Being organized in my life makes me feel better whether it’s my closet, my home, my JEEP or my office. It makes me want to stay a little longer in my sitting room and feel good that I am de-cluttering and improving my space.
My closet space is not large so I think that there has to be even more planning for organization because I have to seriously think about what works in a particular space and what doesn’t.
I have been mixing and matching clothes for years and I owe that honor to my Mother because she always said that when you remix it makes it look like you have this huge wardrobe. So the set of questions from Katy Rose was right up my alley. I am going to show you how planning my outfits a week in advance works for me.
Lets get to it!
Question 1. How do you determine what you will wear that day?
Me in front of my Closet
Planning My Wardrobe
Step 1
Saturday I go through my closet and look at pieces of clothing that appeal to me for that week. I keep a mental note of what I wore the week prior so I don’t have any repeats unless it’s something that I am layering underneath my main outfit like a turtleneck. I lay certain pieces on my bed and start mixing and matching what I think works with a particular outfit and then I proceed to style my outfits for the week.
Step 2
I proceed to iron and steam my outfits and I put them on hangers and line them up for the week.
Step 3
Look at accessories (belts, jewelry, handbags, earrings, etc.) and see what I would like to wear with each outfit.
Step 4
I hang each outfit neatly in my closet so they do not re-wrinkle.I don’t have a huge amount of space so I will put them back into my closet so that they do not wrinkle (No one wants to iron the same thing twice, especially me).
Question 2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month,weekend?
I plan my outfits a week in advance which to me is really great because if I have a busy week or want to sleep a little later in the morning I can feel relaxed that my outfit is ready for the next day.
Question 3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already worn so you don’t repeat?
I keep a mental note of my outfits that I wore the week prior. I do not write anything down. When I go through my closet I make an effort to pick out new items for the week to freshen things up.
Question 4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet?
(Trial try-ons? Hanging items together?)
As I stated in the steps above I follow each weekend I will take different pieces out and match them together to see if they will work then I get undergarments, tights accessories and lastly shoes. I will also get out my necklaces to see how they will go or coordinate with certain outfits.
Sometimes if I want to see how certain pieces fit I will try them on and do a look over in the mirror or ask my husband who happens to be my best friend what he thinks.
Me in the Purple Sweater and Pants
Question 5. To streamline the process for 2011 what is one new thing you can do
to cut down your dressing time?
Me showing my huggable hangers
Some ways I have streamlined my time and reduced my closet foot pattern:
Purchased a couple of years ago from HSN, Joy Mangano’s huggable hangers and they have been a real big help to reducing the bulk in my closet.
Huggable hangers are slim-lined hangers that reduce the amount of space in your closet because they are not as wide. Some hangers like coat hangers are so thick that they take up about a 1/2″ of space. Another advantage is I can hang my sweaters that I plan for the week on them I don’t get bumps on the shoulders (so not an attractive look). I have seen different hangers under other brands that are like these at TJ Maxx so HSN is not the only place you can get them.
I plan a week in advance my wardrobe which has help with the timing in my life. For example, I don’t have to iron in the morning because my outfit is already put together so I can get in some cardio or kickboxing.
Tips for Planning a Wardrobe a Week In Advance
Take a couple of hours out of your Saturday or Sunday and go into your closet and see what you have and start mixing and matching and you will be surprised how many outfits you come up with in a given time frame.
If you have clothes that you have not worn in a year, give them to someone who will wear them. If you have clothes with price tags on them and you have not worn them it’s time for you to think about if you really want to keep those items or not.
There are womens shelters, homeless shelters, Goodwill, the Salvation Army and many other kinds of places in your area who will gladly receive those clothes, shoes, belts, etc. and give them to people who need them. I know the Salvation Army and Goodwill charge a nominal amount for items donated to them.
I get such a joy to give away nice things. Please recycle garments that have holes in them or are ripped. Maybe you can make a headband from a ripped pair of jeans or a tie-belt.
There is always someone in need and if you have a garment that is to big or to small that you have not worn for a year or more start today and give it away!
Wow, do I wish I was that organized!
You can be, start by taking baby steps. I was taught to do my clothes like this but maybe start with 1 day and progress from there.
Amazing! You are so organised and you prove that being so clearly has benefits especially on the time you save and can then use to do your other activities – I was wondering when I would hit the first blogger on FBFF who actually did plan the week ahead and its you!
Hey thanks Veshoevius. It takes me a little time because I also iron my hubby’s outfits (he the majority of time picks out his outfits). He loves to cook so we have balance.
I know of other people that say they organize clothes for the work week and feel better prepared for the week. I just haven’t been able to do it. I get up in the morning and change my mind on what I want to wear. 2011 New Year New Things to try.
Start out small, try one outfit. I was raised by my parents to plan my outfits a week ahead of time because if I had a lot of homework during the week my clothes were ready. You are right in 2011 we can try some new things.
WOW.. what a great tips you give to everybody..
I am also very organized and I love the colours you have in your wardrobe.
Lee x
http://leeoliveira.com
Thank you Lee!
Awesome to see that you are organized too.
I love color and more color.
dear JT! congrats on your beautiful new streamlined blog. Is it over at WordPress? The look of it is gorgeous and fitting to your personality. Your new domain is updated on my blogroll.
How organized you are! I find that very commendable. Me, not so much. Very much a “jazz” dresser- I am all improvise. I just read your post for last weeks FBFF, and I loved your answers there too. Like you, I’m not so interested in feelings of competition. I’m in this to learn, grow, share!
As always, thanks so much for your always kind, supportive and thoughtful words on my blog. You add such a lovely lilt to a conversation. xo. -Bella
http://thecitizenrosebud.com
Hi Citizen Rosebud!
Thank you, I have been trying to get my design for my blog going and it finally clicked and I love it. My blog is a self hosted WordPress blog (instead of .com it’s .org).
Thank you for including me on your blogroll, I am putting you on my blogroll as one of my reads.
I have to plan ahead because if I had to think about what I was going to wear that day I would be standing in front of my closet with my hand to my chin saying what about this, what about that so that’s one of the reasons why I do what I do.
You know I think you are such a kind spirit and I appreciate your thoughtful words of encouragement.
Thank you, not only are you talented but you are special.
THIS is why you are so much more polished than I! You plan and plan and iron and lay out your clothes.
And yes, I love that you wrote about donating your clothes. Not only will it help you streamline your process, but it is such a valuable thing for the community. Thanks for adding that!
The Auspicious Life
You are so organised! I go through my cupboard every few months and donate whatever I haven’t been wearing 🙂
You’re my heroine! I cannot ever plan my outfits in advance, I’m generally a morning disaster, hehe. We do have common grounds in that I do go through my wardrobe twice a year to find the items that are not being worn so that they can find a good home elsewhere. Congrats on the Video Contest, too!!