Wardrobe Declutter: How I Reduced My Tops with the KonMari Method

How I Used the KonMari Method to Simplify My Wardrobe

This year 2025, we’re tackling a big home decluttering project as a family, starting with a wardrobe declutter!

All while raising our toddler and preparing for our newborn!

Our goal is to reduce our overall possessions by at least 50%.

To do this, we’re using the KonMari Method for decluttering, developed by the Japanese organizing expert Marie Kondo.

Kondo suggests to first start decluttering your personal possessions. This is because choices can be made easier, when it’s only about your own things. When moving on to shared household supplies etc., decision making can become increasingly difficult.

In this blog post, I’ll share how I started decluttering my personal wardrobe by reducing my tops by almost half!

My Initial Struggle with Decluttering My Wardrobe

In early 2025, we shared our 12-month decluttering plan for the year. Our goal is to massively declutter our entire home, one category of items at a time, based on Kondo’s approach.

Kondo argues that the best way to start is by going through your clothing, as it’s usually the easiest category.

In January 2025, I shared why I was struggling with decluttering my clothes.

Now, at the beginning of February, I decided I needed to take the bull by the horns and get through this first step of my wardrobe declutter, starting with my tops.

My Thoughts on Using Subcategories for Decluttering Clothes

I’ve read some criticism of the KonMari Method. Especially regarding Kondo’s suggestion to subcategorize your clothing in order to increase efficiency.

Pros of Subcategorizing Clothes

I decided to try this approach because I saw the potential in breaking down a big project into smaller tasks.

My goal for January 2025 was to go through my entire wardrobe, covering all parts of the clothing category.

I planned to tackle a few subcategories of clothing each week. My goal was to finish this massive task by the end of January.

Breaking this project down into more manageable chunks felt particularly important since the KonMari Method’s clothing category is massive!

The clothing category includes everything wearable. Tops, bottoms, clothes best stored on hangers, accessories, shoes, underwear, and clothing for special events.

Cons of Subcategorizing Clothes

January was a particularly hectic month. Life with a toddler, frequent sicknesses, and managing my full-time job before my maternity leave started in mid-January.

I found myself constantly thinking about how to subcategorize my clothes, and I felt like I was stuck in an endless cycle of procrastination!

Trying to fully understand each subcategory, I kept reading and rereading the chapter on decluttering clothes in Kondo’s book.

I wanted to fully understand what Kondo meant by “clothing that feels happier when hung up” and what she considered “clothing for special events.”

I ended up shuffling my clothes into different totes, trying to figure out where each item belonged.

Because of my perfectionist tendencies, I didn’t want to make any mistakes with the method, which slowed my progress significantly.

KonMari Before and After: I Started With 65 Tops

In early February I decided I had to somehow get myself unstuck and start making real progress with my wardrobe declutter.

I chose to begin with the first subcategory of clothing: tops. But, I was still unsure of whether I had gathered all the right items.

I started with a big blue tote filled with my tops I had picked up all around our home. 65 tops in total.

I was surprised by this number, because I really didn’t expect to have so many!

And this doesn’t even include my dressier tops, which will be tackled in another subcategory.

As I picked out more items and added them to the bin, I watched the pile grow and grow.

In this tote, I had collected basic t-shirts, long sleeves, sweatshirts, hoodies, knits, base layers (which we use here in the North during winter), PJ’s, and workout tops.

At first, I wasn’t sure whether base layers, nightgowns, and workout tops should be handled in a different subcategory, like clothing for special events.

In the end, I decided to go through them in the tops subcategory. This is because these are everyday items for me, not just for special occasions.

Although I could see how thermal base layers might be considered special event clothing for someone living in a warmer climate!

Decluttering Success: I Got Rid of 26 Pieces

So, I made the decision to part with 26 tops, that I felt confident to declutter from my wardrobe.

Here is a list of the tops I decided to let go of:

• 7 workout tops
• 4 hoodies
• 3 knit sweaters
• 3 basic cotton t-shirts
• 2 tank tops
• 2 cardigans
• 2 nightgowns
• 1 basic cotton long-sleeve shirts
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 workout zip-up jacket

With most of my tops, I had a very clear idea of whether I was actually using them or not.

Especially my collection of hoodies from 15 years ago. I knew I wasn’t wearing them anymore, and because they are bulky, they were taking up too much precious closet space.

Dealing With Emotional Ties to Clothing

I must say, letting go didn’t exactly feel like a breeze!

Some of the tops I’ve kept since my high school days reminded me of past insecurities and issues I feel I’ve already left behind.

Somehow, those feelings were still attached to these clothes. As I carefully looked through them, the negative emotions came back to me, reminding me of memories I no longer wish to revisit.

I had to do some deep thinking when deciding whether to part with these tops, which carried so much emotional baggage.

The hoodies I got when I lived in the U.S. as an exchange student, in particular, were filled with so many memories. Parting with them felt sad, but also liberating.

I could have set these aside and dealt with them later this year, when I’ve planned to go through my other sentimental items.

However, I had a gut feeling that getting rid of these pieces now would make me feel lighter, and happier. It did!

KonMari Wardrobe Declutter: How Many Tops Did I Keep?

I kept 39 tops, which still feels like a lot!

• 11 basic cotton t-shirts
• 6 workout tops
• 3 cardigans
• 4 thermal base-layer long-sleeve shirts
• 4 nursing tops
• 2 basic cotton long-sleeve shirts
• 2 knit sweaters
• 2 fleece jackets
• 1 wool base-layer t-shirt
• 1 workout zip-up jacket
• 1 flanell shirt
• 1 sweatshirt
• 1 hoodie

Eco-Friendly Wardrobe Declutter: What I’m Doing with My Excess Tops

When it came to the tops I was letting go of, I didn’t feel any of them had significant monetary value.

Selling them online piece by piece didn’t seem worth the effort.

Instead, I chose to donate them to one of my favorite local donation centers.

They responsibly sort through donations and find the best solution for each item, ensuring they’re put to good use.

My Wardrobe Declutter Journey: How I Simplified My Tops with KonMari

Discarding this many pieces didn’t only cause positive emotions, but also caused feelings of guilt.

Should I have kept some of these pieces, simply because I didn’t want to contribute to the already overwhelmed donation centers that are receiving so many items daily?

Part of me wondered if I could repurpose some of these tops for painting or other messy activities, so I could personally use them up instead of passing them off to someone else.

But then, I reminded myself of why I started this massive decluttering project in the first place.

I want to remember these years with my little ones as times of presence.

When I was fully engaged in my life as a young mom, creating meaningful memories with them.

I don’t want to look back on this time feeling overwhelmed by clutter, just existing in a chaotic home, constantly picking up toys off the floor, doing endless loads of laundry, and watching the hampers fill up again and again.

Instead, I want to focus on the fact that my health, and YOUR health, comes first.

I’m already excited about how embracing family minimalism will lead to something better, something to look forward to. And, I can’t wait to continue on this path!