If you’re like me, you store your off-season clothes until the weather changes. Not only does this maximize space in your closet, but it helps preserve the clothes while keeping your closet more organized. Changing over your closet may be a process you dread, which is why I recommend the following article from Apartment Therapy:
How to Do a Closet Inventory (And Why You Should)
The article has great tips on taking inventory while you changeover your closet. Basically, it all comes down to keeping the items you actually wear and donating the ones you don’t love. Also, it encourages you to keep a tally on the types of clothing you have so that you can make more informed purchases in the future. For example, maybe you have a ton of sweaters but could use a few more pairs of versatile pants.
In addition to the article, here are a few tips of my own that I hope are helpful:
1. A closet changeover is a process, you don’t have to do it all at once. I take great care of my clothes when putting them in off-season storage, so the process can be overwhelming if I don’t do it in steps. For example, I wipe down all my shoes with a baby wipe before storing them until next summer to keep them clean while they’re not being used. This can take some time, so I will schedule time to get it out of the way.
2. Have a system that works. I use a clear plastic bin for my off-season shoes and find that it is the easiest way to store them. For my clothes I use garment storage bags from Bed, Bath, & Beyond. They’re inexpensive, keep the dust out, and are compact enough to store under your bed or in a closet.
3. Only keep what you love. Much like what the article talks about, it’s very important to only keep items that actually fit you and that you like. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned how important it is to only keep and buy items you’ll wear for years to come. I no longer buy something just because it’s a good price, it has to fit me well and I have to need it. If you haven’t worn something all season, you probably don’t like it as much as you thought. Make a pile of those clothes and donate them to Good Will.
4. Do a cost analysis of “keeping over parting” with an item. If the item is quality but doesn’t fit right, it may be more reasonable to just get it tailored verses replacing it. Last year I had several pairs of pants that fit me well everywhere but were a tad too long. Before I went out and bought new pants, I decided it was significantly cheaper just to have them tailored. Keep this in mind when deciding what to keep and what to donate.
5. This is a good opportunity to create a closet organization system tailored to you. I’d love to give you the perfect guide to a well kept closet, but it changes from person to person. Some people may tell you to color code, but I don’t think it’s necessary (and also it makes me feel guilty for having so much blue, which I keep in mind when taking inventory). I hang items by type – dresses, skirts, blouses, button downs, polos, etc., and I fold clothes in drawers specific to that item – pants, jeans, sweaters, workout clothes, etc. It may take time, but figuring out what works best for you will help keep an organized closet for years to come.
