Do you practice what you preach? I do. Some people give great advice but then don’t apply it to themselves. Recently I decided it was time to reorganize my closet. When clients ask me about organizing their closet I ask them a few questions….
1. Are there clothes in your closet that don’t fit?
2. If the clothes are too big is it worth the alteration cost to have them fitted?
3. Are there clothes that you haven’t worn for more than one season?
4. Are there items that you simply don’t like?
This past weekend I asked myself these questions. I removed all the clothes that didn’t fit. A few items I put in a pile to take to the seamstress. Then I took a hard look at the rest of the clothes in my closet. There were a few things that I had purchased on a whim, had never worn, and will never wear. Those clothes went into my give away pile. That was hard for me – those clothes were brand new, still with tags, but they were doing me no good hanging in my closet since I was clearly not going to wear them! Lesson to self, do not buy clothes on a whim!
There were a few sentimental dresses. One was the dress my mother had worn at my wedding (almost 34 years ago!). When I was cleaning out my mother’s closet last year I saw that dress and kept it. I thought I might wear it at my son’s wedding last June but it just didn’t look right on me. I kept the dress but it and others with memories were now taking up too much valuable real estate in my closet and I decided that it was time for someone else to make good memories wearing them.
Finally, I inventoried the clothes I was giving away and put them in my car along with the clothes that needed some alterations. A little while later (after a much deserved lunch) I went to the seamstress. I tried on the clothes I thought could be altered. The seamstress agreed with me on some things and told me others were not worth the cost. Those items were added to the clothing inventory.
My next stop was Goodwill. I am happy to know that these clothes (some used, some brand new) would find new homes. When I returned home I gave myself a reward – an hour reading a book outside in my garden! The first step in my closet reorganization had been completed!. After my reward I moved on to the second and final step. Sometimes it’s a good idea to do these steps on different days. I was on a roll and wanted to really complete this project. The next step also involves answering some questions. They are:
1. Can you easily find the item of clothing you are looking for?
2. Do you like to have all your shirts (blouses) together or do you like to sort them by sleeve length and then by color?
3. Is it easier to keep the suits (jacket and slacks) or (jacket and skirt) on the same hanger?
4. Do you want to separate “knock around” clothes from work clothes?
5. Do you need different hangers?
Once I had answered these questions (and to be honest, my closet was almost exactly the way I wanted it) I moved a few things around. I determined it is easier for me to have the jackets with the jackets and not to have them paired with either skirts or slacks to make a suit. I like to mix and match my outfits so, for me, it was more effort to separate the suits when they were put together that way. It took me another hour or so to finish tweaking my closet. I worked hard but it was worth the effort. My project is finished. I can find what I am looking for in my closet. AND I had accomplsihed my goal to reorganize my closet and that was a wonderful feeling!