ORGANIZING YOUR WARDROBE
ORGANIZING YOUR WARDROBE
I have been organizing closets for well over 10 years. It is the essential first step before I shop for clients. Everyone should go through their closet twice a year and eliminate. In my opinion, it is a must to weed things out to make room for new pieces you want to add and get rid of what is worn, damaged, or you are no longer wearing. Having a well-organized closet obviously keeps everything neat and tidy which makes it impossible for things to go missing in your closet. Need your favorite black blazer? You will know exactly where it is every time! When you want to add pieces into your wardrobe you will have a much better idea of what you have so you don’t end up with five of the same item. And let’s just face it, a well-organized closet is just pretty to look at.
So, I am going to share my tips for organizing closets as well as some of my favorite tools I use when organizing my own closet as well as my client’s closets. Shopping links below for the items I reply on time and time again
First step is to separate your seasons. While I work through four seasons I usually only switch over a closet two times a year. Once in the spring, which will include summer and once in the fall which includes winter. Depending on your closet size you may have everything in one closet, while still separating your seasons, or utilize a guest bedroom closet or storage unit or whatever you need to keep the off-season items separate from the current season. When I switch for spring/summer as I am doing now, I may leave some pieces in that I can transition into the spring season even if they were for fall/winter and as the weather gets warmer I will gradually move them into the off-season closet. I do the same in the fall with spring/summer items. This way your closet only contains the clothing you are currently wearing. This makes it easier when you are getting dressed and also keeps your wardrobe looking fresh. Side note, when you bring in the new season’s clothes it is refreshing and like you just received a whole new wardrobe!
I usually organize from left to right having everything facing the front of the closet. There are occasions, because of how the closet is laid out, that it will be going from right to left to allow the items to be facing the front of the closet OR you can continue from left to right but not have everything facing the front of the closet. So, go with your preference.
I organize by category:
Tops
Knits
Blazers
Jackets
Shorts
Skirts
Pants
Jeans
Casual
Dresses
CLOTHING
Casual
I always take out the casual tees, sweats, workout wear or anything of that nature and place it in a separate section of the closet. Then I take the rest of the clothing: workwear, going out clothes etc. and organize those in the rest of the closet.
Tops & Dresses
I work from light to dark and from sleeveless to long-sleeved. So, for example I start with things like camisoles, next come sleeveless tops, cap sleeve, short sleeve, three quarter sleeves to long-sleeved. And within these I work from light to dark. I mix patterns in with the appropriate colors. For example, a black and white printed top would go after grey but before black, a pink floral top would go in the pink top section, a blue printed top will go with the blue tops and so on.
Bottoms
I place bottoms together by category. I usually put shorts and skirts by each other and then pants and jeans together but keeping the various categories separate. I organize these from light to dark as well.
Knits, Blazers & Jackets
For knits that I hang I organize them together again from light to dark and varying sleeve length as well as if it is a cardigan, shrug, sweater etc. then I put blazers in order by color and lastly jackets (leather, denim and so on). Depending on the space you have you can add knits behind tops and/or put jackets in a coat closet if needed.
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DAILY TAMARA
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Shoes
Just as I did with clothing I also suggest moving off season shoes to the back or top of the closet or to an off-season closet. I also keep all shoes in clear plastic boxes to keep them from getting dusty which also allows you to stack the shoes which makes it easier to display. If shoes go higher in the closet I take photos and put an adhesive photo on the box so it is easier to see (link below). Sneakers, flip fops and other throw on shoes I often keep at the bottom of the closet and not in boxes.
ACCESSORIES
Belts & Scarves
I usually hang these on belt and scarf hangers. For any belts that are too wide or can’t go on the hanger I roll up and put in a drawer. For scarves, I use that for silky decorative scarves not winter scarves.
Jewelry
As with all the other topics I have mentioned I take out any off-season jewelry and put it away. I have attached some great fixtures for organizing jewelry in a way that is easy and pretty. If you don’t like having your jewelry out in the closet you can get organizers for your drawers. Keeping jewelry organized will help when getting dressed and looking for a specific piece just like you would with clothes.
Purses
I keep current season purses out and use a separator to hold them into place. I also use clear storage chests (which I will mention blow) for larger bags that I am also using in a current season. Sometimes closets have a purse cabinet or extra drawers or other places to put their current season purses but if not I use the dividers and clear storage chests to keep bags accessible and where I can see them.
Sunglasses
I love sunglasses and have quite a few pair. I keep them in an organizer in a drawer (out of the cases) so I can see what they are easily.
Tights/Stockings/Socks/Undergarments
I like to use organizers in the drawers for anything that goes on your feet/legs. I do the same for bras and underwear.
Storage & Labels
For off season bags, jewelry, sweaters, cold weather, swimsuits and so on I use a variety of clear plastic zip up chests that come in sizes small to extra-large. I also use labels for the storage so you know what you put in which container in case it is higher up in the closet.
Adding some organization to your closet will make getting dressed so much easier and keep your closet looking beautiful. And once you have a good system and the right organizational tools it becomes so easy to swap from season-to-season. And if none of this is appealing to you then you can hire me to come organize your closet for you!
Happy Organizing!
XO!
Tamara