A yearly check of the whole wardrobe
Short answer: Empty the wardrobe completely once a year and put back only what you have worn. It is the method that best shows what you actually own and what just takes up space. Set aside an afternoon and take it calmly.
Why once a year
A full year covers every season. A garment you have not worn in twelve months has had every kind of weather available and still has not been chosen. That tells you more than a feeling in the wardrobe, because you look at what you actually put on, not at what you think you ought to wear.
Why empty it completely
When clothes hang in place, you only see the front of the pile, and you keep choosing the same things. Emptying the wardrobe lets you see everything at once, and you find what is hidden at the back or at the bottom of a drawer. It is the only way to get an honest overview.
How to do it
Take everything out, lay it on the bed, and put it back garment by garment. Whatever goes back should be something you use and like wearing. Whatever does not go back needs a decision, so it does not simply move from wardrobe to box. See Bamboo Basics for simple basics.
When to do it
Do it at a change of season, when clothes need to be moved anyway. Then the wardrobe is half empty and you have to go through everything regardless. There is no reason to do the work twice. See women's long-sleeved bamboo t-shirt and bamboo sweatshirt for men for layers used across seasons.
Decisions for the rest
There are three possible decisions: it goes back, it needs mending, or it moves on. Do not make a fourth pile called maybe, because it turns into a new wardrobe inside the wardrobe. Decide while the garment is in your hand, and move on to the next one.
What you have not worn
Be honest about what you have not worn, even if it is nice and in good condition. A garment that does not fit, does not feel good or does not go with the rest will not be worn next year either. Fit and comfort matter more than how it looks on the hanger.
What happens to the rest
Garments in good condition can be sold, given to family or handed in for reuse. Worn-out garments can go to textile recycling or be used as cleaning cloths. Wash them first so they are clean, and avoid leaving a bag in the hallway for months, since it often gets unpacked again.
Keeping it going
Put things back so that what you use most is easiest to reach. Hang what is worn every week at eye level and store seasonal clothes in a box. That makes the wardrobe easier to keep tidy, and you see more clearly what you own the next time you look.
What you get out of it
You get a wardrobe where everything can be used, and you know what you have. That makes it easier to see what is actually missing before you buy anything new, and harder to buy the same thing twice. A wardrobe without duplicates is also quicker to choose from in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
An afternoon for a whole wardrobe if you take it calmly. Set aside a couple of hours, and take a break if it gets too much. It is better to do it properly once than halfway three times.
Should you do it alone?
It goes faster with someone else who asks when you last wore it. But you can easily do it alone. The main thing is to be honest with yourself while you put the clothes back.
What about clothes for special occasions?
They count if the occasion actually comes every year. A party outfit worn twice a year has earned its place. A garment for an occasion that never comes has not.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
