If you want to feel in control of your life, then getting your wardrobe into shape is often a great way to start.
After all, getting dressed is something that we all do every day (at least), and anything you can do to streamline the process, and minimise the mental strain it imposes, will make your life simpler and more fulfilling.
A tidy wardrobe also helps you understand what you actually own, reducing impulse buying and making it easier to define your personal style.
But exactly what improvements and habits are worthwhile? Let’s take a look at a few worthwhile ones.
Start with a seasonal edit
To begin with, you might declutter your wardrobe. Are there any items that you know you’re never going to wear again? Are there any items that you probably should never have worn in the first place?
This is a chance to get rid of them. Go through the entire wardrobe and remove all of the offending items. Then, either donate, sell, or destroy them.
Taking photos as you sort can also help you spot duplicates or gaps in your wardrobe, which is useful when planning future purchases.
Store off-season items
Next, it’s worth noting that you don’t wear all of your clothes throughout the year. Fur coats are not going to be needed in July, just as beachwear is probably not going to be called for in December. It’s worth organising your wardrobe accordingly.
Perform a cleanup at the start of every new season, and get the stuff you aren’t using into vacuum-sealed bags that can be stashed in the loft.
Or, you might get them moved into a dedicated local storage facility. If you’re based in the Northwest, then the self-storage Manchester has to offer might be worth looking into.
Invest in your wardrobe storage
Your collection of clothes and accessories will be much easier to navigate when it’s suitably divided into boxes, dividers, and hangers.
Often, hanging storage can double the capacity of your wardrobe without your needing to physically expand it.
When you’re shopping for extras, it’s worth knowing what extra touches will make a difference.
For example, clear, stackable boxes provide a great way to stop shoes from collecting into an unsightly heap at the bottom of the space.
You might also consider slim velvet hangers, which save space and prevent clothes from slipping, or drawer organisers for keeping smaller items tidy.
Maintain your system with simple habits
Maintain your system with simple habits
If you do everything right, you’ll end up with a wardrobe space that’s easy to navigate, and that will preserve your sanity in the long term. However, this might not be enough.
You’ll also need to develop the habits that will actually keep the wardrobe in good shape.
This might mean adopting a ‘one-in, one-out’ rule, so that you aren’t continually adding more stuff that you don’t need.
Or, you might pledge to perform seasonal (or even monthly) declutters and stock takes.
The habits you put into motion now can often make a massive difference to your relationship with your clothes. They’ll also prevent your efforts from being wasted in the long term. Take them seriously!
