One thing that I am sure we have way too much of is…..CLOTHES!! Clothes are one thing I find hard to let go of as I always have the thought, “I might wear that one day” or “I really like that”. Being that it’s the beginning of a new season it’s a great time to give your wardrobe a clean out and use my ‘coathanger method’. This method is fabulous if you struggle to part with clothes and help you sort out what clothes to keep and which ones to hand down or donate, so you can really organise your closet and declutter your clothes!
Firstly, let’s make a start on determining which clothes you no longer wear, I would like you to either:
- Turn all your coathangers and clothing the opposite way you usually hang them, or;
- If your a nut like me and can’t stand coathangers the wrong way around, move your clothes over slightly, separating with a divider or hang in a different section of your closet.
When you have worn an item place it back in your closet in the original space with the coathanger the correct way around. After 6 months all of the coathangers that are the wrong way around are an indication of items you haven’t worn. If this is so, take the brave step to remove this item from your closet and donate to a friend or charity.
Worn and ripped clothing
While you are moving your coathangers the wrong way around, take time to look at your clothes and purge all the clothes that have holes, ripped, frankly anything that you are embarrassed to be seen in. There is no need to hold onto these items.
Clothes too big
Good on you, you have done so well to lose weight and but why are you holding onto clothing you no longer fit into. Throw them away, think positive, know you aren’t going to be needing those clothes, offer them to a friend or give to charity. It will be a freeing experience, then you should celebrate afterwards!!!
Clothes too small
Yes, we all hope don’t we, maybe I will fit into that again one day. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t, but let’s think positive, it’s great to keep onto them to save you money, but have you really had a good look through your pile. Are you still holding onto clothes you wore a decade ago, has fashion changed, have you changed, are you really going to wear that mini skirt again? I’m not too concerned that you are keeping clothes too small if you really are trying to diet, but please take the time to look through and access if you really will wear them again.
I challenge you… will you turn your coathangers??
I originally published this post on 10th February 2011, I have updated it with new photos.
93 comments
Awesome Love it! I know I have clothes in my wardrobe that I never wear.
I have so many clothes hanging in my wardrobe it really isn't funny. 🙂 My husband keeps telling me to make room and I keep replying to him, "I will, one day". Well today is going to be the day. I literally can't fit any more coat hangers in the wardrobe that I bought an extra rack hanger from the cheap shop so I could hang more clothes…. Well here goes.
Just divided the clothes up into three piles: 1- what I still wear; 2- what I don't wear/maternity clothes; and 3- rubbish (too worn). The #2 pile filled up a big plastic crate, so you would think I would have heaps of room in the cupboard… nope, not yet. Might just leave it for today and try again tomorrow. But I did make a difference in there, and it is a start. 🙂
At least you made a start Joelene!! Now did you actually go back…lol 🙂
Definately taking this challenge. Great idea. Wish me luck!
Thankyou Katrina, this is just what I needed. I made a start 2 weeks ago, by removing all maternity clothing (apart from the expensive outfit I wore to my sisters wedding, which I will sell) from my wardrobe and split into 4 piles. One for cousin, one for friend, one for charity and one for bin (far too worn). Celebrated the fact that I don't need them anymore, by buying myself some much needed and deserved new clothes. (I blogged about it on my new blog).
I procrastinated on the rest – too hot, too tired, too busy! I want the 3rd bedroom back, so no more procrastinating. Today I tackle the rest of the clothing and make the time to get them out of the house permanently.
With renovating & not having enough wardrobe hanging space as it is I really need to get serious about doing this. I have so many clothes – too big, too small, maternity (no more kids happening here), in addition to what I do wear. I sorted into piles not so long ago in the hope of culling some but just couldn't make the final step to remove them for good. I did however get rid of some maternity at the time.
Time to get serious & revisit the piles & purge for good! Wish me luck!
I'm up for the challenge. I wanted to mention a few tips that I have used in previous culls, for clothes that live in drawers and shoes place a little bit of masking tape on the sleeve, waist band or across the top of shoes. In 6 months time the clothes and shoes that still have masking tape on them can be given away.
Also check out if you have a local preloved fashion market, such as Raid My Wardrobe (Newcastle, Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney), Round She Goes (Melbourne), Refrock (Brisbane)and, there are more in other areas, inquire about selling your quality worn fashion items at a stall. I made so much money from items that were too small (and they weren't designer brands) and had heaps of fun.
Also rather then sell labels on ebay check out Facebook and local mums and bubs groups (for maternity clothes and kids fashion). You would be surprised at what other people grab and with many women unable to afford maternity clothes they will be well worn and an appreciated gesture.
Thanks for the tips Chrissy. I know it's really nice to give to charity and all, but when your in need of that extra cash, it's great to know some options you can do.
They are great tips Chrissy, thankyou for sharing them. I have never thought about looking for preloved fashion stores, I know of one locally will have to keep them in mind when the 6 months is up!
I just love this challenge, perfect for the first one. I have not made a start yet, but will be following each challenge 🙂 Thankyou so much Katrina for all your effort to put into helping make OUR families and house more organised, you are truly an inspiration.
Katrina, you are spot on again. Thank you for providing the inspiration and the motivation I needed to get going on the enormous clothes culling task that awaits.
I am taking your challenge a step further and applying it the my children's clothing. I have been the lucky recipient of several bags of hand-me-down children's clothing over years and I whilst i am extremely grateful for them, I have wrongly just integrated them all into our wardrobes instead of taking the time to assess their value.
So, now I am going to tackle ALL our wardrobes, discard, organize and pass on what I can.
Phew, feel exhausted just thinking about it. Might need a cup of tea first!
lol 🙂 that’s a great idea to do it in the kids clothing as well!
I followed this challenge, and it took me five minutes. My problem….. i cannot afford to buy new clothes. I have been letting out, taking in and "making things do" for two years and it's not getting any better. I am STILL wearing tshirt maternity tops i was given second hand, yet i've dropped two dress sizes. I can't even spare a few dollars a week to buy from an op shop, because all that money goes to keeping my kids in clothes. Unfortunately… every single item will get worn again, even though i wish i could create a "funeral pyre" with them 🙁
ooh no Nat, I know the kids are very important and we want to make sure they are clothed and look the cutest they can be. But if you can save for a few weeks you deserve some new clothes, even from the op shop. Find some that will fit you and make you feel great. Mum's need to look after ourselves if we don't who will??
This is on my to – do – list for the weekend (full time worker)! Will report back.
I'm going to hold you to it and will check back in with you 😛
Something I'm tackling early next week. Though I will be doing your option as I'm the sort of person to just 'pull' the item off the hanger (well, not pull, but not remove the hanger with the item), so I'll set up the same system as yours I think.
Thanks heaps for the ongoing motivation!
Thanks Tam, happy to help 🙂
okay so the coathangers are turned, but I have already picked a few things out I dont wear and I know I wont. I am having an issue with one pair of pants though, I dont want to get rid of them but I have had them for ages and I really want to fit back into them again. I dont think i will ever get that small now I've had kids. 🙁
Hang them where you will see them everyday, to give you motivation to get back into them. All you can do is try your best 🙂
Love this challenge – extended it to husband and kids 😀 Still a work in progress, but I am getting there. One thing that I found was some clothes that were still good and I liked them – but were from when I was pregnant. To save money, I have decided to use the material to make some clothes for winter for my daughter (some tights/leggings) as it is the perfect material for it and will be lovely to have her wear something that I wore when I was pregnant with her!
Looking forward to a De-cluttered house and life!!
Love this idea but my wardrobe has been done. Had to put it all back together when the rail fittings literally snapped from the strain, and because I don't have shelves, all of my clothes ended up on the floor. My hubby has shelves but they were so full that I couldn't fit his clean washing in them. I've been nagging him for years to throw out the stuff he doesn't wear so after I cleared our my side he did his. We removed enough clothes from our wardrobe to fill a tea chest sized removalist box which ended up going to the Kelmscott fire victims a few days ago. Will definitely use this idea in future though.
I'm in! My wardrobe needs an overhaul!
I am definately in. Sick of a very cluttered wardrobe.
We moved house last year and I found that although it was a very stressful and busy time it was a great time to go through my wardrobe and organise, throw away and send to the op shop any clothes that weren't being worn anymore. So…. First challenge done 😉 All ready for the next one please 😀
I am a bit late to this party and have been meaning to sign up for ages. I am in and going to do a serious catch up this week. I love to have a house of order and can't wait to do some decluttering. Thanks so much for putting this today you are blessing the lives of many. Look forward to meeting you at the conference. Naomi x
I cannot turn my coathangers around (sends me mad), so I staple a piece of paper with the date (printed on the computer) to each coathanger and when I wear the item of clothing I remove the paper. At the end of the year, all the items with paper still on the coathanger leave my wardrobe and go find new homes
I have way too many clothes, and now that my baby's asleep – You've inspired me (as you often do)! Watch me move… Ready… Set… GO!!!!
I'm a bit late, but I'm joining in! I'm off to turn my coathangers now
What a novel idea, Katrina! Thanks for the challenge – I'm signing up (although I really hope it doesn't take me a year to declutter my home/life!)
I'm also going to sneak the hubs' coathangers around too – he has way too many golf shirts LOL!
done, but i have draws aswell that i need to go through :/
thanks
I’m so glad you have all taken on the challenge,I will check back with you all in 6 months time when it’s time to cull what we havne’t worn!
I did a declutter in the wardrobe not toooo long ago .. but you know I still have the same things I wear again and again … I so could prob get rid of more … so I am going to be joining in on this challenge !!
I’m a bit late with this one as I’ve just discovered your site but I’m definately joining in 🙂
Starting late but definitely starting! Found you on FB – thanks so much for this wonderful resource!
Thanks Allison, never to late to start, that’s for sure. I hope you enjoy all the further tips and ideas!
Done! I’ve done all my kids and my wardrobe. Woooooot!
i am taking up the challenge to declutter this year starting tomorrow!!
Awesome Alih, you can do it, follow along with all the upcoming tasks I post about too!
Me too, my new years resolution is to get organised!
I don’t have much hanging in my wardrobe, it’s mainly folded on shelves but perhaps if I declutter the hanging space I will be able to hang more and fold less!!! Double win in my books! Off to tackle the hanging items in my wardrobe.
My NYE revelation was to organise my life and my house – getting there but l’ve just found this website and am excited to read more….
Step by step you will get there Sally
Honestly the best thing I did while I was pregnant and since my little one has been born is de-clutter the house, I have got rid of so much stuff that was just taking up space, however I think our house is in serious need of another de-clutter as things are starting to pile up with out a place, honestly though once you have done a massive de-clutter it makes the house feel more open and light, plus it means less to clean 😛
I’m a late starter, but I am beginning your challenge today. I will catch up as quick as I can.
going to do this one tomorrow on mine, hubbys and the kids clothes
It’s a great idea, really gives you a good indication of what you aren’t wearing and what is taking up space.
started this unknowingly on the weekend. Got rid of garbage bag full of kids clothes and similar one for me. My main issue is with the folded stuff too. they seem to be stacked to the ceiling and I know I dont wear that many t-shirts or jeans!
Ok I am jumping on the wagon need to do something to get my home organised
Yay, great work to make the start Jodie, welcome aboard!
Yep, I am definitely on board. I may have to move house, so this is the bestest idea in the world! Thank you for your motivation 🙂
You can count me in on this one! I look forward to donating clothes – but mainly so I can get new ones when I want to & have them fit rather than squeeze them in! lol
Done-all turned around.. suggestion for folded stuff in drawers?
I love this task! But im like you and cant stand my coathangers the wrong way around. Ive been meaning for years to buy some nice wooden hangers for my cupboard so ive decided that as I wear an item ill put it back on a wooden hanger in a seperate section. At the end of the exercise all the clothes still on wire hangers will go to charity and all the hangers can go to the dry cleaners (or to the charity if they need them) and im left with all my favourite clothes on my nice new hangers :o)
I am starting it today.
Just saw your challenge. Would like to join in.
Hi – just found your challenge and I have already done item one. All hangers turned for both of us (didn’t include the kids). Even the process of turning them all araound had me discarding several items. I also worked out what I would be happy to re-home and as a result of that have actually re-homed them. Very worthwhile activity all around!
I did this with my Summer clothes and now my winter clothes, and have already been able to give my Summer clothing a purge, it was a great feeling. I have way too many clothes.
Great work!
Yep, I’m starting today – this house is driving me nuts! 😉
I place all my winter season clothes in a suitcase or large plastic tub and place it on my top shelf in my wardrobe for six month then rotate with my summer clothes.
I have been seeing this and a friend of mine commented that she is doing the 52 week challange.. I keep coming in and out having reads people comments, your site pages, facebook page I think i am now hooked I am going to get up in the morning and go and swap my coat hangers around and look at the clothing I have and see what can really be thrown out.. your comment about stuff being stored away as treasures I am sooo that person.. and it is time i threw out some stuff my mind can already see what can be removed from my life thank you for your website,
i always find the kids easier to do than myself..possibly because i happily buy them new clothes but hate clothes shopping for myself…i need a wardrobe revamp i am sure as i am still wearing tshirts i have had since my daughter was born and she is now 12.
I am taking this challenge as well!!!!
i am doing this!!!!! right now!!!!!! thanks
A fabulous idea and one I will consider as I need to purge so many but find it so hard to part with them. I also sell the more expensive/designer labels or too to good to throw out at my shop.
Vicki
http://www.styleonv.bigcartel.com/
Hi,
I have also recently culled a lot of clothes that were too small or I didnt like any more as we moved interstate 6 weeks ago. My problem is that I wear the same clothes over and over again until they are worn out. I come from a poor childhood where I had 1 good outfit and it was only worn to church etc. As an adult I keep any new clothes etc and have difficulty wearing them as they are too good even if they are not expensive. My mother has the same problem and will wear worn out clothes when she has newer clothes in her wardrobe. Does any one else have this problem?
I can relate. Although I never, ever wear worn out clothes, I always hesitate about wearing my favorite outfits, because I don’t want to “waste” them on the wrong event and don’t want to ruin them with too many washings. What it means is that I don’t enjoy my favorite clothes a lot of the time before they are out of style. I have had a few dresses I have only worn once and not because they were “special occasion” but because I just worried about “wasting” them. I am really working on this by never wearing anything I don’t love, even at home. I find it helps my self esteem to look nice, even at home, and for just myself.
I took the plunge over the last few days and pulled out all the things I haven’t worn in a long time and listed them on FB for sale! Step 1, decluttering – underway! THANK YOU !
If any one wants to invest in my clothes (some of which are still new with tags!) Check them out here!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/237589909702342/
Wow, great work
I’ve always considered myself to be really diligent with decluttering but the fact is I still lose things so I’m taking this challenge on. Know it’s a bit ambitious so close to Christmas and as someone who loves Christmas and has a 2 year old I’m following your recommended daily tasks for being organised for Christmas! Giving this coat hanger turning a go. 🙂
It’s worth a try J
Saw this on Pinterest and taking the challenge. I’ll be doing my husbands closet also.
Great work Megan, their closets need doing just as much as ours!
I was just wondering if you were doing anything like this again in 2013?
I sure will, will start in February 2013 J
I do this about 2 times a year, but because of limited closet space, I only have 21 tops in total. Too keep my variety up, I donate my clothes to a Clothes Mentor-like organization where I can take the money I make and buy more clothes. Otherwise it looks like I’m wearing the same 3 tops all of the time.
I forgot to say that my fiance does this as well. At the end of each 3 months, we look at the clothes that were not worn and they are separated into 3 piles.
Pile 1: Clothes that are being thrown away
Pile 2: Clothes that we know we will never wear and are donating.
Pile 3: Clothes that we know we will never wear, but don’t want to get rid of (i.e. concert shirts, or high school/college shirts). Those shirts are being turned into t-shirt quilts.
My best friend just turned me on to this site! I love it…such great ideas. I am going to start turning my hangers around as soon as I get off the computer. Thanks
This is the next task on my declutter to do list! I did the drawers today.
Great work!
I have been doing a bit of decluttering, have given some clothes to friends and sold a few pieces on ebay, but still feel I have a long way to go. I saw one of my FB friends with your link and have subscribed. I hope this will inspire me to keep going and finish the declutter. 🙂
I turned all my hangers around on my birthday. Got rid of a lot of stuff just going through it then, but at the end of the year I will get rid of whatever i haven’t worn. I have also been real honest with myself and if I put something on and decide it doesn’t flatter me, out it goes.
I turned my two kids clothes inside out and other the space of a week or 2 discovered they didn’t wear half the clothes…we have now decluttered and given away 3 bags worth to friends and charity and im now starting on my own wardrobe! Love this idea for my dresses though…seems to be my downfall :/
Right – day one. Having said I’ll start with the kitchen I’m actually going to do this RIGHT NOW with my hangers. I did this a couple of years ago but never followed through so while I’m up there I’m going to bag up the clothes that a already have their hangers the wrong way round! Here we go then!
OK so I’ve turned the hangers of everything I haven’t worn in the last 2 weeks other than new buys. I’m getting rid of 3 card is, a padded bullet (got talked into buying it and it always made me look like a sumo wrestler), 9 tops/sweaters/blouses, 12 pairs shoes, 5 bags, 5 scarves & 1 pair gloves. I’m going to try to sell 2 pairs of shoes with their matching bags as bought for weddings and I’ll never wear again. Pleased with my start.
Going to go do this right now! Thank you for the inspiration 🙂
I’m going to start this today as I’ve been meaning to sort out my wardrobe for months now. I find it really hard to throw out clothes (I know I haven’t worn this shirt since I was 15 but I LOVE IT!) so this is a good chance for me to cut down to the clothes I wear regularly, and cull the ones I don’t.
Yep, started. Turning all my coathangers around as soon as I get off this computer and upstairs. We want to downsize and move – so thank you. Was feeling very overwhelmed.
Also sharing with family and friends.
I like splitting my wardrobe into summer and winter clothes that I know I wear, and anything else I’m not sure about goes in the spare room wardrobe or attic. If I don’t wear it that season then I know it’s got to go!
[…] so is the coat-hanger trick that he goes on to explain. Turn all your hangers to face the wrong way. After each item is worn, […]