Tackle your clothes clutter and restore order to your overflowing wardrobe, advises Lisa Haynes.

Shopping addict, habitual hoarder or clutter queen, no matter what your vice is, January is all about cutting back on excess.

And if you can't bear to give up on the chocolate and red wine, chucking out redundant outfits will make you feel virtuous.

Whether you are deluged with new stylish treats from Santa Claus or you have gone mad in the Christmas sales, now is the ideal time of year to practise the old adage — out with the old and in with the new.

“Decluttering is not all about throwing away your memories. It is all about getting rid of real junk — the stuff that is neither useful nor beautiful,” explains Cassie Tillett, professional declutterer and co-founder of www.apdo-uk.co.uk.

“If it is useful or beautiful, getting rid of the other stuff gives you a chance to find it, use it and appreciate it.

“One of the positive sides to decluttering is that the more we search for objects to throw away, the more we rediscover delights we haven't seen for years.”

No need to go into a minimalism panic for the new year. Detoxing your style should make life chic and simple for 2011 and beyond.

Wardrobe whizz

“If you haven't worn an item for five years, unless it is an heirloom or a very expensive piece, get rid!" advises X Factor stylist Grace Woodward.

There are 2.4 billion pieces of clothing lying unworn for an entire 12 months (some brand new) cluttering the nation's wardrobes, according to UK Government statistics.

In fact, the average UK woman spends almost £13,000 on clothes she will never wear in a lifetime.

Guilty as charged? Go on a clothes hanger raid and filter out the fashions you wouldn't be seen dead in.

“It is important to detox your wardrobe twice a year," advises wardrobe expert Julia Dee (www.totalwardrobecare.co.uk).

“We all buy so many clothes and quite often forget what we already have. The best way to save money is to rediscover these items.

“The majority of us suffer from limited space and there is nothing more frustrating and overwhelming than opening crammed wardrobes. It is always impossible to find anything and can be quite stressful.

“How much better it is to start the year with an organised and systemised closet?”

Clothing clearout

For the indecisive and sentimental among us, throwing out old clothing we are attached to can tug on the heart strings.

Julia recommends setting aside a few hours — or ideally a whole day — for your wardrobe cull, and persuade a friend to help you decide which pieces make your 2011 cut.

Be bold and get your wardrobe detox started with Julia’s top tips:

Turn-out: Be ruthless, when was the last time you wore it? Swap with friends or sell on eBay and remember two new things in — two old things out.

Organise: Sort pieces into three sections — the good, the bad and the ugly. The ‘good’ section are items that stay, the ‘bad’ either need mending or altering and the ‘ugly’ are destined for either charity shops or listings on eBay.

Repairs: If any buttons have fallen off, zips broken, hems fallen, or clothes have become too big or small, take them to be altered and repaired. Do not leave anything in the wardrobe that requires any alteration, chances are it will not be worn.

Spring clean: Prepare your wardrobe and drawers for the new season’s clothing. Take everything out, wash, dust, vacuum and spray with a product like the Clearing and Cleansing Aroma Mist Spray (www.make-ripples.com).

Feet first: Shoes and boots always need a good clear out and will often need polishing, cleaning and taking to the cobblers. They should always be stored with either boot or shoe trees.