Why A Wardrobe Audit Can Save You Time And Money [+ How You Start With It]

As a former M&A lawyer, I’m a huge advocate of audits. In business, an audit is quite common, and also when it comes to specific areas in our personal life - think about a regular check-up by the doctor for our health, our fitness routines, or the people we surround ourselves with - an audit doesn’t sound that strange. So why not do it for your closet??

If you make one fashion resolution, it should be to do a regular wardrobe audit: essentially, a stock check of what you actually have in your closet.?

80% of our clothes are getting dust. There are items that never have seen the daylight, and hidden gems you may have completely forgotten about. But you are still buying new items - 60% of what we buy we already gave - and experience the feeling you have nothing to wear.?

“It’s time to take a step back and evaluate what you have, what you’re wearing, what items you’re neglecting, and finally let go of those items that no longer serve you.??

Audit your wardrobe with a digital wardrobe app

I know it’s hard to say goodbye to clothing items. But way holding on something you aren’t wearing anymore? Selling or passing items will make someone else happy, and fashion circular. Moreover, having an overview of what you have, will allow you to make better, more qualitative and fulfilling buying decisions in the future - and save you money in the long-term.?

But where do you start?

A digital wardrobe app like The Acquired is your companion. The Acquired allows you to photograph - directly in the app or via uploading from your camera roll -? each item and catalog it.?

“Some items don't even make it to the digital wardrobe, which in itself says enough.”?

You don’t have to do your entire closet all in once. You can already start with 10 to 20 items - which will take you max 30 minutes - and add each period of time items. I like to do it once a week or twice a month with the items I’m wearing or when I come across items in my closet I want to give a second chance. Some items don't even make it to the digital wardrobe, which in itself says enough. By breaking it down into sections, it will feel more manageable. Moreover, you will start seeing patterns as your attention and awareness are higher.?

Logging your outfits

Because your wardrobe is digitised, you can easily put together and log your outfit of the day. This gives you insight into whether and how many times you wear an item.?

The stats then give you insight into the items and outfits you wear a lot and the items you wear the least. With the latter, you can then ask yourself the questions: Is it because you don’t know how to style it? Is it because it no longer fits or serves your style? Is the item in need of a repair or alteration?

It makes you able to make a well-thought decision in an efficient way: create outfits with it and start wearing it, book repair services or alter it yourself, or give it another (end) destination by reselling, renting, or recycling it. You can also organize a swapping event with your friends and exchange clothes - and digitize it right away.?

Conscious shopping

Once you have found new homes for the garments you no longer want, it’s time to consider how you can be conscious about any future purchases you make. You can take your digital wardrobe with you on a shopping trip or pre-add an item to your digital closet and see how it fits your current items and how many outfits you can create it with.?

Ultimately, a wardrobe audit will make your dressing and shopping routine way more efficient and help you get rid of everything that doesn’t serve your (life)style. It’s a little investment in time and effort, but will save you much more time and money in the long term.??

Start your wardrobe audit yourself or book one of our services to do it for you