How Digitizing My Wardrobe Changed the Way I Shop, Dress, and Organize

In January 2024, I decided to try something a little different with my closet. I downloaded a (free!) app called Whering and started logging every outfit I wore. Think of it like digitizing your wardrobe: you can track what you actually wear, create outfit mood boards, and even plan for trips—all from your phone.

And what surprised me most? I started seeing benefits almost right away. Within weeks, I felt more motivated to use what I already owned. Within a couple of months, my mornings felt easier, I was shopping my own closet more often, and packing for trips became much less stressful.

Now, more than a year and a half later, those benefits have only grown—and they’ve taught me a lot about intentional living, both inside and outside the closet.

How I Digitized My Closet

One Saturday, I set aside a chunk of time to build my “digital closet.” I added most of my clothes, shoes, and go-to accessories.

• For pieces that still had product photos online (thank you, Google and old email receipts 🙌), I screenshotted those polished images.

• For the rest, I laid a white sheet on the floor and did quick flat-lay photos. (The app removes the background, so the pictures don’t need to be perfect!)

From there, it was simple: each day, I logged what I wore. If I pulled something I hadn’t uploaded yet, I just snapped a quick photo before putting it on. Little by little, my whole closet made its way into the app without it feeling overwhelming.

The Benefits of Tracking My Outfits

Here’s what I’ve discovered after 19 months of tracking my wardrobe:

1. Getting dressed became a game

The app’s Stats tab shows me which pieces are my most-worn, which are rarely touched, and the “cost per wear” of everything I own. It’s become a fun challenge to drive that number down.

It also made me realize something big: the more items I own, the more thinly my usage gets spread. That means my favorite pieces actually get worn less. Now, I’m motivated to part with the “meh” items so I can enjoy my favorites more often—guilt-free.

2. Outfit inspiration at my fingertips

When I see a look I love on Instagram or Pinterest, I recreate it with pieces from my own closet and save it in the app. It’s like having my own personalized lookbook of wearable ideas.

3. Packing is so much easier

Before a trip, I create a capsule collection in the app and pin my favorite outfit combos. It makes packing quick and helps me bring less, because I can clearly see how to mix and match items.

4. No more decision fatigue

On mornings when nothing feels right, I filter for my “hearted” outfits—things I’ve already loved wearing—and instantly have options. I’ve also made lookbooks for different scenarios (work outfits, super-hot days, etc.), which makes getting dressed stress-free.

5. I shop more intentionally

I’ve learned so much from seeing my most-used (and least-used) items. I’m more aware of what I already have, which helps me resist buying duplicates or “close enough” versions of things I don’t really need. Shopping less and styling more has become the new norm.

The Bigger Lesson: Intentional Living

The real lesson here? This experiment wasn’t really about clothes. It was about paying attention—to what I use, what I don’t, and how I want to live.

I’ve realized that when I own too much, it actually gets in the way of enjoying what I truly love. Letting go of the extras creates more space (literally and mentally) to enjoy what matters most.

And this applies well beyond the closet. Whether it’s your home, your calendar, or your digital life, when you can clearly see what you have and how you’re using it, you can make better choices, reduce the clutter, and align your life with what feels good and intentional.

Don’t Want an App? Try the Backwards Hanger Trick

The good news is—you don’t need an app to try this out. A simple “low-fi” version is the backwards hanger trick: hang all your clothes with the hooks facing the “wrong” way. Each time you wear something, rehang it the right way.

After a season (or 6 months, or a year), take a look: which hangers never flipped? Those unworn items are a data point—an invitation to reflect on whether they really deserve the space they’re taking up.

Final Thoughts

For me, digitizing my wardrobe has been one more way of living with intention—and honestly, making life just a little more fun.

Would you ever track your wardrobe? Or try the hanger trick? I’d love to hear how it goes for you!

Ready to Refine Your Own Space?

If you’ve got a closet, a home, or a digital life that could use a little refining—I’m your girl. Let’s make it feel lighter, brighter, and more you!