Summary: How’s your wardrobe looking? Do you stand in front of it every day and say that thing we all say at some stage in our lives – “I’ve got nothing to wear!”? I do this too – but I know I do it more often when the ironing pile has built up and my wardrobe is looking a little bare! So what’s the key to having a wardrobe that works for you – both in the clothes you have to wear and the way it’s organised? Step 1 – Look at your lifestyle Are you a working woman with no children? A stay-at-home Mum with children? A part-time working Mum? A Mumpreneur working from your home office? Your lifestyle is extremely important when deciding what should stay and what should go from your wardrobe. Each item should support the lifestyle you currently have – not one you had or think you might have in the future. One of the more hilarious items of clothing in my wardrobe is a black trouser suit. It’s hilarious because it’s from another lifetime ago (10 years to be precise) when I was working in an office in inner-city Melbourne. Suits, jackets and long sleeve blouses were the norm. Wind the clock forward 10 years and that suit is still in my wardrobe – but mostly delegated to networking events or funerals! The message from this? Be clear about your lifestyle as this influences the wardrobe sorting and organising process. Step 2 – Know your Wardrobe Organising Style There are a number of different ways you can organise your wardrobe. Again, this depends on your organising style, lifestyle and personality. When getting organised in your wardrobe there are five different approaches you can take: All in together – This is where you have no particular organisation system at all. Clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories are all muddled in together with no organisation at all. Form/Type – This is where clothes are organised by what garment they are. With this organising approach all of your shirts hang together, all of your trousers together, dresses together, skirts together, jeans together, etc. Function – This is where clothes are organised according to their function and purpose. If you follow this organising approach you will have all of your work clothes together, all of your casual clothes together, your formal/special event clothes together, etc. You may even have different wardrobes for each, depending on the amount of clothes you have. Colour – This is where your clothes are organised according to colour. Regardless of type of clothing you will organise items according to their colour – so all red in one location, all white together, all blue together, etc. By outfit – I saw this on a UK TV program ages ago and thought it was a great idea – if you have the time! This is where you organise and hang your clothes as a complete outfit. If you have a lovely dress you will arrange your wardrobe so that the accessories and shoes you wear with it are all lined up or hung together. I love this idea but am yet to try it. I think it would make getting dressed really quick and easy! Step 3 – Know the Ten Questions to ask when Decluttering your Wardrobe There are ten questions to ask yourself when decluttering your wardrobe. These questions help you decide if you really need that outfit, those ten pairs of nearly identical trousers or fifty winter scarves. I know clients who have used this checklist and known by the third question that the item of clothing should go. Give it a try! I want you to look gorgeous, comfortable and happy when you leave your home in the mornings – and by following this process you’ll be well on your way to achieving it! One thing I’d love to know though – what’s your wardrobe organising style? I’m a ‘function’ gal! Until next time, happy organising!
