Take this as a confession: my closet is full of things I don’t really wear, and some of them have been hanging there for a while with the tags still on. And yes, I still love every piece I own and consider myself highly sustainable and conscious about my fashion choices. So how did I end up here then? Well, simply put: my life changed, but my taste in clothes didn’t. And, honestly, I think this inevitably happens to everyone at some point.

A year ago, I moved from a metropolis with 13 million people to a city with under 900 thousand, and from that moment on, everything became different. Instead of winter with the temperature going down to –30°C and forcing you to wrap yourself in a fur coat, I got at best –2°C, which almost made me sweat in my light jackets and cowboy boots. Now, everything is so nearby that I don’t need to layer up and dress for any possible weather shift every time I leave the house, and I would much rather go on foot or jump on my bike than take the metro or a taxi. So, wide jeans and the hems of long coats getting stuck in the bike chain became my new reality, not to mention that some outfits I used to casually wear back in Moscow, made me look heavily overdressed in Amsterdam. And yes, don’t forget to add constant rains and a new family member aka the sausage dog snaking off like crazy every time I carry him down or upstairs, and leaving muddy paw prints on my silk tops.

In other words, my wardrobe had to be adjusted to all these new circumstances, and over time, I managed to keep it functional, while still staying true to myself. So, if you find yourself struggling with the same problem, keep your head up high — the remedy is easier than it might seem. Here are some tips that always help me maintain the balance between real life and my sense of the beautiful while not buying things that will get stuck in my closet unattended. 

To manage your wardrobe efficiently, you need to know what you are dealing with, so dedicate a whole day to look through what you have in there. Take everything out of your closet and sort all your stuff into three groups: what you wear regularly, what you wear occasionally and what you never wear.

With the first two categories things are clear: they work themselves off. Pay attention to what pieces there are as they build the foundation of your style, and by buying look-alikes, you can stay assured that they won’t end up pointlessly collecting the dust. 

As for the third group, work with it even more closely. Think about why you don’t wear those things. Is the size too big or too small? Do they have stains or need to be repaired? Do they still match your style and life pace? Then regrade them again.

Select the ones that need some care to be worn: resized, fixed and dry-cleaned. 

Then hang up those you hesitate about in your closet and set an imaginary timer — if you will never turn to them within a maximum a year, it is time to say goodbye.

Can’t let something go simply because it holds a certain emotional value? Totally fine! Being a sentimental fashion enthusiast myself, I get that clothes and accessories remind us of special moments. So why not keep some of them? But let us put them in a box and place them in a bottom drawer where they won’t give you the feeling of a closet full of “nothing to wear”. 

Finally, gather things that no longer fit your life, and depending on their condition, recycle, donate or sell.

Now that you have put things in order and cleared your space and mind, think of what you are missing in your closet. This is going to be the target area of your future purchases.

Also, look at pieces and combinations you wear daily and feel comfortable ​​— this is your uniform, and it is worth investing in. Get these staples in the highest quality you can afford to make them last, and don’t be afraid to repeat them in different fabrics, and colours. 

Before buying another “must-have” that doesn’t fall into the kind of things you would normally wear, consider the climate and cultural environment you live in, places you go to, things you do, events you attend, transport you use, and soberly judge if this piece will suit your needs and lifestyle. 

Being practical doesn’t mean ditching stylish or fun pieces. Even sequined pants or feather tops are fair game as long you let them shine in the right places every now and then. 

Before hitting the “Place the order” button, imagine having the item you want to purchase and trying it on. What would you pair it with and do you already have matching things in your wardrobe that match it? Where would you wear it to and how often? Is it a timeless base or a trendy object that will go out of fashion in a few months? Would you still want to wear it after a couple of seasons? If the candidate shows potential to become a wardrobe staple, take it without a second thought!

It might help to ask yourself why you want it. Are you in a bad mood and just want to cheer yourself up with a new handbag? Did a fashion magazine label it one of a thousand things you can’t do without this season? Did you see it on countless influences on Instagram or just find it on sale for a ridiculously good price? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, I would rather stay away unless I truly like it and can easily integrate it into my wardrobe while looking good in it. 

Create a mood board with pictures, a folder on your phone or whatever works for you. Collect your fashion finds there and wait. If after some time you lose interest — no harm, no foul, just move on. But if you keep thinking about those things, check in the tips above, and go for it.

Even if circumstances force you to adjust the way you dress, don’t settle for something that makes you feel like a different person against your will. Finding a way to stay true to yourself takes time, but in the end, it is totally worth it. 

As for me, even though I had to incorporate some practical necessities into my wardrobe, I still managed to wear my usual clothes in this new environment (and even learned to cycle in what seemed like uncyclable outfits).