How to Maintain & Manage Your Closet for Every Day

A few simple tasks can make a big difference in the look and vibe of your closet. 

You have a limited amount of time you can spend in your wardrobe, and if everything isn't laid out for you to think creatively, you can't conceptualize an outfit.

Suddenly you're reaching for an outfit that "works" rather than one that makes you feel and look amazing. 

Because of this, regular wardrobe maintenance is an essential. It allows you to bring structure and systems to your closet space, and with these systems, comes order. With order, you envision your outfits more easily, feel more satisfaction when putting outfits together and get clearer on what your style is and where your style's going.

Here are 5 simple tips to turn your closet from a landfill into a secret garden.

5. RETURN ANY UNWANTED GIFTS. 

I know this seems simple, but I can't tell you the number of times I've been in someone's closet and the conversation goes something like this:

"This doesn't look like the style you're going for. Can we donate it?"
"Oh yeah, that was a gift from my [insert: aunt, ex-boyfriend, friend, mom] and I've never worn it."

Instead of letting unwanted pieces sit in your closet, return them. It may feel like a gift takes up only a little bit of space, but that space can instead be used for something you love or even left as open space! 

The giver had the joy of giving the gift to you. Now it's time to give yourself some joy and exchange it for something you really love. If you're not sure where it's from, stick it in the donate pile for someone else to enjoy. Which brings me to my next point...

4. HAVE A RUNNING GIVE AWAY BAG IN YOUR CLOSET.

I get a lot of questions and assumptions that I must have a ton of clothes in my own closet.

I don't.

I practice what I preach, which means regularly investigating who I am and how I want my clothes to show that. Do I want to feel flirty, edgy, classic, etc...? Maybe all of these things, maybe not.

This thought process inevitably leads me to weed out some pieces in my wardrobe are no longer aligned with who I want to be style-wise.

While something may be beautiful, cute or a piece you once loved, if it doesn't represent you now, put it in the go pile. Perhaps you went through a divorce, gave birth, moved, or had a career advancement — all these life changes contribute to style changes.

When you're actively thinking about the messages behind your clothes, individual pieces in your wardrobe will start to stand out as "not you". When this happens, go with your gut. Add them to your bag, and when it’s full, donate.

3. PRIORITIZE SPOTS

I was in a client's closet yesterday and the first thing I noticed was the gym clothes had the prime real estate, right up front and center. The light-weight spring/summer tops were shoved in the back left corner.

While fitness is an essential part of life, you won't ever forget to use your workout clothes.

You will however forget about a summer top in a dark and dusty corner. In your closet, out of sight, out of mind holds true. 

Put the lifestyle essentials like tanks, work out gear and sweatshirts aside. Bring the pieces that can spark your creativity to the most visible spots in your closet. This way you can't forget about them, and you'll be encouraged to use more of your wardrobe. 

2.INVEST IN AN IRON AND A STEAMER

There's nothing sadder than pulling out something you're eager to wear only to find out you can't. It's horribly wrinkled, and you don't have time to fix it right now. This will thwart your whole style plan and throw off your day. 

When anything that needs to be ironed or steamed comes out of the dryer, hang it up in a certain section or put it in a particular pile, rather than putting it in its’ usual place. Add the task to your to-do list too, so you can easily remember to de-wrinkle each piece on Sunday night. 

Also, it's important you have both an iron and a steamer. Some fabrics are more responsive to one over another, so both will keep your bases covered. 

1. KEEP A SPOT FOR HANGERS-ON-THE-LOOSE

So often I walk into a client's closet and each section of clothes has unused hangers stuffed in between each hanging clothing item. The hangers get caught on neighboring clothes, the clothes get caught on neighboring hangers and suddenly each piece is going in its own direction. 

This makes it hard to sift through, hard to see and if you enjoy a beautiful closet, this one is not pretty either. 

When you remove an article of clothing from a hanger, place the hanger in a particular section. This makes it easy to grab when you're hanging up clothes again and creates order in each section.