New Year, New You, New Wardrobe? No thank you!
Why culling your wardrobe can sabotage your style.
Brace yourself. Your social media feeds are about to be flooded with wardrobe decluttering guides, “declutter with me” videos, and step-by-step advice on creating the perfect capsule wardrobe.
Every article and video will promise a fresh start, complete with a wardrobe so streamlined all that's left are a handful of "essential" items you're have to wear on repeat for the rest of the year (or until you inevitably cave and go shopping for more clothes!)
The rules are simple: Keep only what “sparks joy,” get rid of anything you haven’t worn in the last three months, and whittle your wardrobe down to as few items as possible. The idea is that this dream minimalist wardrobe will see you through the entire year, come rain or shine, with absolutely no issues along the way…
The new year is a time when we all want to be our best selves—with outfits to match. But while the idea of a huge declutter might sound appealing, ruthlessly culling your wardrobe is going to create more problems than it solves. It might even be the death knell for your personal style.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a big advocate of simplifying your wardrobe. Letting go of those unworn dresses, too-small trousers, and shoes that pinch is a smart move. I’ve even written a guide to refreshing your capsule wardrobe for the new year because opening your wardrobe and finding clothes you’re excited to wear feels incredible.
But—and it’s a big but!—the trend of stripping your wardrobe down to its bare bones and starting afresh is not the answer. Especially when it’s inspired by a one-size-fits-all guide from a fashion influencer with a very different lifestyle to yours.
Why “Starting Afresh” Isn’t the Answer
The temptation to start over is never stronger than at the start of a new year, but it's rarely as transformative as it seems. All those capsule wardrobe experts want us to believe that a fresh start will magically transform our style—but it won't.
I have to be cruel to be kind here when I say: if you don't have any sense of personal style to begin with, starting over is only going to make things worse. Instead of creating a wardrobe that feels fresh and exciting, you're left with one that's empty, uninspiring, and incredibly, incredibly boring.
Decluttering Can Backfire
Decluttering can be great, but when it turns into an all-or-nothing purge, it can backfire. Tossing out that “non-essential” jumper or the dress you haven’t worn in ages just because the colour isn't on trend or the style isn't what influencers wear.
Suddenly, your wardrobe feels empty, and you’re left struggling to put outfits together, which often leads to a shopping spree to fill the gaps. The result? More stuff you don’t need, feeing into the cycle of overconsumption you were trying to avoid in the first place.
A Small Wardrobe Doesn't Make A "Good" Wardrobe
There’s a widespread idea that a small wardrobe is somehow superior, but a smaller wardrobe doesn’t automatically make it a better one. A good wardrobe is one that’s versatile, comfortable, and matches your personal style.
Yes, having a wardrobe full of clothes you never wear isn’t helpful. But neither is reducing everything down to a handful of basics that are practical yet—let’s be honest—boring. Sometimes “less is more,” but other times, it’s just an arbitrary rule we feel pressured into following.
You Can't Shop Your Wardrobe If You Don't Have Any Clothes
We're all encouraged to "shop our wardrobes" to discover new outfit combinations instead of shopping for new clothes. But when your wardrobe has been stripped down to the bare essentials, you'll quickly run into a huge problem.
There's not enough variety to experiment with style! If your wardrobe only contains the clothes you wore over the last 3 months, how can you possibly experiment with style? Before you know it you'll be shopping for new clothes to fill the gaps, perpetuating the cycle of overconsumption.
So, What’s the Alternative?
Sure, get rid of the t-shirts with holes, the dresses that don’t fit, and the shoes that rub. But when it comes to items you’re unsure about, hold off on decluttering them. Try to to find new ways to style them with the items you already have.
Remember: no one is going through your wardrobe counting how many items you own or tutting when there's a few two many pieces. There’s no prize for having the smallest wardrobe, and no rush to get rid of things—even the pieces you know you won’t wear but can’t quite part with yet. The goal isn’t to have a "perfect" wardrobe, it’s to have one that works for you.
If you're curious about how to create a capsule wardrobe that actually works for your lifestyle (without being boring!), I’ve got a whole archive of style guides and capsule wardrobe tips over on my blog, A Considered Life.