Streamline Your Closet

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Like millions of other Americans, your 2019 New Year’s resolution was to uncomplicate your life. You’ve so far managed to streamline every part of your day, from your skin care routine to your morning workout sessions.

Yet, your closet remains a disorganized mess that continues to slow you down each morning. How can you arrange your closet in such a way that it helps you get out the door in record time without compromising your style?

Today, I’m going to share a few tips and tricks that will make it easier for you to dress better and faster than ever before. Whether you’re a natural minimalist or you prefer to add some pizzazz to your attire, these tips will make getting ready easier in the morning:

1. Commence the Purge

The first step in streamlining your closet is the hardest. It involves going through every piece in your existing wardrobe and purging the clothes you no longer wear.

Start by making three piles: one for clothes you know you won’t wear anymore, one for clothes that are “maybe” and another for clothes that are definite keepers.

If you have clothes that you no longer want and that are in good condition, donate them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, landfills received an estimated 10.5 million tons of municipal solid waste from textiles in 2015.

For clothes that are in the “maybe” pile, try them on right then and there. If you don’t think you’ll wear it again, toss it in the donate pile.

2. Create a “Capsule” Wardrobe

Although the term “capsule wardrobe” has been in the news a lot lately, it’s not a new concept. Created by boutique owner Susie Faux in the 1970s, a capsule wardrobe involves a collection of clothes that are interchangeable.

For instance, you can create a capsule wardrobe that involves several pairs of straight leg pants and blue jeans, basic crewneck shirts, a classic sweater or two and a versatile blazer. All of these pieces are easy to mix and match.

With a capsule wardrobe, you’ll never need to worry about your pieces not matching because everything goes together perfectly.

3. Invest in High-Quality Clothes

A lot of men think that it’s perfectly normal to purchase new clothes every six months because they don’t know any different. If your clothes are wearing out this quickly, the problem is that you’re purchasing low-quality clothes.

When you first ring up high-quality clothes at the counter, you’ll probably get some sticker shock. While it might seem insanely expensive upfront, rest assured that it will pay off in the long-term.

Higher quality clothes not only last longer and feel nice, but they also look better. If you can’t afford to get all your wardrobe essentials at once, save up for a pair of nice jeans or a high-quality blazer one step at a time.

4. Stick to Neutrals

If you want to make getting dressed a total breeze, shop for clothes in neutral colors such as gray, white, black, tan and possibly some blue hues. These colors go with everything and effortlessly enhance your style.

While the majority of your wardrobe should be filled with neutral hues, it’s fine to add some color as well. You can add some color with green chinos, which in the right hue can also work well with several different pieces.

5. Upgrade Your Hangers

Those plastic hangers you buy at Target are nice in that they’re incredibly inexpensive. However, they aren’t doing your clothes any favors.

Cheap wire and plastic hangers break easily and can cause dimpling in your clothing. If you want to save yourself time ironing out dimples in your shirts, it’s time to upgrade to premium wood hangers that are specifically designed to keep clothing secure and unwrinkled.

If you’ve followed the wardrobe capsule method, you shouldn’t have nearly as many pieces in your closet that require hangers. Even so, you don’t need nice wooden hangers for all your clothes—just the ones that wrinkle easily.

6. Sort Clothes by How Often You Wear Them

If you’re like most people, you have some clothes that you love and others that you’re lukewarm about. To save time in the morning, place your favorite pieces in front.

The same goes for seasonal clothes. If it’s the middle of summer, you don’t need to have your winter coat taking up space in the front of your closet. Move it to the back until the weather turns cold.

For the rest of your closet, consider organizing them by sections. For example, if you carve out a section for sweaters, you’ll know exactly where to look in your closet when you wake up in the morning.

7. Ditch the Hanging Shoe Rack

A hanging shoe rack takes up valuable space in your closet and most men don’t need one. They also aren’t that great at storing boots.

Before you toss your shoes on the floor where they will get smashed and tripped over, invest in a high-quality shoe rack instead. Although some guys will store their high-quality shoes in boxes, the quickest way to get dressed in the morning is by placing your shoes right where you can see them.

If you have enough room in your closet, consider putting them on display by installing floating shelves. Not only will it look sophisticated, but it also helps you visualize your entire outfit, from head to toe.

Final Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your personal style, every man can benefit from an organized closet. A simplified wardrobe will help you dress better and smarter by saving you both time and money in the long-term.

If you’re worried about getting disorganized again in the future, definitely use the capsule wardrobe system. This will keep your pieces to a limited amount so that your mess is kept to a minimum.

About The Author:

Akin Tosyali serves as the Director of Digital Marketing for Tiege Hanley and oversees all digital marketing activities from the Chicago headquarters.

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