If I asked you to play Spot the Difference between my wardrobe and the largest black hole in the universe, I can guarantee that you wouldn’t be able to tell which is which.
It’s become a place where clothes go to die, because once something goes in, it rarely comes out, leaving me with a pile of clothes that I’ve only ever worn once.
So when I complain about having nothing to wear, it’s not because I don’t have clothes.
It’s because I don’t have outfits.
Image: Instagram @thewardrobe_edit.
On this week’s episode of Nothing to Wear, host Leigh Campbell enlists the help of wardrobe organisers, Prue and Kath, to tackle this exact dilemma.
Listen to Kath And Prue The Wardrobe Magicians.
The wardrobe experts first crossed paths while working for one of Australia’s top brands, where they instantly formed a connection through their love and knowledge of fashion.
Together, they started The Wardrobe Edit, a place where women can receive professional styling and organisational advice.
Through their extensive experience, Prue and Kath teach people how to shop their own wardrobe and get the most out of the pieces they already own.
Luckily for us, they shared their exact process for re-organising your wardrobe on Nothing to Wear, so let’s get into it.
STEP 1: Set time to strategically cull your wardrobe.
“You need to be quite strategic when tackling your wardrobe and look at it with a really critical eye. So, go through your cupboard piece by piece and think about how they make you feel — if they don’t make you feel great then maybe it’s time move on. Be prepared, it’s not a five-minute job,” says Prue.
STEP 2: Audit your clothes using the three-pile method.
Kath explained the three-pile method their business follows when helping clients organise their wardrobe.
KEEP: “The first pile is keep, so once you’ve assessed the clothes and decided you love them, you can put them in this pile so they can go back in your core wardrobe.”
DONATE/SELL: “The second is the donate or sell pile, so you either donate things you can’t sell or take your pieces to a consignment store that will sell on your behalf.”
SENTIMENTAL: “The third is the sentimental pile. We’re not about people having to get rid of things they love just because they can’t wear them, but we don’t want them cluttering up your space either. So we’ll make a sentimental pile and then at the end, we’ll find space, whether that’s in a tub at the top of your wardrobe or underneath the bed, because clothes evoke feelings.”
STEP 3: Follow these easy rules when re-organising your wardrobe.
Don’t colour coordinate.
“We feel like it’s better to coordinate in type — like tops, skirts, pants — rather than colour,” says Prue. “It makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier. So if colour coordinating is your thing, then do it within each type.”
Check your wardrobe before buying something new.
“Before you go shopping and buy that black top you’ve been eyeing, make sure you take a look inside your wardrobe to see if you own something similar,” says Kath.
Store shoes on shoe racks.
“When you store shoes on shoe racks, it’s easier to see them. Because if you can’t see them, you won’t wear them,” says Prue. “The problem with keeping shoes in shoe boxes is that you can’t see what’s inside, so out of sight, out of mind. If you want to keep the box, take a Polaroid photo of the shoe and stick it at the front.”
STEP 4: Match your underwear to your outfits.
“People tend to own a lot of underwear, so go through your underwear drawer and see if you have the right underwear for every occasion,” says Prue. You’ll need shapewear, a g-string, a t-shirt bra, a strapless bra etc. And then get rid of the undies you aren’t wearing.”
STEP 5: Learn to rotate based on seasons.
“If you’re tight on space then what’s in your wardrobe needs to be exactly what you love and what you need,” says Prue. “A good way to do this is to rotate your wardrobe when the seasons change. So when it’s summer, have your summer clothes hung up and ready to go, and the same goes for winter.”
Bougie & Budget.
On Nothing to Wear, Leigh, Prue and Kath shared their favourite bougie and budget items that will help refresh even the smallest of spaces.
Bougie.
Sagitine Milan Storage Box, $90.
Diptyque Roses Scented Oval, $101.
Budget.
Kmart Handbag Holder, $10.
Ecoya Lavender & Chamomile Ceramic Stone, $19.95.
Want more help with your wardrobe? We got you! Have a read of the latest fashion tips here.
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