How to KonMari Your Clothes To Make Marie Kondo PROUD

So you want to KonMari your clothes but it’s all a bit daunting and, honestly, you’re not entirely sure you’d be left with anything in your closet if “sparks joy” is the only criteria.

And let’s face it, ain’t nobody got time to be tripping over t-shirts for the next two weeks. 😩

Lucky for you, I’ve been there, done that (multiple times) and I’m here to make the sailing as smooth as possible for you. 🚤

Let’s go.

(Small side note that this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. Your support will go directly to funding my strawberry trifle addiction. 🍓😘)

What to know before you KonMari your clothes

No-one wants to break momentum and stall their progress while they figure things out.

So let’s first deal with some of the obstacles or questions that might arise for you. That way once you dive in you can see it right through to the end.

What’s included in the clothing category of the KonMari Method?

Apart from the obvious (actual items of clothing) this category also contains bags, shoes, outfit accessories, and jewellery. Essentially, if you would wear it, it’s included.

It’s important to ensure you’re including everything because, if you’re sticking strictly to the KonMari Method, anything you discover afterwards is an automatic discard. 😳

So it might be worth pulling things out of the laundry basket and taking a second peep in all your closets and corners. 👀

And don’t forget the chair that’s always covered in clothes. You know the one I’m talking about. 😏

To help you out, here’s a helpful list of things that are easy to forget:

• swimwear & cover-ups,
• activewear (including sports bras),
• underwear,
• shapewear,
• outerwear,
• socks,
• hats,
• scarves,
• gloves & mittens,
• belts,
• eyewear,
• occasion wear,
• costumes, and
• uniforms.

What if you have a lot of stuff or are short on time?

I get it, the list of things included is extensive. Given that the average person owns more than 100 items of clothing alone you might be breaking into a cold sweat right now.

How on earth are you going to get through all that stuff in one go? 😵‍💫

Where are you going to put it all, and where are you going to find the time to go through it?

Trust me, I’ve been there.

I’ve piled everything on my bed and around my room and then had to panic declutter to get everything put away before bedtime.

It ain’t fun.

The truth is that you don’t need to put pressure on yourself to pull everything out and KonMari your clothes all at once.

It’s perfectly OK to break this down into subcategories.

How small you go is entirely up to you and how many items you own but I’ll be honest, I don’t think you can go too small.

If you complete a subcategory you can always go on and tackle another. You may get multiple done in one session.

But if you start too big you might put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

I’ve created a checklist that breaks this category (and all the other KonMari categories) down into teeny tiny subcategories so you can make solid progress.

I know I’m biased but I can’t recommend it enough.

Can you have a ‘maybe’ pile when you KonMari your clothes?

Strictly speaking, Marie Kondo doesn’t recommend ‘maybe’ piles. However, an exception can be made in this category for things you feel you want to try on.

It’s important, though, that you set those items aside to deal with after you’ve gone through all your other clothes.

From personal experience there are three benefits to this:

First, you won’t break your momentum. There’s nothing worse than getting into a good groove and then breaking it.

I know how easy it is to agonise over certain decisions (any other overthinkers in the house? 🙋) so, personally, if I can’t decide within a minute I set it aside.

Second, you’ll get through the bulk of the process so much quicker. Trust me, if you’re stopping to try things on as you go, the pile is still going to be sitting there hours later.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but trying on clothes is actually pretty exhausting. Don’t tire yourself out early on in the process.

Get through the main stuff so you at least have somewhere to sleep.

And third, by the time you’ve gone through all the rest of your clothes you’ll have a better idea of what sparks joy and what doesn’t.

When you make it back to the ‘maybe’ pile you’ll have strengthened your decluttering muscle.

Plus, if you’re anything like me you’ll probably be so tired and fed up at that stage that you’re more likely to let the stuff go.

Let’s face it, everyone eventually gets to a stage where they’re ready to burn it all to the ground and start again. 😜

As a final tip when it comes to trying things on, I recommend taking a photo of yourself wearing the outfit, including one from the back.

I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve thought something looked good on me from what I saw in the mirror and then a photo completely changed my perspective.

Sometimes this happens immediately and sometimes it takes a day or two, so be sure to come back to those photos to see if you still think the outfit sparks joy.

Bonus tip: Build a photo library of outfits you feel great in. It’s a handy-dandy reference for when you’re struggling to decide what to wear.

What about clothes you love but don’t wear?

There are various reasons why this might be the case so I’ll briefly break them down here. But before I do, be honest with yourself about whether it’s truly worth keeping.

Generally, clothes are meant to be worn. If that’s not what’s happening, do you really want them taking up space in your home?

There’s no point doing the hard work to KonMari your clothes and then just keeping everything.

What to do with sentimental items of clothing

Maybe it’s your wedding dress or the cardigan your gran knitted for you when you were a kid.

Either way it reminds you of a special time or a special person in your life and though you no longer wear it (if, indeed, you ever did) you can’t bear to part with it.

The good news is that you don’t have to.

Set these items aside to deal with as part of the sentimental category at the end of the KonMari Method.

What to do with clothes you hope will fit you again someday

Our bodies don’t stay the same size and shape over our lifetime. So chances are you have some clothes in your closet that don’t currently fit you but you wish would.

Ask yourself if it’s motivating or demoralising to keep them.

Some people find it helps keep them focused on their health goals; others find that it makes them feel bad about themselves and keeps them criticising their current shape instead of embracing and loving it.

And I’m going to be honest here, for me it’s more the latter.

But even if it doesn’t bother you seeing clothes that don’t currently fit, it’s frustrating to have them taking up space in your closet so that you keep having to skip over them. 😤

And look, at this point I’m sure someone would tell you to just get rid of them. Or to box them up with a deadline and if they don’t fit on that date, you should donate them.

I’ve even been guilty of giving this advice myself in the past.

But I’ve discovered a better way for me that may work for you too.

I moved those clothes to a separate space so they weren’t clogging up my closet.

Then I tried on each one to determine exactly how close I was to fitting back into the item.

If it was only a little snug and it still sparked joy, I put it through one final test. And let me tell you, this one made a big difference:

I asked myself if I would actually still wear the item if it fit.

Because here’s the thing, trends come and go. Things that looked great on me when I was younger won’t necessarily do the same now.

And so I said goodbye to all the low-rise trousers and jeans I owned.

I realised that even if I magically fit back into them tomorrow, I’m no longer about that low-rise life.

In fact, you can see me come to that realisation in this video where I was decluttering some upstairs spaces in my home. The section starts from about 7:01 if you want to skip straight there.

If it was close to fitting, and I still loved it and would wear it, I kept it in that separate space and continued to try it on and run through the test every few months.

But if I could barely get my thigh into it, nevermind my arse, I got honest with myself about how likely it was that it would ever fit again.

I recognised and honoured that my body has been through a lot, including pregnancy, and so I tried to avoid any shame or bad feelings towards it.

I let go with peace.

Eventually. 👀

This was a process and I gave myself grace until I eventually got to that point of acceptance.

But yes, I still have a few items hanging in that separate space.

And that’s OK.

What if you fluctuate in size?

I’m not sure Marie Kondo has ever spoken on this topic so, to be clear, this is my opinion, not hers. I wanted to give some guidance because it’s a question that comes up a lot.

Essentially, as far as I’m concerned, the same rules apply – does it spark joy?

Personally I feel that if it sparks joy when it fits, all is well and it’s OK to keep it.

Maybe consider moving it to a different space or separating it in some way so that, for the times it doesn’t fit, it’s not in your way.

And then going forward I would try to purchase items that can accommodate fluctuations. Anything with a bit of stretch is your best friend.

And, frankly, stretchy items are much more comfortable anyway. I realised I was done with stiff jeans that dug into my gut when I experienced the magic of maternity jeans.

Take this next piece of advice with a grain of salt but it’s something that’s served me well: Shop for your bigger size.

I can’t tell you how long I tried to squash and squeeze myself into clothes, thinking that if I could stretch it over my body then it must fit.

It took me a long time to realise that going up a size or two isn’t some sort of moral failing (thanks for nothing, modern media).

Personally I now usually prefer something that’s a little more on the loose-fitting side than something that’s glued to me.

But it’s your body – dress it in whatever way makes you feel great.

How to know if an item of clothing sparks joy

“Sparks joy” can be a tricky concept so when you KonMari your clothes, or any item for that matter, here’s how you’re going to tell if something passes the test: Use a benchmark.

Grab something that you know in your heart of hearts is one of the best things you own.

And listen, it doesn’t have to be designer duds. Most likely it’s going to be a ratty old cardigan or a well worn shirt.

I have a cheap Kurt Cobain t-shirt that’s full of holes. In fact, it’s partially held together with small safety pins. I’ve had it since I was 14 and I will have it until my dying day.

Whatever it is for you, you’re going to hold it in your hands and notice how you feel.

Then everything else has to live up to that little thrill, or at least come pretty close, in order for it to pass the “sparks joy” test.

Don’t have an item of clothing like that? No worries, just grab something else that you cherish. All you’re really looking for is the feeling. ✨

And don’t beat yourself up if you’re still struggling. Over time it will become easier to spot it. Go with your gut for now and the feeling will grow.

If you still need a little guidance I have an entire post on the real meaning of spark joy.

What if you’re left with no clothes?

I get it, we don’t all have a closet full of clothes that make us feel our very best. Maybe you’re starting to realise that a lot of what you own falls more into the “comfortable” category than the “confident” category.

Here’s the secret: Not everything has to look amazing. It’s perfectly fine to keep something because it’s functional.

I have several nude-coloured tank tops that I wear under t-shirts that are a little on the transparent side.

Are these tank tops pretty? No. Do I feel my very best in them? No. Were they expensive? Again, no.

But they serve a valuable purpose in my closet and I wouldn’t be without them.

Not every item of clothing has to make you feel like you belong on a catwalk. It’s perfectly fine to stick with what you have until it’s time for an upgrade.

Again, I wrote loads more about this in my post about what ‘spark joy’ really means so I’d encourage you to read that, but just know that function is a form of joy too.

How long does it take to KonMari your clothes?

I know you don’t want an “it depends” answer so I’m going to give it to you straight – you’ll get it done in a day if you work hard at it. But it’ll be a slog and you’ll likely be absolutely exhausted afterwards. 😴

Obviously if you’ve got a small selection of clothes then you’re ahead of the curve. And a larger closet may take longer.

But in most cases, a day should do it. (Remember we’re including shoes, jewellery, accessories, etc. here too.)

Start early in the day, though. As I said above, you want to give yourself a chance to put everything away before it’s time for turn in for the night, and you also want to leave room for breaks, meals, interruptions, etc.

Having said that you definitely do not HAVE to do it all in one day. Feel absolutely free to break it down over the course of a few days, or even weeks, if you’ve only got small windows of opportunity or energy.

How to KonMari your clothes

Step 1: Remove everything from the space and pile it all up in one place (usually on your bed)

Now before you balk, remember I’m just the messenger. This is the strict KonMari way so I’m just passing it on.

If you can’t or don’t want to do that then you can definitely tweak it to make it work for you, including just taking out one subcategory at a time.

(It is important to remove it from the space though. You’ll find you get rid of a lot more that way. Trust the process.)

Personally I always do all my clothes in one go, and then treat shoes, jewellery, bags, etc. as separate subcategories.

Remember that anything not included in this pile is an automatic discard so be sure you’ve pulled absolutely everything out before you move on.

Otherwise those knickers you find hiding under your bed next week have got to go. (Though maybe they should anyway? 🤷)

Step 2: Hold each item in turn, asking if it sparks joy

Unlike objective rules like “if you haven’t worn it in a year, toss it” this is much more subjective.

You hold the item in your hands and notice how you feel.

If you get a little thrill of excitement or a rush of love, you pop it in the ‘keep’ pile. Otherwise, it goes in the discard pile.

Keep going through each item in turn until you reach the end.

Remember there’s more to this category than just items of clothing. Grab the checklist to keep yourself on track and to ensure you’re ticking all the boxes.

But look, I get it, not everything is black and white, and there are going to be some items you’re unsure about.

Set those aside until you’ve worked through the rest of the category, and then return to them at the end.

If you want to try them on before making a final decision, now’s the time.

However, more often than not you’ll be hesitating for a different reason. Maybe you spent a lot of money on an item, or you think you could make it work in certain situations or with the right accessories.

Listen, I’m not here to tell you how to live your life.

The me of yesteryear would have told you that any doubts or hesitations are a sign that it’s got to go. (Yup, I was ruthless.)

The more seasoned me reckons that it’s better to hang onto it for the moment than to risk regret.

You can always re-visit it in a few months to see if you’ve changed your mind.

Step 3: Deal with the remaining piles

When you’re all done and dusted (and probably drained), you’ll be left with two piles.

The discard pile should go into bags or boxes for donation, textile recycling, or whatever outcome’s most appropriate for it. (I share a few good options a little further below.)

Get them into your car or to an out-of-the-way place right now so you’re not tempted to pick back through them. The faster they exit your life, the better.

The stuff you’re keeping goes back in your closet.

Now I know you’re tempted to fling it all back in. It’s been a long day, after all.

But first, I’d highly recommend giving your space a decent scrub while it’s empty. (At least run a feather duster over it.)

All sparkly and shiny again? Great! Now it’s time to slot those items back in.

How to store your clothes the KonMari way

Marie Kondo is a big advocate for folding clothes if you can. She even has her own method of file folding so that your clothes stand upright on their own. Unlike piling things on top of one another, this makes it easier to see everything at a glance, plus you can remove an item without disturbing everything around it.

If you have the drawer space and the inclination, fold as much as you can. (Not sure how to do it? Don’t fret, there’s a detailed folding tutorial in the next section.)

Everything else should be hung on a hanger. Longer, darker clothes should be on the left, with clothes getting progressively shorter and lighter as you move right.

This “rise to the right” effect is supposed to give your closet an uplifting feeling.

Note, though, that Marie has made it clear that you should do what sparks most joy for you.

Personally I hang almost everything.

How to fold your clothes using the KonMari Method

Marie Kondo has a very specific method for folding your clothes in a way that makes them stand upright on their own.

There’s a video tutorial below but, essentially, your job is to create a rectangle shape with whatever item of clothing you have, and then fold in from there until the little clothing parcel is solid enough to stand up.

What to do with decluttered clothes

Decluttering can often feel wasteful. As you KonMari your clothes you’ll likely feel a little icky. Maybe you spent a lot of money on an item, or have some things with tags still attached.

Whatever the reason, you’re not recouping anything by keeping it hanging in your closet. The money is already gone. It’s better to bless someone else with it than to hold onto it out of some sense of guilt or obligation.

And, given that 92 million tonnes of clothing ends up in landfills each year 🤯, our planet will thank you if you can keep items in rotation for as long as possible.

Sell

Back in my day 🧓 your options were pretty limited for selling clothes, especially online. It was eBay or bust.

These days there are so many more platforms for pushing your wares so do your research to see what’s available in your area.

(I personally don’t sell clothing online anymore so I can’t recommend any particular platform, but the ones I hear the most about are Poshmark and Vinted. Do with that info what you will.)

I’ll be honest with you though, it ain’t all fun and games. And there are so many time-wasters out there.

Do it if you have the time and patience, or if your budget needs the boost.

But understand that you’re more likely to end up frustrated than making a fortune.

If you have a few designer pieces a consignment shop may be your best option. It eliminates a lot of the headache for you, but also eats into your profits.

Recycle/upcycle

Why send something to landfill when you can rip it up and use it for rags? Or have a company recycle it and give it a new lease of life? Or plump up the sofa cushions with some scraps?

If you’re a whizz with a sewing machine you could even fashion something new out of your old item.

The internet is awash with ideas for old fabric scraps.

I’m not saying you need to recycle every single thread, but find some easy ways to reuse what you can.

Donate

A word of warning upfront: Don’t use your local donation centre as a trash can. Their job is to re-sell stuff to help people in need, not to sort through your old junk to see what’s salvageable and what’s not.

With that out of the way, donation centres are a great option for items you’re decluttering. You can either drop them off or, in some cases, they can come to you and pick them up.

These days I donate everything to a local charity that helps families in the community who are struggling to make ends meet.

Someone gets a bargain, and a local family gets to put food on the table or pay a utility bill.

I figure that even if I sold the items myself I’d be better off donating the proceeds than using the cash to buy more clutter.

It’s wins all ‘round, really.

What to do after you KonMari your clothes

You’ve done all the hard work to KonMari your clothes, and you don’t want your closet returning to a cluttered disaster.

Plus, now that you’ve got bitten by the decluttering bug you might even want to continue paring back.

This is going to require a multi-pronged approach.

Shop smarter

Of course it’s nice to add some new pieces to your collection every now and again, especially as older ones are wearing out or no longer fit your lifestyle.

But to truly stop clutter in its tracks you have to cut it off at the source.

That means no more shopping because let’s face it, if you see it, you’ll be tempted by it. 🙈

Before you know it your shopping basket will be full and so will you… of regret.

So if at all possible, avoid the shops.

This was a tricky one for me because once upon a time shopping was a weekend hobby of mine.

But over the years I learned to replace it with other activities.

My closet, and bank balance, were all the better for it.

Still, it’s not always possible to avoid shopping altogether, so in this video I go through some questions to consider before buying:

Now, I don’t subscribe to the ‘one-in-one-out’ philosophy. (Sometimes you just need a new dress without the stress of choosing favourites, OK?)

Still, it’s a good idea to temper any new purchases with a mini purge so you don’t land yourself back at square one, stuffing bags of clothes anywhere you can find space.

Make parting with your items a piece of cake

One of the most effective ways to continue decluttering is to put a donation box right there in your closet.

As soon as you realise something no longer sparks joy you can toss it right in.

I have donation boxes all over my home and I can tell you it makes a huge difference. Even my husband and daughter drop things in.

Convenience is king.

And don’t get fancy with it. I use whatever box my next delivery arrives in.

Challenge yourself

At the time of writing I’m reasonably fresh off a ‘wear it all day or give it away’ challenge.

I turned all my clothes hangers around and only faced them back the right way after I’d actually worn an item.

Let’s face it, we all have our tried and true favourites that we reach for on a regular basis, but how often is that blouse being worn? How long has that cardigan been languishing in your closet?

Plus, we can all justify keeping an item for one reason or another, but forcing yourself to wear it can highlight all its flaws.

Maybe it just looks nice on the hanger and in your imagination, but in reality it’s really itchy, or rides up.

Make it a point to rotate through all your clothes. Pretty soon you’ll discover that there’s a reason certain items never see the light of day.

Then you can declutter them in peace.

You’ve cleared your closet like a champ and all that’s left is the stuff that makes you look and feel like a goddess.

Be sure to strut your stuff and, when you’re ready, you can advance to level 2: decluttering your books! 📚

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