How I store my clothes

Inspired by Spiragirl 's recent post, I thought I would share my thoughts about wardrobe organising.

I am a naturally messy person, always have been. I have to forcibly make myself be tidy. And invent "systems" to satisfy the problem solver in me. So here are my wardrobe rules.

• All "bottom" items (skirts, trousers) must have a matching top selected to hang next to it.


• Each outfit is hung at one end of the rail section, together with any dresses, in the order they come out of the laundry pile


• I have more tops than bottoms, so the spare ones have their own area. The tops are hung in order of colour.


• I MUST wear the first outfit on the left end of the rail, each morning. This saves dithery mornings and ensures a full rotation of outfits.


• If for some reason I choose not to wear this outfit, it goes back to the beginning together with a mental "first strike". Sometimes I re-match it.


• Any outfit with three strikes goes straight in the charity/ebay bag.


• I operate a strict "one in, one out" policy. Anything new that I buy means I have to get rid of something else.


• I am ruthless with my keepers/binners. I ask myself: would I buy it now if I saw it in a shop?


• If it doesn't make me feel great, out it goes. Especially if it needs tummy sucking or hem hoiking to make it look nice.


• I have a drawer of vest tops in every colour for layering.


• I have a drawer of little cardigans for the same reasons.


• I wear a new outfit each day, but don't necessarily wash after one wear. If it's still clean it goes back to the right end of the rail.


• I have a winter/summer drawer with either jumpers or shorts and sun dresses depending on the time of year. The rest goes in the loft for the season.


• Jeans don't count as outfits, they are kept folded and are for "blergh" days, or the pub, or weekends.


• Posh shoes are kept in boxes on a high wardrbe shelf. But daily shoes are stored in a narrow "Billy" bookcase in the porch.


• I rarely iron anything. The trick is to take stuff straight out of the washing machine and shake the creases out. Never dump in the laundry basket, wet or dry.


• Don't keep things for best. Love your lovely things.


• If it doesn't fit you but you can't bear to bin it, make a bag up for the loft and forget about it. I did, and the empty wardrobe was motivation enough for me to join weightwatchers.

So how do you store your clothes? I would love to hear from you!