5 Tips to Help You Organize Your Spring Wardrobe Essentials

By Marla Tomazin

At long last the sun is out and days are getting warmer as winter fades into a memory. That means it’s finally time to throw open your closet doors and start swapping out those heavier items for cheerful spring and summer staples.

While you’re busy trading your coats and heavy boots for sandals and sundresses, it’s a good time to clean and reorganize your entire closet from top to bottom. Ideally, you should revamp your closet each time you do a seasonal swap-out. Over the course of a season, dust accumulates on shelves, scarves get tangled together, and items often end up in a jumble on the floor.

A thorough reorganization does more than ensure your clothes are tidy and dust bunny free: It breathes new life into your existing wardrobe and helps you see which pieces are missing for the upcoming season. But most of all, having an immaculate closet frees you from worrying about what to wear each day. Instead, your entire spring wardrobe is beautifully presented before you, waiting to be worn.

Here are several tips to help you make your spring closet functional, sparkling, and worry-free.

First, clean your closet. Yes, the actual closet. Take the time to dust the shelves, vacuum the floor, wipe down the walls, and get rid of any clutter that has been building up over the last few months. When a room is clean (even if it’s “just” a closet), you’ll feel more positive and inspired when you’re in it.

Choose a storage technique for winter pieces. If possible, I recommend always storing your off-season clothes in another closet. If you don’t have the space, though, you can also keep them in air-tight plastic containers under the bed or in a storage room. I strongly advise that you not store your clothes in the attic or basement, as these spaces aren’t always climate controlled. And often, mildew, insects, and other pests find their way in.

 Have any dirty clothes or shoes cleaned. Set aside any cold-weather clothes, including outerwear, that need to be professionally cleaned. It’s best to take care of this task now so that everything will be ready to go next fall. Likewise, take any boots and shoes that need new heels, cleaning, and conditioning to the cobbler before you put them away. I also suggest stuffing them with newspaper so that they’ll keep their shape while they aren’t being worn. Finally, line up and inspect your spring sandals, heels, and sneakers to make sure they are clean and ready to be worn.

Organize, organize, and organize some more… I can’t say enough about the importance of keeping your closet neat, clean, and yes, organized. If you want to be able to put together fabulous outfits and still get out the door quickly, it’s important to be able to see what you own. When everything is in a jumbled pile, you wear only the items on top—and getting dressed is a very frustrating experience!

As you move your warm-weather pieces into your closet, I recommend grouping them by type (e.g., skirts, shorts, pants, blouses, cardigans, etc.) and then by color. This extra step takes the guesswork out of getting dressed. No more digging through drawers or pawing through an entire rack of hangers to find the piece you’re looking for!

…and don’t forget your accessories! As you evaluate and organize your clothes and shoes, don’t forget about your accessories. Some great accessories will really elevate your outfit, so it’s important that they are organized and easy to access.

Remember this important rule: If you can’t see it, you won’t wear it. Instead of hiding away your accessories in a drawer, put them on display! Install tie bars for hanging your necklaces, bracelets, and scarves; and use clear acrylic boxes to display sunglasses, watches, or other items. A hanging unit with clear pockets is another great option.

Finally, make sure your closet is a place you want to be. Are your walls or shelves dingy even after dusting? Nothing a fresh coat of paint won’t fix. Is it a little dark in there? Install a bright light above the door frame. Do you have any blank wall space? Hang a cheerful framed photo or print. We often forget that we spend a good amount of time inside of our closets. Your fashion headaches will disappear when you make this space inviting and easy to occupy.

When your closet is tidy and organized, your life becomes easier. Suddenly you’ll spend less time worrying about what you’re going to wear or searching for those missing jeans.  Instead, your clothes will become the source of joy and empowerment they were meant to be. Now get out there and enjoy the sunshine!

*****

Marla Tomazin, Certified Image Consultant, established her image consulting business in 1990 with the goal of helping clients identify an authentic image and develop its effective expression.  Marla utilizes her abilities in evaluating body shape, movement, and coloring as well as synthesizing optimal cuts, lines, colors, and textures. This results in balance and proportion that accentuate attributes and conceal flaws. Her clients include women, men, and corporations seeking external revitalization that mirrors their internal development. Marla has appeared on numerous TV and radio stations and programs.  For more information, please visit www.marlatomazin.com.