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The idea of a New Year’s wardrobe makeover often triggers conflicting emotions.
For some, it heralds a liberating new beginning, bringing with it a leaner style and fewer morning woes.
For others, however, the thought of facing an overflowing closet, emotional attachments, and the daunting prospect of starting over can be overwhelming.
However, Parisian stylist Elsa Boutaric advocates subtle rather than drastic updates to your wardrobe. She shares her essential guide to organizing your wardrobe in 2026.
Start sorting, not shopping
The knee-jerk reaction to being in a style rut is often to buy something new. A coat, a pair of shoes, a statement piece that promises reinvention. But Ms. Butalik insists that the real reset begins long before the checkout page appears.
“I always start with a wardrobe edit, evaluating what no longer works and what really fits my client’s lifestyle,” she says.
“Before we buy anything new, we need to develop a wardrobe strategy.”
This strategy is less about what you like best and more about what you wear most.
What you actually wear on a daily basis is more important than who you think you are. A wardrobe reset means asking how often you buy something, what you feel best wearing, and where you are in your life right now—work, weekends, evenings, travel.
Without this kind of evaluation, new purchases tend to repeat old mistakes: beautiful things go nowhere.
Items we hold on to for too long
Every wardrobe has its ghosts – those pieces that were once perfect, but now outlive everything around them. denim Often the biggest culprit.
“What I’m trying to say is that denim tends to be dated and look dated, and tailored wide-leg pants are a modern update for 2026,” Ms. Boutaric explained.
The cut of jeans is often less timeless than tailoring, reminding us of bygone phases and eras faster than other pieces.
Wide-leg pants, especially those made from structured fabrics, are equally easy to wear but less trend-setting.
The same goes for pieces that are too trendy and no longer reflect the way you wear them now. Resetting isn’t about erasing personality, it’s about getting rid of things you won’t be wearing this time next year.
M&S three-pleat palazzo trousers in satin-twill, £46
Note the gap
One of the most common frustrations Ms. Butalik encounters is not the lack of clothes, but the lack of connection between them.
“What I see most is the lack of strong transitional pieces between casual and haute attire,” she said. “Invest in a quality blazer and elevated basics to fill that gap.”
These items can transform jeans into an outfit or make a simple dress suitable for many occasions. A well-tailored blazer, a cozy knit, a crisp white shirt—they don’t shout a lot, but they do a lot of work.
A New Year’s reset is often about reinforcing this middle ground. Instead of investing in work clothes or casual wear that you rarely wear, invest in pieces that allow you to fall somewhere in between.
Zara Limited edition slim fit suede blazer, £299
Arket turtleneck wool top, £45
H&M Oxford shirt, £19.99
Keep, change or donate?
Organizing your wardrobe is both practical and emotional. Butalik’s rules are refreshingly simple.
“If an everyday item hasn’t been worn in more than a year, it usually disappears.”
That doesn’t mean everything that’s not worn has to go—occasion clothing and sentimental items follow different rules—but when it comes to everyday clothing, inactivity is the message. If something doesn’t fit into your current life, it’s unlikely that it will suddenly win a place.
Boutaric recommends using the hanger trick to find the clothes you wear most. Flip all the hangers back, then flip them forward as you put on clothes; after a set amount of time, you’ll see your most frequently reached goals and those you didn’t reach.
Tailoring is the often-overlooked middle option. A coat that feels a little out of place, draggy pants, an almost functional blazer—these can usually be salvaged. Reset isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention.
Get a new look without replacing everything
The idea that a wardrobe reset requires a complete overhaul is one of its biggest turnoffs. In fact, small, well-thought-out changes often have the biggest impact.
“Add a well-tailored blazer, wide-leg pants and a [good quality] A crisp white shirt or T-shirt,” advises Butalik. “These pieces can instantly elevate and modernize your wardrobe. “
They can also be styled across seasons, trends and environments – which is exactly the point. The reset should make dressing easier, not more complicated.
Styling adjustments are also important. Swapping sneakers for loafers, adding a belt, wearing a looser shirt or adjusting the proportions can all reshape an outfit without having to add new statement pieces, Butalik says.
Borden Iris Snaffle-Trim belt, £55
Mint velvet Gigi brown suede Penny loafers, £55 (originally £110)
M&S thick beveled D-frame sunglasses, £35