Don’t know about you, but my wardrobe is not organised at all.
It’s a jumble, a mish-mash of bargain buys and one or two classic faves that may or may not have exceeded the household budget.
Table of Contents
Time to follow some tips for an organised closet
Anyway, we will be moving soon, so I need to get more organised and I’ve been thinking about easy ways to to do it.
It has to be easy for me, this much I know is true, so I’m passing on my thoughts to you today but as always I’m assuming you have some fab tips too – please share them with us in the comments, won’t you?
Wardrobe Tips
I hate that feeling of “I have nothing, absolutely nothing suitable to wear today.” Of course I have plenty, it’s just not organised properly and I couldn’t find it if I wanted to!
Knowing, and being able to easily see what you have to wear is key to dressing quickly and well. Don’t you hate those times when a whole lot of garments end up on the bed and you wonder why in hell’s carnation you bought them in the first place?
So to begin …
Step 1 means sifting through your clothes and what better time to do it than right now?
Go on, chuck them ALL on the bed.
If you can’t see what’s in your wardrobe because it’s all tumbled together in drawers and scrunched up on the rail, then you’re probably not going to wear it.
I shove hangers closer together to get to hidden garments. I know. I know. Not recommended.
I’ve scrunched too hard … And the whole rail fell down once.
So …
Here’s what I’m going to do.
Toss out anything that doesn’t fit, hasn’t been worn in 12 months, or that’s damaged.
Right now this looks like 75% of my wardrobe, because generally we gravitate to the clothes we love the most, and we mostly find that these are the garments we wear most of the time.
Yes or No?
So … go on … have a clear out.
- Ask yourself: If I saw this in a shop today, would I still buy it?
- Does this piece of clothing still make me feel GREAT?
- If an item doesn’t fit, was expensive, isn’t soiled and isn’t damaged – then sell it.
- If an item is clean, was perhaps a bargain buy, just doesn’t suit you anymore and looks nearly new – then give it to Salvos
- If an item is soiled or marked, if it’s underwear, or if it’s a garment that looks out of shape – then toss it or use it as a rag.
Need more tips on Wardrobe Editing – Try this post 13 Wardrobe editing tips at Styling You
Organising your closet
- Try to hang your pants, tops, T’s, cardigans in batches and colour – ie put white T’s together, blue jeans, black pants etc.
- If you can, hang as many of your clothes as possible – the more you can see, the more you’ll wear.
- Fold, don’t hang heavy woollen items like jumpers and cardigans – or they’ll lose their shape.
- Scarves – fold them neatly in a drawer. Your could separate them using cheap napkin rings. It’s easier than having them take up space on hangers, and sliding off.
- Shoes – buy a shoe rack (preferably two layered) to sit under your shorter clothes – as in tops and short jackets.
I think if you have an outfit that works, then keep it as an ensemble – as in a pair of pants, a top, a scarf, a jacket or cardi. If you ‘borrow’ an item from the ensemble then put it back once you’ve worn and washed it. Take quick selfies of yourself wearing various outfits that work so that you’ll remember what goes with what. (Very Kate Middleton, don’t you think 😉
I need you help
Which of the following ‘almost made it’ outfits should I chuck?
Number 1 or 2 in each picture? Or all of them?
You’d really be doing me a favour if you can help.
For more wardrobe and style tips you might also like:
How to Update Your Wardrobe (for a new stage of life)
Super Wardrobe and Style Tips for women over 45
Do you have any wardrobe or style tips you’d like to share? Please leave a comment if you do 🙂
Oh and don’t forget to help me with what I should chuck out above.
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Great tips. Id throw out the dark coloured dress. You look much fresher in the other outfits. I really enjoyed your site and I really enjoyed being able to vote on your outfits. That was fun. I’m off to sort out the mess I call a wardrobe. thanks
I would keep the dark dress and the orange top with white jeans. They all look nice on you
Thanks for your opinion 🙂
I try and do a big clothes reorganise about once a year and I’m well overdue for one now with clothes piled up in a washing basket waiting to be sorted and all mixed up in the drawers and wardrobe, so thanks for reminding me! I’m fine with selling or giving away clothes, but I cannot bare to throw them out or turn them into rags, no matter how old and boggity they’ve become. I once sold a whole bunch of clothes and other things at the Melville Markets, but I think ebay would be much less hassle, if only for the fact you don’t have to get up at 3am to reserve a patch of carpark!
Getting up at 3am sounds like hardwork to me too Bonny. Back in the day I used to do garage and car boot sales, but as you say, Gumtree is the easiest modern way 🙂
I’m a bit like you Jo. I have far too many clothes and although I start off having them colour coded, after a while they become a jumble of mixed colours. I did recently throw out a heap of Summer dresses and I managed to sell a couple of the better ones on eBay. If I have vote for which items to throw out I would go for no.2 top and pants and no. 1 dress. Not that they look that bad!
Kudos to you to selling some dresses on eBay, Kathy. Thanks for your votes on the items I should chuck 🙂
I think dress no 1, and the top (orange) in number 2. Doesn’t matter though you made me choose. I am ridiculously organised in my wardrobe it’s all colour coded x
Thanks Rae 🙂 Wow impressed I think I need to come round to you and have a lesson or two. When can you fit me in 😉
Ciao Jo, like you I’ve culled many times due to moving house, then last year I discovered project 333 (lots of clips about it on YouTube) and I’ve not looked back. A smaller wardrobe, curated so that everything works together, has been liberating. Oh and your tip about hanging as many clothes as you can, that works for me too.
My votes are for 1 and 1 from the photos. Hope that helps.
Thanks Jenny! I’m going to have a look at project 333 sounds great! Also thank you for your ‘chuck it’ tips … think I’m going to need to put more up 😉
Interesting, thank you 🙂
Thanks Muza-chan!
Hi Jo
Wonderful info. I have recently done this in my wardrobe but found some of your tips, I had not considered, very helpful.
I like all your outfits. If you need to toss one I would choose Dress no. 1
thanks for sharing.
Tina xxxx
Hi Tina, Thanks for visiting 🙂 Glad you found some of the tips helpful and thank you for your advice on which outfit to toss 🙂 righto! Look forward to welcoming you back sometime xx