Although many will have used the lockdown to organise their homes, most of us still make the most of this time of year to have a good old clear out. This is especially true of our wardrobes. It can be easy to just throw things in there without any thought for tidiness, but over time, this can cause a lot of clutter and mess.
Keeping your wardrobe in tip top shape could help you in taking better care of your clothing and realising just how much you actually have in your repertoire. Having a tidy closet can also help in getting more wear out of your current collection too.
So whether you’re hoarding old clothes or in desperate need of some organisation, we’ve got a few easy to follow tips on how to get your wardrobe sorted this January.
Out With The Old
First, take everything out of your wardrobe and throw it on the bed or the floor. This will show you just how much you actually have. Then divide your pile into items you want to keep and items you no longer wear.
A good tip on deciding what clothing to keep is to think whether or not you have worn the item over the past 12 months. If the answer is no, it may be time to get rid.
If you’re getting rid of items, don’t just throw them away. Donate, swap or sell your old clothes. One person’s junk is another person’s gold, so don’t just write something off because you no longer want it.
Choose Your Organisation Style
There are a number of ways in which you can organise your clothing:
- By Season
Dividing your clothing dependent on which season you most often wear it can be a great tactic in organising your pieces. Keep winter jumpers, jackets and coats in one section and t-shirts and shorts in another. You could even store away your winter pieces during the summer months and vice versa, creating more space within your wardrobe.
- By Item
Another way in which to divide up your closet is by item. So for example, keeping all your tees in one part of your wardrobe and your trousers/bottoms in another section. This can make it easier to choose items when you’re getting dressed, which is especially helpful when you’re rushing around on a morning.
- By Colour or Pattern
You could also organise by colour, by keeping bright and bold shades in one section of your wardrobe, then go onto lights and neutrals, then onto darks. Or another similar tactic is to divide them into plain and patterned pieces.
- By Use
Many people choose to divide their clothing via use. You can do this by keeping your work clothing in one section, your gym clothes in another and then your loungewear and then your formal pieces.
- By Outfits
Some may find it easier to group their items into outfits or matching styles. If you love keeping your look coordinated then pairing your pieces could help save you time each morning.
Try and opt for the one that fits your lifestyle. One that is easy to maintain that will help make your life that little bit easier. Once you have settled on a style, you can then begin to organise your items via your chosen method.
Accessories
Accessories are probably the most annoying when it comes to organisation. Belts, hats and scarves can easily become knotted or tangled. Why not pair your accessories with your clothing? For example, wrap a belt around a hanger with your jeans or place a scarf around a matching top. This way your accessories won’t get messy and are easier to find when choosing what to wear.
Another great way to keep them organised is to put storage boxes into your closet, separated via the item type. This way, you can keep all your accessories grouped together, making them easier to find. If you don’t want to use boxes, handbags can be used as an alternative.
Remember –
If you use boxes or bags for your accessories, be sure to roll up your belts before storing them away to prevent them from getting tangled.
Bags
Bags can take up quite a lot of space within a wardrobe, so our tip here is to put your smaller bags inside your larger bags. This will save a tonne of space. Then, use your coat hangers to hang your bags similar to how you would hang your clothing. This will keep your bags easy to spot rather than on the floor of your wardrobe where they can become hidden away.
Footwear
Shoes can be a nightmare when it comes to keeping your wardrobe organised. Consider a shoe rack that fits inside your wardrobe, or clear a shelf and dedicated solely for footwear. Your shoes can be organised similar to your clothing, for example via style, use, colour or season.
For more tips and tricks, be sure to keep an eye out for future blog posts from us here at Hurleys. Or why not take a look at some of our previous posts? You’ll find plenty of style advice from our expert team. Whether it’s the latest designer menswear looks or how to wear this season’s must have womens designer clothing, you’ll find a wealth of knowledge on our blog!