Closet organization - YouLookFab Forum

rachylou

I roll my jeans. My closet is office wear (blouses and suits) hanging in one area (blouses over suits). Business casual on shelves (tops over pants). Bakery wear and sweaters in drawers. I mix and match within those capsules

6 years ago

Murph11

Veteran

Camp 1; hang jeans over the hangar bar!

6 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I hang by colours, as many items as possible, and all seasons out. I started doing it this way about 6 years ago. Pants, jeans included, hang by their hems from clamps style hangers. I have 6 drawers in my dresser however 2 contain sports gear. As you can see from the pics below, I am a bit of a minimalist and my closet is neutral heavy (no rainbow, but sartorial gold for me!)

There is extra room at the end of the rail and I sometimes assemble a mini capsule in this space and challenge myself to work from it. Other times I will just pull an outfit for the next day and hang it in this space.

Outerwear is in a hall closet shared by the family and rotates into a closet in the basement seasonally along with boots, mitts, hats, etc.

I'm a minimalist and can't say that I have ever 'lost' anything in my closet.

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6 years ago

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

The mere thought of closet organization is so calming, so I will follow this thread with interest. At the moment I’m camping in 3 different households with suitcases, closets, borrowing others’ clothes.... it is not fab, but I’ll enjoy your lovely closets vicariously.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Rachylou- it sounds like you do hybrid combo of both- outfits and separates. That would certainly help the “creature of habit” outfits while still allowing creativity on other items. Why roll your jeans- I have never seen nor heard of that technique?

RunCarla- Jean question too- why hang by hems? Interesting but I would think it would leave marks that would be seen- no? I hang them by waist band then I read in a couple of places not to... they say to fold on shelf but never really give reason. You certainly have wardrobe down to tight capsule but looks like you can make lots of outfits with what you have. Each piece has to be hard working. Notice you do same as me with purses. I have been reading where they say to use cloth dust bags- jeepers - I don’t need to spend extra time trying to play hide and seek for a particular purse. I like to look up and grab ( maybe that’s what they do for Birkins or Kellys lol- I don’t have either). I like your idea of having spot at end for pre- selection- that’s smart. Maybe I should be embarrassed to say- but I own no exercise gear. I am an avid walker so I go through a ton of new balance in a year. Also casual 3 seasons bike rider but don’t wear anything special and do my am tai chi in pjs.
Thanks for tips
Oh Jess- that has to be tough. Living out of a suitcase on vacation is tough enough let alone doing it regularly. I would love to hear tips in how you manage that -I think I would lose my mind. And several locations- wow! You definitely have to give me lessons..... especially on how to roll with the punches.
Thanks to all

6 years ago

Joy

Veteran

My closet is arranged by color like Runcarla's. I start within a color ( or neutral) group with tops, from sleeveless to long sleeves; then toppers, vests, cardigans and light jackets. At the end I presently have a hanger for scarves in this color group. On the lower rod are bottoms in the color. On the shelf in between are folded knit tops, often jeans. If you have one long bar, you can hang bottoms after tops. Be sure to separate groups of colors like navy and black that may be too hard to tell apart. I hang some jeans like Runcarla does and some of the more casual blue jeans are rolled in a drawer.
Dresses are all hung on a rod where then can be full length. At one end I may hang outfits of a mini capsule

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

They always say to roll your clothes when you pack... but the real reason I roll is the shape of the drawer my jeans are in... the drawers are very deep, I could never see what was at the bottom of the stack. So I roll the jeans and stand them on end...

6 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I'm firmly in Camp One. I don't have enough space whatever way I do it and am so looking forward to our new home which we are building out the back of our current one ( we subdivided). I attach pic 1, pants, hung over hangers, vaguely in colours. Pic 2, tops, summery then more wintry( transitional season right now and need both). Pic 3, tunics, dresses and dressing gowns. Shelves have folded items, shoes are separate, drawers have undies, bras, socks, tights, sleepwear, swimwear.

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6 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I don’t organize by outfit. I have more tops than bottoms. So it would be hard for me to set aside a closet full of specific outfits. My wardrobe functions like a giant capsule because my color palette is tight and my clothes mix and match together well. Using a quick eye, I can pick a top, a bottom and a topper and they will generally work well together as long as proportions are good. I suggest you think about the nature of your wardrobe and what style system would work best for your needs? Are all your clothes easily made into specific outfits that can be set up in the closet ready to go? Would you have stray items that wouldn’t fit into your system? Where would they go? Do you want to set up a week of outfits ahead of time to save aggravation in the morning? I do that sometimes. I see that as very different from an entire closet set up though.

Regarding your question about jeans, I hang my jeans by folding over top of a hanger. I have not seen any problem doing this with the way they hold up, and I have a very jeans heavy wardrobe. I hang them by style and color. I fit two pair per hanger. I hang all my tops above because my closet has a split rail. The tops are divided by color and also then by season. I don’t go by rainbow, but I do separate colors in a way I like, so I can find things easily. I pair all my toppers together, also separating by season. I have my dresses on the long rail of my closet, separated by color and then by season. I also hang my scarves in an over the door shoe container, my belts hang, my handbags hang, my shoes are also in the closet on hooks. My large sweater collection is folded on shelves, or rolled and stored. My tees are either on the shelves in the closet or in my dresser. My dresser also has two drawers of exercise gear, socks, undies, camisoles, and lounge wear.

6 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Work outfits which are generally the same for me jeans t-shirts and Boots I hang together in a pull and go.

The rest of my wardrobe is hung in sections jackets tops pants Dresses on a color basis

6 years ago

Anonymous

I don't know why but I find this whole "rolling of jeans" fascinating as this is the first I have ever heard of it... So thank you Rachy for mentioning it.

Joy- you would think I would smarten up and separate navy and black pants as you do. Sometimes I pick out outfits at night and hang them in BR for am dressing only to look and realize I picked the wrong color- my DH's answer was to loop card with color name on hangar (I had a color blind friend who had tailor sew labels of color description- along same lines) I like your idea better. I will engage brain eventually.
I never considered the way you and RunC do the categorizing items within color vs categorizing items then color but it makes sense and moves things closer to Camp 2 I think-no?

Stayfit- you have so many great ideas starting with putting additional thought into the whole project.
I tried the pulling weeks worth and when Wednesday morning came I would look at what I picked Sunday for Wednesday and would go..."eh, doesn't move me" and then began the "fashion show" as my DH refers to it-LOL. Guess I either have to be less fickle or pick better.
I don't have many jeans at the moment but desperately looking with help of DD. But I like how you speak of organizing them.

Oh Jenni- I hope the new home you are building has lots of great closet space. Then you could do Camp 1 AND camp 2- every woman's dream-lol. Hope it is done soon!

Thanks for all the great input and ideas- now I better start thinking and digesting these ideas and answering some of the questions raised. May be delaying the closet turn over a bit.

6 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Camp 1 for me, but my outfits are pretty simple and my wardrobe very mix-and-match. And I just hang my jeans over a hanger ... never done them any harm?

6 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I'm in camp 1, like with like. I have a closet and a dresser. I put most of my longer skirts and woven tops in the closet. The dresser accommodates my underpinnings, plus knit tops and jeans.

I'm not sure why hanging would be bad for jeans. I would think that they are sturdy enough that they could handle it. I am more concerned about sweaters, which can stretch in the shoulder area from their own weight.

Color is of no concern to me. I am a very neutral-heavy dresser, though.

6 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Camp one. I put like with like -- organized by color and type. My tops are divided into knits vs wovens, and long sleeves vs. short/sleeveless. My jeans (and casual pants and shorts) and most knits/sweaters are folded on shelves. I think I only have one pair of pants hanging because my pants are all casual (chinos or denim or stretch/technical fabric, no dressy trousers).

I am not a minimalist and I have a lot of clothes, which I mix and match quite a bit, so the idea of hanging outfits doesn’t appeal to me at all.

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6 years ago

Anonymous

Gigi and Toronto girl- I get what you are saying that’s why I raised the Jean question- I hate when you read - fold don’t hang - but don’t get an explanation or a logical reason. I will take any good recommendation on clothing care if it made sense not when it raises questions of why.
But Gigi- I 100% get the knit sweaters folded - perfect sense for reason you gave- but now you are talking about your folded jeans..... so there has to be a reason to fold vs hang for you or is it a space issue?
Ok Janet- wish I could give you more of those little charms but more importantly I think you live about a 4-5 hour drive away.......I want you to organize my closet- lol. Awesome job on yours. And while I get that you post you are a photographer you still have to have a great subject matter...and those pictures of your closet organization is fantastic subject matter. Just saying.
Thanks to all YLF Friends helping me make sense of the closet or raising more interesting questions.

6 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sigh ,I dream of a walk in wardrobe where everything is organised and hanging in appropriate categories,meanwhile back in the real world l just don’t have enough space or I have too many clothes but either way everything is rammed into my wardrobe vaguely organised by clothing type I.e all shirts together and so on .I fold my jeans into piles on shelves ,my jumpers are in boxes under the bed to protect against moths and underwear ,socks and the like are in drawers.I don’t have room to hang in outfits but sometimes I do this and leave the outfit hanging on the handles outside the wardrobe.

6 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

As I enjoy mixing my clothes in different ways, the idea of arranging by specific outfits does not appeal to me, so I am in your "camp one." I hang all long pants together, all cropped pants together, all short jackets together, all long jackets together, all blouses together, all button-front shirts together, etc. (My jeans are on hangers too.) From time to time, I also arrange these items by colour, but that's not a necessity to me.

My pullovers etc. are in drawers and are organized by neck type (turtlenecks, crewnecks, etc.) and sleeve type (longsleeved, shortsleeved and sleeveless).

All my scarves are on hangers (3-6 on each hanger), all thin scarves together, and all thick scarves together, and are organized by colour.

Most of my shoes are in hanging shoe shelves and are organized by type and then by colour.

My tights and socks are in boxes in my drawers and are organized by type and then by colour. My knitted hats and my gloves are also in drawers and organized by type and colour.

Out-of-season items are stored in the attic.

6 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I organize by type, color and pant or sleeve length, item weight (or current season appropriateness). And if there is something I want to get more wears out of it goes front and center so I notice it.

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hang per item, per colour, per season. MUCH easier for me to create outfits that way. ALL in our small walk-in wardrobe that I share with Greg - and the seasons are together. Coats in the coat closet.

6 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Camp 1 because I look for pants or skirt, then top. Wardrobe is not st all full mix& match, but usually have several tops that go with each bottom.
But, I do sometime create a few outfits in advance so I try to clear a small part of rail for those.
If you are doing a lot of try & toss, you nigh want to record what works or not. I had been keeping a small file card on pant or skirt hanger to say , wear with tops x, y, z and shoes 1,2 etc. That would be after continually ripping off a top because it was too short, too long , whatever trying on 3 pairs of shoes before I remembered which ones I really liked.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Cardiff- you and I both wish for that walk in closet....although then I would need more money to fill it with more clothes so I guess it comes under the heading of be careful what you wish for????
Cat- the detail with which you categorize is amazing- no wonder separating by color is not a necessity- your closet sounds like a "well oiled machine"- wow. We had an attic in my childhood home that we stored off season clothes in- but none here. I can't even put stuff under the bed because that's where the sheets, towels, extra curtains and blankets are.
But I am not complaining- I think my space is adequate for my needs so long as I really keep it organized- I just occasionally get antsy and think there has to be a better way- hence I asked YLF!!!
Barbara- I like the idea of moving a piece to showcase so it gets more wear- maybe that's wear a "pre-arranged- camp 2" pairing could come into play.
Unfrumped- I use to do the same thing only in a small notebook in closet- but then I would lose the book among the shoes, or curate out some of items listed so it was no longer up to date and then of course when things got busy........ I guess I am not that disciplined at this moment in time.
Once again thank you all for helping me think through this project at hand. I love having friends to bounce ideas off and get great ones in return. I am very grateful to you all.

6 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Such a great thread and so nice to see photos.

I organise by type (dresses, skirts, culottes, jumpers, tops, scarfs, jackets, trench, two gear tops). I’ve 60 identical hangers, plastic pink, 6 pink velour covered hangers for slippery stuff, 4 scarf hangers, 8 skirt hangers. All kept in a purpose made wardrobe (last years gift to our house!) about 1.5m wide on a single rail with this seasons shoes and bags in a cupboard below and last / next seasons bags and shoes above. Part of the joy of having a wardrobe/ belongings generally, for me, is keeping them neat! I’m slightly secretive about it but it’s great to share with YLF!

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Jane... speaking of secret organisation... once a colleague got so mad at me because she learned I had sock drawer organisers... lololol!!

6 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I organize by type first and then by colour. I fold my jeans and sweaters. I have two closets. One is in the loft and one is in the spare bedroom. Not a great set up but it is the best for our house.
I also have some shelves for my Yoga clothes, mats and other gear.
I separate the seasons except for blazers and jackets. I keep those hanging in the closet all year long.

I don't have a large wardrobe. After I retired I culled a lot. Maybe too much. Also, my wardrobe is mostly olive green, brown, cream, cognac and a small amount of black.

I have one dresser with 4 drawers. One drawer has undies, one has socks, one has camis and leggings and one has bras.

I have hooks in one closet for my bags (I don't have a lot of bags) and I have a shelf for my jewellery boxes. I also have a jewellery armoire.

6 years ago

Mainelady

Veteran

I organize by like items. In the closet in our bedroom I hang L-R vests, blouses (sleeveless, short sleeved, then long sleeved), blazers ad jackets, skirts, pants. The pants are the only items that I also hang by color. On shelves below the rod I have shoes, clutch purses and folded bulkier items, like capes and ponchos. In my dressing area the closet hangs shoes bags, dresses. Shelves top to bottom have sweaters: turtlenecks, pullovers, cardigans. This closet also has sections for accessories: hanging scarves, long necklaces, jewelry boxes, a basket of belts and a small shelf where I place my everyday jewelry whenever I need to take it off. I have a storage bin for off season shoes and a few pair of extra shoes on the floor. My dresser drawers top to bottom: jewelry trays, under garments, including tights, turtlenecks and long sleeved jerseys, short sleeved and sleeveless tops, fitness wear and pajamas. The shelf above my dresses keeps my larger handbags and totes organized. The insides of the closet doors have mirrors mounted, so I can easily check all angles as I am getting dressed.
Our laundry room is just a few steps away to the left. I organize my work outfit the night before and hang / lay it in there. In the mornings, before showering I pull out a dresser drawer (to serve as a sort of shelf) and place my outfit on the open drawer. The master bath is to the right, so once I am ready to get dressed, everything is within easy reach. Efficiency is critical for getting out the door by 7:00.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Camp 1 all the way.

Camp 2 makes a lot of sense to me. I have attempted it twice in my life. On both occasions, the closet looked hectic. Even though I knew it was organized in a very logical and prescribed way, every time I opened the closet doors I was greeted by a sense of disarray and chaos. I returned to the "calmness" of my very ordered closet both times.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Jane- I did the whole new hanger thing on last reorganization and I absolutely love the look. Plus it is harder to lose stuff since they are all on same level plain (plane? Who knew English was my first language- lol). Best thing I ever did in closet reorganization- thumbs up! I did the velours- stumbled on 25 for $10 at Marshall’s I thought that was ok price because I was breaking plastic daily.
Rachel- for sock I still organize with shoe boxes - but sock organizer are cause for envy not anger- lol
Style fan- we organize dresser the same way. Your wardrobe palette sounds like it fits great with your picture. I agree sometimes culling process can go too far. That’s why I have learned to do it in stages and never when emotions are high one way or the other.
Mainelady- I so want your physical closet! A place special for scarves AND jewelry AND off season shoes- cue the song- Heaven..... I’m in heaven- lol. And may I add- it is clear that space was designed by a woman- great closet, proximity to BR and laundry- yup definitely designed by a smart woman!
Sterling- what a great adjective to describe the closet- hectic- I love that. I think that’s why I sent out the SOS to YLF Friends- maybe not as close to chaos but definitely hectic! Yes to calm. Thanks for pin pointing the exact feeling in one word.
Thanks to all of you for the great ideas, warning bells and cause for dreaming. You folks are awesome.

6 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

Sized and colorized was how clothes had to be hung/displayed when I worked in a small boutique in Shreveport. All face left. Lighter colors to darker colors, left to right. That's kind of how I organize my closet now.

I also separate tops by sleeves: sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves; left to right. Pants are not separated beyond shorts to the left and all longer pants lumped together on the right. Since we have relatively mild winters, I keep everything accessible year-round.

I live in an RV, so storage is limited and seasonal changeover are hard. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself when we move into the house and I have 1/3 of a walk-in closet to use (yes, only 1/3, because DH has way more clothes than I do, even though I have more shoes LOL). I'm probably going to sort my clothes by work & not-work. Work clothes, for me, are the things I am willing to sacrifice to fruit stains, rips from nails/screws, and general abuse (I work at a fruit stand & live a very rural life). I'm looking forward to having space to keep my not-work clothes separate yet easily accessible, because I have several garments that seem like duplicates but in reality serve as the work-clothes version of a favorite garment. Right now, it's mostly all jumbled together & it makes it more difficult to find something to wear.

I do hang jeans, folded over the bottom bar of the hanger. I also hang really thin/lightweight sweaters (not optimal, but my storage is REALLY limited).. I have a few really long garments that have to hang in DH's closet because my closets are too small for them. I'm looking forward to having all my clothes in one place so I'm not on a scavenger hunt when getting dressed.

6 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I bounce back and forth between camps 1 and 2. Usually I start a season in camp 2, I have my outfit pairings and repeat often. Then as the season rolls on and I want a change, I switch to camp 1 so that I can figure out new outfit combinations, since I already have my tried and true combinations memorized by then, I don't need to keep my closet organized in outfits later in a season.

6 years ago

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