How to Do a Wardrobe Audit in One Hour
· 3 min read
A wardrobe audit is a one-hour sort of everything you own into keep, fix, donate or sell, and unsure. Ask three questions of each piece: does it fit today, does it suit me, and have I worn it in the past year. A lot of the feeling of having nothing to wear comes from clothes that do not fit, do not suit or do not go together, and an audit clears that without any spending.
What do I need before I start?
Set a timer for an hour. Clear a bed or the floor. Make four piles: keep, fix, donate or sell, and unsure. Take everything out so you see it all at once.
What questions should I ask of each piece?
- Does it fit today, not in an imagined future? The five fit checks help here.
- Does it suit my colouring and how I want to look? See the best colours for your undertone.
- Have I worn it in the past year, or do I have a real reason to keep it?
Two clear yes answers go in keep. Pieces that miss on only one of the three can go in fix or unsure.
What do I do with the unsure pile?
Put it in a bag and note the date. If you have not reached for anything from it in three months, let it go. That removes the guilt from the decision.
Which clothes are worth fixing?
Hems, buttons, a missing hook, or a stain that needs a proper wash. Take the pile to a tailor in one trip. These are often the best-value pieces in the cupboard.
What do I do with clothes I am letting go?
Donate what is in good condition, sell what has resale value, and keep a small bag for pieces to repurpose. Old denim, sarees and dupattas can become something new, and our festive restyling ideas show how.
How do I work out what is missing?
With a clear view of what you own, the gaps are obvious. Keep a short list and buy only against it. This is what stops you buying a fourth near-identical top, and it is the same idea behind a capsule wardrobe on a budget.
How do I keep it going?
When you buy something new, retire something old. A wardrobe that stays about the same size stays easy to use.
What should I check in each category?
- Tops: fit at the shoulders, pilling, stains under the arms.
- Bottoms: fit at the waist and seat, hem length, worn knees.
- Ethnic wear: fit at the blouse or bust, missing embellishments, whether you would wear it again to the next event.
- Shoes: sole wear, comfort and whether they go with at least three outfits.
- Accessories: tangled or broken pieces, bags that no longer hold their shape.
How often should I audit my wardrobe?
Twice a year works for most people, at the change of season, with a small check whenever the cupboard feels full. A short, regular sort is easier than a big clear-out.
What if everything ends up in the unsure pile?
Narrow it by asking a harder question: would I buy this again today at this price? If the answer is no, it can go. If you are still unsure, keep only the pieces you can already picture in an outfit.
How do I make the audit last?
Photograph your keep pile as outfits so you remember what goes together. Group clothes by type, keep what you wear most at eye level, and give each category a clear space. A tidy cupboard is simply easier to wear from.