newsgathers

With the arrival of spring, and the promise of warmer weather and fresh energy, many consider refreshing their living spaces. A primary area to revitalize is the closet, as it's an opportune time to store heavier winter clothing and embrace lighter spring attire. A well-organized wardrobe simplifies daily dressing, eliminating the need to search through cluttered items. For those who appreciate fashion, maintaining order can be challenging due to accumulating garments. To address this, insights from fashion experts reveal their strategies for keeping closets organized, contemporary, and aligned with personal style.

Mecca James-Williams, a renowned stylist, employs a unique strategy of dividing her wardrobe into seasonal closets, allowing for meticulous organization and care of garments appropriate for different climates. She advocates for the use of sturdy wooden hangers to preserve clothing shape and natural closet fresheners to maintain a pleasant scent, along with moisture absorbers to prevent mold. Her annual deep-cleaning ritual involves selling unused items on platforms like The RealReal and Poshmark, or via Instagram, emphasizing the importance of an item's value, brand significance, and condition for long-term retention. James-Williams also dedicates a separate closet for accessories, organized by type in jewelry trays and clear bins to prevent damage and ease selection. Her preferred daily wear includes versatile pieces such as silk button-downs, vintage graphic tees, high-waist jeans, and comfortable sweaters, suitable for tropical environments.

Lilah Ramzi, a contributing editor at Vogue, treats her shoe collection with the reverence of a museum, storing footwear distinctly from apparel to avoid contamination from city grime. She meticulously arranges shoes toe-to-heel on shelves for space efficiency and shape preservation, ensuring immediate storage upon returning home. Ramzi utilizes velvet boot shapers and acid-free tissue paper for delicate items like satin pumps to prevent creasing and discoloration, and values vintage shoe stuffers for their blend of elegance and utility. Her approach to wardrobe rotation is a continuous editing process rather than a seasonal purge, prompting reconsideration of items with each new acquisition. She cherishes vintage and resale pieces, viewing clothing as an investment, and regularly assesses if an item still reflects her current style or a potential future aesthetic. Accessories are equally prioritized, with scarves neatly folded in drawer dividers and jewelry housed in stacked, velvet-lined trays to prevent tangling. Belts are hung vertically for easy access, and lavender sachets infuse drawers with a fresh scent, transforming the act of selecting items into a pleasant ritual.

Emilia Petrarca, a writer, maintains an organized closet by consistently orienting all hangers in the same direction and categorizing clothing by type, season, and occasion, which streamlines her dressing routine. She maximizes storage with built-in bed frame drawers, preferring them over dust-collecting under-bed bins. For smaller items and accessories, Petrarca uses labeled Muji bins for easy identification. Her seasonal rotation involves a thorough review, and anything unworn for a year is either donated, resold, or exchanged with friends during closet swaps. Her current favorites include practical winter wear like long-sleeve shirts paired with sweaters, and versatile jeans, reflecting her preference for items that are both stylish and functional across various settings.

A well-organized closet transcends mere tidiness; it reflects a harmonious approach to life and personal style. By adopting thoughtful strategies like seasonal rotations, specialized storage, and mindful curation, individuals can transform their daily routine into an uplifting experience. This methodical approach fosters a sense of peace and efficiency, allowing for greater appreciation of each garment and accessory. Ultimately, an organized wardrobe supports a lifestyle where practicality meets elegance, empowering individuals to express themselves authentically and confidently, every day.