It doesn’t take a lot of money to have a fabulously functional closet.  Following are some tips and easy steps that will help you reclaim your closet today. 

Sort it

It has been said that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.  One of the reasons may be because we don’t know what we have in our wardrobe! 

It is time to go through your clothes.  Take everything out of your closet and sort it into five piles: trash, giveaway, alterations, store and closet. 

Trash

If you are wondering what to do with your beloved chocolate stained blouse or your yellowed armpit shirts, this pile is your answer.  Toss them! 

Giveaway

This pile is for clothes that you have not worn in at least a year.  If you have “rediscovered” a treasured piece, hang on to it.  However, if you still don’t wear it within the next year, get rid of it.  Also, get rid of clothing that does nothing for you.  An honest friend is a great aid for this process.  Each article of clothing should either add to your wardrobe, or be a new building block.  

Sort the giveaway pile into items either to distribute to people you know or to give to local charities who accept clothing.  Remember, only give charities your “gently worn” clothing.  Just because you may not want to throw your clothing away, doesn’t mean that a charity should have to accept pieces that you wouldn’t be caught wearing!

For more expensive or brand name pieces, consider taking them to a local consignment store.  This can end up being a source of “free” shopping money!

Alterations

Set aside any items that need alterations.  For example, pants that should be hemmed, suit jackets and skirts that would look better if they were taken in (or out) and other articles of clothing that would look great with just a little work.  Take them to a local tailor for alteration.  Not only is this less expensive than buying new items, but there is nothing like custom-fit clothing.  (Kind of like there being nothing like a “custom fit-to-you” closet!)

Store

Set aside out-of-season clothes (fall/winter; spring/summer).  Have them cleaned and then put them in plastic storage bins that can fit under your bed.  All ready for next season!

Closet

Now that you have identified the clothes that will be returning to your closet, get ready to organize! 

Stack it

Use a drawer unit, or stackable cubes with pullout drawers to take advantage of vertical space in your closet.  (Tip: The Closetmaid Cube Organizer is relatively inexpensive and you can purchase some fun color drawers separately!)

Hang it

Use every square inch of your closet. Hang shoe racks on the back of your closet door. Classic belt hangers with multiple hooks are also a good solution for hanging camisoles, bras, or scarves.

Fold it

Do not hang your sweaters; hangers will ruin the shape of sweaters over time.  Fold and store sweaters on shelves.  Use sweater dividers to help keep them stacked. 

Color-coordinate it

Sort your clothing by color and hang like-type of clothing together (i.e. skirts, pants blouses, etc.)