothes swap event.

If you need a helping hand with your wardrobe audit, why not call in your local Wardrobe Weeding Image expert from Colour Me Beautiful.