What should be done once a year

Short answer: Empty the wardrobe completely once a year, measure yourself again and go through everything you own. It takes an afternoon, and it keeps the rest of the year in order. You see what you own, what is worn out and what is missing before the season starts.

Why once a year

Once a year is enough to stop a wardrobe from growing out of control, and rare enough that it never turns into a chore. Pick a moment when you are moving clothes around anyway, such as a change of season. Set aside a whole afternoon so you do not rush or skip steps along the way.

Emptying it

Everything comes out of the wardrobe, and only what you actually wear goes back in. Lay the clothes in piles on the bed or floor so you can see it all at once. It is the only method that shows what you really own instead of what you think you own, and many are surprised by the duplicates at the back.

Sorting

Make three piles: what you wear, what can be repaired and what you no longer need. Be honest about what you actually put on during the past year. Anything that has hung untouched all that time only takes up space and makes it harder to find the pieces you really like wearing.

The measurements

Take your chest, waist and hip measurements from the front and note them on your phone. Old numbers lead to old mistakes, and the body changes slowly enough that you do not notice. With fresh measurements it is easier to pick the right size next time you order. See bamboo t-shirts for men.

The review

Check whether each layer still covers a week without washing. Count t-shirts, underwear, socks and the rest of the innermost layer, and ask yourself whether you could get through seven days without opening the washing machine. If the answer is no, you have found a gap you can close before the next season.

The gaps

If there are gaps, write them down and fill them before the season begins. Be specific: two t-shirts, three pairs of socks, one set of underwear. A list on your phone is enough. That way you avoid rushed purchases mid-season, when your size might be sold out. See bamboo underwear for men and bamboo clothing for women.

Worn pieces

Look for thin spots, loose elastic, wavy necklines and hanging seams. A piece that no longer holds its shape does not deserve drawer space when a replacement is on the way. Sort out what is worn and keep only what still fits properly and feels good when you put it on.

The season change

Since everything is out anyway, rearrange the clothes so the current season sits at the front. Put summer clothes away in autumn, and the other way around. Fold clean clothes so they do not pick up a smell from the wardrobe. That makes the next change easier, because you already know what is where.

Notes for next year

Keep your measurements and your list somewhere you can find them again. Next year you can compare with the old numbers and see whether anything has changed. A short note on what wore out fastest tells you what you use most and where a better quality could be worth choosing.

Frequently asked questions

When in the year is best

At a change of season, when the clothes are being moved anyway. That way you do not spend an extra day on it, and you see what the coming season requires.

Why measure yourself

Because the body changes slowly without you noticing. Fresh measurements make it easier to choose the right size, and you avoid ordering something that does not fit.