https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 11:17:52 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when/page/2#post-112562 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:15:41 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 112562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was going to suggest clothing rails - but you indicated more furniture in your room is not an option? There are actually some aesthetically pleasing clothing rails out there - meant to be seen and all that. Let me see if I can dig up a link...</p> <p><a href="http://www.bambienti.com/products/clothesrail.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.bambienti.com/products/clothesrail.htm</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when/page/2#post-112432 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:56:29 +0000 Sarah 112432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My closet isn't small, but it certainly isn't large. The shape is what is tricky. It's shaped like half a box. A rectangle with racks/shelves on three sides. The corners where the walls meet are utterly useless because the hangers run into each other there.<br /> I have two other closets in the two spare rooms, but I only store outerwear there (first home I've ever lived in that didn't have a coat closet). If I store clothing in there, it doesn't get worn. I have to see it to wear it.<br /> The same goes for my own closet. If I do those multi hangars and can't see the clothes well, I won't wear them. So it is critical for me to purge to the essentials otherwise I have a mess on my hands.<br /> Believe it or not, my dear husband is helping me to through my entire wardrobe piece by piece. I will have photos to share here for advice on a few things, but he's helping me with the things I'm holding on to for purely emotional reasons.<br /> Anyway. The closet has been a mess and I've been in a rut with what I've been wearing. Hmm, wonder if there's a connection?<br /> We have a large master bedroom but only one medium size dresser. We plan to upgrade to a larger dresser soon, so that will help.<br /> In my closet, I hang everything, but fold sweaters and graphic tees and jeans. Bryan does the same. I hang my bras from a hook that also holds my necklaces and belts (this needs to be fixed!).<br /> I have found that little things - such as matching hangers and hanging hangers in the nooks above the rod not on the actual rod (thanks Angie!) - help tremendously. It keeps things looking neat and tidy. I also hang my clothes so that they all face the same direction.<br /> I'm struggling with shoes (perhaps I have too many) and hat storage, but I want to tackle the clothes first. I tend to look at the big picture sometimes and get very overwhelmed with the task at hand. Baby steps are the way to go, and having Bryan keep me on track has been incredibly helpful.<br /> We have noticed in this practice, that I tend to settle a LOT. I have several items that are very similar. IE: I really want a black sweater dress. I want it to be a cowl neck with at least elbow length sleeves, and I'd like it to hit right at or slightly above the knee. I have three black sweater dresses - each of them have some of the credentials, but certainly not all. Through this process I'm learning to be more picky and PATIENT with building a wardrobe. I liken it to losing weight...to do it right, you have to go slow and steady. You can't expect massive results overnight.<br /> Anyway. That was long. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112425 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:20:39 +0000 chewyspaghetti 112425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in need of some reorganization in my closet, too. DH and I share a closet, and I gave him the side with a top and bottom hanging rack when we put in an organizer a few years ago. I have more clothes now than I have had for a very long time, but they still all fit in my side of the closet. We do each have our own dressers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112410 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:06:12 +0000 jessica 112410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>target, too, has the same sort of clothing rail as in the first ikea link. i've been tempted to get one but don't like the idea of clothes hanging permanently outside of my closet. i guess that's better than piles on a chair or the floor though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112372 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:01:24 +0000 Angie 112372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I believe that you wear everything, Maya! Dashrashi is thinking what I'm thinking - clothing rails. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112369 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:19:05 +0000 Dashrashi 112369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a clothes rack for coats and jackets one year in college. I got it at Ikea. It was either this or this:<br /> <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40099792" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata.....s/40099792</a><br /> <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/16684783" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata.....s/16684783</a></p> <p>There are a couple of other storage-y things that might work at Ikea. I just searched "rack." e.g.: <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00152705" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata.....s/00152705</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112348 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:54:11 +0000 Maya 112348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear everything! I already filled 3 garbage bags. I'm going to be getting rid of some shoes and bags soon but they aren't really an issue space-wise.</p> <p>Fine, I'll use the dresser...</p> <p>What do you mean by temporary hanging space? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112337 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:11:23 +0000 Angie 112337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, ladies! I have seen every closet space imaginable and there are ways to make things work. There are already great ideas on this thread. Get thee to the container store soon. </p> <p>Packrats, please start editing as soon as you can. You are complicating your style by holding on to everything! </p> <p>Maya, PLEASE start using that dresser and consider temporary hanging space. How much of your current wardrobe do you actually wear? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112301 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:31:52 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 112301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>April - I love closet organization, too! (Well, all types of organization - The Container Store is my mecca. )</p> <p>Maya -</p> <p>If it turns out that you DO need more hanging space - consider swapping your dresser for an armoire. You might get lucky on Craigslist or the like, as you do not need a full matched bedroom suite.</p> <p>Love Shiny's list of how she stores things - will be printing that out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112239 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:25:56 +0000 shana 112239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My problem is not lack of closet space - I have appropriated both the closet's in my sons's rooms for overflow! I keep underwear, socks/tights and scarves in my dresser. My closet also has some wooden shelves and I keep jeans, loungewear, sweaters and most knit tops folded on them. Everything else gets hung up though I keep non-daily wear items like suits, evening wear etc in another closet. We have a closet/pantry near the entrance from the garage where we keep all our shoes which works fine since we don't wear shoes indoors and I don't like the idea of storing my shoes in the same space as my clothes. I also have an entire closet devoted to my Indian clothes! Saris are kept folded in a trunk and churidhars/salwars are hung up.</p> <p>Honestly, I know I have too much and I should get rid of it but I'm a terrible packrat. I'm still kicking myself for getting rid of my perfect BF blazer from the 90's (which I was convinced would NEVER come back in fashion) or my too short dresses which would have been perfect with leggings. But after catching a few episodes of that A&amp;E show, Hoarders, I have been more inclined to pack up some stuff that's not working and take it to Goodwill. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112189 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:27:01 +0000 shiny 112189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The hangers are super skinny, but they are much better than wire, because they have soft fuzzy coating to protect your clothes. This coating also keeps your blouses and finer things from slipping off. They are not all that wide, which is perfect if you are petite - your tops don't end up with dents in the shoulders. I.e., they fit an XS or S top perfectly. If you are petite, or have narrow shoulders, you know how wire hangers can be too wide for your tops. </p> <p>Maya, to answer your original question, I think you have too many clothes if you are not wearing all of them and don't even remember what you have. That doesn't seem to be your case, so it sounds more like an organization/lack of space issue to me. </p> <p>I have been slowly trying to adopt the "keep everything in sight" system, but realistically, given our space constraints, I don't think it's ever going to be possible. I am still going to rotate the items that are only ever worn in summer (shorts, bathing suits, beach cover ups) with the items only ever worn in winter (heavy sweaters, wool pants). But I have somehow managed to make room for - nearly all - of the spring/fall stuff to all live in the closet year round - woo hoo! I have less now in storage than I've ever had. </p> <p>On the fold vs hang issue, here's how I have things organized:</p> <p>Folded/in drawer:<br /> - jeans<br /> - ponte knit pants<br /> - undies<br /> - bras<br /> - pj's (I don't even bother to fold)<br /> - workout gear<br /> - knit tees (the inexpensive ones and the ones that never seem to wrinkle)<br /> - camis</p> <p>Folded/in wire basket in closet (has wheels so I can roll in and out):<br /> - cardigans and sweaters... I have these organized by type, i.e., 3/4 sleeve cropped cardis are all together; long cardis are all together; bulky sweaters together; merino v-neck cardis together, patterned sweaters together)<br /> - scarves<br /> - hats and gloves</p> <p>Hangs in closet (from left to right):<br /> - occasional dresses (tucked into far corner of closet, hard to reach!)<br /> - every day dresses<br /> - dress pants (I do not fold over the hanger - I keep these hanging full length - find it takes less room this way)<br /> - skirts<br /> - jackets &amp; blazers<br /> - blouses (organized by material/dressiness, with dressy silk blouses closer to the jackets, and better but more casual knit tops at the other end)<br /> - leather jackets, denim jackets, and other outwear (I never used to have room to keep these in my bedroom closet - they'd go in the hall closet. Now I do!)</p> <p>Shoes are in an over-the-door organizer.</p> <p>Boots now live on the top shelf - this is working out great. </p> <p>Purses live in a dresser near my front door. </p> <p>Maya, my kids used to have the same kind of dresser as yours. Do you have trouble opening and closing the drawers? Theirs was a real pain in the butt... which I eventually concluded was the reason they never put their stuff away! I ended up getting them something like this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/closet/drawers/elfa?productId=10014858" rel="nofollow">http://www.containerstore.com/.....d=10014858</a></p> <p>... which sits in their closets. The drawers glide in and out easily, and are quite generously sized too. This system works much better for them. There is still room to hang items above it, but they don't have all that much that they would hang anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112180 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:39:08 +0000 April 112180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny -- can you tell us how those hangers save space? Are they just super-skinny, and if so, don't they cause the same problems as wire hangers?</p> <p>I LOVE closet organization and am constantly working on it myself, but would love to know about better hangers than what I have (a combination of white tubular plastic and space-hogging padded hangers for hanging up the sweaters that you're not supposed to hang...)</p> <p>Maya, I would definitely suggest using your dresser for the jeans. They can eat up a lot of closet space, especially if you're doubling their thickness by hanging them over the bar of the hanger, and they are the least likely thing to be crushed in a drawer. </p> <p>Maybe we should start a thread with photos of people's closets and clever storage ideas... there are certain closets on this forum for which I would pay admission... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112155 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:04:34 +0000 Dashrashi 112155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I fold and store in my dresser: socks, bras, underwear, stockings and tights, tank tops and most dressy-ish tops, long-sleeved knits, t-shirts, sweaters, and jeans. I have about 2-3 feet of hanging space, so it neeeeeeeds to be reserved for dresses/suits/woven shirts/dress pants etc. I have a few knit dresses (one sweater dress and a couple jersey dresses). I hang the lighter jersey dresses, but I fold the sweater dress and the heavier jersey dresses--they were starting to stretch out at the shoulders from hanging, and I think it's actually better to keep them gently folded. I have a dressy knit dress (ponte I think) but that definitely is a hanging item. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112122 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:18:44 +0000 AJ 112122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Maya!<br /> If you could post a pic of your closet then maybe we can help you form a plan.</p> <p>I still have problems dealing with clothing clutter. I need to do a closet purge but I can't seem to start. I still have maternity clothes in there and my youngest is 6! Aaack! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112121 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:17:57 +0000 Maya 112121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Any kind of wardrobe would take up about half my room. I do not have any space in my room for any additional furniture. My bed alone overwhelms the space. I think one of the reasons my dresser is underutilized is because I was hoping to get rid of it and free up some space in my room. </p> <p>Julie, that looks like a good investment!</p> <p>I'm sort of overwhelmed by all the different closet organization options. I don't even know where to begin! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112118 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:03:10 +0000 RoseandJoan 112118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mine and DH's clothes are in separate wardrobes in the spare room at present, however we are converting that room into a toy room and one wardrobe must go. The larger of the wardrobes is being moved into our bedroom and will hold all of our clothes.</p> <p>I am considering these<br /> <a href="http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/params.item.828494" rel="nofollow">http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvc.....tem.828494</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112115 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:35:11 +0000 marianna 112115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am planning to buy an Ikea wardrobe. Something like this:<br /> <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20093060" rel="nofollow">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata.....s/20093060</a></p> <p>My closet is tiny as well. I think an extra wardrobe will be my solution. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112114 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:30:28 +0000 Maya 112114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Precisely? I have no idea. Couldn't even venture a guess. This is my room though (three year old pic--I have a new comforter and tossed the old lady curtains), and as you can see, it's pretty tiny. My closet takes up maybe 3/4 of one wall. I have a shelf at the top, but it's off limits as it contains all my art supplies. </p> <p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/ranabow/IMG_2505-1.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....2505-1.jpg</a><br /> <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/ranabow/IMG_2502-1.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....2502-1.jpg</a></p> <p>Of course I took pictures of the whole thing EXCEPT the wall where my closet is. If I didn't have one lightbulb burnt out right now I'd take a new picture.</p> <p>I think I need to utilize that dresser whether I like it or not. For the time being all I put in it are pj's/loungewear and undies/socks/bras/hosiery.</p> <p>What do you fold vs. hang? Knits are obviously folding items, but does that include all knits? Ponte knits? Knit skirts? What about jeans? Jeans take up a lot of space in my closet, but I also reach for them most frequently. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112111 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:02:18 +0000 Angie 112111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, how much closet space do you have? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112106 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:17:35 +0000 Debbie 112106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of the things we did in my daughter's closet was take a rubbermaid container and place her t-shirts in it. This helped with space tremendously. The we put it in the top of her closet. This gave her space for other things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112102 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:57 +0000 elpgal 112102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have read about it but never tried this so not sure how well it works. Take pictures of all your clothes and accessories and print out sheets of thumbnails or put them in a flip album. Fold and stack clothes in rubbermaid containers or in dresser drawers. The only hanging clothes in the closet will be stuff that has been worn or is worn frequently. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112099 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:40:44 +0000 Dashrashi 112099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have absolutely no closet space, either. I'm constantly feeling like I have to purge, but then I try to and I end up saying, well, I love this, and this, and this...</p> <p>The only thing that's helped so far is moving stuff to my parents' house as a waystation. If it's something I don't wear crazy often, then I'll say, Okay, I'm not getting RID of this, I'm just leaving at my parents' house, and it's there if I want it/need it. (This is also helpful with clothing I have sentimental attachment to--i.e. everything. I get anxious about getting rid of clothing or accessories that were gifts, even/especially if I've never worn it. It's like the gift-giver will cosmically KNOW and I will have a black mark on my graciousness karma for all eternity.) Then, once it's out of my immediate life, I feel more comfortable saying, a few weeks or months later when I go through the stuff at my parents' house, Okay, this can go to Goodwill/my cousin/a consignment store. </p> <p>Of course, this has still left me with far too much for my far-too-limited space. My next approach is going to be going through my whole closet, asking myself if, I had fifteen minutes and one box, and there was, like, a fire coming, is this something that would make the cut, clothing-wise? Do I love it? Or is it functionally indispensable (e.g. black ribbed tank top)?</p> <p>If THAT doesn't work, then the plan is to try EVERYTHING on and make my boyfriend weigh in. Hopefully that'll get rid of some of my less successful experiments without feeling guilty or unsure. </p> <p>If THAT doesn't work, well...I'm moving in June, so I'll just wait it out with the clothes pile by the bed and make more closet space a non-negotiable in the apartment search. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112083 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:53:33 +0000 Jean Gray 112083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Helpful post, thanks for starting it Maya. And thank you Kristen for the links. Are those hangers supposed to be gentler on your clothes?<br /> I have heard the suggestion to set your closet up like a boutique. I also have limited space but that analogy sure make it sound more fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112075 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:15:25 +0000 shiny 112075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have those hangers and they make a huge difference. Yes, they save space. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112071 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:50:06 +0000 Maya 112071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Does anyone use these, or some other version? Do they really save space?</p> <p><a href="http://www.target.com/Mangano-Huggable-Hangers-Combo-White/dp/B001GKEV62/ref=sc_ri_4" rel="nofollow">http://www.target.com/Mangano-.....ef=sc_ri_4</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112070 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:42:01 +0000 Laura 112070@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I totally understand the small closet issue. That's way different than having lots of clothes. I have followed Angie's advice this year and am keeping nearly all of my clothes (except for walking shorts and clams and lightweight tees) out in plain view. That is likely adding to the "too many clothes" feeling in my closet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112062 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:09:32 +0000 Dawn 112062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm the same way, I have a walk-in wardrobe and it is packed with clothes! I swear I didn't own half this amount of clothes last year so it's all new stuff which I love so I don't want to donate any of it!</p> <p>After Christmas, I am going to separate my summer and winter wardrobe and do a challenge where I have to wear everything in my winter wardrobe before the end of February. Anything I don't wear will be donated or the reason why I don't wear it will be addressed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112057 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:41:11 +0000 Kristen 112057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, the fifteen included 6 of my husbands, and actually it WAS everything I owned -- in my previous size(s)! Summer, winter, camisoles, belts, some shoes and purses...everything except bras, underwear and socks. I still was pretty surprised when I counted up the boxes and the numbers; I'm doing a post about it today on the blog, in fact. </p> <p>Sounds to me like you need to re-think your organization more than anything else, and maybe really consider starting a donate pile. I'm starting one now of my current size, things I have realized were bad ideas/orphans/don't quite fit like I thought/inherited and need to be passed on, etc. This is a new concept for me; I'm only used to giving away things that are too big, not items I simply have given up on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112055 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:09:48 +0000 Maya 112055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh good, I'm not alone. The thing is, I think 15 boxes would be all the clothes I own (inclusive of shoes and accessories). I don't even know if I could fill that much!</p> <p>I really do not own a lot. I'm just so tight on space. My room here is smaller than most of my dorm rooms were in college. </p> <p>I do have a dresser that is sitting there almost empty (the top drawer is for socks/hose/undies). I don't use it because I hate wrinkles and hate ironing even more. Even my knits manage to wrinkle somehow, but I know you're not supposed to hang knits so I should really stop doing that...</p> <p>I also hate rummaging through all my nicely folded clothes to find the one thing I'm looking for. I guess I should just get over it though. </p> <p>I have an over-the-door shoe rack that holds something like 36 pairs of shoes which helped a LOT. I really need to donate some of those shoes though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-do-you-do-when#post-112054 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:59:38 +0000 Laura 112054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find myself in the same boat. Sometimes I imagine what Angie would say when she saw my closet. Probably something like, "too many clothes"! As Kristen said, time to donate. </p>