A Complete Guide To Detoxing Your Wardrobe

With so much time on our hands in our own homes, there seems no better opportunity than right now to tackle a wardrobe clear-out. But, detoxing your closet is no easy task – it takes ruthless decisions and plenty of organisation, and it is definitely worth doing properly.

So, we spoke to Fanny Moizant, president and co-founder of pre-loved designer hotspot Vestiaire Collective, about exactly how to detox our wardrobes in a clever way. From where to begin to with organisation to knowing when to say goodbye to an item and how often to clear out your closet, here are her top tips for a comprehensive wardrobe detox.

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Where to begin

You need to give yourself a couple of hours and commit. Start by splitting up your wardrobe by season. Clear out the previous season so you can focus on what you'll be wearing for the next few months, and then ask yourself these questions: Is the piece still on trend? Is it a timeless classic? Does it still fit you?

Ensure it’s something you love or has a purpose. If your answer to the questions is no then it's time to resell. Be ruthless. If you haven't worn something for over a year then let it go.

Once you’ve cleared out, look at the gaps you have and think of key items you’ll need for the season ahead, look for quality items or secondhand to fill these gaps, I always recommend investing a little more into pieces you know will stand the test of time and retain value.

How often should you have a wardrobe clear out?

I’d say twice a year when the season changes but I am strict with myself, I have a firm one in, one out rule. I have to sell before I buy and that way it’s less of a big task, my wardrobe is super edited. People are always really surprised at how small my wardrobe actually is.

Should you still need to have a wardrobe clear out if you stick to the one in, one out rule?

Yes totally! It’s always good to take the time to really look at your wardrobe and think about how your personal style has evolved, you may also want to sell a few more trend-led winter items and replace with spring pieces, for example.

How do you know that you are ready to say goodbye to an item?

Use the hanger trick. At the beginning of the season, place all your hangers in the same direction. Each time you wear a piece, turn the hanger the other way. Very quickly within the season you will see what you wear and what is to be sold. Women usually wear 40 to 60 per cent of their wardrobe. Sell the rest.

Should you ever consider holding on to something if it doesn't fit?

No, not unless it really holds sentimental value. Sell it and let someone else enjoy it!

How important is wardrobe organisation?

I have to be able to see my whole wardrobe in one go. I don’t want to lose time every morning having to go through piles, rails, and other storage systems. It has to be super practical and efficient, so everything is tidy and organised by type of item and colour. That rule forces me to have a very edited closet, so if I don’t wear something, I have to make room for something better.

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As a general rule, what is the framing of an efficient wardrobe?

Really it’s about identifying your individual style and keeping it edited and organised. Build your wardrobe around basics and staples and then add a couple of fun trendy pieces each season that you can rotate.

Can you put a number on how many staple pieces you might need and what these might be?

Even though I love fashion, I do have a minimal approach and try to buy less but buy better and I tend to stick to a uniform for both the working week and weekends which keeps things simple.

My life is so busy in other areas I find this works best for me. My uniform is basically a pair of jeans or high-waisted trousers, a T-shirt or a piece of knitwear and then depending on the day, I’ll wear sneakers, loafers or heels.

Everyone is different so it’s difficult to give specific numbers but I tend to buy different variations of key essentials and staples and then rotate them. I have a lot of T-shirts and jeans and then two or three coats, dresses and skirts to mix in. I always prefer to stand out by wearing one statement piece rather than a full look.

Can you suggest any clever storage solutions?

Try to keep luxury items stored in their original packaging, this will maintain their condition for longer and help secure a better price if you do decide to resell.

What is the best way to store the following – cashmere, silk, feathered pieces, embellished pieces?

- Cashmere should be folded in a drawer or on a shelf. Never hang cashmere as gravity will stretch it out of shape and leave dimples in the shoulders.

- Always store silk in a dry, dark place as the fabric is sensitive to light and can develop discoloured and faded areas if left unprotected.

- Feathers should be stored with space, try not to stuff them in as the feathers can bend or clump together.

- Embellished pieces are often heavy, so it is best to store them folded to avoid any stress caused by hanging.

- When storing items for longer periods, always use cotton or linen bags, not plastic. Cotton and linen allow air to flow through naturally while plastic can cause garments to sweat.

What are the benefits of having a perfectly organised closet?

You definitely feel lighter after a wardrobe detox! A smaller, perfectly curated closet of pieces you truly love will bring much more joy than a jam-packed closet where you struggle to find something to wear each morning.

What are your tips on selling on Vestiaire Collective?

If it comes to selling, I would advise going on the app because you can just snap the item with your iPhone. It's super quick and super easy. The trick is, be true to your item, so don’t try to oversell or underestimate your item and put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. Ask yourself how much you would be willing to pay for the item secondhand and with the quality it is in. Then take beautiful pictures and you’re done, it’s almost sold. That’s the beginning of the process, it's about getting into the habit of clearing things and sorting things to sell and then once you’re into that it’s super easy.

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR UK.

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