By Sheila Dicks 

If you are like most people, at some point in your life you have found yourself staring into a closet full of clothes and being totally frustrated because there was nothing in the closet you wanted to wear. If you are one of the lucky ones this doesn’t happen often. However, if this is an ongoing problem you encounter, there is a way to change it.

The problem of having lots of clothes, none of which are suitable is caused by bad shopping habits. When shopping is done haphazardly a closet becomes a place of confusion. This is a predicament that continues to build unless dysfunctional shopping habits are replaced by well thought-out, organized routines.

When you change your way of shopping, your closet changes.

You can wake up to a closet that inspires you to get dressed simply by following these guidelines:

1. Clear Out and Take Inventory
2. Mix and Match
3. Restock

 Clear Out and Take Inventory

Begin by removing everything from your closet. Start this task when you have lots of energy and at least a day to do it. It is best to begin in the morning while there is natural daylight and you can see colors better.

Prepare a space (box or bag) and separate your clothing into four piles:

• Items that are worn out badly stained or unfit to wear. These items are to be thrown out.
• Items that are too big, too small, to itchy, wrong color; those you don’t like and those that you haven’t worn in a year or more. These are items that you give away.
• Items you like but require mending or altering.
• Clothing you like and looks good on you. Items that need something to go with them to complete an outfit. Put these back in your closet

Now you are left with only the clothing items you like and wear. The next step is to make a list of all the items you have. For example: black pants (2), white shirts (3), blue turtlenecks (2), black-print shirts (3), grey- tweed jacket (1) black skirts (2), grey pants (1).

Now that you have identified all the keepers put them back into the closet and arrange them in an order where they are easily found.

Mix and Match

Take the list items you have and decide how many different looks you have by putting tops and bottoms together that match.  For example, using the inventory mentioned above, adding a royal blue shirt (or royal blue blouse) will make three new outfits.  The royal blue shirt can be worn with black pants and grey-tweed jacket, grey pants and grey-tweed jacket and black skirt and the grey- tweed jacket.

Make the same decisions using accessories. For example, taking into consideration the colors you have in your wardrobe, you will be able to decide on the color and type of accessory you will want to add.

How many separates can you make into interesting looks by tying them together with a necktie? Make a shopping list of all the items you need to complete outfits. It is much easier to make shopping decisions when you are looking at the clothes you have right now.

If not knowing how to coordinate is where you fall short, enlist the help of a friend or professional.

Restock

The key to having a functional closet – a closet where everything gets worn – is to have items that fit well together and are easily seen. There is more than one way to organize a closet; however the most popular way is by garment – a separate section for suits, pants, jackets, skirts and shirts. Hang ties on horizontal tie racks where they are easy to see. Hang accessories in a place that is visible. Organize sweaters, knit shirts and jeans on shelves or store them in containers at the top of your closet.

Those who have functional closets have put time and effort into their wardrobes. Simply having an organized closet will not fix the problem of having nothing to wear, unless all the clothes the closet are items that fit well, look great on you and you want to wear. When you have that settled then it is time to organize and stay organized. Only add pieces to your wardrobe that look great on you and match at least three other items.

©Copyright 2004 -2011 Sheila Dicks