There is no time like the present for you to soothe your organisational woes and get your wardrobe looking ship-shape. Tempting as it is to put off a much-needed spring clean until, well, the spring, the fresh slate presented by a brand-new year is too good an opportunity to pass up. Crank up your decluttering skills, stat.
Hello! Fashion shares our top tips for organising your wardrobe:
1. Everything should have a place
Obvious perhaps, but aren't we all guilty of each having a version of 'the chair', aka our personalised sartorial dumping ground. Resist the temptation by carving out a specific place for each of your items. For instance, in your wardrobe group your coats, jumpers, shirts, going-out tops, skirts, dresses and trousers into separate sections and hang them from left to right so that you know exactly where to target your efforts when you should have left the house half an hour ago.
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2. Colour coordination
When hanging pieces up in your wardrobe we recommend that you stick to a strict colour system. As previously mentioned, group your clothing into categories, and then within those, take the rainbow approach. Follow the ROYGBIV acronym (grouping white and black items either side), for maximum wardrobe clarity.
3. Indulge in some TLC
There's absolutely zero point in investing in your wardrobe and curating a killer selection if you aren't going to take care of your pieces. We're certainly not saying you need to save things for best – by all means, throw on the Manolos for the dog walk if that's your vibe – but pay attention to how the correct storage can help your pieces last longer. Packing your handbags with stuffing helps them keep their shape, storing your shoes in their original boxes avoids unnecessary wear and tear, and cedarwood is excellent for keeping the moths well away from your cashmere.
4. Visibility is key
"I like my money where I can see it – hanging in my closet," Carrie Bradshaw famously said, and we couldn't agree more. Where possible, hang your clothes up rather than having them piled away in the depths of a drawer because a better display gives you a better chance of remembering what you actually own.
5. The seasonal approach
Much as it pains us to admit, we will not be needing a pair of micro shorts between the months of October and April. Seriously, no amount of optimism will change that. Pack away your backless halters and thong-style sandals for the winter months to make room for your plush scarves and thigh-high boots.
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6. To hang, or not to hang?
As a rule, hanging pieces in your wardrobe is better for visibility, but it is important to know which fabrics are best kept folded. Crease-prone fabrics such as satin, silk and linen should definitely be hung to avoid unnecessary ironing, whereas super stretchy fabrics and heavyweight knits could become misshapen. Never, ever keep the hanger from the shop – the horrible, flimsy pieces of plastic are a complete waste of space. Instead opt for sturdy wood versions for your outerwear and for everything else, go for non-slip (rubber-coated or velvet will do) to ensure your mornings are stress-free.
7. The ultimate love story
Plenty of organisational experts will advise you to think long and hard about which pieces deserve a place in your wardrobe. This painstaking deliberation is almost always based on criteria surrounding both necessity and frequency of wear. Pragmatic perhaps, but ultimately a joyless approach. If your wardrobe is anything like ours, it is probably best described as an eclectic love story.
The uber-flattering flares your mum wore before she discovered she was pregnant, the cosy scarf purloined from a past love, and the luxury handbag that you pined after and bought with your first paycheck. You might not wear these pieces on the daily, but they are still more than worthy of a place in your wardrobe.
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