How to find out what you actually wear

Short answer: You find out what you actually wear by watching it for a short period instead of guessing. Note what goes on your body and see what stays on the hanger. The result is often a smaller wardrobe than expected.

Why we get our wardrobe wrong

Most people think they wear far more of their clothes than they do. We remember the days we dressed up and forget the many days in the same comfortable outfit. That is why guessing is unreliable, and a short record gives a more honest picture of what really belongs in daily life.

Start with the laundry

The laundry is an easy shortcut. See what lands in the basket again and again, and what never does. What constantly goes in the wash is your real everyday clothing. You do not need a notebook for it, and it takes two or three weeks without changing any of your habits.

Turn the hangers

Turn all the hangers in the wardrobe so the hook faces you. When you have worn something, hang it back with the hook the other way. After a month you can see what has not been touched. A simple method that needs no planning but gives a clear answer. See the range for women.

Ask why something is not worn

Clothes that are not worn usually have a reason: they sit crooked, itch, are hard to combine or do not suit your life. Find the reason and write it down. Then you see patterns you can use the next time you shop. Do not guess the reason, but notice how it feels on your body.

Look at what you wear every day

What you use most tells you what to buy more of. If it is the same soft tops, the same trousers and the same socks, those are what to focus on. Bestsellers can give inspiration for what others choose, and you can look at bestsellers from Copenhagen Bamboo when you want to compare with your own habit.

The socks reveal a lot

Socks are a good place to start, because they are worn almost daily and show clearly what works. Which pairs do you reach for automatically, and which stay in the drawer? That says something about size, fabric and fit that also applies to other clothes. See socks for women.

Use what you have learned

Once you know what you wear, you can shop more calmly. Buy more of what works and do not add more pieces that resemble the ones you never wear. Make a small list of what is missing and stick to it. Then the wardrobe gets shorter but is used more.

Repeat once a year

Life changes, and so do clothes. A new job, a new season or a new rhythm can shift what you wear. Repeat the exercise once a year and adjust. Then the wardrobe always suits who you are now, not who you were three years ago.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to find out what I wear?

Three to four weeks gives a good picture, and a month with the hanger method is enough to see the pattern. Longer does no harm, but is rarely necessary.

Do I need to write it down?

Not necessarily. The laundry and the hanger method show most of it without notes. Write only if you want to remember why something is not worn.

What do I do with clothes I do not wear?

Consider whether they can be altered to fit, otherwise pass them on or sell them. Keep only what you actually want to put on.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.