Clean Out Your Closet

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Before you splurge on new items, bust the clutter in your closet. Wardrobe organisation is vital at this time of the year; here’s how you can make the most of your space and clothes.

The first and most important step when you attempt to reclaim an ‘out of control’ wardrobe is to be 100 per cent honest with yourself. Be ruthless. Nevertheless, getting on top of things doesn’t need to turn into a tear fest. Make a day, or weekend, of it. Stay in. Get it done in one go.

Rule of thumb
The four piles you need to create around the room, in whatever space is left after you’ve taken everything out of the cupboard, drawers and bins, and off hangers, are: Keep; Store; Donate; Throw. The titles speak for themselves, but here’s a clearer picture.

You keep what you use regularly. You store what’s not meant for the season. You will donate what you haven’t used in the recent past and will not use in the near future. You will throw out anything that doesn’t suit any of the categories. This includes pairs of socks with a million holes; ripped, burnt and irreparable clothes; and anything that has been in the “I’ll find a way to use it” pile for the past three years.

Organisation frenzy
Following one method of folding is the trick to neat closets. Arrangement is the next step to maximising wardrobe flexibility. Divide them by type (tops, bottoms, etc.) that go into the main sections of innerwear (inclusive of socks) and your regular clothes.

It’s best to set aside your lingerie and socks in a drawer of a sideboard. Clothes, however, should be divided into ‘work wear’, ‘casual’, ‘dressy’ and ‘at home’. In each of these columns, keep the tops together and the bottoms together. Hang up your dresses, cardigans, jackets and coats. If it’s jam-packed in there, then ‘colour code’ your hangers so you will know where to look. Sweaters and hoodies could be kept in the space below.

Those who want to go overboard and have a celebrity-style closet can follow the pantone in each segment. It looks so much neater and does not take much effort. It also makes putting an outfit together easier than it’ll ever be.

A little investment
Install hooks and racks for your accessories. This section includes everything from belts, scarves and gloves to bags, shoes and hats. I suggest using a separate drawer for scarves and for belts. Gloves and hats get a different compartment.
Shoes and bags require a lot of care if you need them to last for longer periods. Never stuff them altogether in a tiny cabinet. Get similar hangers (in different colours if you’d like to sort by colour).

Your earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings require different boxes. You can find ones with numerous columns and dividers in any home décor outlet. Jewellery and watches ought to be stored in safes. Through all of this, keep one thing in mind – you will never wear what you don’t see.