How to properly spring-clean your wardrobe (any time of the year)

With spring having sprung, it’s high-time for a clothes clear-out. After all, brighter and earlier sunrises will put a beat in your step, making the task far easier to fulfil – so, set aside a Saturday morning and get on with what you put off all winter.

Here, we’ve turned to personal stylist and expert organiser Alarna Hope for her top wardrobe-wrangling tips. So, whether you’re struggling with new office dress codes or fighting to find a good folding technique, here’s how to spring-clean your wardrobe (although you can certainly do this at any point throughout the year)...

Start by knowing what you want your style to look like. If you have a style in mind before you start, you can work towards the style you want. So many people throw things out that could be used – and that’s why you should think about your clothes as part of a whole outfit, rather than thinking of each item individually.

Once you’ve done that, work through your wardrobe category by category. I like to start with shoes, line them up, check for damage, see what’s missing and put aside anything that needs a trip to the cobbler.

(For inspiration, see our favourite style icons here.)

I know many boring brown belts and white T-shirts that don’t bring joy by themselves, but are fantastic building blocks for an outfit.

Ditch this ‘bringing joy’ idea – or only use it when shopping for a full outfit, not single items. When getting rid of items, the first question I ask is, ‘Is it my style?’ – if not, I pass it on. If it passes that test, but it’s worn out and irreparable, I ditch it. If it can be fixed or altered, it’s a keeper.

Though it may sound like you just want to make the space look better, using matching hangers not only creates a uniform look, but it also ensures everything hangs from the same level. You won’t lose clothing that’s hiding between thicker hangers if they’re all the same.

(GJ recommends these premium hangers, here.)

Sort by garment type first, so jeans together with chinos, trousers, shorts, etc. In those categories, I group by colour, for example: black jeans, grey jeans, dark-blue jeans, light-blue jeans, cream and white.

Try organising your wardrobe that way first, then stand back with your wardrobe doors open and see if there’s any need to change the layout of your wardrobe. For example, do you have a lot of long hanging space, but all short garments? Could you use an extra rail halfway down? Playing with the layout of your wardrobe will help you get more out of your space.

Line-up shoes heel to toe – you’ll get some extra shelf or floor room by doing that. Add a shoe rack in your wardrobe if you have a bit of space between the bottom of your clothes and the floor.

Utilise those high shelves for off-season items, sentimental clothing (shirts from charity runs, college jerseys, family gifts, etc.) and sports gear that doesn’t get used that often. Fold knitwear and jeans. Ditch shoe boxes. And remember to use your wardrobe space for clothing – nothing else!

You want to be able to get ready quickly and efficiently – not have to sort through clothing you can’t wear right now. If you have the space, simply allocate certain shelves and hanging areas for autumn and winter, and spring and summer.

When working with clients who have bigger wardrobes, I usually have the colder seasons on one end, and the warmer seasons down the other.

While many offices have relaxed and ditched the ties, some even opting for chinos and smart shirts, some have a firmer line between what’s acceptable at work and what’s meant for home.

If your workplace or business looks like it’s about to go through a rebrand, hold off until you get a copy of your dressing guidelines. And, when in doubt, follow my rule: if you could wear it to the gym, the beach or out clubbing, don’t wear it to work.

Want more style advice? Here’s how to keep your suede shoes in top condition…