Cupboard luvvies: time for that closet clear-out

It's not sexy, we know; and it is reminiscent of the lectures we all got/get from our mothers, but it really can be cathartic (not to say hugely practical) to give your closet a clear-out. And right now, in that window between winter-sales splurging and planning spring purchases, is the perfect moment to do it: to decide what to keep and what to send to the local All Aboard shop, even - quaint, old-fashioned thought - to decide what to repair and what, in these recessionary times, might be given a bit of va-voom with some TLC and, maybe, some new buttons.

Julia Dee, founder of Total Wardrobe Care, is the ultimate professional when it comes to clearing out, sorting out and revamping your wardrobe. With a background at Harvey Nichols and Harrods and in up-scale dressmaking, she has a client list that includes Elle McPherson, David Furnish, Marie Helvin and a slew of top stylists.

Since it was founded in 1992, TWC has developed around 40 products for storage and moth-proofing, as well as clever services such as out-of-season clothes storage; a "seamstress squad" (which comes to your home to do those sewing jobs you hate, like school uniform name-tags, replacing shirt-buttons, etc); a Wardrobe De-Tox (see panel); plus alteration and Make-do-and-Mend services which repair, alter or remodel pretty much any garment, including vintage and leather.

Part of Julia's motivation in creating her alteration and make-do-and mend services was dismay at the British attitude to grooming: "A French or Italian woman will have a new garment altered so it fits perfectly, but British women aren't taught to be groomed. We're taught to believe it's vain to care too much about our appearance, but if you have bought a lovely garment, it should fit well."