How to organise your wardrobe

We all dream of the Carrie Bradshaw walk-in wardrobe, right? (either the one in her flat or in the films) Jammed packed with outfits to die for, matching hangers, and tons of beautiful designer clothing and shoes to last you a lifetime. The reality for most of us is a huge fear of everything falling out at you causing pure chaos first thing in the morning and just as dangerous as the Tupperware draw in your kitchen.

One of the many great results after a wardrobe edit, is the new coordination of your wardrobe, you know where everything is, it looks beautiful and inviting again and you fall in love with pieces you had forgotten about because they fell off an old dry cleaning hanger months ago into cracks of your old and wonky wardrobe. Sound familiar?

Our wardrobes have a big job, they look after our clothes that hold so many memories in. When we look at our clothes, we have so much nostalgia when we think about all of the great times we have had whilst wearing them, so when you want to organise your wardrobe, think of it as going down memory lane rather than one huge massive boring or overwhelming task.

If you need to edit your wardrobe before you coordinate it, check out my blog and video here on how to edit, before you go ahead with organizing your wardrobe.

Tips to keep in the back of your mind whilst you organise;

If you notice things have holes, stains, look tired, bobbly, dated, or don’t fit, pop them into a bag for charity or recycling, the extra space means you can fill it with wonderful new pieces!

Don’t forget about the beauty of getting things tailored, it’s more sustainable and costs less than a new version! I really recommend Roopal Vadgama

If more than one thing is on a hanger take it off and hang it on another hanger – treat yourself to new hangers if necessary because if you can’t see an item in your wardrobe you aren’t going to wear it and it’s wasted!

How to organise your hanging space

Prep time…

Put your positive pants on.

Order more hangers in advance if you think you may need some or if your existing hangers are all from the dry cleaners, they are a nightmare to keep your clothes hanging nicely on. Hangers with fabric on are great as they stop slinky pieces falling off and getting lost and then creased.

Check amazon or Ikea for draw separators for your lingerie and accessories

If you are feeling fancy, get yourself a hand steamer that you can keep in your wardrobe and plug in as easily as your hairdryer for a quick steaming. I’m allergic to irons (self-diagnosed obvz)

Grab a drink, hydration is key (or bubbles for bribing yourself, whatever gets you in the zone)

Put some tunes on

If you have access to a rail pop one up and grab three bags, one for charity, sell, and one for tailoring.

Action time…

Take a before photo!

I predict that you won’t have much space in your wardrobe to move your clothes around much so take take half out and either hang it on your rail or carefully place it on your bed.

With the half left in your wardrobe, organise it into the following sections…

At the back – your special occasion outfits e.g wedding, ascot, awards nights clothing

- Long dresses/jumpsuits, then midi length

- Long and midi skirts,

-Then mini skirts

-Then trousers (clip hangers are best to avoid annoying hanger marks on the knees) followed by culottes and shorts.

- Shirts/blouses, start with long sleeves and then into ¾, short and then strappy tops (option to also fold T-shirts and strappy tops in draws)

Then with the pieces on the rail/on your bed, slot it into the right sections of your wardrobe.

It will go from long to short in length and look super sophisticated. If you have enough clothes to colour code it as well, bloomin’ go for it!

I really really recommend NOT hanging your knitwear, it can stretch it out of shape and the shoulders can look all poky and not sit properly on your body after a while of being on a hanger. So carefully fold it into one of your draws.

Organising your draws

This is where things can get totally manic…. So, if you have treated yourself to draw organisers get them out and ready!

I recommend having your lingerie in your top draws for easy access so you don’t get too cold scrambling around in a bottom draw for your socks and pants!

Organise your undies into styles, Bridget Jones/shape wear, briefs, thongs, no VPL etc.

If you have matching sets try and keep them together so that you don’t ruin your organised draws trying to match them’

Tie your tights into balls so they stay looking neat and try and match your socks (my least fave job after hoovering)

If you have thermals or camis fold them neatly and keep them in your undies draw if there is space, if not they will work in your t-shirt or pj draw also.

I recommend tops next. Keep your long sleeves together, then short sleeves, strappy tops etc (notice the pattern here)

Keep your knitwear in the deepest draw as it doesn’t fold as neatly or as flat as your tops. Keep the chunky knits together and then the finer knits all in one pile.

If you like pjs, fold your matching pjs together, then tops and bottoms in separate piles if they don’t match. I always say to keep your fluffy socks and jumpers/hoodies in this draw too, so all your cosy bits live together.

Keep your active wear in your bottom draw, keep your leggings together, then tops, bras, jumpers, and any accessories you need for working out.

Voila! You are done! Don’t forget your after photo!

My final tip to make sure you wear all of your wardrobe is to ROTATE your items to get maximum wear. For example, if you have 9 dresses, wear the one from the front first and put it at the back of the pile after you have worn it. Then wear the next dress and repeat. If you continually skip a dress, it may mean you can sell/charity/tailor it.

I hope this helps inspires you get into your wardrobe and that it reminds you of the importance of your clothing. Our clothimg should be cherisges as its reflects who we are on the inside and holds all of our happy memeoires! Let me know how you get on. If you are still struggling to get in the zone, get in touch for a completary style session, id love to see how I can help you!

Stylish wishes as always,

Sian x

I am Personal Stylist based in London. I am a colour analysis expert, wardrobe stylist, and personal shopper. I specialise in body shape style, wardrobe edits, and shopping for clients. I am also a virtual stylist. I do online styling, online style advice, virtual body shape workshops, virtual wardrobe edits and online personal shopping. Fashion Stylist in London. Personal Stylist in London. London stylist.