A disorganised wardrobe can be a cause of stress for many, making what should be the simple task of choosing an outfit unnecessarily difficult.
By following these eight essential steps to wardrobe organisation, you can create a streamlined, stylish and functional clothing collection. This not only simplifies your daily routine but also helps you to truly express your style.
Consult With a Styling for Colour Analysis, Body Shape and Style Personality
Diving headfirst into your wardrobe overhaul, it’s crucial to begin with confidence in the basics. I recommend finding out your colours, your body shape and style personality. Knowing this information arms you with everything you need to build upon. You won’t be wondering what suits you and what doesn’t, you will know exactly what colours to work with, what shapes and textures, and what styles represent and flatter your body and personality.
Clear Out Your Wardrobe Completely
The grand clear-out is the next crucial step in your wardrobe organisation journey. This is the moment where you make space for the clothes that best reflect your style personality, colour palette and body shape. Begin by completely emptying your wardrobe, allowing you a full overview of the clothing you’ve been accumulating. It’s an opportunity to appraise each item honestly – did it bring you joy or was it relegated to the back, forgotten?
Remember, if a garment hasn’t seen the light of day in over a year, it’s probably not going to make the cut. Be ruthless here. Anything that no longer complements your style, body shape or colour palette, deserves a new home. This might feel a bit daunting initially, but once you start, you’ll likely find it liberating. You’re making room for the clothes that make you feel most ‘you’.
This isn’t about discarding items indiscriminately. Some pieces might hold sentimental value or be potential hand-me-downs. In such cases, consider storage solutions or even passing them on to a loved one.
By the end of this step, you’ll have created space, both physically in your wardrobe and mentally in your mind, for a collection that genuinely represents your style. It’s an empowering feeling, knowing that everything in your wardrobe is something you truly want to wear. The next step? Building a capsule wardrobe that will streamline your style even further. But for now, celebrate the progress you’ve made and the clarity you’ve gained from this clear-out.
Create a Capsule Wardrobe
Having carried out a rigorous clear-out, the next exhilarating phase of your wardrobe journey awaits: crafting a streamlined capsule wardrobe. The essence of a capsule wardrobe lies in the harmony of a small, meticulously chosen collection of garments that reflect your style personality, body shape and colour palette. Each piece in this wardrobe will play a crucial role in your outfit ensembles, serving as a favourite that you are always eager to wear.
Creating a capsule wardrobe might initially appear as a daunting endeavour, but in reality, it’s an exercise in minimalism and intentionality. Begin by identifying the timeless basics that form the foundation of your outfits. These could be a crisp white shirt, a pair of well-fitted jeans, or perhaps a little black dress – the kind of pieces that effortlessly mix and match, laying the groundwork for countless outfit combinations.
Then comes the fun part. Mix in the clothes that lend your style its unique flavour. These could be statement pieces in your favourite colours, a silhouette that flatters your figure, or garments that align with your style personality. Here, quality trumps quantity. Invest in items that are not only durable but also truly cherished.
With a capsule wardrobe, you’re not merely decluttering; you’re curating a collection that simplifies your life, shaving off those precious morning minutes spent in indecision. It’s like having your own personal styling menu to choose from, one that’s designed solely for you.
Embrace this step of your organisational journey as the exciting transition it is – from a cluttered wardrobe to a wardrobe that’s a testament to your style, a palette of your personality. Up next, we delve into the art of categorising your clothes. But for now, envision the refined, efficient and stylish capsule wardrobe that awaits you.
Categories Your Clothes
Now, with a well-curated capsule wardrobe in place, it’s time to implement the categorising system, a surefire way to maintain your wardrobe’s streamlined aesthetic and function. This step is all about optimising your wardrobe space, ensuring that each piece is easily accessible and visibly appealing.
Start by separating your clothes into different categories based on their function: workwear, casual wear, evening wear, workout gear, and so forth. This step will streamline your dressing routine, enabling you to easily pinpoint the clothes that fit the occasion.
Next, consider further subdividing these categories based on the type of clothing item. This could mean grouping all your shirts together, all your trousers in one place, or all your dresses hanging side by side. This system not only helps you effortlessly locate a specific item but also allows you to better coordinate outfits.
If you want to take your organisation up another notch, consider colour-coding within these subdivisions. Arrange your clothes from light to dark or according to the colour wheel. This visual aid can inspire your outfit choices, encouraging you to experiment with new colour combinations and ultimately, unlock your full style potential.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. Feel free to play around with different categorising systems until you find the one that works best for you. After all, the essence of this journey is about creating a wardrobe that not only reflects your personal style but also complements your lifestyle.
With the categorisation completed, we’re ready for the next stage – investing in storage solutions. But for now, enjoy the sense of order and ease your categorised wardrobe brings to your daily routine.
Invest in Storage Solutions
Every wardrobe whisperer knows that storage solutions are the secret sauce to maintaining an organised wardrobe. Consider this step as the backstage crew to your wardrobe’s theatre production – unseen but indispensable. Whether it’s those petite items that always seem to get lost in the chaos, or your precious silk blouses that need special care, having the right storage tools can make all the difference.
Have you ever been frustrated by unruly socks, tangled scarves, or missing earrings? Cue drawer organisers, the game-changing solution to keep your smaller items in check. Available in various shapes and sizes, they’re the perfect answer to declutter your drawers and keep everything from underwear to accessories neatly compartmentalised.
Hangers, albeit often overlooked, are pivotal in maintaining the shape and longevity of your garments. Opt for sturdy, non-slip hangers to avoid those annoying clothing avalanches whenever you’re rummaging for that perfect outfit. Space-saving velvet hangers or wooden ones with wide arms for suits and coats are excellent options to keep your hanging clothes in their best form.
Out-of-season clothes or items worn occasionally need their own special corner. Enter storage boxes – the perfect home for your festive jumpers or swimwear when they’re off duty. Keep these boxes in a less frequently accessed area of your wardrobe, ensuring your in-season clothes are front and centre.
Remember, the essence of storage solutions is to make your life easier. So, before you invest, consider your wardrobe’s layout and your personal preferences. What works for others may not work for you. So, feel free to experiment and find your bespoke storage system that keeps your wardrobe organised and your style impeccably presented. Let’s move onto the next step – rotating your seasonal items! But for now, enjoy the transformative power of smart storage.
Rotate Seasonal Items
In a truly organised wardrobe, you’ll find that it’s not just about what you see, but also about what you don’t see. If you’re living in a location with pronounced seasonal changes, there’s no point in having a chunky knit jumper taking up valuable space in your wardrobe in the middle of summer, or a breezy sundress amidst your winter gear. So, the magic word here is rotation.
As the seasons change, so should your wardrobe. Make it a habit to rotate your clothing as a new season arrives. Begin by storing away the clothes that are no longer relevant to the upcoming climate.
Think of it as a small farewell ceremony for your past season’s favourites. Tuck them away in your storage boxes, preserving them for their time to shine again.
Next, bring out your clothes that are appropriate for the upcoming season. As you do this, you might just feel a surge of excitement – it’s like welcoming back old friends, and rediscovering pieces you might have forgotten about.
This rotation process is more than a space-saving hack. It’s also a wonderful way to keep your wardrobe fresh and exciting, giving you the feeling of having a ‘new’ collection each season without actually having to shop for new clothes. Plus, it ensures that the clothes in your main wardrobe area are always pertinent to the current weather and trends.
So, let the rotation begin! As we move onto the next step – maintaining regular maintenance – remember to keep your wardrobe timely and relevant, keeping it an ever-evolving testament to your personal style.
Maintain Regular Maintenance
Keeping your wardrobe in check doesn’t end once you’ve organised it. Just like a garden, it needs regular tending to keep it flourishing. Imagine your wardrobe as a dynamic space that needs attention and care to stay effective. It’s about nurturing the hard work you’ve put into creating a space that’s a reflection of your style.
Schedule a bit of ‘wardrobe time’ into your routine, be it weekly or monthly, based on what suits your lifestyle. Use this time to spruce up your space, rearrange anything that’s out of place, and refold any clothes that have lost their neat stacks. It’s a small commitment that goes a long way in maintaining an organised and user-friendly wardrobe.
But maintenance isn’t just about tidiness. It’s also about ensuring your clothes are in their prime. Use these regular check-ins to inspect your clothes for any wear and tear, and attend to any necessary repairs. Spot a stain that needs removal? Don’t delay, tackle it straight away!
Keeping your clothes in their best condition not only extends their lifespan but also ensures they always look their best on you.
Regular maintenance of your wardrobe is like a mini review session. It allows you to reacquaint yourself with your clothing, rediscover forgotten gems, and perhaps reassess pieces that no longer align with your style. It keeps your wardrobe from becoming a static space and transforms it into an evolving expression of your personal style.
So, pencil in that regular ‘wardrobe time’ and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from keeping your clothing collection ship-shape and stylish. As we venture into the next step, remember, an organised wardrobe is not a one-time achievement, but a continual process of refinement and care.
Taking the plunge into wardrobe organisation might appear overwhelming initially, but by adopting these eight fundamental steps, you can successfully convert your clothing chaos into an efficient, aesthetic and personalised space.
The objective here isn’t to craft a flawless wardrobe, but a bespoke one that’s tailor-made for you, a space that truly echoes your individual style and complements your lifestyle. So, embark on this transformation journey with a dash of excitement and a sprinkle of determination. After all, you’re not just organising a wardrobe; you’re creating a space that celebrates your style and facilitates your daily routines.
So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to transform your wardrobe into your own personal style hub. Happy wardrobe organising!