It just rained again today and that means a new season is approaching. This is a good time to organise your closet before the summer sets in. As the weather warms up and certain items do not excite you or the clothes do not go well with your other pieces, let go!
Pull out everything from your closet
Toss out all your clothes and even shoes out so you can see every piece you own down to the last underwear. This is the first step to get rid of those old black leggings, and then say hello to your exciting floral shirts and track pants. Your objective here is to see your excessively useless pieces.
Purging is good
Do a reality check and figure out which items you have no use for anymore. Create three piles: for keeps – are items you cannot live without; ready-to-share collection – are used items you don’t need but will definitely be enjoyed by others; and recyclable clothing – are clothes that are no longer usable and not appropriate to give away but can be used for rags.
Box things up
Cleaning your closet may somehow feel like a cathartic experience. You are aware that your shopping habits do not let all your clothes fit into the closet, and yet you are not ready to say goodbye. Just pack up the stuff you are absolutely not going to wear this season (jackets, knitted shirts, sweaters, etc.) in clear storage boxes and tuck it in a place where it does not get in the way and pull ‘em out six months later.
Use nostalgia to your advantage
One of Marie Kondo’s, a Japanese organising consultant also known as KonMari, methods is to make sure that everything you own makes you feel great. Gather each piece of your clothing and ask yourself, does this colour make you happy? Isn’t this pair of pants look baggy on you? The shirt was on sale, but is it really the most arm flattering? It is simple, keep the ones that make you happy and feel great.
Categorise your clothing
All your shirts, dresses, pants, or sportswear should go together. For example, separate casual shirts from special going out shirts and work shirts from fancy pairs. You can also keep them according to colour, type of material or the length of their sleeves. This organising technique will help you in quick mixing and matching your outfit for the day with killer colour combinations.
Invest in shelves and closet bins
Since you will be packing the bulky sweaters away, now you will have more space and you can work on your summer items. The fun stuff gets the light of the day and there will be more breathing spaces in between. Get space-saving, multiple-layered hangers and buy closet dividers for shelving such as baskets, boxes or bins. These will not only make your life easier but will also protect your clothes from crease or stains.
Learn the fold
Several department stores use standardised folding methods that make every item on the rack look so neat and it gives you the illusion of the relaxing feeling when you bring home your purchase. Yes, you need to learn how to fold and no, folding does not drown you. KonMari even thinks that folding clothes are better than hanging them in closet. Her special technique is the vertical fold, where you make a long rectangle, and then fold from the bottom up into a little package. Then line your items in neat rows inside your drawers.
If just opening your closet in the morning makes you feel good then you have done everything right.
