3.29.2012

Operation Organized Closet

On Tuesday, I was over at Living Savvy sharing some closet organization tips.  Just in case you missed the post, I thought I would share it here today, as I think it's really important to keep this an organized space plus it's about time you did some spring cleaning.

Before you jump the gun and start color coding your closet, take a deep breath and let's chat.  Color coding is great and all, but should not be your first step.  First and foremost, you must de-clutter.   You need to be able to see your selection of pieces.  Having a jam packed closet can end up being more stressful than you would think and leads to those, "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!" moments.  With a great selection of basic pieces, you can mix and match and wear them different ways.

I am beyond guilty of holding on to pieces that I just might wear again.  Newsflash: you probably won't.  Sorry, I'm dishing out some tough love today.  You'll thank me later...maybe. I haven't grown since probably the 8th grade so I kept everything.  If you're stuck on this part.  After wearing a piece from your closet, when you hang it up, turn the hanger the other way so you're getting a better sense of what you're wearing and what you're not wearing.  Reassess every few months.  Then it's time to donate! Find a family member or friend that you can give some of pieces to because it's so nice to see someone getting wear out of your old clothes and then donate the rest!

 {so much neutral}

Organize based on type of clothing: sleeveless tops, short sleeve blouses, long sleeve blouses, basic tops, cardigans, chunky knits, etc.  Once you have organized by types of pieces, then you can organize by color.  Two good things come from this: you can find a very specific piece easily and you can see what you have too much of or too little of in your closet.  For example, after organizing this way, I learned that my idea of adding color to my wardrobe is only buying blue and pink,  I have WAY too many grey and neutral chunky knit sweaters and that all of my tank tops are prints.

{just a handful, see what I mean}

 
 {pretty set on prints but could use more solid pieces}

How I can apply my organizing to shopping [this would obviously be different for you]:
I should not buy another grey or neutral sweater for quite some time.  I should invest in more colorful pieces, not blue though, and also find some more solid color pieces because those are what I could mix and match and layer.

Ways to vary how you wear pieces:
Tuck in an oversize blouse that you normally wear with leggings, add a belt, wear a different necklace or scarf, roll up the sleeves on a sweater or blouse, pair unexpected patterns,
and layer, layer, layer!

 It has been so much easier for me to get ready in the morning, and I hope you have the same results.



21 comments:

Gaby [The Vault Files] said...

Great post!! When we head back home later this year my closet needs a HUGE clean-up, so many clothes in storage for so long, that's not good!
I love how a color coordinated closet looks but it doesn't work for me (I only do it for my lingerie), I like to organize my clothes by type: short sleeves, sleeveless, long sleeves, sweaters.. ;)

Lindsey Anne | pinklet and c said...

This is a great post! Organizing closets is one of my favorite things to do, haha! I have been helping a lt of people organize their closest lately and now mine needs an overhaul! All great tips that you shared!

christin said...

wanna come organize my closet? it's a disaster. also, everything i own is white, cream or black.

Susan said...

Thank you for the advice! I'm definitely going to take all of this into account when I go back home and have a huge closet purge!

pam {simple details} said...

That project so needs to move to the top of my priority list, maybe I'll find something to wear! Thanks for the inspiration!

Tamra {ever swoon} said...

Great tips! Spring cleaning is on my to do list and I'm actually somewhat excited to dive in!

Katie {Miss Dixie} said...

you are so on my wavelength right now! I've been cleaning and organizing all week. Not fun but so worth it. Love these tips!

Julie and Lauren said...

LOVE the color coordination. I need to get better at that!!! Organization is my weakness :(

Lisa said...

This is all such good advice! I recently switched out my winter and summer clothes, but some of these summer things definitely need to be cleaned out! Thanks for the tips/motivation!

TheWhitList said...

I clean out my closet about twice a year for exactly the reasons you said. I never know what I have when I can barely get in to see what's already hanging. I try to use the rule that if I haven't worn it in a year (or two sometimes) then it goes. De-cluttering is the best feeling.

Anonymous said...

I definitely tend to buy similar pieces & after purchasing the same 5 tops or whatever, I then realize umm these all look the same! Ha! When I moved back to TX it was the PERFECT time to go through alllll my stuff and even if I liked something but had only worn it once (or never!) in the past 2 years, I put it in the giveaway pile. One of my teacher friends who's a bit older than me came over & was able to take almost everything and they were all great/appropriate pieces for school :)

The Peak of Tres Chic said...

I am loving your tips! I always need inspiration when it comes to organization. I agree- getting rid of what you don't wear is the first step!

viv said...

Love these pointers! I'm with you on the not buying any more neutral colored sweaters for some time.

Drew {Coral Cafe} said...

These are such great tips! I'm switching over the wardrobes next week and this is so helpful! Especially turning the hanger a different direction to show which pieces you actually wear! Thanks for making the switch more bearable!

Julia - the Urban Slant said...

will you PLEASE clean out my closet next week? K thanks.

Alexa said...

I am so not organized...but this might inspire me!

Laura said...

I've just recently done this and it helps so much! I still have lots more to let go of though...it's so hard!

Laura xo

Samantha said...

I am hoping to do this to my closet in the next few weeks - at the request of my boyfriend - as I've booted him to the guest room closet :) I need to evaluate what I do have and rid a lot of clothes I haven't worn since I graduated college a year and a half ago!

Caitlin C. said...

Great advice!! My closet is BEGGING for me to organize it. New follower :)

la petite fashionista said...

I did some majo closet overhaul the past couple of months, working full time definitely puts new perspective on clothes because 5 days a week you have to be work appropriate!

Xoxo

Tracy Davis said...

Love this post. I just got rid of 3 bags of clothes and while I follow some of these tips already I loved seeing more things I can add to my ogranization mission!