Since the beginning of June, I’ve been taking a keen interest in my consumer habits, and my tendency to accumulate stuff… even if it means being a prisoner of it.

To tell the truth, it all started last October, when I decided to take on a major challenge: sorting out my wardrobe. It was a real success. I thought I didn’t have enough space for my clothes, but I got rid of 3/4 of my things, which I either gave away or threw away, depending on their condition:-) So today, I’m proud to present my minimalist wardrobe!

Here’s how I went about sorting out my wardrobe.

Duration: one week, approximately 2 hours per day

I started by gathering all my clothes in one place, clothes being understood in the broadest sense of the word, since I included shoes, coats, accessories…
Then, category by category, I asked myself these essential questions:

“Have I worn it in the last year?”
“Am I happy wearing it?
“Would I look to replace it if I lost it?

I kept only the pieces for which my answer to these questions was “yes” (modulating a little for special occasion pieces!).
Then I put the clothes I didn’t want to keep into throwaway/donation bags.
And I arranged the 1/4 I saved nicely in my dressing room, inspired by Marie Kondo’s storage method (for underwear only).
As for the rest, I confess I wasn’t too convinced by this method: jeans folded vertically tend to sag, T-shirts to get creases that require systematic ironing.
But the good news is that having got rid of 3/4 of my wardrobe, I realized that I had plenty of room to hang up almost all my clothes…
And for the few pieces that are folded, to display them well, in a very airy way, which is much more pleasant.

I then developed a morning selection method that’s perfect for moms in a hurry like me.
Having only kept clothes that are easy and pleasant to wear, I choose my clothes in order… quite simply.
I’ve hung the clothes up by category: winter tops / winter bottoms and dresses / summer tops / summer bottoms and dresses.
Every morning, I take the first stocking that appears on the right-hand side of my closet, and match it with the first top on the right (unless it’s a dress or combi, which stands on its own).
Every evening, I place the top and bottom on the left of their category in my closet.
I take into account the weather, of course, and the combination of the two.
I also pay attention to how I feel. When I’m annoyed to come across a garment again, it’s because it doesn’t suit me. So I give it away to keep only what I really like.

The advantages of a minimalist wardrobe: less need for space, less need for maintenance (I don’t iron my clothes anymore), less time spent wondering what to wear with that tunic or those leggings…

Here are the details of my current wardrobe:

• 3 pairs of jeans
• two pairs of jean shorts
• three summer skirts
• 2 winter skirts
• 5 summer dresses
• 5 winter dresses
• 6 second-hand dresses (please sort!!)
• one pant
• 10 tank tops
• 10 summer T-shirts
• 5 winter T-shirts
• 10 winter tunics
• 3 sweaters
• 3 long cardigans
• 3 short cardigans
• 2 shirts
• 5 tank tops to wear under the tunics
• 5 undershirts (which won’t pass the next inspection:-))
• 2 sports outfits
• 2 winter pyjamas
• 3 summer pyjamas
• one ski outfit
• 1 swimsuit
• underwear: far too much, I’ll have enough to do a nice sorting again :-))
• 3 pairs of boots (won’t pass the next inspection, I don’t wear them anymore :-))
• 2 pairs of ankle boots
• 2 pairs of ballet flats
• 2 pairs of sneakers and hiking boots
• 1 pair of converses
• 2 pairs of pumps
• 1 pair of heeled sandals
• 1 pair of tropeziennes
• 1 large winter coat
• 1 cape
• 1 raincoat
• 1 leather jacket
• 2 casual jackets
• 2 special occasion jackets

Well, I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything…
And to think I used to have 4 times as much:-)
There’s plenty to wear all year round, with no waste, and I feel free to wear what I wear, and give away what I don’t wear.

Today, I’ve also got into the habit of only buying clothes that fit perfectly. Not the ones I’m hesitant about, but still, I hate to say no to the poor shop assistant who’s been tidying up all my tries for an hour:-)
On the other hand, I put a price tag on a piece, so I don’t make my choice based on price. I might as well tell you that I no longer go to sales, which in my opinion are the best opportunity to buy under-used things. Nor at a distance, as I realized when I was sorting.
Now you know all about my minimalist wardrobe, and have the keys in hand to do the same… it’s up to you! And to take things a step further, discover 5 mini-challenges for successfully decluttering your home.

Do you have more or fewer clothes? Are you ready to start sorting? What’s holding you back?