IN OR OUT THE CLOSET
I’m obligated to update my wardrobe regularly as a follower of fashion. Worrying? No, a conscious decision. Fashion is my passion. My motto is that a day without shopping is a day without having lived. My only worry is giving those new must-haves a spot in my closet. Every season that means a thorough clean up, throw away, and reorganise session. But how to do this? How?
Which basically comes down to, yes, completely removing the contents of your closet, and then scrubbing all your shelves with something like Ajax, Jif or mister Proper (such a scary, puffed up man. But anyway…). Keep the season in mind when you’re reorganising. Things that you won’t be wearing soon should go to the upper shelves or keep them in your storage.
Collect everything you plan to put in your closet (for example on your bed), and make sure you’ve got a long mirror to your disposal, and see whether you really still like that Gucci dress from three years ago. Perhaps there are still clothes and shoes you haven’t worn in ages. Throw them away! This is the moment to create some order. It’s a fact that we hardly wear all the contents from our closet. Such a waste of precious space, right? Okay, I admit, it requires some discipline, but try to ignore a couple of annoying thoughts when you’re starting with all of this.Such as:
* Perhaps, soon, there’s an occasion at which I do want to wear it
If you haven’t worn something for a couple of seasons, say goodbye. You can try to sell expensive designer clothing (www.designer-vintage.com).
* It might fit soon.
Trust me, when you finally fit those jeans from three years ago you’ll be in need of a different fit.
* How ‘me’ is this?
There are phases in your life that your look is in need of a change. Subject yourself to a critical examination from time to time or ask a reliable friend to advise you.
* Perhaps it’ll come back in fashion?
Undeniably, but when that happens you’re probably too old for it.
Invest in good (wooden) hangers. It’s a one-time investment, looks neat, and besides, it doesn’t change the fit of your clothing. Cedar wood is the most ideal – since it prevents moth holes – but there’s nothing wrong with a cheaper version from Ikea or Blokker.
- It’s best to fold and store away your knitted tops. Knits, especially the heavier ones, quickly lose their shape if you hang it on a hanger.
- Hang similar things together. So vests with vests, skirts with skirts, jackets with jackets. I also try to colour sort everything: pastels grouped, black on a pile, etc…
- Try to not stuff. Your clothing needs the space to not crinkle. It’s also handy to button up jackets and blouses to make sure it keeps its shape.
- Put stretchers in your shoes after you’ve taken them off. The fit stays like new.
- A great advantage to all of this is that it’s much easier to decide on what to wear in the morning. You can see what you’ve got and what to wear in one go because everything that hangs in your closet is okay. Besides, you’ll probably have space left after throwing out all the junk.
- Finally: store all your washed or dry-cleaned clothing that you won’t be wearing this season in covers or boxes. An anti moth strip might also be useful when it’s wool.
- Write what’s inside on a nice label. It makes it easier to take out the box again. You can also take a polaroid of the items.
