Turn the hanger round and see what gets worn
Short answer: Turn every hanger the wrong way today, and turn one back the right way whenever you wear something. In six months your wardrobe shows what has been used and what has only taken up space, so you can decide calmly what should go.
The idea behind the method
Most people think they wear most of what they own, but the wardrobe often tells another story. Reversed hangers are a simple way to find out without keeping accounts. You do not count, note or photograph anything. You simply hang clothes back in a new way, and the wardrobe shows the rest.
How to get started
Hang every hanger so the hook faces the wrong way, back to front. It takes a few minutes. After that one rule applies: when you wear something and hang it back after washing or airing, you turn the hanger the right way. That is all there is to it, and it is hard to forget.
What six months show
After half a year the wardrobe is split in two without you counting anything. Hangers facing the right way held clothes in use, and the others hung untouched. Six months usually cover two seasons, so you get an honest picture of what you actually wear, not only what you would like to wear.
Hangers still facing the wrong way
Garments on hangers that still face the wrong way are the ones to look at first. That does not mean they must go, only that they had a chance and were not chosen. Take them out, try them on, and ask whether they fit, feel right and would be missed. One example is the bamboo shirt for men.
What to do with the clothes afterwards
Some garments deserve another chance, others can move on. If they are in good condition, sell them or pass them to someone who will use them, and worn pieces can go to textile recycling. If you need a replacement, choose on purpose and buy a few pieces rather than many, so they stay in use for a long time.
The same method in the drawer
The method works in the drawer too. Put clean clothes back at the front after washing and always take from the same end. After a few months the things you wear sit at the front and the rest at the back. That includes soft everyday pieces such as the bamboo jogging suit for men and the bamboo hoodie for women.
Seasonal clothes and exceptions
Seasonal clothes must have had their season before they count. A thick sweater hanging untouched in summer says nothing. That is why six months is a minimum, and a full year is better because it covers all four seasons. Wait to judge until the garment has had a fair chance of being worn.
Keep it simple
A method only lasts if it is easy to follow. Do not turn it into a big project with lists or colour codes. The hanger points one way or the other, and that is enough. If you forget one day, it does not matter, because the picture after half a year stays clear enough to act on.
What you learn from the result
Use the result next time you think about buying something new. If you already own three similar items and all face the wrong way, the answer may be no. If they face the right way, you know what you prefer. The wardrobe becomes a small record you can trust, and it costs nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you wait
Six months shows two seasons and is a good minimum. A full year shows all four and gives the most accurate picture. For seasonal clothes it is best to wait a year before deciding anything.
What about seasonal clothes
Seasonal clothes must have had their season, or they do not count. Winter gloves are not unnecessary in July. Look first at what you wear all year and wait on heavy pieces until the cold has come.
Should everything facing the wrong way go
No, but that is where to look first. Reversed hangers are only a hint, not a verdict. Try the clothes on, think about fit and need, and keep what you know you will wear, even if it comes out less often.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
