This Organising Tip Makes Getting Dressed So Easy

Photo: Alp Allen Altiner

The gold standard in any closet is not having to think too hard. Six a.m. alarms, ‘late again’ dinner dashes and life waving its magic wand don’t always allow for elongated musings over the unusual pairing of mustard and peacock blue. Sometimes it’s a case of reach and run with barely enough time to hustle that zipper before calling a cab. In times such as these, knowing the lie of the land makes life happier – infinitely so.

Remember: you’re the curator of your own space – one that reflects a more mindful self. Would you crowd the wall with every painting you thought might fit the brief? Of course not. There’d be no white space. And it’s the white space – the pause, the ellipsis – that gives us a chance to breathe and appreciate what is right in front of us. Want to take the stress out of getting dressed? Read on…

FINDING ORDER

The key to finding order is making life easy for yourself. Really easy. Basically, anything worn on a daily to weekly basis should go nearest the middle of a closet at eye level for speed and ease of use. Those items worn less frequently (occasionwear, special pieces) along with heavier items can go towards the edges. Easy.

MAINTAINING ORDER

Maintaining order takes a touch more finesse. Think of your closet as a boutique and merchandise accordingly.  Group garments according to type (jackets with jackets, trousers with trousers and so on), silhouette (blazers with blazers, skinny leg with skinny leg) and finally, colour.  Mimicking this format is the easiest and most stress-free way to get dressed. Here’s why:

  • Sorting according to garment type and silhouette helps determine what you need and don’t need. So, you’ve got 23 blazers and no winter coat. Is that a default I smell?
  • Sorting according to colour helps visualise an outfit by separates and mix and match combinations you may not have considered.
  • Graduating hem lengths from long to short will create extra space on one side – ideal for creating extra room in smaller spaces.

The gold standard in any closet is not having to think too hard. Six a.m. alarms, ‘late again’ dinner dashes and life waving its magic wand don’t always allow for elongated musings over the unusual pairing of mustard and peacock blue. Sometimes it’s a case of reach and run with barely enough time to hustle that zipper before calling a cab. In times such as these, knowing the lie of the land makes life happier – infinitely so. Save the peacock blue anecdote for dinner convo.

CREATING SPACE

Finally, assess the space between each garment. Clothes need room to breathe otherwise; things start to get a bit musty in there. Ensure there’s enough leverage for removing and replacing pieces without causing a mosh pit on the floor. Remember: extra space contributes to flow and general closet well-being. Nothing ever thrived in cramped conditions.