wardrobe organisation Archives

What to cull from your wardrobe

29th April, 2023

There’s nothing like a new season to inspire you to do a thorough clean out of your wardrobe and purge it of any unwanted or unusable clothes taking up valuable closet real estate. After all there’s nothing better than a completely organised space where you can see everything you own at a glance and not have to dig through piles of clothing that you last wore in 1998. I’ve already covered in depth how to spring clean your wardrobe and also how I keep my own organised however if you’re going to embark on a big clearing spree it pays to know what to keep and what to bin to ensure you end up with only the clothes that you will definitely get plenty of use out of. And just think, once you’re done you’ve freed up essential space for any new purchases.

Stained/damaged/misshapen garments

Go through every single item of clothing you own (yes even socks and undies) and bin anything in bad shape. First and foremost this means clothes with stains or rips that can’t be mended and anything that’s a bit misshapen or stretched. It’s better to have a tight edit of clothes that are in pristine condition than a ton of clothes that are only partially usable.

“Someday” clothes

I think most women have clothes in this category in their wardrobe. It could be that dress you’re hanging onto for when you lose a few kilos or the jeans that you once loved but are hoping could come back in fashion. Be brutally honest and ask yourself whether you’re really going to wear them again. I’m betting that most of the time the answer is no.

Anything you haven’t worn in a year

If you’ve survived an entire 365 days without the urge to take out a particular item of clothing once, chances are it’s time to break up with said garment. And you may say that you’ll swear to wear it someday but the reality is it’s probably just going to end up gathering dust in the back of your closet for another 365 days. Bite the bullet and bin it or donate it to charity.

It belongs to the old you

As we age and move into new phases of our lives often our wardrobe can be left behind. Whether it’s changing jobs to an entirely new industry where your collection of suits just no longer works or being a mum who lives in casual lounge wear but has a closet full of non-child friendly clothes, it’s time to start dressing for the life you have not the one you had. You’ll feel so much better looking into your closet having plenty of feasible outfit options everyday than feeling despondent every morning that you have nothing to wear.

…and what you should definitely keep

Hang onto classic pieces that are timeless staples of every woman’s wardrobe. These are the clothes that will last you season after season and will still be with you long after the latest trend becomes a distant memory. I think there are 10 items every wardrobe needs but as a general guide these things will not date and are worth hanging onto:

A crisp white shirt
A black or navy blazer
A trench coat
A leather jacket
A great pair of jeans that fit you perfectly
A little black dress
A striped tee
A pair of leather pants/leggings
A quality winter coat in black, grey, navy or beige
A pair of black dress trousers

If you’re honest with yourself and are able to let go of what’s going unused I promise that after this you’ll end up with a wardrobe that you’re just dying to wear…and a valid excuse to go shopping for some new additions!

What are some of your tips for a good wardrobe clear out?

Fashion

How I plan my outfits

23rd April, 2023

Planning outfits helps me stay organised

I’m an outfit planner. My days are so varied that I like to take wardrobe dilemmas out of the equation as much as possible (that said, I’m not totally immune to a wardrobe crisis here and there) by mapping out my outfits. Some days I’m in full mum mode which means comfort is key but other days where I’m juggling work functions and Date with Kates I need to look a little more polished. Here are a few key ways that I make it work.

I always have inspo at the ready

Planning outfits is made much more stress-free if I have a few looks I’ve seen at my fingertips to inspire me. I tend to collect these as I go along whether it’s saving images on my Instagram or screenshotting particular looks I come across. If I am a bit stumped as to what to wear a quick scroll through these images will immediately get the styling juices flowing.

Wardrobe organisation

If there’s one thing that will make pulling an outfit together easier it’s an organised closet. My wardrobe is organised according to category so jackets together, jeans together and so forth so I know immediately where to look. There’s nothing worse than having a particular outfit in your only to find the shirt that pulls it all together is M.I.A. And to make things even simpler I compartmentalise all the pieces I wear all the time into a section in my wardrobe so I don’t have to search the rest of my closet and mess everything up in order to find what I’m looking for.

Wardrobe organisation is key for a seamless outfit planning session

Having a hero piece

I know some people start with a pair of shoes or a great necklace and work their outfit around that but I like to start with a particular garment whether it be a dress or pants. From there I build on the outfit with a jacket, shoes and bag. I think by just having one key item to start from it helps with creating an entire look rather than just trying to match random pieces together.

Making it versatile

There are times when my day is quite mixed so I need to make sure my outfits are versatile so they’re appropriate for a few different occasions. I sometimes have multiple events in a day so I have to ensure that I only need to change one thing to mix up the look as I don’t often have time to change. This can be as simple as changing the jacket I’m wearing to give the outfit a different vibe.

Giving myself enough time

I’m a planner but there are those people who plan their outfits the night before, even the week before and I’m the first to admit that I can’t work that way. I’d love to be that organised but I find I won’t feel like wearing something if I lay it out beforehand which totally defeats the purpose. So to combat this I try and factor outfit prep into my morning routine so I don’t get frazzled and end up running late. Even just an extra 10-15 minutes of time is enough to pull something together with minimal stress. I don’t want to completely leave it to chance though so I make sure most things I’m likely to reach for are clean and pressed so they’re ready to go.

What are some of your major wardrobe tips? I’d love to hear them so share them in the comments below.

Fashion

What I’m culling from my wardrobe this year

14th January, 2023

I always like to do a wardrobe clear-out a few times a year and having felt the urge to get my closet organised recently (blame the new year!) inspired me to take a good hard look at what’s currently in there. And let me tell you, there’s pockets of my closet that are in definite need of a little culling.

I find it’s always good to take stock of what you own every season, just to make sure that you’re not hoarding anything unnecessary that’s eating into valuable wardrobe space. I don’t have endless space to house my clothes, shoes, bags and accessories, and I’m sure most women can relate to this never ending mission to just try and fit everything in without it falling on top of you every single morning.

I had my closet reworked a few years ago and of course, I’ve managed to accumulate more things between then and now, which has left me with less room. So, in the interests of organisation I’ve decided that these are some areas of my closet that I’m going to be ruthless and cull.

Workout gear

Who has more workout clothes than days they actually, well work out? I’ve got way too much exercise gear. I got some great new pieces during lockdown and throughout last year and love them, but there are some things floating around in my closet that have probably seen one workout too many. Or there are some that I just simply don’t wear anymore. I have too many pieces and I wear the same ones to death. Also, trainers! I need to get rid of old pairs I don’t really use anymore as they’re just taking up precious real estate. I’m planning to pick the key pieces I know I always wear and either bin those that are too ratty and old or donate the things that are barely worn but are still in good shape.

Black shoes

I have a black shoe obsession. I’ve realised I have way too many black shoes. I know they’re versatile but honestly, who needs more than a few key pairs of black shoes. I think a great pair of heels, boots, sandals, slides are essentials and the rest I’ll have to assess in terms of how often I actually wear them.

I’m making a pledge to only keep the pieces I truly love and wear often

Lounge wear

My lounge wear and casual wear build up quite quickly (particularly during lockdown, when I was pretty much living in them most of the year). Things like my t-shirts and singlets can get old really easily as I wear them all the time but that also means I need to make a more concerted effort to replace them when they do start to look bad. So I’ve made a pledge to myself that once they’ve had their day it’s time to let them go, even if it’s a fave.

Summer dresses

Summer has made me realise that I’m harbouring a ton of little cotton dresses that don’t get worn much but I’ve been hanging onto for some reason. These dresses are great for a little while but they don’t often last the test of time. They pill, they fade, they lose their shape, so I think it’s time I ditched the ones in bad shape as I know I’m not going to wear them again.

Identifying these key areas has really reminded me that it’s important to shop strategically to avoid just buying and stockpiling the same things over and over again. And also financially, it doesn’t make sense to waste money on mindless purchases that may only end being culled later on. I’m making a pledge to get maximum wear out of my wardrobe this year and to do this, I think I need to start with the pieces I really love and wear often. And this wardrobe clear-out was a great place to start.

What areas of your wardrobe are you guilty of hoarding? What are some things you’re planning to cull from your wardrobe this year?

Fashion

5 things to make getting dressed this week easier

24th August, 2022

A little outfit planning goes a long way

Morning wardrobe dilemmas are a common occurrence for most women. And it can be downright stressful. Anyone who has ever found themselves running late, only to lose the very shirt they wanted to wear will know how it can get your day off to a bad start. So the best way to get around this is to do a bit of forward planning.

You can plan as little or as much as you want but if there’s one thing I know it’s that getting your outfit sorted ahead of time can shave minutes off your getting ready time (more time in bed!). It also avoids that situation where you walk out the door and immediately regret what you’re wearing but you’re cutting it too close to change. If you want to avoid last minute panic tomorrow then take note of the following five things…

Designate Sunday as your ‘get organised’ day

You can pick any day you want but Sunday is great because it’s the start of the week. Look at your diary, pinpoint what you have on and then start pulling your looks together. And once you know the outfits you want to wear it’s a good time to wash everything you’re going to need (don’t add additional stress by doing it the night before!) and iron everything in advance. This way all you have to do in the morning is get dressed and walk out the door.

Do a wardrobe clean up

Nothing will stand in the way of you and a drama-free week of outfit planning than a closet that’s overflowing. A little wardrobe organisation goes a long way as it takes away the stress of having to locate clothing in a pile of unidentifiable shirts. My foolproof way to organise my clothes is to take everything out and do a cull to start with. Once I’ve done an edit leaving me with only the clothes I’m loving and using, I will organise them into categories. So jeans go in one spot, activewear in another, blazers, coats and so forth. This means I can see everything and instantly know what I have to work with.

A designated rail is a great way to keep your outfits organised

Put everything in a designated area

If you’ve gone to all the effort of planning your outfits there’s no point putting them all back in your cupboard only to have to find them again throughout the week. If you’ve got room in your home, I really like the idea of having a designated rail to hang all your looks for the week. This can include everything from clothes to shoes and accessories. If you’re a bit tight on space, try hanging your outfits together on one side of your closet so you can easily find them.

Set yourself a challenge

It can become quite tedious to just wear the same things over and over again so why not set yourself a style challenge each week. I have one here that you could try or simply come up with your own. It can be anything from wear one animal print item or wear an all-white outfit. The key is to get your creative juices flowing and think beyond your usual fashion repertoire.

Rethink an old favourite

I’ve got a few old faves in my closet which I wear to death. I usually know off the top of my head what they will go with and end up in the same looks. And whilst this is great for those days when I just can’t be bothered thinking of what to wear, it can sometimes get boring. So, to get around this I’m trying to take the old faithfuls in my wardrobe and wear them in different ways. Whether it’s pairing it with a different colour or a skirt as opposed to jeans, I’m making the effort to rejig the classics I own to keep them fresh.

What are some things you do to make getting dressed throughout the week easier?

Fashion, Fashion & Beauty

How to organise your wardrobe

12th May, 2020

There’s no better time than now to do a huge wardrobe clear out, and it’s something that’s been on my agenda for awhile. I always find it cathartic to do a big spring clean and it’s a great reminder of what I actually own, and also highlights any gaps in my wardrobe.

I’ve had my own way of doing things for awhile but wanted to tap into the expertise of stylist Jess Pecoraro for some expert organisation tips to help me out on my decluttering session. Having worked with Jess I can attest that she’s used to organising and keeping organised huge volumes of clothing for her clients but also for her own closet and is guaranteed to have some really useful tips.

Check out our video chat above for everything from the really useful way you can upcycle shoe boxes, to the hangers we both swear by and the best way to store tees and knits.

Organisation essentials

Here are all the products we discuss in the video — happy organising!

The Daily Edited tray organiser

Flocked hangers here and here

Sunglasses storage case similar here and here

Clothing rack

Clear boxes

Fashion

Sneak a peek inside my wardrobe and how I keep it organised

22nd March, 2017

I used to have the luxury of using a spare room in our house as a wardrobe however I’ve since had to cull things down a lot and keep it confined to a set of cupboards and drawers. This definitely called for some serious organisation on my part. Whilst it was quite a mammoth task to get everything into a smaller space it was certainly very cathartic to do an edit of everything I owned and to see the more organised finished product. When it comes to my wardrobe having a system is key as I find it helps to make it so much easier to get out the door in the morning. Here’s how I do it:

Categorise everything

I make sure to separate everything into different categories – I put jumpers with jumpers, skirts with skirts and pants with pants so I know which section I need to look at when I’m after something. If everything is just in random piles I will never be able to find what I’m after.

Segregate into seasons

I put my out of season clothes in storage so it doesn’t take up valuable real estate in my wardrobe. When it’s summer I put away all my coats and winter clothes and vice versa. I find this also helps me to see what I have to wear during a particular season without being overwhelmed by everything else I own. Also, so my out of season clothes don’t take up valuable storage space in the house, I put them in vacuum sealed bags. This is also helps protect them whilst they’re out of action for a few months.

Introduce a go-to section

I hate having to rummage through the rest of my clothes when I’m pulling things out that I use on a regular basis so to get around this I make sure to put all the clothes I use a lot in one section. This includes my jeans, leather pants, black blazer, a white shirt and all my white t-shirts as I wear them the most. I have about seven different looks that are my go-to so I keep them in an area that is easily accessible so I don’t mess everything up.

I have the same system with my shoes. I put the ones I wear the most at the front of my cupboard and the ones I wear the least further back so I don’t have to pull everything out when I’m trying to get to them.

Invest in matching hangers

I threw away all my wire hangers and invested in black Ikea hangers to keep everything in my cupboard uniform. It keeps everything looking neater and it makes me feel like I’m browsing through a boutique whenever I’m looking at my wardrobe.

Keep accessories in the one spot

I keep things like my sunglasses, jewellery and hair accessories in the one easy to access drawer so they’re easy to view at a glance and I know exactly where they are. I find if I have them in different spots I’m more likely to forget where everything is thus adding more time to my getting ready time in the morning. When it comes to the accessories I use the most, I pop them in a small bag which I know I can easily grab if I am going away.

The great thing with having an organised wardrobe is it encourages me to stay organised as not only does it feel nice to look at a tidy space it also helps me to keep track of where everything is. I’ve also found that by having a system it doesn’t matter how much closet space I have, everything is guaranteed to have a home.

Tell me – what are some of your best wardrobe organisation tips?

Photography: Sophia Athas