How to Spring Clean Your Wardrobe

The sun is shining, the lambs are gambolling and the daffodils are blooming. The clocks are about to spring forward, and the Easter holidays are imminent. Now could be the perfect time for a spring clean and a wardrobe reset. The spring equinox was on Friday, and there are longstanding links between this annual phenomenon and sustainability. In the northern hemisphere, the spring equinox is the beginning of astronomical spring. It occurs when the northern hemisphere begins tilting towards the sun, resulting in warmer temperatures (usually!) and more hours of daylight. Equinox itself means equal night (from the Latin), so it has long associations with balance as well as new beginnings. 

Spring cleaning has its roots firmly in the past. Before the days of central heating, it was the chance to spruce things up after a season of soot from burning coal, oil and wood. Even today, we're affected by seasonal cycles: in darker months we have less access to melatonin, making us less energetic, and for some the respite from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the spring can provide a welcome energy burst.

I often talk about the joy I want us all to feel through the way we dress. In my article linking pro-environmental practices and wellbeing or happiness, I suggested we can sometimes experience feelings of guilt from our wardrobes, not least through wasted purchases - those infrequently-worn items or those still with their tags on lurking in the near-Narnia spaces of our wardrobes. So beware that a good wardrobe spring clean may in the short term produce feelings of guilt, regret and bewilderment as we:

• realise we’ve wasted our own and the planet’s resources in buying something we’ve never (or rarely) worn;

• find old favourites which are now unwearable because of wear and tear or fit;

• are at a loss as to whether to keep items.

But don't despair. As a pro-environmental practice itself (unless you're binning items), a good declutter, sort and (the fun bit) style is good for feelings of satisfaction, pride and wellbeing.

But don’t underestimate how long a thorough wardrobe spring clean can take … even without the literal cleaning aspect. Either make plans for the long haul such as a half day or even a day. If you prefer to, do it with a friend, relative or a professional stylist. And snacks. Build in mini rewards along the way. But keep the jam doughnuts away from your clothing heaps! Alternatively, devote a series of half-hour slots to do a little at a time. Even one drawer or one type of item at a time is useful and makes the task more manageable.

Rewear

There are all kinds of methods for spring cleaning your wardrobe. A simple one is to create three piles: rewear, repair and recycle (or rehome).

Into the 'rewear' pile go any items you immediately know you love, wear and need, the clothes and accessories that you feel confident and happy wearing and / or which perfectly serve a purpose. 

Some items may hover between the piles as you sort, as there will be the less obvious 'maybes'. If you've time as you sort, try these items on. Anything that no longer fits has no place in your wardrobe and should move to pile three for rehoming. If - realisitcally* - you may fit into these at a later date, pop them away from your current drawers, shelves and hangers until such a day comes as they're not relevant to current outfit building. A longer-term option is to set these aside and monitor over a set time to see whether you reach for them. You could also work your way through each 'maybe' across a week or month to help you decide. I recommend being ruthless: if it's not joy-and-authenticity giving, it should probably go.

If you still end up with a wardrobe full of so many clothes you feel you can never justify a new purchase, try restyling those you're bored with. Can you pair separates in new combinations? Or try adding a different accessory such as a belt or jewellery. 

* Realistically only covers if you're pregant or postpartum, if your weight is currently affected by a temporary illness or medication or you're actively and successfully losing (or gaining) weight.

Repair

Give everything the once-over. Otherwise, in the morning rush when you pop on a garment only then to find the hem's come down or it's stained, you're unlikely to wear it. As part of a spring clean, put in a discrete pile or part of your wardrobe anything that needs a little tender loving care. And think outside the box: if a stain or mark is hard to shift, you could dye the garment; visible stitching or sewing a patch over a hole is a creative way to upcycle. Lacking the necessary skills? Find a class or visit YouTube for tutorials.

Rehome

There are plenty of eco-friendly ways to dispose of the clothing and accessories in our reject pile, from charity shops to apps like Vinted. In my area, Hull Help for Refugees can also benefit directly from clothing donations; they're usually in need of men's clothing and shoes. HER Breast Friends may take your old bras, and shoes in good condition can go to Sal's Shoes or Shoe Aid.

In addition, as a personal stylist you can book me for a bespoke appointment and I'll spend 2-hour chunks of time to declutter, style, reorganise and / or rehome what you own. Click below for details.

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