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The 100 Hanger Wardrobe

Marlene

Veteran

So after a couple years of editing and purging and evaluating all the different versions of wardrobe management styles, I have settled on the 100 Hanger Wardrobe. Basically, this means that I have 100 hangers in my closet and that is all I get. These 100 hangers are for the FULL YEAR and include pretty much everything I own EXCEPT for my dresser and some shelves in the closet. I think I'm happy with this!

I have been sticking to a firm one-in-one-out inventory management system that is working for my smallish closet.
I like having ALL my clothes available all year since most of my stuff can be worn all year by layering. I have found that if I store stuff away seasonally, then I forget about it.
I like seeing how all my colors go together.
I've been moving stuff (like tanks and camis) that were previously in my dresser to hangers and now I am finding that I am actually wearing them. I have many more layering options at my fingertips.

As for next steps, I find that think I can trick my system by cramming as much as I can into drawers and on shelves. (oh look, I don't have a hanger...let's see if it fits in the shelf! Oh yes, it does! I shall keep it!). But that was doing me no favors. So now I am also evaluating and optimizing my numbers in drawers and shelves. After the last purge, I ended up with an empty drawer. It is taking every thing i have to not fill it up again!

I suspect that I can get my wardrobe down another layer of the onion but I want to live with this a while and make sure that it satisfies my need for variety and I can be clothed for all the various events in my life with this volume of clothing in the wardrobe.

Does anyone else use a number of hangers as a method of wardrobe management? Any hints or tips you have found to make it interesting?

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

rachylou

Veteran

Yes... I've got the limited hanger system. So far I've bought two more sets of hangers... hehe

always trying

Veteran

Sounds like a good working plan. I do not have a wardrobe problem, but do have a shoe management problem--so bad I have shoes stacked in boxes. But I just came up with a plan for that, but so far it isn't working too well. Maybe when I start to focus on just practicality and wearability of each pair I will get a handle on it. Maybe that is why my closet works so well for me clotheswise, practicality and wearability! Mostly I keep purchases down by asking myself-just how many times a year will I wear it as compared to cost.

Alassë

Veteran

Great job & great system, Marlene!

SW Ann

Veteran

I use the "100 hanger method" for jackets, blouses, knit tops that are nicer than t shirts, sweaters, and dresses.....These are the items I hold onto too long, and find I buy too many of...! I use a different type of hanging system for skirts, and fold my t shirts..... It has worked--if I see that I am getting close to being out of hangers, I start evaluating what I'm not wearing, and why, and cull.... I now have 15 extra hangers. I'm not deluding myself into believing that I don't necessarily have too many t's, pants or skirts, but those items are more difficult for me to find that I like so less likely to overbuy. Well, I did have too many t's, but live in a very warm climate so sometimes go through a small supply too quickly. I also found a "new to me" way to fold my t shirts, and so it's easy for me to just open my bureau drawer, and see every one of them simultaneously....They also take up less space now and and have plenty of room in that drawer. .Another method I use to cull is to place items that I "think" I"m tired of or don't like into another closet, and if I don't go back and get them out within the season, I usually go ahead of donate. This has also helped because getting it out of my sight, and using my current wardrobe without the item lets me know the culls are, indeed, no longer needed. Hope my rambling explanation is helpful to you!

gryffin

Veteran

Marlene - I actually work with the same system. I changed out all the hangers in our closet (I share with my husband) to the velvet hangers and I got the matching clips for pants and skirts. I also keep all my clothes in one closet which contains a small set of drawers and shelvescubbies. Only coats are in the downstairs closet. If there are no hangers or room on the shoe caddy or shelves it can't come in. I do rotate the position of heavy sweaters in season but that's it. I like this system a lot. Right now I'm hoarding three empty hangers, it has to be pretty special to rate a spot unless it's replacing something that's worn out!! Works for me!!

unfrumped

Veteran

Great system!
I'm not on one, except final doing more out than in. Whether it's 100, or 120, or something, it's clear that new items need to be in place of something, not in addition. Either the same, but better( update, fit, fabric, more versatile-SOMETHING), or need to be, I'm going in a different direction. So definitely 1:1 at a minimum. It can even be trading for a different item, as in, more dresses/ fewer pants, or whatever.
I wanted to do all in main closet but have accepted that I need to swap out deep winter and high summer items. I run cold so do enjoy some very heavy wooly winter wear, and not only don't want to look at it in summer, I need to store some if it as moth- proof.
Your 100 hanger plan still is relevant, though, because I want to keep track of those items in the total, whereas it is easy to let a " season" of clothes expand if I'm storing in another area.

crutcher

Veteran

100 hangers...great plan...I have to think about this one..Thanks...

Suja

Veteran

I use one-in, one-out and it works great for me. I would love to hang all my tops but I have a problem with moths and need to store my wool and cashmere in zip lock bags year round. Moving my t-shirts and camis to hangers is a great idea, I might do that. I don't buy new hangers but I have a lot of empty ones from a major wardrobe downsize I did this year. Having a system to keep my wardrobe from getting out of control has really helped me purchase smarter and wear more of what I have.

Joy

Veteran

I also use 100 hangers bought in 2 sets of 50, but I have most jeans and shorts, cotton tees and tanks in drawers and coats on other hangers in a coat closet, as well as some fancy dress items stored separately. It has kept me from impulse buying to have to have a hanger. Good for you for emptying a drawer.

shiny

Veteran

LOVE it.

I just did my own closet clean out and when I counted I had exactly 100 hangers, and it felt just right. The 100 pieces include outerwear, jean jackets, winter coats, puffers trench, and toppers. The items span 4 seasons, but it does not include one moving crate's worth of high summer clothes, and one of spring refresh items.

What's also not included in my 100 -
A handful (4-5) of formal wear items tucked in the far recesses. My 100 is just the active wardrobe that I can see when I open up my closet. These 100 pieces also do not include items in the dresser -- plain cotton layering tees, jeans, socks, underwear, camis, pajamas gear & loungewear. They also do not include my bulkiest deep winter sweaters which are better rolled or folded, rather than hanging.

Could I get my entire wardrobe on to 100 hangers? Including summer and spring? I think it is an enviable goal and one I'd love to shoot for. I just don't know if it's possible, unless I wasn't counting outerwear, then maybe it would be?

Do you include outerwear in your 100?

Do you include jeans?

Inquiring minds want to know... because I've been asking myself, if I had a more generous closet, would I keep with 100 and simply space the items out for more breathing room? Or would I feel free to expand that 100 to say 130 (including summer & spring)?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I bought a set of petite wooden hangers that came cheaper by the 100 count box. I use maybe 75 of them? I donated some to a friend and the rest are stashed under the bed in case of breakage, etc. I hang my t shirts but not my workout wear or lounge stuff. I hang tanks or camis that could be worn alone, but not strictly layering pieces. I stack my jeans above on a shelf and they number maybe a dozen, but not more. Sweaters also do not get hung.
I have about 120 items in my wardrobe and another 30 shoes. I'm happy with this amount. It took me some trial and error to find my comfort zone and this is it. For now. If I ever stop moving back and forth between opposing climates maybe my numbers would shrink down to an even 100? I don't know.

EDIT: about 60 hangers is max for the 4' closet rod before it starts getting too squished. Jackets and coats are in a coat closet and total 20. Skirts are on a tiered rack on the inside of the closet door.

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Anonymous

I like your idea a lot. It won't work for me because I don't hang knits. So all my sweaters and tee shirts would have to be stored in drawers or on shelves. Once I breeched the 100 hanger idea, it would be a slippery slope for me.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

That sounds great! I think the trick is mainly just in finding what works for YOU, and then everything falls into place. My version of this is to keep 12 hangers for each 'category' of hanging clothes: jackets (with suit clips for skirts), blouses, and dresses. (Winter coats just lurk behind.) In my case the empty hangers in each section are a reminder that I need to pay attention & make some purchases because I am chronically under-stocked. (No this isn't a humble brag... I just get a few clothes, get distracted & don't think about clothes again until things are tatty. And believe me looking tatty is nothing to brag about, period.)

I hang very little because my husband wears uniforms and hangs A LOT. My best discovery was finding that I really like to display my folded jeans, tees & scarves with my shoes on a big cedar wine rack. I call it my 'walldrobe' and it's like my own personal boutique. It really helps me put outfits together. I don't think I've changed earrings as many times in my life as I have since I set it up.

I think closet organization is really an important part of self care. Your system sounds like it will work well. Good luck! xo

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shedev

Veteran

This made me count my hangers. I'm at 110. I don't hang sweaters though, and it is a big category for me.

Staysfit

Veteran

Hmm, I just finished my closet clean out and I also switched out the hangers. I believe I purchased 200-250 hangars, some of which went to my husband. I am working to hone down my wardrobe, and so far have probably cut it by at least a third, or maybe even more. I have 157 hanging items. My closet is large but no longer cluttered. I would still like to see the number come down. Perhaps that would allow me to hang some additional items that are currently stored on my shelves.

Marlene

Veteran

Shiny - I don't hang sweaters or jeans. And my 100 hangers does not include my outerwear which is in another closet in the front hall. About 20 hangers there, I think. Also, that hall closet is where I stash my rarely worn "formal" items for those gala events that happen,,,,like once a year? I have various items stashed in my dresser and the sweaters and jeans on small shelves I built inside the closet.

Yes, my 100 hangers is NOT a full accounting of my entire wardrobe. Just a closet/wardrobe management system for my main closet. I like having EVERYTHING in front of me (or at least close by in the dresser) rather than stashed in various cubbies and crevaces around the house like I did before. I was a squirrel.

Mo - 100 happens to be the number that hangs nicely on my current closet rods. I like the space and not having everything squished. I imagine if my rod space was less...I would have fewer hangers to wrangle.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm another who has a limited hanger system, and I love it.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Love this. I read this and then promptly went upstairs and cleared out the last of my wardrobe that I cannot wear. I emptied 15 hangers.

Adelfa

Veteran

Glad to hear about this. I recently decided to order velvet hangers and actually came up with 100 as the number I needed for everything, including coats, camis, and out of season.

Oddly the hangers never came and the vendor has no record of my order.... I must have clicked wrong at the end of the order.

So I'll either have to recount what I have, strictly, or reorder. I think this is a great system for a maturing wardrobe. When I had fewer clothes, it was actually just about always a good move to buy an Angie's pick that appealed to me. Now not so much. I would like the discipline of this system. Thanks!