Spring Cleaning for Clothing Article

Decluttering your clothes is as easy as 1 2 3
By Marcia Francois

Wherever you are in the world, the seasons change every three to six months and it's either warming up or cooling down. Whatever your situation, take the time to sort out your wardrobe.

Pareto's Principle states that 20% of your efforts result in 80% of your results.

Did you know that this principle also applies to your wardrobe? That's right - you only wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time.

The aim of your wardrobe is to have clothes you love, that look good on you and that flatter your body shape.

I've been reading up a lot on clothes websites and blogs and I gathered some tips for everybody:


* If you wore the fashion the first time around, you shouldn't be wearing it this time.
* Even if it still fits you, the styles and colours will have changed.
* Pleated and tapered pants are out for all body shapes. Aren't you glad?!

Now let's get busy purging and organising your clothes.
1. Put on some upbeat music and call a friend or professional organiser to help you.

2. Set aside an afternoon and remove everything from your wardrobe.
3. Make 3 piles:

* Clothes you don't love, don't suit your lifestyle or don't look good on you
* Clothes you love and that fit you properly
* Clothes that you're not sure about, for whatever reason

4. Action the piles

* Donate or throw out
* Organise in your wardrobe or on your shelves according to your personal preferences - by colour, style (smart, casual, etc), or season/ sleeve length, etc.
* Move to another place in the house or to a storage container. Diarise a to look at again date (I think of this as a pending file for your clothes).


When you look at this pile again, fit everything on. You will then be able to look at the clothes unemotionally and decide whether they deserve to take up space in your wardrobe (you want to keep them) or whether they need to be donated.

Rather have half the amount of clothes and be able to wear everything than a full-to-overflowing wardrobe where you can only wear some items.


Marcia Francois is a time management and organising coach who empowers small business owners and other busy professionals who want to make the most of their time. You'll get simple, practical organising and time management secrets to help you work less and enjoy life more! Visit http://takechargesolutions.org for your free Organising Success Pack.