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Take a look at these closets.

 

 

 

That's about what they look like. A monster has wrecked havoc in the closet! Pictures like these reflect the owner's state of mind whenever she or he approaches the closet--clutter, confusion, and frustration! It's mighty hard to recover from disasters like these. I know, your closet may not be as bad as these. Your closet may even be relatively organized. Chances are, however, the arrangement is not set up to help you select and pair just the right pieces of clothing and accessories you need to wear for your day or evening. Pulling and poking around among the pieces is no way to put together the right look for the occasions in your life. You need a strategy or system for organizing the clothes in your closet.

 

Some of the strategies or points of advice about what to put in your closet are less than helpful. For example, "Whenever you get something new to put in your closet, you must get rid of something already there." Nonsense. That's no reason to get rid of anything. If you've followed through with the wardrobe evaluation process I've prepared you with in previous October newsletters, chances are you've already gotten rid of clothes and accessories that don't work for you--and you know the real reason why you were wise to get rid of them. If you're building useful clusters of clothes, every piece in a cluster is something you love and serves a real purpose in putting together outfits you look forward to wearing. Let's stick with good old common sense when it comes to what's in or out of our closets.

 

Whether you have a reach-in or walk-in closet, make good use of every inch, from top to bottom and side to side. Hang up everything you can in the closet. Clothes and accessories in drawers get forgotten and go unworn. Yes, you can hang knits if they come with good shoulder pads attached that serve to pad the hanger, or if you hang them carefully over a sponge or rubber layer on the hanger for support. Fold on shelves only thick and bulky sweaters. Hook belts over the hanger of what you wear them with. Hang jewelry in a baggie over the hook of what you wear it with. Yes, of course you can pull something to go with another garment or outfit, but do return it to the original cluster or outfit it is essential for. You'll always know where it is.

 

Another common myth-conception is advice to "organize by color." Not smart. Not all blues work together, all reds, or even all blacks. The textures and patterns don't necessarily work together. The moods and feelings communicated by the clothes within a color won't be consistent. I've had clients hire me just to get the clothes out of color groups and into some arrangement they can work with more easily. Therefore, organize or arrange your clothes in clusters. Keeping everything together makes it quick and easy to put together complete and harmonious outfits. If there is special underwear needed in a cluster, for easy access, hang it up too. I generally recommend using matching plastic retail hangers. All alike, they aid your eye movement along the rod, support and shape the clothes better than wire hangers, allow enough room between the clothes, yet are narrower and lighter weight than wooden hangers--also less expensive. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within the cluster, arrange the clothes according to the Style Scale: Jackets come first, generally having more visual authority than sweaters and/or vests in that order; then come skirts for women, having more visual authority than pants, pants for men; and tops follow. Within each garment section arrange the pieces from high visual authority to low, the clothes being more approachable or relaxed. Briefly stated, that means woven fabrics come before knits, colors are arranged from dark to light, solid color pieces before patterned pieces, collars before no-collar garments, and longer before shorter. For example longer jackets, sweaters, or vests communicate more visual authority than short ones. That's also true for skirts, pants, and sleeve lengths.

 

When you need to feel or appear more authoritative, capable, or credible, reach for a higher authority garment. When you need to feel or appear more approachable, friendly, or relaxed, reach for a more approachable garment. Gradually you'll come to know which pieces work best for what occasions and goals in your life. Your closet becomes a reflection of you, your lifestyle and personal style. Every time you open your closet you'll see clothes that truly support who you are, where you go, and what you do. You'll have the right garments in the right place, the right style lines and shapes for your body and in the right size, the right colors, textures, and patterns. That's how you want to start your day, to see in your closet a celebration of yourself. Everything works for you and gets worn. Get rid of clothes only when they no longer meet your needs. Now that makes good sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judith Rasband

Conselle Institute of Image Management

http://www.conselle.com

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