Fashion notes: Make way for a new summer wardrobe

After freeing up space with your clear-out, you can reward yourself with a new look from the likes of Allude. Kristy Sparow / Getty Images

Here’s a scenario that no woman likes to experience: that early morning moment of panic, after a late night, when you forgot to lay out your outfit for the next day, and are faced with a monster of a wardrobe and five minutes to put something together. You open the doors, and things start spilling out, until a jumbled heap of uninspiring clothing lies on the floor. You pull out pieces and toss them behind you, searching endlessly for something suitable.

The thing is, you don’t ever stop to question what made the garments lying carelessly in the pile of rejects so unbefitting. When was the last time you wore them? Realistically, are you ever going to wear them again? Are they simply collecting dust in your wardrobe, sitting unworn for months? If so, wouldn’t it be a good idea to get rid of them, if they’re taking up space?

All my life, I have wondered how some women could have clothing with tags still attached hanging in their closets. I’m the type who, after buying a new item, will usually wear it almost immediately – within a week at the most. Lately, however, I have slightly lost control of my shopping habits, spending on items that I love but rarely need – which isn’t necessarily a dilemma in itself. The problem is that I don't have anywhere to store these new buys, because my wardrobe is bursting with clothes that are, sadly, hardly worn.

Call me a pack rat, but there are some items I can’t bear to get rid of. My husband, whose own wardrobe space seems to diminish each week that passes thanks to my hoarding, tells me that if I haven’t worn something in six months, I should give it away. And as much as I argue with him, I know deep down that his advice, however self-benefiting, is wise and practical. Join me in a pledge to spring-clean this weekend. Come Saturday night, let’s all have tidy wardrobes, rid of the clothing that we just don’t cherish as much as we used to – or never even wore in the first place.

There’s a bright light at the end of this old-clothes-ridden tunnel. Once you have freed up some space, you can look forward to hitting the malls to seek some new-season buys. According to the runways, off-the-shoulder tops and flowy, midi-length skirts are staples for the season, along with basically anything denim. A crisp white button-down blouse – preferably oversized, is also a must, as are trousers in culotte cuts. Look for interesting hems or ruffles to add some pizzazz to your summer wardrobe. Also, keep an eye out for clothing and accessories with festive embellishments to kick-start your summer style.

About those clothes you just took out of your wardrobe: if you have a younger sister or cousin, you might be forced to follow a lifelong pattern of giving them hand-me-downs before the clothes get to a charity bin.

But if you’re smart, you will realise that they’re inflicted with hoarding, too, with their own wardrobes bursting at the seams. So why not skip this step, and take the clothes straight to charity? Emirates Red Crescent collects clothing at donation boxes around the Emirates, and there are a lot of other local charity initiatives that you can take part in, too – just do a quick Google search.

You will feel a lot lighter once you have shed yourself of some unneeded clothing baggage. Use the weekend to organise your wardrobe nicely, perhaps by sorting designs by colour. When you’re done, stand back and admire your work, because, let’s be real, in a week’s time, it’s not still going to be looking like this.