Take a deep breath, and start sorting out your possessions. Get three huge boxes and label them ‘Keep’, ‘Toss’ and ‘Donate’. Our advice? Keep those that are closet staples (that is, white tee, black blazer, and so on), toss those that are worn out, and donate those that are still in good, wearable condition. Ahem, sustainability. H&M has an on-going programme where you can exchange your old clothes — which will be sold as secondhand goods or recycled into other products — for a small gift voucher. A win-win.

Here are other organisations to check out and donate your garments:

• The Salvation Army, New2U Thrift Shop, Greensquare  and MINDS.

Image: Instagram (@ireneisgood)

This rule is simple: if you have not worn a particular piece at least once in the last six months (and it’s not in great condition), toss it. If it’s still up for more wears, donate it. Keep unworn pieces only if it fulfils the following criteria:

• It is a basic and versatile item.
• It is both appropriate for work and play.
• You’ll wear it out within the next week.

There are no excuses for trendy pieces. In the ‘Toss’ or ‘Donate’ box they go.

Image: Instagram (@thehautepursuit)

Cut the flab by limiting the number of hangers in your closet. For starters, give yourself 15 hangers to play with, per garment category (tops, outerwear, bottoms, the like). Slowly cut this number down to ten. This approach may seem aggressive and drastic, but it works. You can’t fall back on the excuse that you have extra hangers, and you are forced to keep only the clothes that are really important. Once you run out of hangers, it’s time for you to clear out your closet again.

Photo: Instagram (@yoyokulala)

Once the cleansing has been completed, it’s time to get cracking on beautifying your wardrobe by neatly and carefully arranging what’s left. One way is to organise pieces by colour, and then within each colour segment, you group apparel together by category. Not only will it help you easily locate a particular item, it’s also oh-so-pleasing to the eye.

Photo: Instagram (@chrisellelim)

Once you’re done with the spring cleaning (yes!), it doesn’t mean you’ve completed your task. To ensure your efforts have not gone to waste, make sure you heed the “one in, one out” rule. If you really want to get a new dress, pick out an existing one from your closet that you feel you’d be least likely to wear in the foreseeable future, and donate that. This way, it helps prevent an overstuffed closet, making the decluttering process much easier for the next year.

Photo: Instagram (@meowiie)