Image Credit: Ikea

Wardrobes are funny things.

They’re often bursting at the seams, and yet we still stand in front of them every morning thinking we’ve got nothing to wear.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

The reality is that our wardrobes are often crammed full of items that don’t work for us anymore.

They take up valuable space, confuse our decision-making, and leave us feeling frustrated.

And the change of season is the perfect time to tackle it.

As we move from autumn into winter, it’s a natural opportunity to reset your wardrobe.

The cosy jumpers, coats, and boots are ready to take centre stage while summer dresses and sandals can be stored away.

It’s a seasonal switch-over that gives you the perfect chance to assess what’s serving you and what isn’t.

So, if you’re ready to take control and make getting dressed easier, here are five key categories to declutter from your wardrobe today plus some tips on how to weave them into your autumn-to-winter reset.

1. Clothes You’re Keeping Out of Guilt

We’ve all done it. Splurged on a piece we thought we’d wear endlessly, only for it to languish at the back of the wardrobe with the tags still on.

Maybe it was expensive, maybe it was a special brand, maybe you loved it in the shop but it never felt quite right at home.

And yet you can’t bring yourself to let it go, because every time you see it you’re reminded of how much you spent.

Here’s the truth of the matter.  

The money was spent at the moment of purchase. Keeping the item won’t bring that money back.

In fact, every time you see it and feel that pang of guilt, you’re adding emotional clutter as well as physical clutter.

Autumn to Winter Tip: When you pack away your summer clothes, take special notice whether there are any expensive mistakes lurking there.

Don’t store them away for “next year” if you know in your heart of hearts they’ll never be worn.

Declutter them now and let the guilt go too.

Someone else will love wearing them, and you’ll reclaim both your space and your sanity.

2. Clothes You Want to Get Into

This is the age-old issue: clothes that don’t fit.

Whether they’re too small or too big, many of us keep them as one day items.

The jeans you wore in your twenties, the dress that will fit “after the next diet,” or the blouse that would be perfect if you bulked up just a little.

The key here is honesty. Ask yourself:

How long has it been since this item fit?

Am I realistically on a path that will get me there soon?

If I did reach my goal weight or size, wouldn’t I want to celebrate with something new anyway?

If it’s been years since you could wear it, the chances are slim (no pun intended). Instead of letting these items wink at you every morning, let them go. Create a wardrobe that reflects your life today.

Autumn to Winter Tip: Seasonal transitions are perfect for checking whether things fit.

When you pull out your jumpers and coats, try them on.

Do they still fit comfortably? Do you feel good in them?

If not, don’t shove them back in hoping next year will be different. Let them go and make space for items that make you feel confident right now.

3. Shoes That Hurt Your Feet

Shoes are one of the biggest culprits for taking up space, especially the ones that hurt.

Those gorgeous heels from a decade ago, the boots you could strut around in before comfort became your number one  priority, or the pair that look amazing but give you blisters after five minutes.

If you find yourself keeping shoes for sentimental reasons or “just in case,” it’s time for a reality check.

Your feet aren’t going back in time. Life’s too short to wear shoes that hurt.

Autumn to Winter Tip: As you swap sandals for boots, assess each pair.

Do they pinch? Are they past their best? Do they actually get worn?

This is the season for practical, comfortable, stylish footwear.

If a pair of shoes doesn’t tick all those boxes, it doesn’t deserve a spot in your winter line-up.

4. Multiple Versions of Your “Go-to” Clothes

We all have a wardrobe staple that makes us feel good.

Black trousers, a little black dress, a cosy jumper, a floaty blouse.

Because they feel safe, we buy them again and again, often in multiple colours. We call them our go-to items.

But here’s the thing – even among our go-to items, we still have our favourites. 

That perfect pair of black trousers?

You probably reach for the same ones every time, leaving three other nearly identical pairs untouched.

Autumn to Winter Tip: As you rotate your wardrobe, gather all your go-to items together.

Line up all your black jumpers or all your blazers. Now rank them.

Which ones do you actually wear and love?

Anything below your top few needs to go.

Don’t waste valuable space on duplicates that never see the light of day.

5. DIY or Gardening Clothes

This is a sneaky one.

We decide an item isn’t good enough for everyday wear, but because it still has life left in it, we demote it to “gardening” or “DIY” clothes.

Before we know it, we have a whole drawer full of scruffy clothes “just in case.”

The truth is, you only need one or two sets for dirty jobs.

The rest is clutter in disguise.

Autumn to Winter Tip: As you put away summer tees and shorts, notice how many you’ve relegated to “DIY” status.

Keep one or two, and send the rest straight to textile recycling.

Be ruthless. You don’t need a mini wardrobe just for chores!

Why the Autumn to Winter Switch Is Your Secret Weapon

The beauty of a seasonal switch-over is that it gives you a natural reset.

You’re already handling your clothes, so it’s the perfect time to ask

Do I still love this?

Does it fit comfortably?

Is it in good condition?

Will I realistically wear it this season?

By making decisions now, you save yourself months of frustration. Imagine opening your winter wardrobe and knowing everything fits, feels good, and deserves its place.

That’s the power of seasonal decluttering.

A Few Extra Decluttering Tips for Your Wardrobe

Be honest, not hopeful. Clothes should serve you now, not some imaginary version of you.

Test as you go. If you’re unsure, commit to wearing the item once this week.

If it doesn’t feel right, let it go.

Think about duplicates.

If you’ve got more than you can reasonably wear, it’s time to pare back.

Don’t stash guilt. Passing things on is a win.

Your clutter might be someone else’s treasure.

Celebrate space.

Empty hangers and breathing room in your wardrobe are good things, not gaps to be filled.

The Emotional Side of Wardrobe Decluttering

Decluttering clothes isn’t just practical, it’s emotional.

Every item carries memories, aspirations, or guilt.

That’s why it feels so hard.

But here’s the truth: you’re not just clearing out fabric.

You’re clearing space in your mind, giving yourself freedom from guilt, and making room for joy.

As one of our members once said: “Every time I opened my wardrobe, I felt like a failure because of the clothes that didn’t fit me anymore.

“Once I let them go, I felt lighter, freer, and I started actually enjoying getting dressed again.”

That’s the transformation we want for you.

Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman are the UK’s leading authority on decluttering and organising your home as The Declutter Hub, which boasts a top one percent podcast. They’re also the authors behind the bestselling Bloomsbury book Reset Your Home, Unpack Your Emotions And Your Clutter, Step By Step.