How do you organize your clothes closet?

[ScorpioLuv70]

I’m not the most organized person in the world. Actually, forget being “organized” anything. But for once I’d like to open my closet and my dresser drawers and have everything neat and nicely in order, and be able to find exactly what I’m looking for WHEN I want it. So I’ve committed myself to a mission of doing just that. I know there are plenty of websites where I can find “how-to’s”, but I’d love to hear some personal tips on clothes organization.

Do you hang your clothes according to color/shade? What about out off-season attire? How often do you get rid of your old items? Do you keep your shoes in shoeboxes or on shoe racks? What about your hosiery and lingerie? I know someone has some great ideas out there. I’m open to just about any suggestions you can offer.

Thanks in advance!
~ Dee

[ubavka123]

I organize by type and then have sub-categories as well. For example my clothes hang like this:
shirts--skirts--pants--dresses--suits--
Within those categories, I will sort by designer or make. My Italian and French stuff are my favorites, so they are usually at the front of their category. They are also the things I wear the most and they stay where I can see them in their proper categories.
In the back of my closet are out-of-season clothes which are soon to be back in rotation. Clothes that are completely out-of-season go in hubby's closet!!! LOL!!!
As for shoes, and I have many, I organize by type. Flats, sandals, pumps, boots and sport-type shoes are all grouped in catergories and remain in their boxes, with all of my fav's staying on top. Sweaters and tanks/cami's are folded on shelves.

[ubavka123]

Oh and as far as throwing things out, I have a 1-year rule. If I have not used it in a year, then it goes out. I give all unwanted clothes to charity. You make more closet space and you feel good at the same time! :-)

[ScorpioLuv70]

Ubavka, you sound like the type of person I strive to be – VERY ORGANIZED!! I’ve just started to develop a love for shoes, so your idea on organizing them by type will certainly help as my selection grows.

I must be the most unorganized person on this board, but for some reason I’m completely obsessed with shows like Clean Sweep. I’ll get there one day... Right now I feel totally out of control not knowing what I have until the time comes to dig through it all. This is a challenge I hope will make other parts of my life less stressful.

Thanks for sharing!
~ Dee

[JuJuBoo]

wow! that's VERY organized. cool :up:

capris, dress pants, jeans, skirts, colared shirts, dresses, then all the other formal stuff, coats.

I try to donate clothes every year or two also.

[ChoclatePrincess]

Scorpio, I need to get my closet in order too. I can say this much, the clothes are on the hanger!!! They are not in any type of order that's why I can never find anything when I'm looking for it. The majority of my shoes are in the shoe box, the rest are on a rack and that's only because all the shoe boxes wouldn't fit in the closet.

[ReaLuvsAOxymoron]

I have a small closet so as long as they are on a hanger I can see them and as long as I can see them, I'm happy!

[ubavka123]

ScorpioLuv70 said:
Ubavka, you sound like the type of person I strive to be – VERY ORGANIZED!! I’ve just started to develop a love for shoes, so your idea on organizing them by type will certainly help as my selection grows.

I must be the most unorganized person on this board, but for some reason I’m completely obsessed with shows like Clean Sweep. I’ll get there one day... Right now I feel totally out of control not knowing what I have until the time comes to dig through it all. This is a challenge I hope will make other parts of my life less stressful.

Thanks for sharing!
~ Dee

I TRY to be organized for the most part. Sometimes, things can get crazy. I have a small closet and a lot of clothes/shoes, which is the worst! Having the right kind of shelves and hanging space in the closet is half the battle. For example, a walk-in closet with just hanging space and no shelves is useless to me. Gotta have some organizers. You'll get a system that works for you. I nailed this one down when I started shopping a lot and I started forgetting about clothes I already had. I had to find a way to still be able to see my favorites and the new stuff. Before that, I was like, "I forgot about this!" all the time! LOL! Good luck!

[dreemssold]

I hang all my clothes on white plastic hangers. My dream is to step it up to wood, but it's so high, I always think, "That could be a fabulus pair of shoes.". Anyway, I hang my clothes this way: sexy sleeveless tops (tube, halter, one arm, then tanks); cap sleeves; short sleeves; 3/4 sleeves; long sleeves; sweaters that I don't fold; skirts, capris; slacks; suits; dresses. The skirts and pants are organized more by the weight of the fabric than by color. I fold my jeans, some sweaters, and some t-shirts and put those in the shelves on the side. Then, I have bags and hats, scarves, and gloves in those shelves also. Finally, I keep luggage, floppy hats, and tote bags on the top shelf. My shoes are in clear platic containers at the bottom. I need to put pictures on the boxes, but I don't own a Polaroid. It's really crazy organized, but I'm sick. I used to be MUCH worse, because I had 3 color hangers, and the order was insane. I've loosened up, lol.

[cutebajangirl]

I organize mine by dresses pants then capris then skirts then shirts that are organized by sleeve length. I have a second lower hanger bar thingy that has all of my strappy tops on it. Seeing what you already have is soooo crucial. I went through my closet before going fall shopping this weekend and realized that I had many things that are new for fall because I bought them last spring after seeing the shows. In my second closet I have my outerwear, shoes, bags and belts.

[ScorpioLuv70]

Thanks, Ladies! Very helpful. I'm taking notes. Everyone seems to at least have some sort of system they work by, even if it's just having hangers for all their clothes -- which would be a good place for me to start.

Maybe after I reach this goal and see what I actually have versus what I don't have, I'll treat myself to a little shopping spree as a reward. I know being more organized will save me so much more time. Again, I really appreciate your responses.

~Dee

[Lorraine]

I have been told that I need help because my closet is organized according to color and item. Therefore, all the shirts are lined up based on color, all the dresses lined up by color, etc. The shoes are all lined up on my rack above my clothes and neatly on the closet floor. All that's missing is that rotating rack like the kind Cher uses in the movie Clueless! Dremmsold, as far as the hangers would you believe I have the nerve to ask the store to keep everything on the hanger (tank tops too) so that I can take them home and all my hangers will be wood? :D

[God_Favor]

By item and color.

[Country gal]

ScorpioLuv70 said:
Ubavka, you sound like the type of person I strive to be – VERY ORGANIZED!! I’ve just started to develop a love for shoes, so your idea on organizing them by type will certainly help as my selection grows.

I must be the most unorganized person on this board, but for some reason I’m completely obsessed with shows like Clean Sweep. I’ll get there one day... Right now I feel totally out of control not knowing what I have until the time comes to dig through it all. This is a challenge I hope will make other parts of my life less stressful.

Thanks for sharing!
~ Dee

I love cleansweep. I see those people's messy houses and think I am not that messy after all.

[Country gal]

I organize my clothes by color and type. Similar to LorrianeG. I find it eaiser to find the clothes that way. Especially if I am in a mood to wear lilac. I can find it easier. I also got rid of the boxes when I moved into my new house. I put my shoes in a shoe rack box.

[lilchanel]

My closet is a mess right now! :( I'm in the cleaning/giving away process. I usually sort by item. I keep all my jeans, slacks in one area, skirts and dresses in one area, shirts and sweaters etc.

I usually keep my shoes in a shoe box..

[dreemssold]

LOL Lorraine...not only do I believe it, but I wish I had thought of it :grin:!

[zoya_j]

sbaker said:
I organize my clothes by color and type. Similar to LorrianeG. I find it eaiser to find the clothes that way. Especially if I am in a mood to wear lilac. I can find it easier.

I used to organize by type and designer, but I'd be all day trying to figure out what to wear. It's much easier now by color. BTW Lavender s one of my fav colors

[MissB]

There is an article about this subject in the September issue of In Style. The one with Halle Berry on the cover. It is called "Whip Your Wardrobe Into Shape." One of the pages is devoted to order.

[Country gal]

MissB- you just gave me another reason to pick up In Style this month.

Zoya- Lavender (any hue of purple) is one of my most favorite colors. I have it in my bedroom walls.