Closet Under Construction

Awhile back I did a post called "trapped in the closet." That post was dedicated to an iPhone app that I use to help me organize outfits virtually before even stepping foot into my closet. One of my Ali Fashion Sense subscribers asked could I take it one step further and talk about the organizational process of organizing a closet. I did a little research and most of the information that I present below is coming from a book written by Lauren Conrad (from The Hills) called "Style." So lets get to it shall we?

The first thing you will want to do before even attempting to organize your closet is to:

1. CLEAN YOUR ROOM
Your room will get very cluttered in the process of editing your closet, so you are going to want to have a clean space where you can operate freely.

2. REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM YOUR CLOSET
This is the main reason why you cleaned your room before hand. You will need to remove everything you can see in your closet. This is where the process begins!

3. TRY EVERYTHING ON & SEPARATE ITEMS INTO ORGANIZED PILES
A. All items that are ripped or stained beyond repair need to be thrown in a trash bag to be discarded at a later time.

B. If you try on something that you're no longer attached to place it in a second pile - this pile will be for clothes you no longer want and are willing to donate to a second hand shop like Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

C. The third pile should be dedicated to items of clothing that you like but are ill - fitting. You can take these items to a tailor at some point. Tailors can breathe new life into a garment that is ill - fitting or that is out dated. If you have clothing that is too long, big, tight, or loose a tailor can sculpt the garment to fit your body perfectly.

D. If you have an article of clothing that you're not so in love with but think a friend could benefit from, place that in your fourth pile. You can have a clothing swap party, where you bring refreshments, have music, and you and your friends trade articles of clothing from your closets that you no longer want or wear. That way you can add new pieces of clothing to your closet without spending a dime, and you can enjoy the company of great friends, good music, and tasty food! You can't beat that.

E. If there is something you realize you haven't worn in a at least a year, but you are not 100% sure you want to get rid of it, leave it in a pile so you can come back to it. Place these items in a bag and leave them under your bed. Come back to them in like a month or two. If you have missed the pieces in the bag then add them to your closet, if you no longer want them...donate them.

F. The last pile is for those clothes that are clear winners. These are the clothes in your closet that you can't live without.

Once you have your piles completed (place the ones that are not going into your closet into some type of storage device (either a trash bag, duffel bag, clear bin etc.). And take them to their perspective places (the trash, a consignment shop, or to a friends house).

4. ORGANIZE & PRIORITIZE
A. Group all of your clothing by types: all dresses should be together, all blazers, all blouses, all pants etc.

B. Once all your clothes are grouped it's time to strategically figure out where your clothes will take stake in your closet. The items you wear most should be most visible (i.e. jeans or shirts). The items you don't wear as often (formal gowns etc.) should be placed further out of reach.

C. Color coordinate all of your clothing after arranging your clothing by item type and after prioritizing where it will hang in your closet. I usually use the ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet...then brown, black, and white) method when I am color coordinating my clothing. By organizing your clothes by color it helps point out what you have an over abundance of in your closet (which can help you while you are shopping so you don't continue buying the same thing every time you go out).

If you have dressers in your room (in addition to your closet) use the same method of editing mentioned in steps 1 - 4 (except for undergarments and socks, if you have undergarments or socks you don't want anymore just throw them away).

5. MAKE IT LAST FOREVER
To give your clothing longevity here are a few tips on how to store them in your closet.

A. Hangers

• If you get things dry cleaned take the items out the bag immediately so that your garments are jeopardized by the chemicals used to get your garments in tip top shape
• Do not hang your heavy garments (such as sweaters) on hangers as it will stretch them out
• Have everything facing the same way

B. Folding

• Place your bulkiest clothing on the bottom of a folding pile so the piles won't teeter over
• Use cedar balls in between sweaters to prevent moths from having a feast on your garment (keep your folded articles of clothing clean because moths are drawn to body odor)

C. Drawers
Put things in drawers that are better left unseen such as:

• Socks
• Undies
• Bras
• Bathing Suits
• Tank Tops
• Plain Tees
• Workout Gear

After seeing Carrie Bradshaw's dream closet in Sex In The City I've fantasized about how I want my future closet to look. Unfortunately, I'm not there yet...so as I prepare to relocate to Georgia (where my husband resides)...I recently had to do some editing to my closet. Here is the finished product. No (wo)man has ever been in this uncharted area before. I am giving you exclusive access lol...don't judge me. I know I have a problem! :)

Front view of 2/3 of my closet

Black, brown, silver pumps

Black and brown boots and colored shoes

Faux Fur, pants (trousers, slacks, jeans, leggings), and skirts

More blazers and shirts

All my winter coats, leather coats, and blazers

I hope this post helps you when you are ready to edit your closet for the Fall. Good luck ladies (and gents).