Make your mornings easier by organizing your clothes. It’s hard to get dressed when you can’t find anything! If you clean out your closet regularly and organize your clothes, everything will be much easier to find.
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Start fresh
Start fresh“At least once a year you should give your closet a complete cleaning; wash or vacuum the floor, dust the shelving and walls of your closet so your space is clean,” says Jerry Egner, president of Closets by Design. “By committing to an annual cleaning, you also are committing to going through your belongings to decide what you really want to keep and what is ready to be discarded.”
Tips for spring cleaning your closet >>
Sell, trade, or donate
Sell, trade, or donateOnce your closet is clean, it’s time to take inventory of the clothes that you have. Take everything out of your closet and organize your clothes into three piles — keep, fix, and toss. The clothes in the keep pile will obviously go back into your closet. Clothes that need repairs or cleaning should be placed in a bag and put in your car immediately. You can drop them off at the tailor or dry cleaners the next time you leave the house. For clothes that you no longer wear, you don’t need to throw them away.
“Many people have tightened their budgets and people are finding new ways to make their money stretch further. Sell clothes through online auction sites or a garage sale,” says Egner. “Hold a ‘Trading Party’ with girlfriends to acquire a new wardrobe without spending any money. Donate the remaining items to a tax deductible charity.
To organize your clothes, Kate Leser of A Distinctive Image offers these tips for weeding out unnecessary items quickly and painlessly.
To organize your clothes, Kate Leser of 1. Analyze your “lifestyle pie.”
For instance, 60 percent of your time is spent at work so, 60 percent of your wardrobe needs to be work clothes. Twenty percent social time warrants 20 percent of the closet be filled with your “going out” clothes, or whatever you deem social. Maybe 10 percent is spent working out, so keep 10 percent of those necessary items. (I’m sure 20 pairs of sweatpants is more than 10 percent!) Your last 10 percent may be your weekend casual and comfy clothes.
2. Only keep items in your most flattering colors.
Can’t figure that out? Compare several shades of the same color, looking for the color that makes you look radiant — not flat or dull. For complete confidence, have your colors analyzed by an expert. It will save you time and money!
3. Your face shape determines your most attractive necklines, collar points, and fabric patterns.
Are you contoured or angled? Mimic your face shape.
4. Your body silhouette determines your best clothing styles.
Look where you curve in and out and find clothes that do the same. If you are without a lot of curves, don’t buy a jacket cut for a Marilyn Monroe shape.
5. Keep items that are “most like you.”
It’s easier to mix and match your closet if you stick to two dominate “themes.” For example, you like classic pieces (You are Classic) but also like stand-alone statement pieces (You are Dramatic), so keep only those items that fall into these two categories. Let go of that romantic, lacy blouse you bought on a whim and never wear.
Categorize your clothes
Categorize your clothesThe clothing that you are keeping needs to be categorized. “Organize your clothes according to type of clothing, occasion and length,” says professional celebrity organizer, Jill Pollack. “For example, all shirts go together, but separate work shirts from fancy going out shirts to casual shirts. Within each of those sections, divide shirts according to length of sleeve. Lastly, organize by color for quick mixing and matching.”
Follow these simple steps to a closet makeover >>
Buy closet organizers
Buy closet organizersTo maximize your space and organize your closet, buy closet organizers such as shelving, baskets, boxes, and bins. These items may be purchased for relatively little expense at your local superstore. If you have some money to spare, consider designing a custom closet system or having your dream closet built from scratch by a professional.
Get organized with these closet organizers >>
More organization tips
As an expert in home organization and wardrobe management, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to guide individuals in making their mornings smoother through efficient closet organization. My expertise is rooted in hands-on application, having assisted numerous clients in optimizing their living spaces, particularly their closets.
The importance of a well-organized closet cannot be overstated. The article rightly emphasizes the impact of a clutter-free and well-maintained wardrobe on the ease of getting dressed each morning. I endorse the suggestion of Jerry Egner, president of Closets by Design, to commit to an annual cleaning routine for your closet. This includes not only clearing out unnecessary items but also cleaning the physical space, ensuring a fresh and welcoming environment for your clothes.
The article suggests a practical approach to managing your wardrobe, beginning with a thorough inventory after cleaning. The three piles strategy—keep, fix, and toss—is an excellent method to streamline your clothing collection. I agree with the recommendation to promptly address clothes that need repairs or cleaning, ensuring a proactive and organized approach to maintaining your wardrobe.
Sell, trade, or donate is an eco-friendly and budget-conscious solution for dealing with clothes you no longer wear. This aligns with the growing trend of sustainable fashion practices. I concur with the idea of hosting a 'Trading Party' or donating items to a tax-deductible charity as effective ways to repurpose clothing responsibly.
Kate Leser's tips on analyzing one's lifestyle pie and keeping only items in the most flattering colors provide a strategic and personalized approach to wardrobe curation. The emphasis on face shape and body silhouette determining clothing styles is a nuanced perspective that demonstrates a deep understanding of fashion psychology.
Categorizing clothes according to type, occasion, length, and color is a practical step that facilitates quick and efficient mixing and matching. The advice from professional celebrity organizer Jill Pollack aligns with industry best practices for closet organization.
Finally, the article recommends investing in closet organizers such as shelving, baskets, boxes, and bins to maximize space. This resonates with my expertise, as I often advise clients to explore various organizational tools based on their specific needs and budget.
In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive guide to making mornings easier by organizing your clothes. It incorporates expert advice and practical tips, providing a holistic approach to closet management and organization.
