If your wardrobe is feeling a little… full, you're not alone.
After 46 years in fashion, I've learnt that the best wardrobes aren't necessarily the biggest ones. They're the ones where you can see what you have, understand what suits you and easily put an outfit together.
At Mrs Pete's Shed, I've always believed that great style starts with knowing what you already own. Before buying something new, it's worth taking a proper look at your wardrobe, working out what you actually wear and letting go of the pieces that no longer work for you.
So, consider this your invitation to do a little wardrobe cull.
when is a good time to cull your wardrobe?
A change of season is always a good reminder to have a look through your wardrobe.
Here in Australia, August is an interesting time. We're still in the thick of winter, but spring is on the horizon. I don't think you need to pack away everything winter-related just yet. Instead, look at the pieces you'll continue wearing and the layers that can take you from winter into spring.
A lightweight knit, cotton shirt, long-sleeved tee, vest or versatile jacket can often work beautifully across several seasons. That's one of the things I love about trans-seasonal dressing, you don't necessarily need a completely different wardrobe every time the weather changes.
start with a wardrobe cull
Before you begin, choose a time when you won't be interrupted. Put on some music, make yourself a cup of tea or perhaps pour a glass of wine and give yourself some time to get organised.
Then pull everything out. Yes, everything! It's much easier to make sensible decisions when you can actually see what you own.
Organise your clothes into categories first, then group them by colour. Try things on as you go and pay attention to the pieces that make you feel good.
Ask yourself:
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Do I wear this?
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Does it fit me now?
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Does it work with the rest of my wardrobe?
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Do I feel good when I put it on?
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Is it something I reach for, or something I keep because I feel I should?
Be honest. This isn't about having a perfect wardrobe. It's about creating one that works for your real life.
the three-pile method
Once you've sorted through everything, create three separate piles: store, repair and donate.
Be ruthless, but sensible.
store
You don't need every season living in your wardrobe at once. Pack away pieces that aren't currently being worn, such as heavy winter woollies when the weather warms up or summer dresses during the colder months.
At this time of year, however, think carefully about what you store. Some of your winter pieces may still be perfect for layering into spring. Rather than thinking purely in terms of "winter clothes" and "summer clothes", look for pieces that can be layered, added to or worn differently as the weather changes.
repair
Before you get rid of something you love, ask whether it can be rescued. Perhaps the hem needs shortening, a button needs replacing or a jacket could be altered to give it a slightly different shape. If you're not handy with a needle, and let's be honest, not all of us are, find a good dressmaker or alterations specialist who can give an old favourite a new lease on life.
Sometimes a small change can completely transform a garment.
donate
If you're no longer wearing something and you're simply not in love with it anymore, it may be time to let it go. If it's still wearable and in good condition, consider donating it to a reputable charity or giving it to someone who will enjoy it.
For pieces that are no longer wearable, think about whether the fabric can be repurposed rather than sending it straight to landfill. The goal isn't simply to throw things away. It's to make thoughtful decisions about what deserves a place in your wardrobe.
a few questions worth asking
You don't need to become ruthless about every single piece in your wardrobe. But there are a few questions I always think are worth asking.
how do I know what clothes to get rid of?
If you never wear something, it doesn't fit properly, or you don't feel good when you put it on, it's worth asking why you're keeping it. Don't keep something simply because it was expensive or because you think you should wear it.
Your wardrobe should work for the woman you are now.
should I keep clothes that don't fit me anymore?
This one is personal, but I'd be realistic.
Of course, there may be sentimental pieces you want to keep. But if something doesn't fit comfortably and hasn't been worn for years, ask yourself whether it really needs to take up valuable everyday wardrobe space.
how often should I do a wardrobe cull?
There's no hard and fast rule. A seasonal changeover is a good reminder, but a quick cull whenever your wardrobe starts feeling crowded can be just as useful.
You don't have to tackle the whole wardrobe every time. Sometimes working through one category - knitwear, jeans, shoes or accessories is enough.
what should I do with clothes I no longer wear?
Think store, repair or donate.
Seasonal pieces you'll wear again can be stored. Good pieces that need a small alteration can be repaired. And clothes you no longer love or wear can be donated if they're still in good condition.
The aim isn't simply to throw clothes away. It's to make thoughtful decisions about what stays.
get organised
Once you've decided what stays, make it easy to find.
I like organising clothing into categories and then colours. Keeping similar pieces together makes getting dressed much easier, and you'll quickly see where you have plenty and where you might actually have a gap.
make the most of your wardrobe space
A few simple changes can make a surprising difference:
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Use felt or wooden hangers to help garments maintain their shape.
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Avoid wire hangers, which can stretch or distort clothing.
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Use clip hangers for skirts and pants.
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Fold garments neatly and store seasonal pieces in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
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Vacuum storage bags can be useful for bulky seasonal items.
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Keep shoes organised by type — boots, flats, sports shoes and heels.
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Keep bags together on shelves, in drawers or in clear storage boxes.
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Group hats together so they're easy to find.
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Use hooks or organised compartments for jewellery and accessories.
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Keep scarves and wraps together rather than scattered throughout the wardrobe.
The simpler it is to see everything, the easier it becomes to actually wear everything.
don't forget the accessories
Accessories are often the forgotten part of a wardrobe cull. Go through your bags, belts, scarves, jewellery, hats and sunglasses just as you would your clothing.
Do you actually wear them? Are they still in good condition? Do they work with the clothes you currently own?
Accessories can completely change a simple outfit, so keeping a small collection of pieces you genuinely love is far more useful than having drawers full of things you never reach for.
ready to do your own wardrobe cull? use my wardrobe checklist
I've created the Mrs Pete's Shed Wardrobe Cull Checklist to make the process a little easier.
Print it out, grab a coffee and work your way through your wardrobe category by category. It has a comprehensive list of underwear, basics, tops, bottoms, activewear, shoes and accessories and importantly, there's a "need to buy" column.
But don't treat it as a shopping list.
It's there to help you identify the genuine gaps in your wardrobe once you've worked out what you already own. Sign up to our newsletter and we'll send you a printable version. You might be surprised by what you find - the pieces you'd forgotten about, the things you no longer need and perhaps a few gaps that really are worth filling.
the best wardrobe isn't the biggest one
A wardrobe cull isn't about creating a minimalist wardrobe or getting rid of everything you own. It's about creating a wardrobe that feels manageable, useful and genuinely reflective of your life. Keep the pieces you love. Repair the ones worth saving. Donate what no longer serves you and store what belongs to another season.
And most importantly, don't feel that you need to buy something simply because you've cleared a space. Sometimes the best thing a wardrobe cull can give you is a renewed appreciation for what you already own.
what's next?
Once you've done the cull, the fun part begins.
In my next journal, I'll be looking at how to make the wardrobe you've kept work harder - from great basics and clever layering to trans-seasonal dressing and the simple styling tricks I use every day. Because sometimes you don't need more clothes. You just need to see the ones you already have a little differently.