The wardrobe edit

I'm also having a good clear out and cleansing my wardrobe of the old and unworn. It's not as easy as it seems. Funny, as I'm a trained personal shopper and can spend my days clearing out clients wardrobes, instructing them what to keep and what to lose - we call it The Wardrobe Edit!

So, I'm now taking part in my own wardrobe edit and though it's tough to decide what is for selling or swapping, it's also quite therapeutic. I've discovered a whole host of items that have lurked in those clear storage boxes we all loved and bought in the 90s from http://www.theholdingcompany.co.uk/. I even found some items that I have never seen before in my life. which means one of two things:

1. I shop and buy in my sleep, then carefully fold, stack and store the sleep shop items.

2. I have generous friends and family who shop for me then hide my presents at the back of my wardrobe in the vain hope that one day I will find them and thank them for said gifts.

It's a spooky mystery, but I thank the wardrobe ghost for my new clothes!

I decided to place one of the 'found' items up for swap on whatsmineisyours.com and I have already received a great swap request for a black wicker bag that will go perfectly with the black strappy dress I swapped this morning with a radio alarm clock! One whole new outfit in one day!

Here's my top tips for wardrobe editing:

1. Don't get distracted - turn off the phone, make a cup of tea and ensure all outside distractions are tuned out for the next hour (for major shopaholics double or triple this time estimate).

2. Have clear ideas of why you are doing this - you need to be in the right frame of mind, be concise, level headed and on no accounts must you do this when you are going through the following: a break up, a bereavement, a fat day, a thin day, a new hair colour day.

3. Have bags at the ready - make sure you have bags to separate out items - charity shop, swap, sell, car boot... ...oh and keep!

4. Take everything out of your wardrobe and lay it on the bed - it looks less daunting once it's out in the open.

5. Don't get too mercenary - don't get carried away and lose the whole lot, there are always some things you may regret later.

I'll leave the rest of the wardrobe edit tips to SarahM....

..Over to you Sarah xx