Somewhere in your closet is an outfit you haven't worn in three years. There's probably something with the tags still attached, a pair of shoes that hurt your feet and at least one item you're convinced you'll fit into again some day.

And yet, somehow, you still have nothing to wear.

As we head towards the end of the year, perhaps it's time to take stock of what's actually in our wardrobes before adding anything else.

Not a dramatic clear-out where we throw away half our belongings and regret it two weeks later. Just a little honesty about what we're wearing, what we're holding on to and what probably deserves a new home.

Here are ten questions worth asking.

1, Have I actually worn this in the past year?

Not wearing something for 12 months doesn't automatically mean it has to go. Formalwear, sentimental pieces and special-occasion outfits are exceptions. But if you keep skipping over something every time you get dressed, it's worth asking why.

2, Am I keeping this because it was expensive?

We've all bought something that seemed like a wonderful idea at the time. Perhaps it was a splurge, perhaps it was on sale. Either way, the money has already been spent. Keeping something you don't wear won't bring it back.

3, Would I wear this if it actually fit properly?

Sometimes the problem isn't the outfit. It's the fit. A hem that's too long, a waist that needs adjusting or a missing button might be all that's standing between you and wearing something again. Make a pile of potential alterations and repairs before deciding what to discard.

4, Does this still suit my life?

Perhaps you once needed five days’ worth of corporate outfits and now work from home. Maybe your social calendar has changed, or you simply don't dress the way you did five years ago. Your closet doesn't have to remain a museum of every version of yourself.

5, Do I own three versions of essentially the same thing?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with knowing what you like. But if you have six nearly identical black tops and only reach for two, perhaps the others don't need to be taking up valuable space.

6, Am I saving this for an occasion that may never happen?

The fabulous dress waiting for the perfect party. The heels that need exactly the right event. There's nothing wrong with keeping something special, but if you're always waiting for a reason to wear it, maybe it's time to create one.

7, Is this worn-out or does it just need a little attention?

A good wash, a visit to the tailor, a repaired zip or a proper polish can sometimes give something a new lease on life. Other pieces really have reached the end of the road. The question is whether the item can reasonably be made wearable again.

8, Would I buy this again today?

This might be the most revealing question of them all. Forget how much you paid, where you bought it or who gave it to you. If you saw it in a shop today, would you genuinely want it? If the answer is no, consider why you're still holding on.

9, Am I buying this because I love it or because it's on sale?

A 70 per cent discount can make almost anything look appealing. But would you still want it if it were full price? Do you have somewhere to wear it? Does it work with anything you already own? Sometimes the best bargain is leaving the shop empty-handed.

10, Does getting dressed feel easier with this in my closet?

Ultimately, that's the question. Your wardrobe doesn't need to be minimalist, perfectly coordinated or filled with expensive basics. It just needs to work for you.

If opening your closet feels overwhelming, perhaps the answer isn't more clothes. It might simply be getting reacquainted with the ones you already have.

And who knows? You might even rediscover something fabulous you'd completely forgotten about.