7 Unmistakable Signs You’ve Got Far Too Many Clothes
Welcome to your wardrobe reality check! Let’s explore the seven telltale signs that you’ve accumulated more clothes than you actually need – and what to do about it.
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Ever find yourself digging through heaps of clothes, convinced that your favourite top must be in there somewhere?
Or maybe your clothes drawers and wardrobe doors have declared a state of emergency, refusing to close due to the sheer volume within.
If the sight of your wardrobe is bringing you down, and you’re spending more time doing laundry than enjoying life, it might be time for a wardrobe intervention.
Did you know that there are seven key signs that can show you that the issue with your clothes probably isn’t ‘not having anything to wear’, but rather having too many things?
If you think you’re in need of a clothes cull, then these things will be the tell tale signs that you’re right!
So – which of these sound familiar to you?…
Sign #1 – You can never find what you need
Picture this: you’re running late, and the pressure is on to find that perfect outfit.
As you open your wardrobe, clothes spill out like a waterfall, and the search begins.
The frustration mounts as you sift through the disarray, desperately trying to locate the shirt that would complete your look.
Minutes tick away, and the stress intensifies.
A cluttered wardrobe turns the simple task of getting dressed into a daily obstacle course, a time-consuming game of hide-and-seek where the sought-after item seems perpetually elusive.
The constant struggle to find what you need not only steals valuable time but adds an unnecessary layer of stress to your daily routine.
It’s a scenario we can all relate to, and it’s a clear sign that your wardrobe might be due for a decluttering makeover.
Quick Fix: Before you declutter properly, you could save time by setting out your outfits for the week on a Sunday. That way you’ll have more time to get things ready without adding to the daily morning stress.
Sign #2 – Storage space is bulging at the seams
We’ve all been there – cramming our clothes into drawers and hanging them on every available hanger.
But when the seams of your storage space are visibly straining, it’s a sure sign that you’re hoarding more than necessary.
Overflowing drawers and an overstuffed closet lead to wrinkles and damage to your clothes, making them look less appealing even if they’re new.
Furthermore, a wardrobe that’s bursting at the seams means that you can’t see what you have and often leads to buying duplicates of items you already own.
Quick Fix: If your wardrobe is overflowing, try a quick declutter of items that you know you don’t ever wear. These are the easy wins, and will at least free up a little space before the big declutter starts.
Sign #3 – It looks a mess and is getting you down
If your wardrobe has become an unruly mess that brings about a sense of dread every time you open it, you’re likely dealing with the emotional toll of wardrobe overload.
Opening a cluttered, disordered wardrobe can trigger feelings of frustration, guilt, and even anxiety.
The jumbled pile of clothes can act as a constant reminder of wasted money on unworn items or the ongoing struggle to organise.
It’s also a psychological burden, with the clutter often representing postponed decisions and a lack of control.
This emotional drain can set your day off on a wrong foot and impact your overall mood and productivity.
Quick Fix: Start by putting your clothes into categories. All shirts together, all pants together, and so on. This simple step can make a big difference to the look of your space and will help you feel a bit more in control.
Related: 13 Surprising Reasons Why You Have Too Many Clothes
Sign #4 – You’re spending all your time doing laundry
A lot of us think that having more laundry means we don’t have enough clothes because we’re always needing to wash them to wear.
Ironically, the opposite is true. An overflowing wardrobe often leads to more frequent washing.
With a plethora of options to choose from, it’s easy to wear something different every day, or even multiple outfits per day, which rapidly increases the volume of laundry.
This not only consumes considerable time and energy but also means your clothes wear out faster due to the regular washing.
It’s a vicious cycle – the more clothes you have, the more laundry you generate, the less time you have for anything else.
Quick Fix: If laundry is the issue, then take a stand on how much you do. Start to really think about what you need washed and clean for the week ahead – and ONLY LAUNDER THAT. Over time you’ll realise that you have a pile of clothes that you’re never washing because you really don’t need them…
Sign #5 – You’re always doing a clear-out – but it doesn’t help
Are you always purging your wardrobe, only to find it back in its chaotic state in a matter of weeks or even days?
This could be a clear indicator that you’ve got too many clothes.
Frequent clear-outs that yield no lasting results are often symptomatic of a larger issue: you’re acquiring clothes faster than you’re getting rid of them, or you’re not effectively purging the items that you no longer need or wear.
These futile clear-outs often result in wasting time and energy without truly solving the clutter issue.
Not only that, but it can be demoralising to see your efforts go to waste so quickly, which might dissuade future decluttering efforts.
Quick Fix: Next time you do a clear-out, be brutally honest with yourself. If you can’t remember when you last wore an item, it’s time to let it go. Consider creating a system for incoming clothes as well, such as a one-in, one-out policy to keep your wardrobe at a manageable size.
Sign #6 – You often find things you didn’t know you had
Discovering forgotten items in your wardrobe might seem like a bonus, but it’s actually an indication that you have too much stuff.
If you’re regularly surprised by the contents of your wardrobe, it means that you’re not wearing all your clothes often enough to remember them.
This also leads to the common dilemma of having “nothing to wear,” as our eyes automatically skim over the clothes that we don’t wear regularly.
Not only does this create a cluttered and inefficient wardrobe, but it also means you’re not getting full use out of your clothes.
Quick Fix: Create a “try-on” session for yourself every few months where you go through all your clothes and try them on to see if they still fit and make you feel good. It’s shopping, but in your home!
Sign #7 – A lot of your clothes still have their labels on
We’ve all bought something on a whim, only to regret it later.
However, if you often find clothes in your wardrobe with their tags still attached, it’s a tell-tale sign that your wardrobe is brimming with impulse purchases.
This not only means wasted money but also adds to the clutter and makes it more challenging to see what you actually have.
Not only that, but these unworn items can also cause feelings of guilt and regret every time you see them.
Quick Fix: Before making a purchase, give yourself some time to think about it. If it’s something you genuinely need or love, it will still be there in a few days. And when doing a clear-out, consider donating or selling those impulse buys that still have their tags on.
In today’s consumerist society, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying more and more clothes without realising the impact it has on our wardrobes and lives.
So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by your wardrobe, pay attention to these signs and take action before things get out of hand.
Take some time to declutter and organise your clothes to create a more peaceful and efficient space, and learn to reassess your habits and behaviours when it comes to clothing.
Your future self will thank you for it.
Related: Now you know WHY you’ve got too many clothes, here’s how to get motivated to declutter a few!
