Keep it or Cull it? 9 Spring Cleaning Questions to Brush Away the Lockdown Clothing Cobwebs

There’s no doubt about it, lockdown has made its stamp on our homes and wardrobes. From the ever present piles of stuff that are the totem animals of newly ‘dual purpose’ spaces, to the wardrobes where a look I like to call ‘middle-aged dog walker’, has somehow become a dominant force while we weren’t looking. 

Spring cleaning is often presented as a somewhat brutal, utilitarian task which has connotations of stripping life of all the bows and trinkets in the spirit of functionality, which can make it quite unappealing. 

I feel like with a little bit more kindness and emotional awareness, we can brush away those lockdown wardrobe cobwebs in a more gentle fashion which will leave us more likely to maintain equilibrium as opposed to swinging between extremes. 

Below are 9 questions to ask yourself to help decide whether to keep or cull clothing in a balanced way to restore closet contentment. 

Embrace a More Mindful Kind of Freedom with Flexible Boho Fashion 

With the UK’s roadmap to freedom on track, it’s almost time for us to unfurl into a springtime of increased possibilities — which will perhaps taste all the sweeter after months of restrictions. 

For most of us, our flights of fantasy and escapism have become a lot more humble and aligned with our deepest values. Daydreams of impossibly turquoise Carribean waves have been shunted to one side by more modest human desires: A picnic in Hyde Park with loved ones, the prospect of wetting your toes in the unforgivingly freezing North sea, a cup of tea in an elderly relative’s back garden.  

During this shift, conversation between my friends and I has been buzzing with a fizzing excitement about one thing in particular; dressing up! 

Is it Really Worth Buying Organic Cotton?

“Organic” is one of those words which is bandied around so much that it has almost become a parody of itself — attached to everything from blusher to brussels sprouts — but are organic products still worth shelling out for?

As we become more conscious of sustainability when pulling our wardrobes together, sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish “greenwashing” buzzwords from genuine Earth savers. 

Here at The Shirt Company, we believe everyone should be empowered to make informed choices about the clothing they choose to invest in. To help with this, check out our handy guide to the pros and cons of organic cotton to help you make your own decision. 

Allow the Fresh Spring Breeze Into Your Home and Wardrobe with the Secret Language of Flowers

Spring seems to have sprung with a particular vigour this year. Suddenly, patches of snow have melted into puddles of purple crocuses and daffodils have leapt from their slumber in a hopeful blaze of yellow. 

Many of us have been fortunate enough to experience this sudden floral spectacle alongside the first mild, sunshine speckled days. After a particularly dark and difficult winter, the irrepressible optimism of Spring — which advances, no matter what — feels particularly pertinent. 

Bringing this upbeat, promising mood into our homes and closets is a great way to capture the essence of this fleeting season. What’s more, being mindful of the symbolism and myths behind the spring blooms can add another layer of appreciation and mindfulness to our lives, imbuing our walks and wardrobes with a fresh positivity. 

Mindful Self-Compassion as an Antidote to COVID-19 Anxiety

The last twelve months have undeniably been hard. Although we are all weathering the same storm of lockdowns with the often hidden, but ever-present undercurrent of COVID-19 related anxiety, we are clinging to our own individual rafts, boats and vessels. As social contact is once again reduced, the people who we turn to for perspective and care can seem far away, but the pressure of work, childcare and financial responsibilities loom just as large as ever before.