Do you have loads of clothes but nothing to wear?

Is your wardrobe so jam-packed that you can’t see half of what’s in there?

Are there things you never wear because you know you don’t look good in them?

Are you hanging on to clothes that no longer fit because you’re planning to lose weight very soon?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, the chances are your wardrobe could benefit from a considered but ruthless edit.

An overflowing wardrobe

Recently, as part of my training to be a colour analyst, I went round to a friend’s house to help her prune her overflowing wardrobe.

After two hours we had reduced its contents by at least 50 per cent and filled half a dozen black sacks for the charity shop. It was a very satisfying and cathartic process – for both of us. Everything left in her wardrobe now works for her, and we will go shopping together to fill any obvious gaps.

I don’t wear most of my clothes

That made me turn my attention to my own crammed-to-capacity wardrobe, where the 80:20 rule holds sway. Although I have many gorgeous clothes, lovingly collected over the years, only about 20 per cent of them are in regular use.

And having recently had my own colour and style analysed, I was acutely aware of shades that did me no favours and styles that drew unflattering attention to the absence of curves in my straight-up-and-down figure.

What I am throwing out

So here’s what I am in the process of weeding out, either through donations to my local charity shop or – in the case of expensive clothes still in good nick –  sales on Vinted.

• Everything worn next to my face in colours that drain rather than flatter me. That includes most tops in black or primary colours, which may have suited me when I was younger but now make me look tired and grey. I am hanging on to my impressive selection of black trousers because what you wear on your bottom half doesn’t matter.

• Clingy and wrap dresses that look great on people with hourglass figures but do less than nothing for me.

• Most of my formal suits and jackets. Although I still work as a trainer for corporates, the bulk of my work is now online and even when it is person, formal business attire is no longer required in most workplaces.

• Shoes and boots with significant heels. I don’t care what the fashionistas say, trainers and flats are my go-to styles for the foreseeable.

• Anything woollen. I have never been able to resist a cashmere jumper, but I know from bitter experience that all wool content, even when it makes up only 5% of the total, makes my skin itch uncontrollably.

• Anything I haven’t worn for at least a year. Chances are there is a very good reason for that, and I will never want to wear it again.

How I have finally embraced minimalism

Now, for the first time in years, I can actually see everything that is in my wardrobe because there is space between the hangers.

What I am left with is a trimmed down, almost capsule, collection of loved and wearable clothes that make me look my best, work well together and suit my current lifestyle.

No more fretting about what suits me. No more agonising about what goes with what. No more guilt about expensive mistakes.

It is such a relief to finally embrace sartorial minimalism!

I would love to hear about your wardrobe issues and your attempts – successful or otherwise – to solve them. Please comment in the box below, share with your communities, and hit the subscribe button if you would like to receive these posts on a regular basis.

My new colour analysis company is called Colour for Confidence. If you would like to follow me and/or learn about the services I offer, check out my pages on Facebook and Instagram.