My wardrobe clear-outs usually begin with a burst of confidence and end with a pile of clothes I cannot quite let go of. This time I tried something less dramatic.
For every piece, I asked whether I liked wearing it, whether it fitted the life I actually live, and whether I would choose it again today. The answers were more helpful than a strict number of items.
A few things left. A few things moved to the front. One dress got a second chance after I found the shoes it had been waiting for.
The wardrobe is not perfect. It is simply a little more honest, which is a better kind of tidy.