What I learned from the Closet Declutter Challenge
When building the autumn capsule in September, I did a minor wardrobe update and checked the quality of the clothes I planned to wear for the next few months—so everything in my closet was tidy and well organized. But it's been ages since I did a MAJOR clean-out, and I had a few categories of clothes and accessories in my wardrobe (plus in storage) that I wanted to focus on a little more. That's why I decided to take on a 14-Day Decluttering and Organizing Challenge (here), which helped me organize my closet and ditch the stuff I no longer use (like damaged clothes, items that are too small, or not my style anymore).
I finished it this Friday, and let me tell you—it ended up being the best decision for my closet, my wallet, and my mindset as we head into the new season. That's why I wanted to share some of my thoughts on this whole concept today.
Lesson 1: No specific rule.
Yes, there are many tips, easy steps, and guides to follow that might be helpful when building an intentional wardrobe! I also share some personal experiences with this concept on The Closet Journal blog. But—there is no such thing as one particular rule that will work for all of us. Whether it's how many pieces you include, what colors and styles you pick, or what type of capsule you want to create (seasonal, occasional, or workwear), it's totally up to you.
When the subject of the capsule wardrobe was something very new to me, and I had just started sharing my experience with this concept on social media, I felt guilty because, at that time, I had about five winter coats and two warm jackets in my fall/winter capsule. I often heard (or read Instagram comments) that my wardrobe was boring because it only contained neutral colors and trousers or that I 'didn't get the capsule concept' because I had too much outerwear and not enough dresses and skirts. Honestly? I no longer care about such opinions because I understand that everyone has a different style and vibe and prefers a different aesthetic. Also, I've learned over the last two years from posting my outfits on Instagram that there's no way I can please everyone ;)
What truly matters is that I LOVE my clothes and build my wardrobe for my needs, not to impress others. We all have those favorite pieces we can't resist buying. For me, it's outerwear, cozy knits, and sometimes handbags. And because I love and use such items regularly, I don't feel guilty that I own a little more than a 'typical capsule wardrobe guide' suggests. That's what you should do as well while building your seasonal closet! Don't waste time and energy trying to recreate someone's style or wardrobe idea. Instead of focusing on numbers, colors, or 'must-haves,' take a breather and focus on what YOU genuinely like to wear. And here, lesson number two can be very helpful.
Lesson 2: Taking notes is everything!
I know, I know. Pinterest and many phone apps help create shopping wishlists, capsule wardrobes, plan your daily outfits, etc. But trust me, one of the easiest ways to organize your thoughts and ideas about your closet is to jot them down in a good old-fashioned list. I love using printable planners I made myself. They help me set budgets, see what I wear most often, and figure out which colors and styles make me feel fabulous. All this gives me a clear picture of my personal style, shows what I should focus on when building my wardrobe, and what mistakes to avoid when shopping for clothes next time. If you are interested in downloading such planners, you can find them here.
Lesson 3: Real-life vs. fantasy-life.
Over the past ten years, I've followed a lot of famous bloggers who have repeatedly influenced me to experiment with my style. Unfortunately, as it turned out later, their style didn't harmonize with my real life. For example, I used to buy sparkly occasional dresses and high heels when I rarely ever went to parties or events. Unfortunately, buying things we don't need (unrealistic for our day-to-day lives) is another example of social media pressure. And that's why I urge you again to take notes, plan reasonable purchases, and build a closet that fully resonates with you, your personality, and your lifestyle.
Because I'm finally clear on what works for me, I'm no longer shopping for my fantasy life. I learned how to enjoy my style, and I only see current trends, Pinterest pictures, and capsule wardrobes from other bloggers as inspiration. I would like you to treat my posts the same way—just as inspiration or creative ideas, not as an excuse to buy new stuff you don't need.
Lesson 4: Understanding what decluttering truly means.
As I have mentioned many times, decluttering is not just about tossing stuff out—it's about organizing and thinking about what you love and what works for you. But this season, several categories of clothes in my closet required a real update, and I knew I'd have to say goodbye to some garments that no longer fit me and my current lifestyle.
For example, in my storage, I found many elegant workwear pieces (suits, pencil skirts, floral blouses, plaid culottes, and pumps) I hadn't worn in 3 years—hello, old favorites I almost forgot about! ;) So, when doing this challenge, one of my biggest goals was to be intentional with items that no longer served me. Regarding workwear, the only things I left from this category were:
Classic oversized blazers—easy to dress up or down.
Tailored trousers in neutral colors—they look great with sneakers, flats, and low-heeled pumps.
A slim white shirt—an oversized white shirt is a staple in my closet, but having a slim-fit option is great because it's easier to layer with sweaters and blazers during colder months.
A plain silky shirt and slip dress—since now, these are my go-to occasional pieces, but I also love to pair silk with wool and cashmere clothing during the fall and winter months.
Low-heeled pumps—works with casual and more formal outfits.
Speaking of decluttering and organizing your favorite clothes, we can't skip the sentimental garments—another category I have finally sorted out. Again, spending a little more time on each part of my closet allowed me to eliminate a few things I only owned because of some kind of sentiment (because they were pretty, gifted, expensive, or reminded me of a specific moment in life, etc.).
Lesson 5: Enjoy your clothes!
After decluttering and creating a practical wardrobe, remember to enjoy your clothes. Don't save your favorite pieces just for special occasions—wear them here and now with pleasure!
As you know, I'm not into new trends, and as a proud 'outfit-repeater,' I'm obsessed with the shop your closet concept. I'm sure you've already heard of it, but if you don't, it's a fashion challenge about creating new outfits from the pieces you already own. If you're considering building a small but functional wardrobe, shopping your closet should be the first step. It will help with understanding your style and actual needs before you decide to buy something new.
Lesson 6: Clear space, clear mind.
Here's my last tip for today, and it's crucial if you want to avoid cluttering up your space again. If you've found some items to donate or recycle during this challenge, get rid of them ASAP! Don't just move those boxes to your garage or basement—you'll probably forget about them! You've done the hard work of decluttering, so don't fill up other spaces with stuff you don't want. The same applies to the items you've decided to sell - organize a free afternoon and prepare an online sale. Also, if you created something like a 'maybe pile' while decluttering your wardrobe (with stuff you still love but don't wear), put such boxes in a separate space for a month or two. After that time, if you still don't use these, get rid of them. There's no room for any excuses here! Otherwise, you will end up with more bags of clothes that you keep only because of some sentiment.
To wrap it up, some of these tips might seem very obvious, especially if you're familiar with the capsule wardrobe concept. But I still believe they are worth sharing—especially since winter is just around the corner. I also treat them as a reminder that building a capsule wardrobe should be a fun and inspiring experience. When planning a conscious closet, you should only follow your intuition, own needs, personal style, and aesthetics because you're creating a dream closet for yourself, not for the people around you. The same thing with decluttering—this concept is not a competition. At the end of the day, it's a super personal journey, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach.
If you're considering doing a decluttering challenge, go for it! It might give you a fresh perspective on your clothes and what you need. Plus, having a clear, more organized space to step into every day feels amazing!