Enter the rolling clothes rack

I am not into the "capsule wardrobe" thing per se, meaning only wearing a limited # of items each season. But I do aim for loose capsules in which a number of things all go together, or capsules built around a color, and some seasonal schemes.

I never got one of those clothing racks, because again, not really "in" to all of the capsules and minimalism with lovely staged photos of 10 items, 1 pair of shoes, one leather bag all neatly arranged on a clothing rack, AND because I worried that if I got a clothing rack, I'd end up overflowing my closet. For my ordinary outfit creation, I just grabbed things from closet and temporarily hung on random hooks in closet or knobs in the bathroom during try-ons.

That said, I am also a terrible packer, for trips, as I struggle with making choices, wanting these or those shoes but they're not comfortable enough for major walking, or I have a clash of warm and cool colors for some reason, or a grouping is too wintry and hot for summer and vice versa, and often end up overpacking or getting in a spot where shoes don't go with all pants or whatever. It's where the rubber hits the road on whether I actually have small capsules of versatile items that REALLY go together, are the right fabrics, the right occasion-ready, without access to everything in my closet, or whether I strayed from color palette and got things too complicated, or a top I love isn't the right proportions with all the bottoms, or I need 3 toppers to make outfits.
In addition, when I do pack, I have never done well with my actual clothing-on-the -bed thing, even using a spare bedroom,as I would lose sight of things or have piles and then hard to keep putting back things I would not use.. And I really need the whole bed for my suitcase and to lay out smaller usual items to be sure I have all those, and room to fold and use packing cubes.

After some recent travel and in getting ready for an upcoming trip to a conference, I decided that perhaps a clothing rack would be great for me to improve my travel preparations. I got one from BBB and have not yet gone on my trip, but am working on my capsule and I LOVE it. I can grab 10-15 items from my closet(more of course in terms of capacity) and hang them on the rack and actually SEE them well and shuffle and think, then try on and start rejecting this and that, and really see how much or how little I've got it down to.

I hang almost all of my clothes to begin with, except very casual exercise, yardwork, a few other things so a hanging format works for me to grab and put back. I can hang a few accessories and bags as needed. I did not get one with a bottom shelf but will place something flat on the bottom frame to elevate selected shoes. It also makes it much more fun and less trouble to try things on and seems to help with making decisions about " this, not that". I can see things so much better.

Of course I can see using it to do some other "creating" as well, and that's a bonus, but if it only helps me have more successful and less stressful trip-packing, it will be worth it. Plus I think it will lead to a more focused shopping list.

Over to you--any good rack stories?

4 years ago

Anonymous

Well, I used a rolling rack for several years as a capsule organizer, and I often miss it now. I've since moved and have a differently configured bedroom which doesn't allow for a rolling rack . I also used it while I was planning clothes for a trip , as you've mentioned.

Runcarla

Veteran

I think rolling racks are great tools. My closet is large enough that I have room at one end to make a separate grouping for projects like working on a travel capsule or planing a special occasion outfit with accessories. If I didn’t have this space, I would be tempted to get a rolling rack. DH used to have a ‘butler’ where he could draped worn, but not soiled clothes and on which he would sometimes arrange an outfit for a special occasion. DS#1 has it now. The goal is to keep clothes off the floor. DS#2 doesn’t have a closet and we just konmari’d his dresser. A rolling rack might be the solution to the few things he has hanging in his brother’s closet.

You’ve got me thinking now...

Janet

(website)

I had one at our old house because it had minuscule closets. I used the rolling rack in a corner of the bedroom, with a shoji screen in front of it. It worked great for us!

I wonder if there is such a thing as a foldable or collapsible rolling rack. Sometimes it would come in handy but I don’t want one around taking up space all the time.

Jaime

Yes what Janet said. Remember old ironing boards that folded up against the wall when not in use? I mean I think they are old, does anyone still have those? Now imagine a foldable rack right next to it!

unfrumped

This one can be undone flattened out for storage though I’m not sure it’s super easy.
I have the luxury of spare bedroom where I also tend to keep the ironing board set up, even though I don’t iron ofte- but when I do it’s often a last- minute thing.
You’d think I could’ve just used the spare closet clothes rail as my organizing space, but having the rack in the room is so less claustrophobic and right by the bed where I am packing. Plus the closet door has a mirror outside.

Cardiff girl

This is interesting.l haven’t got room for a rack in my house but. I have found that an online tool that acts like a virtual rack has been really useful in planning packing and outfits.like you I used to lie things on the bed but somehow seeing them vertically seems to make all the difference.

notsaf

For those without space for a full rack, a few of these over the closet door can play the same roll!

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Jaime, the ironing board in our house folds up into a shallow cabinet on the laundry room wall when not in use! And I think I use it maybe twice a year. LOL

Vildy

I keep a few over the door short rods on the outside of my closet double doors, to help in making quick outfits.

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karen13

Vildy - so clever!. Unfrumped - I run screaming from rolling racks for exactly the concern it will just become a cluttered storage area (like the old exercise bike!). But I'm trying so hard to not overpack for the gazillion trips I've been on, I am tempted. Right now I just lay things on the bed, but the luxury of being able to place things in a secure displayed location for a few days before I leave would be awesome. Plus I could hang clean items I want to take, without the risk that I forget and wear them in the few days before I leave.

I have same as Vidly, on my closet door. That's where I put my outfits for the week!

Vildy, that’s a great solution — thanks! I found one that folds down flat against the door when not in use.

madeline

I love my rolling rack. Sits in the mostly unused guest room and has really helped me plan my weekly outfits as well as pack for trips.
Oh and the ironing board? It’s right next to it!

Karen13 that’s it exactly. I was packing for a work trip and wanted to be sure I set items aside and didn’t wear the week before- more than that, even, for items I’d have to dry clean if got really messed up.
I have had various hanging bars and swing arms and things but thise were not as good for real ease and visibility.

Madeleine, same here!

Style Fan

I don't use a rolling rack because of space issues. I like the look of the rack that Vildy posted! Perfect!

Gretchen

I love our rolling rack! I’ve started using it when trying on clothes. I take everything out of the boxes, put on racks and then try on, as if I were in a store. Nos go back to boxes, Yeses stay on the rack for a few days so I can play with outfits or double check sizing. It’s been a huge help in being more thoughtful about my choices.

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