I find it a bit surprising Kondo is against storing things away seasonally. I actually like doing that - it's fun to forget what I own and then open it back up again, as if I just got a parcel of new clothes. I even started doing that with my makeup lol.
I think it may depend in part on the climate you live in. I'm in the northeast US and the weather is pretty fickle. Sometimes in summer I need a flannel or light sweater at night when it's cool and sometimes in November I'm still wearing skirts and shorts so for me it's convenient to have it all out at one time.
I think it depends from where you are and how the seasons mark your clothing, for example in Mexico is not super cold so my winter clothes are only a couple of coats or tights and a pair of boots for very cold days, like 6 days at year in Central Mexico :) So whatever I see in my closet is what I have and If I don't see it in front of my eyes really is just occupying space somewhere.
Best advice that struck a chord - Start by pulling out your favorites and adding them to a clothing rack. We typically wear 20% of our closet 80% of the time. We have the go-to uniforms that we feel fabulous in. Also, realizing every closet/ drawer is a container. Once it's full, I have to stop jamming stuff inside. So starting with my Favorite 20% of my closet I add back my favorites first. Then second round and so on. Once I've hit the capacity of my container - I MUST STOP. The other declutter rule: Leather and formal pieces are investment pieces. They don't need to abide by the "Have I worn this in the last year" I regret getting rid of leather jackets and formal dresses that i had not worn in years. One last closet tip, As we fluctuate weight due to COVID, etc., only keep 1 size above your current size and 1 size below. By the time I drop 2-3 sizes, I will want a new style of clothing anyway. Easy to let go of clothes that I was shaming myself for not fitting into anymore.
I like the 20% first rule. Right now I’m in the process of actively losing size, dropped from a 12/14 to a 2/4 in a year, so I keep things that are either investment pieces or that I’m not sure how they will fit, especially if they aren’t current fashion and regardless of size (although pretty sure I don’t have a whole lot more size to go down) and then as I size into them, ditch them or keep them in rotation.
Yes yes yes! I’ve been down the same thought process and this is my conclusion. I think perhaps if I had a considerably small collection of clothing it would work. But not even then. I hate folding things! The only stuff I don’t want to hang up are socks underwear and accessories. Maybe pjs and swimwear. Everything else I want to hang as if I were shopping for it. Nothing I have to bend over and grab. Nothing I have to open a drawer for. Everything on display full access. It’s pure bliss!
I think it's important to kind of think about how folding things a certain way or hanging things a certain way doesn't make things more moral than a system that is less aesthetic or less efficient. When I first read the book I tried to be really strict and adhere to everything it said almost like it was a belief system and I feel that we as a society do that alot. That if we follow a certain formula some type of magic will happen and we'll be upgraded to a higher level of living. And sometimes that does happen, but usually not. I think it kind of leads to black and white thinking. We should just take the ideas we need and what works for us.
Marie Kondo works well for me, but I only have half a rail of hanging clothes, plus 4 drawers. Also, you didn’t mention climate as a factor. In the UK we have lots of days that are 4 seasons in 1, so unless it’s a bikini or a down coat, most things might be needed most months.
I've always put my knitwear on hangers, but I don't put the hanger in through the neckhole. I fold the sweater in half lay the hanger on top of it so the hook is hanging over the armpit v, then I fold the arms and the body of the sweater over the hanger and tuck it under the bottom bar. If that makes any sense lol. That's just how my Nan taught me to hang them when I started knitting. It's bulky but cotton knits don't tend to snap back into shape if the shoulders stretch out on a hanger.
I never agreed with the idea that we don’t see things on hangers. It’s actually my favourite way to keep clothes and I do it by colors 😁 I actually don’t see things in piles, especially if they are black. And I do own quite a lot of black.
I love that you highlighted your current situation as a key reason behind the problem Hannah! Working from home I have put on approx 15kgs because of lockdowns and general uncertainty and stress. I LOVE all of my clothes after curating them so carefully but sadly only fit about 1/5 of my closet at the moment. There is no way I am decluttering them because I know they will be fit for my life very soon once I am out and about again and able to go back to regular exercise. For now they are in storage 👗
I've had the same problem! Now I'm out and about again the pounds are slowly slipping off but I did have to buy some new trousers that I love. Hopefully I can get those taken in once I lose more weight and add them to my other trousers (which I am NOT decluttering because they fit me like a glove when I'm a bit lighter).
Me too. I won’t get away with everything because of extra kilograms. Makes me feel like giving up going back to my shape. And it’s so good when you get to fit in one jeans you love and stored away for a while
I have a principle of how I organise my closet that I have not seen anywhere else. It is to sort by most recently used. So for the hangers, I always put in stuff on the right side, so the items I have not used for a long time end up on the left. In my wire baskets I fold Marie Kondo style, and put the recently used stuff at the front so the rarely used end up in the back. This system has several benefits for me. One, it makes putting stuff in the closet quick & easy because I always just put it at the right side/ in front. Two, because I like variation I can easily pick an item from the least used side and it will not be something I used recently, and it automatically keeps stuff rotating and feeling fresh. Three, it really helps with curating because it clearly shows what I do and do not use. That information has been useful both when decluttering and shopping. For example I always thought I liked lace, but turns out I never wear it.
I do this too, but I do it in categories ie, skirts, long sleeved blouses, short sleeved blouses, etc. I generally just choose the item furthest to the left whenever I'm putting together an ensemble. My clothes are purposefully bought so that pretty much all of my blouses go with all of my skirts, my dresses are those that suit the climate I am in, etc. It has really helped me figure out what I do and don't like. T-shirts for example, as I never willingly would reach for that category, only ever doing so out of guilt, as well as if an item doesn't make me feel good and my stomach knots when it's its turn to be worn. 10/10, would recommend!
I like this! I’ve always been a category then by colour closet organizer because it was the most visually appealing thing for me. But I think your idea is really practical as I am someone who often declutters. Will be trying it out!
This is so interesting to me! My mother showed me this half-yearly-wardrobe-switch when I was a child, and I've just assumed that this is the "natural" way to organise one's clothes, shoes, and so on. I do two major switches per year and then do some minor switching in between, for example I bring my two Christmas pieces over in November, not during my main switch in September. I store the "current clothes" in my wardrobe in my bedroom, and the other clothes in a wardrobe that we use for storing all kinds of things in our second bedroom (aka "the cat room"). Also: love the kitten and Sadie! We rescued a kitten of six weeks around this time last year, and she is now best friends with our senior cat of 12 years :)
I have actually found that hanging knitwear does (over time!) cause them to adopt the shape of the hanger. I still hang them, but I fold them first so there are no pressure points.
I store almost everything on hangers too! Seeing everything helps so much! I have ruined shoulders of sweaters with hangers, BUT I learned a way to "fold" sweaters by folding and draping them on the hangers. The sweaters don't hang as low, because they are basically folded half, so I bought an adjustable clothing bar and was able add an extra row of sweaters below. Thought I would share in case you're looking to tweak your closet!
I think Kondo herself would say that if her organization system doesn't "spark joy" we shouldn't use it! I use a lot of her organization rules - my ankle socks that I wear all the time are done her way, dividing drawers into smaller containers, everything having a space, etc. But I found that for most of my clothes, they just don't "stand up" the way hers do, and it makes it harder for things to fit. I find rolling them makes sense for me, and then all of my dresses, easily wrinkled shirts, and jackets are hung up. I roll them so that any notable design or otherwise is on the outside, and then just stack them into my drawers from there.
I know you said you don’t have a closet but for anyone that does…I started storing my bras on Command Hooks on the wall of my closet instead of in a drawer like I always have. It’s a GAME CHANGER. Bras, especially push ups or padded ones , take up a lot of drawer space and you don’t want to smoosh them in there. So having them hanging on hooks really helps. Plus I can see all of them at any given time. I feel like it’s even extended the life of the underwire too
Yes! I do this with mine. I have a rack on the back of the closet door with sliding hooks & I hang some of my sculpted cup bras there since you can't press them flat in a drawer (I am also an H cup so they take up a lot of room ) I used to just hang them on the closet door door knob but that prevents closing the door
I used to do this with one of those accordion mug hangers. I put the freshly cleaned ones on the left and moved the bras down the rack as they got more worn until I washed them again.
I really like UseLess, Madamoiselle and the Anna Edit for this kind of wardrobe content. Edit to add: I hang everything too, except my knits, pyjamas, workout clothes and underwear which I keep in a small set of drawers. My knits are all handmade by me, and I firmly believe that hanging knits made from a fibre with low elasticity will distort them but wool copes just fine
It makes getting ready easier for me and I’m more aware of what I’m actually wearing since everything I can currently see is to wear “now”. Then as I get ready to switch I sort and get rid of whatever I’m not wearing.
I found you through this video a year ago and immediately subscribed, but for some reason didn’t keep up. I “rediscovered” you this year from your recent “minimalist closet experiment” video, and now I’m legit obsessed. You’re my new BFF. I sprained my ankle 3 days ago, and have been watching you non-stop ever since! If you’re wondering why your view count is going up right now, hi, it me. But seriously, I’m so grateful for you. I don’t know of any other TH-camr who is a better embodiment of the aesthetics and ethics of what I’m going for, and I think you’re giving me the final push to get my own channel going. So thank you.
I started seasonally switching my wardrobe a year ago and it continues to be an eye opener. I learn a lot about my preferencees around the seasons and I become better at strategically buying pieces that integrate well into my wardrobe and that I will actually wear.
This response is a year late, but I just had to respond! I can relate to the whole storage delema. I've never bought into the Kondo method! I've always thought that it was a big media hype. I think that everyone has to find their own method of storage according to their needs! As our lives change, our needs change. Interestingly enough, Marie Kondo's needs have changed since she had her own child! I am now retired and I am a caretaker for my husband now, since he had his stroke. Now I rarely get out. The things that I wear every day are different, but I still have lots of beautiful things that I'm hanging on to. I like looking at them and I may wear them again in the future. But thank you for the Thread up info. If you could do a video on tips on how to resell clothing. What will sell, how to photograph the items, what are things to consider, what are things to be cautious of!
As usual, you've hit on some important insights. I love how you cut through the confusion about a particular subject and give us insights on WHY we have the issues we have. I'm adrift right now with regard to what to wear, how to put outfits together, and how to set up my closet! I'm in a rather unique position--after 16 years of wearing scrubs to work and wearing mostly jeans on my days off (and falling into the trap over the years of not bothering to make any effort with my clothes), I'm starting a new job where I have to wear actual clothing--I'm not allowed to wear scrubs or jeans! I'm sifting through what I have to figure out what all still fits, where the gaps are, what I still like, and what the heck my style even IS, and how to shop mindfully. TH-cam has been my go-to place to educate myself about all things fashion-related, and your videos have been the biggest help. Your thoughtfulness and insightfulness are helping me sort it all out. And I loved watching your gorgeous kitty presiding over the closet reboot--our own three kitties have been "supervising" my own recent incremental closet purging/rebooting efforts as well. (Oh, and BTW, your foster baby is adorable. Husband and I fostered a kitten a few years ago. He never left and is now one of our three beloved little house tigers. 🐱) So, I've distilled all this advice from you and my other Internet research into what's turning out to be a useful idea for my own closet reorg. project, and I thought I'd share it in case it's of use to your viewers. I made a list of all the categories of clothes I have and gave everything a number from 1 to 5 to represent how often I need to access it (e.g., underwear gets accessed daily, so it's a 5; swimsuits are a 1 b/c I almost never have occasion to use them). Then I made a list of all the spaces I have to store things and rated them 1 to 5 also (e.g., my underbed storage bins are a total pain to dig out, so they're a 1; the closet hanging rod and center of the shelf is a 5 b/c it's prime real estate, zero effort to get to). Each category will vary from person to person; I hate crouching down to dig stuff off my closet floor under the hanging clothes, but someone else might not mind it at all. Anyway, match up your 1s with the 1s, 5s with the 5s, etc., and voila! It begins to come clear where you should put things.
Thank you. This is so helpful to me. I did something similar and found myself feeling 3 things: freedom, guilty of breaking some “rule,” & overly obsessed with organizing! FREEDOM WINS!!!!!!🎉
Additional tips: I organize my hanging clothes into the rainbow (Roy g biv)... then white on one side and black on the other... it makes it way easier to find a top to match or a top you have in mind. I fold everything that's like "frumpy"... like workout clothes and pjs and shirts that are around the house I dont want anyone else to see me in. I organize my drawers: socks, tops (which include pjs tops and around the house tops, but I separate them in the drawer), bottoms (separate by shorts and pjs bottoms-I hang jeans and long pants), undies (regular bras and workout bras), and workout clothes (separated by long pants, shorts, sleeveless and sleeved, and long sleeved). It sounds like a lot but it doesnt take that much longer to separate when doing laundry... and makes getting ready exponentially faster and more organized.
I really appreciate you articulating your thoughtful process. I am going from a large walk-in closet to a small 3-foot one with a dresser. I am a visual person and hate having things stuffed in drawers. You have inspired me to wear some of my slightly more upscale items to work instead of just the standard jeans and a t-shirt. Thank you
I saw you linked the Gucci eyeshadow palette in the description box under “on my eyes“ 👀😍 So you got it already, how is it? Visually it is a real masterpiece.
Do you think that it's better to gently use at home even clothes? I feel in two three years when we will be out life will already be different. I will be different, circumstances would be different. I try to not save things for a distant non remote work future
I'm using my work clothes for WFH, when going tot the supermarket. I'm afraid if I'll keep them in storage they will just collect dust, elastic goes bad in time anyway(as an example).
I hang almost everything too. I’ve never had problems with sweaters becoming mis-shapen because I do store them folded when they are out of season. During sweater-weather season, I hang them, but I wear them often enough so that they are not continually on hangers for months on end. I think the distortion happens when people hang them and forget about them and leave them hanging non-stop for years.
I store most of my items Marie Kondo style since I got a dresser for myself. I'm really happy for you that you did make the hangers you already own work in this amazing way! For me the "storing ALL pants in the same space" was also a game changer. Also I got myself a basket for lightly worn clothes. I just hated that they we're floating around on surfaces. Now I have a rattan basket which is breathable so if it's cold one day and warm the other I have a place for my worn sweater that's not dirty but also not freshly washed.
I saw someone else already suggested her but I want to shout out Anna Newton from The Anna Edit! I think you would really like her fashion/conscious consumerism/organization content! I've been watching her channel for going on 9 years and love how her channel has shifted in a similar direction as my changing interests. She started as an OG UD Naked palette toting "beauty guru" while still staying true to her own preferences but has really moved into a minimal makeup collection, capsule wardrobe niche that speaks to some minimalist part of my not so minimalist soul. She even wrote and published a book about capsule wardrobes, concise packing and organization tips. She is a very genuine person and I find her capsule wardrobe videos so relaxing. The more I think about it the more I'm realizing that I've stayed subscribed to her channel longer than any of the other channels I watch.
I'm in a weird spot right now where I've lost over 30 pounds and a lot of my clothes don't fit right anymore and I'm hesitant to get rid of the ones that are too big because the next size down is still not comfortable. So my clothing situation is out of control. Will definitely be looking at this again when I'm ready to excise my closet.
I have hung all of my clothes for years now, including pajamas. I have 1 drawer for undies and 1 drawer for socks. I also dont seperate my summer and winter wardrobes, it's always out and in my closet. The only difference is that I hang my sweaters and turtleneck folded on the hanger because I have had issues sometimes with hanger shoulders. I have a couple of videos on my channel showing my closet. In my opinion, it is the best way to see my clothes and I know the difference because my hubby's clothes are all folded con Marie style in his drawers. That's how he likes it. Btw, it looks beautiful, you did an amazing job. It is so neat and tidy 💖💖💖🎉
I absolutely love how thorough this video is! and how you embrace working with the space you have right now, without being ashamed or embarrassed and just owning where you are at at tackling the problem at hand.
I'm not familiar with Marie Kondo outside of the general "sparks joy" bits, I've just never read or watched her materials so I'm unaware of her systems. However, the idea of having everything in drawers gives me mental hives just hearing you say it, and seeing your drawers and imagining your piles of things prior to your organization. I have everything I wear daily with the exception of socks, underwear and some fitnesswear on hangers, and it brings me so much pleasure to see it organized and hanging in the closet. I do have a dresser for the folded items mentioned above (the socks and underwear are so satisfying folded and tidy!), but the bottom two-thirds of it seems to be stuffed to the brim with assorted stuff I don't need and don't remember and I honestly dread going in it. I can't imagine having everything I own folded. Just...NOPE. The idea makes me so uncomfortable!
I have always stored my dress/tops in a wardrobe hanging and everything else in drawers folded so I can see everything. I didn’t even know who Marie condo was. I feel like there’s no right or wrong way of how to have your clothes stored. It’s whatever that works for you. It’s nice to see how everyone organises things. Your video has definitely given me the idea to hang my more formal trousers.
I love how your eyeshadow matches your shirt lol. And I'm glad you found what works for you! I like reading about different people's way of doing things so I can use what I like, leave what I don't, and understand the pros and cons of each system.
Since everything is on hangers now, one of my tips might work for you! Make sure that all your hangers are lined up with the hooks facing the same way. Whenever you wear/wash an item and return it to the hanger, flip the hanger around so the hook is the opposite way. At the end of the season, the items you actually wore will be on hangers facing the opposite way - and the items you didn't wear will still be in the original position. There can be a true "reckoning" with those specific items that you didn't wear, even thought you truly thought you would wear them that season. If you try this, I hope it helps!
yes! I do this. it also prompts me to wear the things I havent yet, often helping me figure out why I havent worn them e.g. they don't go with anything else, they don't make me shine, etc.
The only problem I find with this is that the flipped hangers fall of the rail more easily. Another method is to buy a pack of braid elastics (they’re very small), put one on every hanger and take them off when you wear the item. At the end of the season the items that have been unworn will still have the elastic band. Or a closet app can do the same thing.
I feel so similarly in my current state - for me it's putting away clothes that don't fit my pregnant body to actually feel like I have things to wear. Also I love and appreciate the nuanced Marie Kondo apologetics and negotiation. I feel like her system is great for many people who just need simplicity like my partner, but she also says to display things that spark joy, so for someone who loves clothes, I feel like even if you had a desire to strictly follow Kondo scripture, you would have leeway to do so😂😂😂😂😂 I also find that color organization is the best for closet happiness & inspiration. I love the finished closet you come to!
Your new "closet" looks so good! What a change. I have almost no hanging space- so I only hang things that take up too much space folded or are too fidgety to fold. So I hang my two dresses, a skirt, my linen pants because they're really wide, my sweaters and my jackets/outerwear and that fills the space. I've been trying new organizational methods too because I realized I was not only nonbinary but gender fluid too( if you've every heard of xenognder- I think that describes me the best) . And a lot of my wardrobe problems came from not understanding why what was perfect one day was misery another.So I'm trying to figure out a good system for all the gender movement, weather changes and something that makes sense for the limited space and storage I have. Typing it all out I see why it feels like a giant mess. lol
Full disclosure, I have plenty of storage! But, I had some similar issues when working and had just moved into my space. I now have a fall/winter closet, and a spring/summer closet, plus a cedar closet for special occasion clothing (haven’t really touched that one lately)! I do hang most of my clothes, but did have issues with color coordination. I could never find the black pants I was looking for when the black pants were all hanging together. Same with the white jeans. I found that I could more easily find what I was looking for when there was more of a mix. But organizing is always a work in progress based on changes in lifestyle, moving spaces and seasons.
I suspect the idea that sweaters can't hang might come from acrylic sweaters specifically, cause in my experience acrylic items will quickly lose their shape no matter what you do. And intuitively hanging seems like a more probable villain than folding, but really I think the material is just doomed.
Knitter here! Knitwear stretches when you hang it, period. This is a traditional method for shaping fabric--it works for woven materials, as well as knitwear. Wetting natural fibers and allowing them to hang dry, does the most damage as the weight of the wet fabric pulls against the line and pulls the fabric down. Additionally if you have wider shoulders than the hanger you use? the ends will droop eventually, regardless of material. Woven holds it's form a bit better than knit. What limits it? Don't hang knit to dry on a hanger. Get hangers that support your shoulders. Don't leave things on the hanger for months on end. If you store seasonally, even laying them flat for storage will help preserve the fabric. But trust me, you can stretch things out if you only ever hang them, the heavier the item, the worse it gets.
I just moved into my boyfriend's apartment and I've been struggling with my clothes organization. You've finally given me the push to go through it and get it done! Thank you!
I love when a number of small tweaks result in a perspective shift in one area of life that gives an emotional deep breath. This video gave me that deep breath and the thought that it likely is possible for me to have that joy and calm in my home spaces as well:))) thank you for another awesome video!!
I feel like you found a window into my closet and said exactly what I needed to hear (even though our situations are different) to give me the kick in the rear I needed. I entered my closet with fresh eyes this morning, realizing that getting dressed can be a positive experience if I only organize in a way that actually works and sort out what no longer serves me. I’ve been coping with postpartum weight fluctuation by continually adding bits and pieces to my wardrobe when I really just need to definitively put away the maternity things and see what is actually already there... Thanks for this content, Hannah!
You got me going to my closet and start organizing. It always been bothering me but i wasn't inspired to do it. Thank you for the inspiration you gave me, Hannah!😍
I need to a seasonal changeover soon. That is something I do each year as I don't have enough space in my wardrobe in my bedroom and have a one in my spare room. I also need to do a declutter too. I am not going to get rid of things I have comfort eaten my way out of over the last year, have hopes of fixing that. But the ones I wasn't wearing even when they did fit.... they need to go. I also need to recognise some of the life changes the last couple of years are going to be permanent. Like the dress code at my office changed a few months pre pandemic from needing to be smart Mon - Thurs and dress down on Friday to you can dress down every day you don't have a client meeting. Well my role isn't client facing so I can wear jeans daily at the office if I want. Plus I have yet to go back to the office, and though I intend to soon, I won't go in more than once or twice a week and I can dress more casually at home. When I am working from home I will spend most of the year in leggings as they are more comfortable than jeans. So the trousers I own that I only ever wore to work can go to someone else. If I dress up outside of work my first choice is always a dress and then a skirt (but that is a long way behind), trousers... never. I do arrange by colour for all tops and knitwear. Dresses I tend to arrange by brand - it seems easier to find things that way to me. And as for that Marie Kondo folding. No. I tried it but aside of things like workout gear, pajamas, socks, underwear etc I prefer to have it hanging so I can find it easier and not have it looking a mess. Only stuff that doesn't crumple goes in drawers, and I find my sportswear easier to manage folded minimally and laid flat than folded small and propped up - I can store more that way. Might make a start tonight.
I have recently been switching mine out from jeans to trousers lol. especially if mentally I'm not feeling as well it seems to help me keep feel more put together.
I am storing clothes that I am not wearing currently. As prices continue to spiral inflation, I question if I would purchase something as good in the future. So I am keeping my best quality clothes. I organize 1/2 of my walk in closet by Blouses, tops, shrugs, sweaters, sweats by color. I start with bright white, cream, yellow, blues, greens, coral, pink, brown, gray, black. On the opposite side I organize it by vests, coats, puffers, suits, blazers, sweater sets, then one section of new clothes, dresses, slacks, warm ups. I separate my better summer clothes upstairs. All of the others downstairs. I put folded sweaters in a separate plastic see through container. Each sweater is kept in a plastic ziplock baggie. Silk blouses, wools, wool coats are all in the cedar lined closet, in hanger bags with cedar hangers in the pockets and coat hanger. Holiday or special sweaters/tops are also kept in large plastic see through bins. Seasonal purses are displayed on the shelf. I exchange them out and then put them into a sealed see through plastic bins. Other items are kept in my triple dresser. I also store my silk scarves in plastic bins. I love beautiful clothing and truly appreciate them and take very good care of them. This system works well for me. Hope this helps!
I love Marie Kondo's book, it's a great read and helped inspire my journey to actually reducing what I own to things I love, use, or are pleasing to my eye (often 2 or 3 of those!) but the file folding clothes is utter insanity to me. I absolutely hate dealing with laundry, I am spending as little time as physically possible. The only things that I don't hang are pants, old comfy clothes/pj's, underwear, socks, and bras. Anything else gets hung.
This video is fascinating because these two changes - putting away things that I can't wear due to the season, and hanging things so that I can see everything in one place - are the two big changes that really helped me.
I’m glad that you are so happy with your arrangement now. It does look like it makes more sense for you. I hVe been wanting to rearrange my closet for awhile now and have been reconsidering having everything accessible too. I do just want to caution about the knitwear though. Over time, knitwear fibers will get stretched out and break under their own weight. At the very least, If you fold your sweaters over the flat part of a hanger, that might help keep them lasting longer. It at least won’t cause the sweater to stretch out at the shoulders, which is the most common issue. I have had sweaters ruined from hanging knitwear. Fiber, weight, type of hanger, weather - all these factors will affect knitwear at different speeds. Hopefully this helps 💕
As someone whose weight fluctuates dramatically due to pregnancy and postpartum, I’ve found it very helpful to store clothes that aren’t my proper size and switch them out as my body changes. It helps me enjoy getting dressed when I know the things I have out actually work for me right now. This also helps me save money because I’m keeping the things I love in my various sizes to be used in the future and can pull them out as my body changes. And it’s like a special surprise when you find old favorites packed away that will now fit you. I know this is not everyone’s situation, but it’s what works for me. I recently went through and weeded out unrealistic items that fit me pre-pregnancy with my first but will most likely never fit me again because my hips are now just wider no matter how my other proportions change.
@@HannahLouisePoston have you heard of youtubers like nostalgia critic, angry video game nerd, cinema snob, film brain, obscurus lupa, linkara, phleous, nostalgia chick, todd in the shadows, and rap critic
I love to hang my clothes, not my sweaters tho, because i use them oversized and when i hang them, they get like nipples in the shoulders and i hate it😅 and i have also out of season stuf out of sight, hanging on the other side of the closet
I love changing my wardrobe seasonally! I get to feel fresh, embrace the seasons and only see things that make sense for the time of year! Also, I find I can declutter without it feeling like a massive chore. And how cute are your kitties 💕
I really appreciate the thoroughness of your thought process and how you have honored not only your beloved clothing but the space you are in. This is inspiring me to rethink some of my own organization this fall and winter. My apartment has a wonderful closet organization system installed, but it isn't one I chose for myself. I need to spend some time thinking about my needs vs. the strengths of the space I have.
Two cats in one video! 😍 Seriously Smidge is making wish my black cat was a kitten again. She was so small and tiny for the longest time and then she grew up and was adult size. She's only 3, so still very playful and active.
Thank you for the great video! I mostly wear dresses, but for my tops and bottoms, I found I was wasting time trying to put an outfit together. I now have most of my closet organized by outfit - I have each top hung next to the bottom that it matches best. For bottoms that look great with multiple tops, I keep them all together. The outfits are sorted by color of the top. I can still mix and match, but it makes me happy to be able to just grab my favorite matches easily.
I love this! I’ve been selling and buying on Poshmark for years now. It’s become my go-to. I’m trying to divest from buying fast fashion and Poshmark has been great for that. I have an entire closet of clothes that I no longer wear because my lifestyle has completely changed in the last year and a half. I keep putting off going through and decluttering because it’s such an enormous task. I’ve basically been using my armoire as my day to day closet. I do feel like the Marie Kondo method works in “theory” but not in real life for every lifestyle.
Thank you, Hannah. I also don’t have a dresser and my clothes are everywhere. Your video has inspired me to organize a part of my life that is so stressful.
Most of my closet is filled with “irrelevant clothing” because I am no longer working in a business casual environment. I have pulled a few things out when I did have places to go, but I am considering donating more pieces because if I am not interested in those clothes in my real life, we’re they ever really right for me? I do not need to store them though, because my day to day clothes are in my dresser and there is room for both. I never liked segregated my clothes by season-the weather is too unpredictable, and I like to layer, so about 80% of it is year round clothing.
I'm planning on changing my organization system today to get ready for the new year so I came back to this video for inspiration. I have a huge closet and I know if things are hung up it will be much easier for me to see them rather than having them stashed away in drawers
I finally (after about 10 years) acquired one of those white Ikea wire drawer sets and it gives me LIFE. In each drawer, from top to bottom, I have: pajamas, sports bras, bras and matching sets, underwear, lingerie/pantyhose/skirt shorts, and socks. Nothing is ever amiss and it feels like a gourmet underwear buffet. This is the only part of my closet and wardrobe that I feel good about. As for the rest, it's mostly either stuff I don't fit in right now in plastic tubs or stuff I technically fit into but don't like/don't feel confident in and can't afford to replace. I'm hoping to one day have enough hangers and space to hang everything except pants.
New subscriber here. I'm 52, live in New Zealand and have loved clothes my whole adult life. But COVID, menopause, working from home are all changing my relationship with my wardrobe. I just did a huge clean out and chose to donate it all to Dress for Success. That felt great but it took me 2 years to get there. Even with a drastically reduced wardrobe, I am still struggling a bit. Your videos are giving me such a much-needed new perspective on it all. I especially love the mindfulness you bring towards clothes and accessories. I still have at least 20 items that I love, but don't know what to do with. So, into storage they go. Thanks for your videos Hannah, and know that your message reaches across generations and cultures!
So excited that Poshmark has noticed you and sponsored a video like this. And I love the promotion and recognition that trying to force a method of organising on a situation where it doesn’t work is a recipe for misery. But not failure. And any video with Sadie and Smidge is a blessing. 😊❤️
In the same way that not everyone has the same learning style, not everyone has the same organizational style. Some people like things categorized and in containers like drawers, and some people like to see their items to get a sense of what they have to work with. Kondo has lots of great ideas, but it is a philosophy largely based on what suits her and people who share her preferences/mindset. Worth trying but certainly not the 'right for everyone' way to do things.
Your rationale makes perfect sense to me - probably because my own storage constraints and solutions were similar. I find the look of the hanging racks against your grand windows to be visually pleasing. But if someone found their wardrobe too restless to look at, or wanted to avoid dusting the shoulders often, I could see sewing some sort of beautiful sheer material, like sheer curtains, into "slipcovers" over each rack, leaving a front panel loose to hang free or to tie open attractively, as desired. Dayight would still filter through, but the sheer veil would simplify the visual effect. Inspiring video!
I love this video! I think in each point in our lives we need to do what works best for us. I also hang all my stuff including my workout gear, and fold nothing . I also take the things directly from the dryer and hang them up on the hangers without folding them in between them. This is a life saver for me
Man I love these videos, you articulate so many things about our psychological interactions with objects and the things that belong to us, which I think all of us struggle with privately but don't always manage to understand or address in a practical and compassionate way. Perfect timing too, I just moved into a small apartment in my hometown (after living with my folks for a few months), and I decided to only bring a seasonal wardrobe with me and leave the rest at my parents' house (they know, they tolerate), and I chose pieces by basically picking a large capsule, where everything in the chosen pile had to go with 3 other things in that pile. It has worked out so much like the changes you described. I wear things I've loved forever but barely worn. I'm happy when I look at the few clothes I've chosen, and I even feel kind of an aesthetic rush that they're there because they've been curated (by me for myself, lol, but I am probably the ranking officer on my own preferences). I feel a lightness and eagerness to experiment a bit more with what's there, because the options aren't overwhelming. And finally I'm willing to make the effort to wear a few trickier things I brought because I already know I've got 3 things there that I confirmed go with them, so I don't have to invent the outfit right then when there're 4 minutes before I have to leave for work and I'm trying to like brush my teeth and put deodorant on and check the temperature out at the same time. Sorry that was probably boring for everyone, but it actually is remarkable how much a change of organization can do for your style and sense of abundance and delightedness with your wardrobe. I really like how you said you feel you're giving your clothes the dignity and care they deserve for being items you love and took time and money to select. I've chronically felt that kind of guilty feeling you get every time you open your closet and you see all these things you don't wear enough, it's a little shitty cascade every morning of guilt, confusion, irritation and ultimately repression again that I was only vaguely aware I was going through all that time, I'd gotten so numb to it. It's emotionally liberating to (luckily for me) get forced into changing the system, and it makes me wonder how many other things in life could benefit from similar treatment lol.
I needed this so much! I am in the exact same situation…. Lots of beautiful clothing, yet feeling so uninspired to get dressed and put outfits together each morning. Ans finishing myself doing a lot more online window shopping than I usually do. I’m going to replicate this. Thank you for in the inspiration!
14:20 I'm an avid knitter and own a business where I sell handknit sweaters and I just like to add to the "not hanging your knitwear" conversation: it depends in the fibre contend of the garment. If your sweater is made from real animal hair (i.e. mohair, merino, cashmere, alpaca especially, even silk) the fibres are more fragile than if it was made from say acrylic or cotton. Garments made of synthetic or plant based yarn generally keep their shape pretty well when hung up, garments made from animal hair don't, especially when they are wet. It's not noticeable until it's too late, but hung up wool sweaters stretch over time and loose their shape. I generally recommend storing them folded, perhaps even with a sack of lavender or wood as a moth repellant. Or in a special wood chest if you'd like to be extra fancy.
I hang my bras on hangers on those little bra hangers you see at the shop. I just asked for a few of their extras. Works like a charm - they don't get tangled or misshapen and it takes up less space🌷
That's so interesting! I've just realised that I did exactly the same thing you did! Lol For a different reason (I moved to a house with built-in-closet that has a lot of hanging space but no drawer) I tried to make things fit into drawers (not everything but all my tops), I even bought organizers for that... but after a while I just hated it... I didn't use anything that was in the back because I couldn't see it... or things would just start falling around when I tried to take something that was under the pile... Then I changed it completely. Now I have 2 hacks with my pieces organized by color too. I found a dresser that I use to store my sweaters (I can't leave them out because of moths) and some baskets on the shelves for my undies, socks, pijamas, exercise clothing, bikinis... lol and now I love it!! But I must say -> I don't use my sweaters as much because the are stored in the drawer, so I don't see them. I still have to figure out a way to have them visible... but safe from moths :(
I used to rent a fully furnished flat. I had four (!) wardrobes with hangers only. The only shelves were near the ceiling - too high for me. I kept almost everything on hangers. I liked it very much because I hate folding clothes. Hanging them on an hanger was quick and easy.
I think what system works for us also depends on how much we have. Minimalists or even 'Normalists' (who dont have too many clothes) can use the Kondo method more effectively (and it kind of makes sense that Kondo is Japanese). If you have just enough that your brain doesnt struggle to remember what you have, likely that Kondo will work for you. Me, I live for my clothes 🙂, and have a lot of them. I just cannot remember everything I have, and hanging is the way to quickly browse through them. Of course, color coding or categorisation just helps it go that much faster. Recently, even though I live in a house with closets, I decided to get garment racks and put all my clothes on them. Having them always in view helps jog my memory, also I find myself 'shopping' them whenever I have a bit of time. My family says my bedroom looks like a mini-store now. But I just love this. It has helped me remember what I have, give it more mental space, avoid buying the same things by mistake, and use more of what I have. It has also helped me buy more strategically, avoid shopping out of boredom ( I dont even have to open a closet to see what I have). And seeing them everyday, I can quickly plan new outfits, and combinations, mix and match, instantly. I realised I had too many clothes (if you wore one outfit everyday, how many months can you go wihout repeating - thats my yardstick - I think more than 3 months means you have clothes you might Never Wear, even if you love them all). We gotta be realistic here. So i donated a lot of them. I still have too many - but I can see myself slowing down my constant shopping. Eventually, Im gonna own a lot less, and enjoy them better
I have literally done a similar change in my wardrobe last week, I feel very validated :) ! enjoy the visual of everything hanging and, I admit, I dig saving time by not folding everything. But the Marie Kondo method gave me a starting point on which to build that was needed. I love how you show us your journey of self-awareness whenever you take on an issue big or small in your life, no method is bulletproof if you don't know yourself enough to adapt it to your situation.
So I have a friend who loves playing in my closet and she has a really good eye for stuff so I ask her to come over have lunch/ dinner and put together outfits with stuff I love but have a hard time figuring out ways to wear and she makes me full outfits that we hang so that if need to go out and look good I can just pick something and try it out… we normally do this twice a year and also have clothes swaps between a gang of friends to get out of a rut. Also I stash my clothes seasonally because if I don’t I get bored and when I get bored I buy new stuff… that way I get to rediscover old friends and also find it easier to recreate seasonal trends …because I get a fresh eye… One thing I will get this season is a T- shirt with shoulderpads to wear under my knitwear and dresses. Thus making it new/ giving a new silouette …
I just did this last weekend. Still have a few items to go through but it is great to get rid of stuff. It feels so good. And it’s true, getting dressed is more relaxing because you know what you have and where it is.
I loved this! I actually listened to this video while listing items in my PM closet. Organization that is visually appealing & workable gives me such a sense of calm. Thanks for sharing!
this makes me think of wooden spoons for me. I used to have favorite wooden spoons. Spoons that made me feel like what ever dish I was making was going to be delicious. If I was cooking with less optimal spoons would make me grouchy with my meal. There was a light bulb moment where I realized that the only reason I had NON favorite spoons was if my Faves were dirty. It does not take that long to wash a spoon. I no longer cook with spoons that make me unhappy. I applied this idea to my whole kitchen. now i only have items that i love that will honor the work i put into the dish. and a bonus is that the favorite items are more frequently clean becuase my k8itchen isnt so overwheming. I can really appreciate my tools.
Love her, but the Kondo method just doesn’t quite work for me. I enjoy my clothes & crave novelty. So, I do something similar to you. I also have favorite items I don’t wear every year, but know I will likely wear them again and it’s always such a treat to get them out when I’m ready. I am trying out this new thing where I create capsule wardrobes within my closet and set that capsule to the side for whatever amount of time I’m using the capsule. Everything else gets organized by color. 😆 probably sounds chaotic, but I swear it works pretty well for me in this phase of life. Also, my weight fluctuates a lot so it’s a fun way for me to play with what works for my body right now.
We had the same problem in our closets in our small CA condo! Last year we employed a very similar system, and it has been working swimmingly. After adopting the system and loving it for a long time, I realized I still was not utilizing 50% of what I had, but the clothing i did keep still "sparked joy" and I could not, and did not want to get rid of them (my precioussssssss). So every two weeks I go through and pull out what i believe I am going to wear in the coming weeks, along with pieces I have not worn, and challenge myself to come up with outfit creations using what I have pulled. I have a very small clothing rack just for this selection. When approaching what to wear, it is even less intimidating as I challenge myself to use what is on the small rack. It makes sure i use everything already in my closet, and I now know how I want to style each piece. Thank you for another amazing video, this was extremely satisfying to watch... as with all of your videos! Drooling over most of your pieces
I adore this video. This is actually inspiring me to get some hangers for pants. I’ve never had them except for two that I received with two hand me down bottoms. I have a good sized closet with lots of hanging spaces, but like you I only have some odd drawers that I don’t love (no dresser). I’ve been hanging almost everything - and now I desperately want to include pants to that too. Pants are also one of the hardest clothing items for me to find. This video just really spoke to me okay 😝 Happy you found a system that works for you!
Wow! I haven't watched you in a long time and it is good to see what is going on in Hannah's world. I want to go back and watch some back videos. I love hanging everything. If it is in a drawer, I don't see it and I don't wear what I can't see. I have a whole house with four full closets and two coat closets and lots of things are my dad's and mom's stuff and they are past now. It has been really hard letting go of things but I have started that emotional process. It takes a while. We all have life changes and it affects what we wear. I confess I buy like I am going to work everyday which I don't, I'm retired. I do take all those things when I travel. I salute your efforts and I will take some of your suggestions.
Marie Kondo’s way is the most effective way for me, i listened, study and tried almost all the organizations techniques and yet Marie’s way is the best. The only thing I don’t do is the bag inside bag.
I gave up when it came to pants. I updated my closet to create a pole for my collection of jeans. I’m struggling on the sweaters now. I love all my clothes and have a dresser for jumpers and bulky sweaters (winter) a dresser for work clothes a dresser for regular underclothes night clothes etc. Marie Kondo set the plane and I adjust as I go through the journey
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA W2D1 | Fall | ต่อเนื่อง ในสัปดาห์สอง](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ElcO9uC_Dbk/mqdefault.jpg)
I find it a bit surprising Kondo is against storing things away seasonally. I actually like doing that - it's fun to forget what I own and then open it back up again, as if I just got a parcel of new clothes. I even started doing that with my makeup lol.
I think it may depend in part on the climate you live in. I'm in the northeast US and the weather is pretty fickle. Sometimes in summer I need a flannel or light sweater at night when it's cool and sometimes in November I'm still wearing skirts and shorts so for me it's convenient to have it all out at one time.
I totally agree! I absolutely love swapping clothes over when it gets warm / cold. It’s like going on a shopping spree.
I agree! I live in Chicago where the temps swing wildly seasonally. And I love pulling out my “Fall” clothes and rediscovering items that I love.
I could be wrong but it seems like maybe she would emphasis not buying super season items in general
I think it depends from where you are and how the seasons mark your clothing, for example in Mexico is not super cold so my winter clothes are only a couple of coats or tights and a pair of boots for very cold days, like 6 days at year in Central Mexico :) So whatever I see in my closet is what I have and If I don't see it in front of my eyes really is just occupying space somewhere.
Best advice that struck a chord - Start by pulling out your favorites and adding them to a clothing rack. We typically wear 20% of our closet 80% of the time. We have the go-to uniforms that we feel fabulous in. Also, realizing every closet/ drawer is a container. Once it's full, I have to stop jamming stuff inside. So starting with my Favorite 20% of my closet I add back my favorites first. Then second round and so on. Once I've hit the capacity of my container - I MUST STOP. The other declutter rule: Leather and formal pieces are investment pieces. They don't need to abide by the "Have I worn this in the last year" I regret getting rid of leather jackets and formal dresses that i had not worn in years. One last closet tip, As we fluctuate weight due to COVID, etc., only keep 1 size above your current size and 1 size below. By the time I drop 2-3 sizes, I will want a new style of clothing anyway. Easy to let go of clothes that I was shaming myself for not fitting into anymore.
I like the 20% first rule. Right now I’m in the process of actively losing size, dropped from a 12/14 to a 2/4 in a year, so I keep things that are either investment pieces or that I’m not sure how they will fit, especially if they aren’t current fashion and regardless of size (although pretty sure I don’t have a whole lot more size to go down) and then as I size into them, ditch them or keep them in rotation.
Yes yes yes! I’ve been down the same thought process and this is my conclusion. I think perhaps if I had a considerably small collection of clothing it would work. But not even then. I hate folding things! The only stuff I don’t want to hang up are socks underwear and accessories. Maybe pjs and swimwear. Everything else I want to hang as if I were shopping for it. Nothing I have to bend over and grab. Nothing I have to open a drawer for. Everything on display full access. It’s pure bliss!
Okay, HOW did you do that weight loss!!!l??? @@TheBaumcm
I think it's important to kind of think about how folding things a certain way or hanging things a certain way doesn't make things more moral than a system that is less aesthetic or less efficient. When I first read the book I tried to be really strict and adhere to everything it said almost like it was a belief system and I feel that we as a society do that alot. That if we follow a certain formula some type of magic will happen and we'll be upgraded to a higher level of living. And sometimes that does happen, but usually not. I think it kind of leads to black and white thinking. We should just take the ideas we need and what works for us.
Smidge is at 18:37
ur welcome :)
Love the cat cameo 🐈
Marie Kondo works well for me, but I only have half a rail of hanging clothes, plus 4 drawers.
Also, you didn’t mention climate as a factor. In the UK we have lots of days that are 4 seasons in 1, so unless it’s a bikini or a down coat, most things might be needed most months.
I've always put my knitwear on hangers, but I don't put the hanger in through the neckhole. I fold the sweater in half lay the hanger on top of it so the hook is hanging over the armpit v, then I fold the arms and the body of the sweater over the hanger and tuck it under the bottom bar. If that makes any sense lol. That's just how my Nan taught me to hang them when I started knitting. It's bulky but cotton knits don't tend to snap back into shape if the shoulders stretch out on a hanger.
Good tip, thanks 🙏
I never agreed with the idea that we don’t see things on hangers. It’s actually my favourite way to keep clothes and I do it by colors 😁 I actually don’t see things in piles, especially if they are black. And I do own quite a lot of black.
I love that you highlighted your current situation as a key reason behind the problem Hannah! Working from home I have put on approx 15kgs because of lockdowns and general uncertainty and stress. I LOVE all of my clothes after curating them so carefully but sadly only fit about 1/5 of my closet at the moment. There is no way I am decluttering them because I know they will be fit for my life very soon once I am out and about again and able to go back to regular exercise. For now they are in storage 👗
I've had the same problem! Now I'm out and about again the pounds are slowly slipping off but I did have to buy some new trousers that I love. Hopefully I can get those taken in once I lose more weight and add them to my other trousers (which I am NOT decluttering because they fit me like a glove when I'm a bit lighter).
Me as well - glad not everyone is decluttering everything.
Me too. I won’t get away with everything because of extra kilograms. Makes me feel like giving up going back to my shape. And it’s so good when you get to fit in one jeans you love and stored away for a while
I have a principle of how I organise my closet that I have not seen anywhere else. It is to sort by most recently used. So for the hangers, I always put in stuff on the right side, so the items I have not used for a long time end up on the left. In my wire baskets I fold Marie Kondo style, and put the recently used stuff at the front so the rarely used end up in the back. This system has several benefits for me. One, it makes putting stuff in the closet quick & easy because I always just put it at the right side/ in front. Two, because I like variation I can easily pick an item from the least used side and it will not be something I used recently, and it automatically keeps stuff rotating and feeling fresh. Three, it really helps with curating because it clearly shows what I do and do not use. That information has been useful both when decluttering and shopping. For example I always thought I liked lace, but turns out I never wear it.
What a great idea! I’m going to have to try this.
I do this in my drawers but maybe I will try with my hanging items too!
I do this too, but I do it in categories ie, skirts, long sleeved blouses, short sleeved blouses, etc.
I generally just choose the item furthest to the left whenever I'm putting together an ensemble. My clothes are purposefully bought so that pretty much all of my blouses go with all of my skirts, my dresses are those that suit the climate I am in, etc.
It has really helped me figure out what I do and don't like. T-shirts for example, as I never willingly would reach for that category, only ever doing so out of guilt, as well as if an item doesn't make me feel good and my stomach knots when it's its turn to be worn.
10/10, would recommend!
this is excellent.
I like this! I’ve always been a category then by colour closet organizer because it was the most visually appealing thing for me. But I think your idea is really practical as I am someone who often declutters. Will be trying it out!
This is so interesting to me! My mother showed me this half-yearly-wardrobe-switch when I was a child, and I've just assumed that this is the "natural" way to organise one's clothes, shoes, and so on. I do two major switches per year and then do some minor switching in between, for example I bring my two Christmas pieces over in November, not during my main switch in September. I store the "current clothes" in my wardrobe in my bedroom, and the other clothes in a wardrobe that we use for storing all kinds of things in our second bedroom (aka "the cat room"). Also: love the kitten and Sadie! We rescued a kitten of six weeks around this time last year, and she is now best friends with our senior cat of 12 years :)
I grew up doing this as well.
I really like putting away clothes seasonally. Somehow they are more special once they come out of their hibernation haha
I have actually found that hanging knitwear does (over time!) cause them to adopt the shape of the hanger. I still hang them, but I fold them first so there are no pressure points.
I store almost everything on hangers too! Seeing everything helps so much! I have ruined shoulders of sweaters with hangers, BUT I learned a way to "fold" sweaters by folding and draping them on the hangers. The sweaters don't hang as low, because they are basically folded half, so I bought an adjustable clothing bar and was able add an extra row of sweaters below. Thought I would share in case you're looking to tweak your closet!
I think Kondo herself would say that if her organization system doesn't "spark joy" we shouldn't use it! I use a lot of her organization rules - my ankle socks that I wear all the time are done her way, dividing drawers into smaller containers, everything having a space, etc. But I found that for most of my clothes, they just don't "stand up" the way hers do, and it makes it harder for things to fit. I find rolling them makes sense for me, and then all of my dresses, easily wrinkled shirts, and jackets are hung up. I roll them so that any notable design or otherwise is on the outside, and then just stack them into my drawers from there.
I know you said you don’t have a closet but for anyone that does…I started storing my bras on Command Hooks on the wall of my closet instead of in a drawer like I always have. It’s a GAME CHANGER. Bras, especially push ups or padded ones , take up a lot of drawer space and you don’t want to smoosh them in there. So having them hanging on hooks really helps. Plus I can see all of them at any given time. I feel like it’s even extended the life of the underwire too
Yes! I do this with mine. I have a rack on the back of the closet door with sliding hooks & I hang some of my sculpted cup bras there since you can't press them flat in a drawer (I am also an H cup so they take up a lot of room ) I used to just hang them on the closet door door knob but that prevents closing the door
What a great idea! My bra drawer really irks me, haha, I'll have to see if I can try something like this in my small closet!
I used to do this with one of those accordion mug hangers. I put the freshly cleaned ones on the left and moved the bras down the rack as they got more worn until I washed them again.
my bras don't fit in drawers so i hang them on hangers. G cups.
This is a brilliant tip!
I really like UseLess, Madamoiselle and the Anna Edit for this kind of wardrobe content.
Edit to add: I hang everything too, except my knits, pyjamas, workout clothes and underwear which I keep in a small set of drawers. My knits are all handmade by me, and I firmly believe that hanging knits made from a fibre with low elasticity will distort them but wool copes just fine
Yes! A second to The Anna Edit! I’ve been watching her content for the past nine years! Love her and love watching her journey!
Thirding checking out Anna's channel, especially her clothing content.
I'll also recommend the book 'The Curated Closet' by Anuschka Rees.
I like putting my seasonal clothes away. It is always nice to find things you had forgotten you had when you pull them out again.
It makes getting ready easier for me and I’m more aware of what I’m actually wearing since everything I can currently see is to wear “now”. Then as I get ready to switch I sort and get rid of whatever I’m not wearing.
moral of the story: do what feels right to you :) happy to see you doing that name twin :]
I found you through this video a year ago and immediately subscribed, but for some reason didn’t keep up. I “rediscovered” you this year from your recent “minimalist closet experiment” video, and now I’m legit obsessed. You’re my new BFF. I sprained my ankle 3 days ago, and have been watching you non-stop ever since! If you’re wondering why your view count is going up right now, hi, it me.
But seriously, I’m so grateful for you. I don’t know of any other TH-camr who is a better embodiment of the aesthetics and ethics of what I’m going for, and I think you’re giving me the final push to get my own channel going. So thank you.
I started seasonally switching my wardrobe a year ago and it continues to be an eye opener.
I learn a lot about my preferencees around the seasons and I become better at strategically buying pieces that integrate well into my wardrobe and that I will actually wear.
This response is a year late, but I just had to respond! I can relate to the whole storage delema. I've never bought into the Kondo method! I've always thought that it was a big media hype. I think that everyone has to find their own method of storage according to their needs! As our lives change, our needs change. Interestingly enough, Marie Kondo's needs have changed since she had her own child!
I am now retired and I am a caretaker for my husband now, since he had his stroke. Now I rarely get out. The things that I wear every day are different, but I still have lots of beautiful things that I'm hanging on to. I like looking at them and I may wear them again in the future.
But thank you for the Thread up info. If you could do a video on tips on how to resell clothing. What will sell, how to photograph the items, what are things to consider, what are things to be cautious of!
As usual, you've hit on some important insights. I love how you cut through the confusion about a particular subject and give us insights on WHY we have the issues we have. I'm adrift right now with regard to what to wear, how to put outfits together, and how to set up my closet! I'm in a rather unique position--after 16 years of wearing scrubs to work and wearing mostly jeans on my days off (and falling into the trap over the years of not bothering to make any effort with my clothes), I'm starting a new job where I have to wear actual clothing--I'm not allowed to wear scrubs or jeans! I'm sifting through what I have to figure out what all still fits, where the gaps are, what I still like, and what the heck my style even IS, and how to shop mindfully. TH-cam has been my go-to place to educate myself about all things fashion-related, and your videos have been the biggest help. Your thoughtfulness and insightfulness are helping me sort it all out. And I loved watching your gorgeous kitty presiding over the closet reboot--our own three kitties have been "supervising" my own recent incremental closet purging/rebooting efforts as well. (Oh, and BTW, your foster baby is adorable. Husband and I fostered a kitten a few years ago. He never left and is now one of our three beloved little house tigers. 🐱)
So, I've distilled all this advice from you and my other Internet research into what's turning out to be a useful idea for my own closet reorg. project, and I thought I'd share it in case it's of use to your viewers. I made a list of all the categories of clothes I have and gave everything a number from 1 to 5 to represent how often I need to access it (e.g., underwear gets accessed daily, so it's a 5; swimsuits are a 1 b/c I almost never have occasion to use them). Then I made a list of all the spaces I have to store things and rated them 1 to 5 also (e.g., my underbed storage bins are a total pain to dig out, so they're a 1; the closet hanging rod and center of the shelf is a 5 b/c it's prime real estate, zero effort to get to). Each category will vary from person to person; I hate crouching down to dig stuff off my closet floor under the hanging clothes, but someone else might not mind it at all. Anyway, match up your 1s with the 1s, 5s with the 5s, etc., and voila! It begins to come clear where you should put things.
Thank you. This is so helpful to me. I did something similar and found myself feeling 3 things: freedom, guilty of breaking some “rule,” & overly obsessed with organizing! FREEDOM WINS!!!!!!🎉
Additional tips: I organize my hanging clothes into the rainbow (Roy g biv)... then white on one side and black on the other... it makes it way easier to find a top to match or a top you have in mind.
I fold everything that's like "frumpy"... like workout clothes and pjs and shirts that are around the house I dont want anyone else to see me in. I organize my drawers: socks, tops (which include pjs tops and around the house tops, but I separate them in the drawer), bottoms (separate by shorts and pjs bottoms-I hang jeans and long pants), undies (regular bras and workout bras), and workout clothes (separated by long pants, shorts, sleeveless and sleeved, and long sleeved). It sounds like a lot but it doesnt take that much longer to separate when doing laundry... and makes getting ready exponentially faster and more organized.
I really appreciate you articulating your thoughtful process. I am going from a large walk-in closet to a small 3-foot one with a dresser. I am a visual person and hate having things stuffed in drawers. You have inspired me to wear some of my slightly more upscale items to work instead of just the standard jeans and a t-shirt. Thank you
I saw you linked the Gucci eyeshadow palette in the description box under “on my eyes“ 👀😍 So you got it already, how is it? Visually it is a real masterpiece.
I‘m sure you will film a review about it but maybe a little hint regarding the quality, pretty please? 😬🙏🏽
it was a gift! I'm still sort of star-struck! But I'm putting it through rigorous testing :)
@@HannahLouisePoston I'd love to see dupe the vibes with natasha denona shades since that's the bulk of my eyeshadow.
@@HannahLouisePoston Thank you, Hannah! Super curious about your thoughts and opinions on it 😘
Do you think that it's better to gently use at home even clothes? I feel in two three years when we will be out life will already be different. I will be different, circumstances would be different. I try to not save things for a distant non remote work future
I'm using my work clothes for WFH, when going tot the supermarket. I'm afraid if I'll keep them in storage they will just collect dust, elastic goes bad in time anyway(as an example).
I hang almost everything too. I’ve never had problems with sweaters becoming mis-shapen because I do store them folded when they are out of season. During sweater-weather season, I hang them, but I wear them often enough so that they are not continually on hangers for months on end. I think the distortion happens when people hang them and forget about them and leave them hanging non-stop for years.
The balance of your makeup is epic in this video.
I store most of my items Marie Kondo style since I got a dresser for myself.
I'm really happy for you that you did make the hangers you already own work in this amazing way!
For me the "storing ALL pants in the same space" was also a game changer.
Also I got myself a basket for lightly worn clothes. I just hated that they we're floating around on surfaces. Now I have a rattan basket which is breathable so if it's cold one day and warm the other I have a place for my worn sweater that's not dirty but also not freshly washed.
I saw someone else already suggested her but I want to shout out Anna Newton from The Anna Edit! I think you would really like her fashion/conscious consumerism/organization content! I've been watching her channel for going on 9 years and love how her channel has shifted in a similar direction as my changing interests. She started as an OG UD Naked palette toting "beauty guru" while still staying true to her own preferences but has really moved into a minimal makeup collection, capsule wardrobe niche that speaks to some minimalist part of my not so minimalist soul. She even wrote and published a book about capsule wardrobes, concise packing and organization tips. She is a very genuine person and I find her capsule wardrobe videos so relaxing. The more I think about it the more I'm realizing that I've stayed subscribed to her channel longer than any of the other channels I watch.
I'm in a weird spot right now where I've lost over 30 pounds and a lot of my clothes don't fit right anymore and I'm hesitant to get rid of the ones that are too big because the next size down is still not comfortable. So my clothing situation is out of control. Will definitely be looking at this again when I'm ready to excise my closet.
if you still love those bigger pieces maybe you can look into getting them tailored or altering them yourself?
I have hung all of my clothes for years now, including pajamas. I have 1 drawer for undies and 1 drawer for socks. I also dont seperate my summer and winter wardrobes, it's always out and in my closet. The only difference is that I hang my sweaters and turtleneck folded on the hanger because I have had issues sometimes with hanger shoulders. I have a couple of videos on my channel showing my closet. In my opinion, it is the best way to see my clothes and I know the difference because my hubby's clothes are all folded con Marie style in his drawers. That's how he likes it. Btw, it looks beautiful, you did an amazing job. It is so neat and tidy 💖💖💖🎉
I absolutely love how thorough this video is! and how you embrace working with the space you have right now, without being ashamed or embarrassed and just owning where you are at at tackling the problem at hand.
as someone about to move into their first apartment and will need to figure out a way to permanently organize my clothing, this video was SO helpful!!
I'm so glad!!!
I'm not familiar with Marie Kondo outside of the general "sparks joy" bits, I've just never read or watched her materials so I'm unaware of her systems. However, the idea of having everything in drawers gives me mental hives just hearing you say it, and seeing your drawers and imagining your piles of things prior to your organization. I have everything I wear daily with the exception of socks, underwear and some fitnesswear on hangers, and it brings me so much pleasure to see it organized and hanging in the closet. I do have a dresser for the folded items mentioned above (the socks and underwear are so satisfying folded and tidy!), but the bottom two-thirds of it seems to be stuffed to the brim with assorted stuff I don't need and don't remember and I honestly dread going in it. I can't imagine having everything I own folded. Just...NOPE. The idea makes me so uncomfortable!
I agree ☝️
I have always stored my dress/tops in a wardrobe hanging and everything else in drawers folded so I can see everything. I didn’t even know who Marie condo was. I feel like there’s no right or wrong way of how to have your clothes stored. It’s whatever that works for you. It’s nice to see how everyone organises things. Your video has definitely given me the idea to hang my more formal trousers.
I love how your eyeshadow matches your shirt lol. And I'm glad you found what works for you! I like reading about different people's way of doing things so I can use what I like, leave what I don't, and understand the pros and cons of each system.
Since everything is on hangers now, one of my tips might work for you! Make sure that all your hangers are lined up with the hooks facing the same way. Whenever you wear/wash an item and return it to the hanger, flip the hanger around so the hook is the opposite way. At the end of the season, the items you actually wore will be on hangers facing the opposite way - and the items you didn't wear will still be in the original position. There can be a true "reckoning" with those specific items that you didn't wear, even thought you truly thought you would wear them that season. If you try this, I hope it helps!
I've always wanted to try this, but you explained it better than I've heard it before! Thank you!
yes! I do this. it also prompts me to wear the things I havent yet, often helping me figure out why I havent worn them e.g. they don't go with anything else, they don't make me shine, etc.
The only problem I find with this is that the flipped hangers fall of the rail more easily. Another method is to buy a pack of braid elastics (they’re very small), put one on every hanger and take them off when you wear the item. At the end of the season the items that have been unworn will still have the elastic band.
Or a closet app can do the same thing.
I feel so similarly in my current state - for me it's putting away clothes that don't fit my pregnant body to actually feel like I have things to wear. Also I love and appreciate the nuanced Marie Kondo apologetics and negotiation. I feel like her system is great for many people who just need simplicity like my partner, but she also says to display things that spark joy, so for someone who loves clothes, I feel like even if you had a desire to strictly follow Kondo scripture, you would have leeway to do so😂😂😂😂😂 I also find that color organization is the best for closet happiness & inspiration. I love the finished closet you come to!
Your new "closet" looks so good! What a change. I have almost no hanging space- so I only hang things that take up too much space folded or are too fidgety to fold. So I hang my two dresses, a skirt, my linen pants because they're really wide, my sweaters and my jackets/outerwear and that fills the space. I've been trying new organizational methods too because I realized I was not only nonbinary but gender fluid too( if you've every heard of xenognder- I think that describes me the best) . And a lot of my wardrobe problems came from not understanding why what was perfect one day was misery another.So I'm trying to figure out a good system for all the gender movement, weather changes and something that makes sense for the limited space and storage I have. Typing it all out I see why it feels like a giant mess. lol
Amen to the knitwear on hangers!!! I do not understand when people say that. I have always hung them up and have never had a problem.
My favourite part of the after picture is Sadie in the basket
Plus the little cat-bat 🐖❤️
Full disclosure, I have plenty of storage! But, I had some similar issues when working and had just moved into my space. I now have a fall/winter closet, and a spring/summer closet, plus a cedar closet for special occasion clothing (haven’t really touched that one lately)! I do hang most of my clothes, but did have issues with color coordination. I could never find the black pants I was looking for when the black pants were all hanging together. Same with the white jeans. I found that I could more easily find what I was looking for when there was more of a mix. But organizing is always a work in progress based on changes in lifestyle, moving spaces and seasons.
I suspect the idea that sweaters can't hang might come from acrylic sweaters specifically, cause in my experience acrylic items will quickly lose their shape no matter what you do. And intuitively hanging seems like a more probable villain than folding, but really I think the material is just doomed.
I also wonder how much hanger type matters as well. I feel like everything gets mis-shapened on those old wire hangers.
Knitter here! Knitwear stretches when you hang it, period. This is a traditional method for shaping fabric--it works for woven materials, as well as knitwear. Wetting natural fibers and allowing them to hang dry, does the most damage as the weight of the wet fabric pulls against the line and pulls the fabric down. Additionally if you have wider shoulders than the hanger you use? the ends will droop eventually, regardless of material. Woven holds it's form a bit better than knit.
What limits it? Don't hang knit to dry on a hanger. Get hangers that support your shoulders. Don't leave things on the hanger for months on end. If you store seasonally, even laying them flat for storage will help preserve the fabric.
But trust me, you can stretch things out if you only ever hang them, the heavier the item, the worse it gets.
@@corriemcclain7960 it does matter a lot..
@@Kimberly_Sparkles thanks for the info!
Acrylic: the doomed fabric.
I just moved into my boyfriend's apartment and I've been struggling with my clothes organization. You've finally given me the push to go through it and get it done! Thank you!
I love when a number of small tweaks result in a perspective shift in one area of life that gives an emotional deep breath. This video gave me that deep breath and the thought that it likely is possible for me to have that joy and calm in my home spaces as well:))) thank you for another awesome video!!
I feel like you found a window into my closet and said exactly what I needed to hear (even though our situations are different) to give me the kick in the rear I needed. I entered my closet with fresh eyes this morning, realizing that getting dressed can be a positive experience if I only organize in a way that actually works and sort out what no longer serves me. I’ve been coping with postpartum weight fluctuation by continually adding bits and pieces to my wardrobe when I really just need to definitively put away the maternity things and see what is actually already there...
Thanks for this content, Hannah!
yay, I'm so glad it was resonant with you!
You got me going to my closet and start organizing. It always been bothering me but i wasn't inspired to do it. Thank you for the inspiration you gave me, Hannah!😍
I need to a seasonal changeover soon. That is something I do each year as I don't have enough space in my wardrobe in my bedroom and have a one in my spare room. I also need to do a declutter too.
I am not going to get rid of things I have comfort eaten my way out of over the last year, have hopes of fixing that.
But the ones I wasn't wearing even when they did fit.... they need to go.
I also need to recognise some of the life changes the last couple of years are going to be permanent. Like the dress code at my office changed a few months pre pandemic from needing to be smart Mon - Thurs and dress down on Friday to you can dress down every day you don't have a client meeting. Well my role isn't client facing so I can wear jeans daily at the office if I want.
Plus I have yet to go back to the office, and though I intend to soon, I won't go in more than once or twice a week and I can dress more casually at home.
When I am working from home I will spend most of the year in leggings as they are more comfortable than jeans.
So the trousers I own that I only ever wore to work can go to someone else. If I dress up outside of work my first choice is always a dress and then a skirt (but that is a long way behind), trousers... never.
I do arrange by colour for all tops and knitwear. Dresses I tend to arrange by brand - it seems easier to find things that way to me.
And as for that Marie Kondo folding. No.
I tried it but aside of things like workout gear, pajamas, socks, underwear etc I prefer to have it hanging so I can find it easier and not have it looking a mess. Only stuff that doesn't crumple goes in drawers, and I find my sportswear easier to manage folded minimally and laid flat than folded small and propped up - I can store more that way.
Might make a start tonight.
I have recently been switching mine out from jeans to trousers lol. especially if mentally I'm not feeling as well it seems to help me keep feel more put together.
Hannah, I would love to see a video of your top poshmark buying and selling tips!
I am storing clothes that I am not wearing currently. As prices continue to spiral inflation, I question if I would purchase something as good in the future. So I am keeping my best quality clothes. I organize 1/2 of my walk in closet by Blouses, tops, shrugs, sweaters, sweats by color. I start with bright white, cream, yellow, blues, greens, coral, pink, brown, gray, black. On the opposite side I organize it by vests, coats, puffers, suits, blazers, sweater sets, then one section of new clothes, dresses, slacks, warm ups. I separate my better summer clothes upstairs. All of the others downstairs. I put folded sweaters in a separate plastic see through container. Each sweater is kept in a plastic ziplock baggie. Silk blouses, wools, wool coats are all in the cedar lined closet, in hanger bags with cedar hangers in the pockets and coat hanger. Holiday or special sweaters/tops are also kept in large plastic see through bins. Seasonal purses are displayed on the shelf. I exchange them out and then put them into a sealed see through plastic bins. Other items are kept in my triple dresser. I also store my silk scarves in plastic bins. I love beautiful clothing and truly appreciate them and take very good care of them. This system works well for me. Hope this helps!
KITTEN!!!!! EEEEEE!!! I own a panfur, she's the best thing ever, she's also three legged, and a trouble maker.
I love Marie Kondo's book, it's a great read and helped inspire my journey to actually reducing what I own to things I love, use, or are pleasing to my eye (often 2 or 3 of those!) but the file folding clothes is utter insanity to me. I absolutely hate dealing with laundry, I am spending as little time as physically possible. The only things that I don't hang are pants, old comfy clothes/pj's, underwear, socks, and bras. Anything else gets hung.
Loved how satisfying you said it felt to have a system that treats each thing as SPECIAL. Yes!
This video is fascinating because these two changes - putting away things that I can't wear due to the season, and hanging things so that I can see everything in one place - are the two big changes that really helped me.
I’m glad that you are so happy with your arrangement now. It does look like it makes more sense for you. I hVe been wanting to rearrange my closet for awhile now and have been reconsidering having everything accessible too. I do just want to caution about the knitwear though. Over time, knitwear fibers will get stretched out and break under their own weight. At the very least, If you fold your sweaters over the flat part of a hanger, that might help keep them lasting longer. It at least won’t cause the sweater to stretch out at the shoulders, which is the most common issue. I have had sweaters ruined from hanging knitwear. Fiber, weight, type of hanger, weather - all these factors will affect knitwear at different speeds. Hopefully this helps 💕
As someone whose weight fluctuates dramatically due to pregnancy and postpartum, I’ve found it very helpful to store clothes that aren’t my proper size and switch them out as my body changes. It helps me enjoy getting dressed when I know the things I have out actually work for me right now. This also helps me save money because I’m keeping the things I love in my various sizes to be used in the future and can pull them out as my body changes. And it’s like a special surprise when you find old favorites packed away that will now fit you. I know this is not everyone’s situation, but it’s what works for me. I recently went through and weeded out unrealistic items that fit me pre-pregnancy with my first but will most likely never fit me again because my hips are now just wider no matter how my other proportions change.
this is great. thank you for sharing!
@@HannahLouisePoston have you heard of youtubers like nostalgia critic, angry video game nerd, cinema snob, film brain, obscurus lupa, linkara, phleous, nostalgia chick, todd in the shadows, and rap critic
I love to hang my clothes, not my sweaters tho, because i use them oversized and when i hang them, they get like nipples in the shoulders and i hate it😅 and i have also out of season stuf out of sight, hanging on the other side of the closet
I love your fashion videos so much, they are so valuable and helpful to me! So glad i found you!
I love changing my wardrobe seasonally! I get to feel fresh, embrace the seasons and only see things that make sense for the time of year! Also, I find I can declutter without it feeling like a massive chore. And how cute are your kitties 💕
I really appreciate the thoroughness of your thought process and how you have honored not only your beloved clothing but the space you are in. This is inspiring me to rethink some of my own organization this fall and winter. My apartment has a wonderful closet organization system installed, but it isn't one I chose for myself. I need to spend some time thinking about my needs vs. the strengths of the space I have.
Two cats in one video! 😍
Seriously Smidge is making wish my black cat was a kitten again. She was so small and tiny for the longest time and then she grew up and was adult size. She's only 3, so still very playful and active.
Thank you for the great video! I mostly wear dresses, but for my tops and bottoms, I found I was wasting time trying to put an outfit together. I now have most of my closet organized by outfit - I have each top hung next to the bottom that it matches best. For bottoms that look great with multiple tops, I keep them all together. The outfits are sorted by color of the top. I can still mix and match, but it makes me happy to be able to just grab my favorite matches easily.
Hanging sweaters depends on the weight of the sweater, the material and stitch etc, there are definately some pieces that should be folded
I love this! I’ve been selling and buying on Poshmark for years now. It’s become my go-to. I’m trying to divest from buying fast fashion and Poshmark has been great for that. I have an entire closet of clothes that I no longer wear because my lifestyle has completely changed in the last year and a half. I keep putting off going through and decluttering because it’s such an enormous task. I’ve basically been using my armoire as my day to day closet.
I do feel like the Marie Kondo method works in “theory” but not in real life for every lifestyle.
Thank you, Hannah. I also don’t have a dresser and my clothes are everywhere. Your video has inspired me to organize a part of my life that is so stressful.
Also omg the Gucci palette (I was convinced it had to be that Zeesea bronze until I clicked the link)
Hhh, that Gucci pallet is all one needs in a lifetime makeupwise. And so criminally expensive.
I literally just decluttered 45%of my wardrobe last week! This is right on time because I'm not sure how to organize it in a pleasing way.
Most of my closet is filled with “irrelevant clothing” because I am no longer working in a business casual environment. I have pulled a few things out when I did have places to go, but I am considering donating more pieces because if I am not interested in those clothes in my real life, we’re they ever really right for me? I do not need to store them though, because my day to day clothes are in my dresser and there is room for both. I never liked segregated my clothes by season-the weather is too unpredictable, and I like to layer, so about 80% of it is year round clothing.
I'm planning on changing my organization system today to get ready for the new year so I came back to this video for inspiration. I have a huge closet and I know if things are hung up it will be much easier for me to see them rather than having them stashed away in drawers
I finally (after about 10 years) acquired one of those white Ikea wire drawer sets and it gives me LIFE. In each drawer, from top to bottom, I have: pajamas, sports bras, bras and matching sets, underwear, lingerie/pantyhose/skirt shorts, and socks. Nothing is ever amiss and it feels like a gourmet underwear buffet. This is the only part of my closet and wardrobe that I feel good about. As for the rest, it's mostly either stuff I don't fit in right now in plastic tubs or stuff I technically fit into but don't like/don't feel confident in and can't afford to replace. I'm hoping to one day have enough hangers and space to hang everything except pants.
New subscriber here. I'm 52, live in New Zealand and have loved clothes my whole adult life. But COVID, menopause, working from home are all changing my relationship with my wardrobe. I just did a huge clean out and chose to donate it all to Dress for Success. That felt great but it took me 2 years to get there. Even with a drastically reduced wardrobe, I am still struggling a bit. Your videos are giving me such a much-needed new perspective on it all. I especially love the mindfulness you bring towards clothes and accessories. I still have at least 20 items that I love, but don't know what to do with. So, into storage they go. Thanks for your videos Hannah, and know that your message reaches across generations and cultures!
So excited that Poshmark has noticed you and sponsored a video like this.
And I love the promotion and recognition that trying to force a method of organising on a situation where it doesn’t work is a recipe for misery. But not failure.
And any video with Sadie and Smidge is a blessing. 😊❤️
Hello! A suggestion: insert the hanger from the bottom opening of your tops rather than the neck opening, the tops will stretch out less. Great video!
In the same way that not everyone has the same learning style, not everyone has the same organizational style. Some people like things categorized and in containers like drawers, and some people like to see their items to get a sense of what they have to work with. Kondo has lots of great ideas, but it is a philosophy largely based on what suits her and people who share her preferences/mindset. Worth trying but certainly not the 'right for everyone' way to do things.
Your rationale makes perfect sense to me - probably because my own storage constraints and solutions were similar. I find the look of the hanging racks against your grand windows to be visually pleasing. But if someone found their wardrobe too restless to look at, or wanted to avoid dusting the shoulders often, I could see sewing some sort of beautiful sheer material, like sheer curtains, into "slipcovers" over each rack, leaving a front panel loose to hang free or to tie open attractively, as desired. Dayight would still filter through, but the sheer veil would simplify the visual effect. Inspiring video!
The room look so stunning with the beautiful woodcarvings and stained glass.
I love this video! I think in each point in our lives we need to do what works best for us. I also hang all my stuff including my workout gear, and fold nothing . I also take the things directly from the dryer and hang them up on the hangers without folding them in between them. This is a life saver for me
“They’re living their best sweater life,” sooo cute! Great content! 🤗
Man I love these videos, you articulate so many things about our psychological interactions with objects and the things that belong to us, which I think all of us struggle with privately but don't always manage to understand or address in a practical and compassionate way.
Perfect timing too, I just moved into a small apartment in my hometown (after living with my folks for a few months), and I decided to only bring a seasonal wardrobe with me and leave the rest at my parents' house (they know, they tolerate), and I chose pieces by basically picking a large capsule, where everything in the chosen pile had to go with 3 other things in that pile. It has worked out so much like the changes you described. I wear things I've loved forever but barely worn. I'm happy when I look at the few clothes I've chosen, and I even feel kind of an aesthetic rush that they're there because they've been curated (by me for myself, lol, but I am probably the ranking officer on my own preferences). I feel a lightness and eagerness to experiment a bit more with what's there, because the options aren't overwhelming. And finally I'm willing to make the effort to wear a few trickier things I brought because I already know I've got 3 things there that I confirmed go with them, so I don't have to invent the outfit right then when there're 4 minutes before I have to leave for work and I'm trying to like brush my teeth and put deodorant on and check the temperature out at the same time.
Sorry that was probably boring for everyone, but it actually is remarkable how much a change of organization can do for your style and sense of abundance and delightedness with your wardrobe. I really like how you said you feel you're giving your clothes the dignity and care they deserve for being items you love and took time and money to select. I've chronically felt that kind of guilty feeling you get every time you open your closet and you see all these things you don't wear enough, it's a little shitty cascade every morning of guilt, confusion, irritation and ultimately repression again that I was only vaguely aware I was going through all that time, I'd gotten so numb to it. It's emotionally liberating to (luckily for me) get forced into changing the system, and it makes me wonder how many other things in life could benefit from similar treatment lol.
Yes!!! I live for your fashion content. Sounds like you have a perfect system for you now. It definitely looks more streamlined now. Love it.
I needed this so much!
I am in the exact same situation…. Lots of beautiful clothing, yet feeling so uninspired to get dressed and put outfits together each morning. Ans finishing myself doing a lot more online window shopping than I usually do. I’m going to replicate this. Thank you for in the inspiration!
14:20 I'm an avid knitter and own a business where I sell handknit sweaters and I just like to add to the "not hanging your knitwear" conversation: it depends in the fibre contend of the garment. If your sweater is made from real animal hair (i.e. mohair, merino, cashmere, alpaca especially, even silk) the fibres are more fragile than if it was made from say acrylic or cotton. Garments made of synthetic or plant based yarn generally keep their shape pretty well when hung up, garments made from animal hair don't, especially when they are wet. It's not noticeable until it's too late, but hung up wool sweaters stretch over time and loose their shape. I generally recommend storing them folded, perhaps even with a sack of lavender or wood as a moth repellant. Or in a special wood chest if you'd like to be extra fancy.
I hang my bras on hangers on those little bra hangers you see at the shop. I just asked for a few of their extras. Works like a charm - they don't get tangled or misshapen and it takes up less space🌷
That's so interesting! I've just realised that I did exactly the same thing you did! Lol For a different reason (I moved to a house with built-in-closet that has a lot of hanging space but no drawer) I tried to make things fit into drawers (not everything but all my tops), I even bought organizers for that... but after a while I just hated it... I didn't use anything that was in the back because I couldn't see it... or things would just start falling around when I tried to take something that was under the pile... Then I changed it completely. Now I have 2 hacks with my pieces organized by color too. I found a dresser that I use to store my sweaters (I can't leave them out because of moths) and some baskets on the shelves for my undies, socks, pijamas, exercise clothing, bikinis... lol and now I love it!! But I must say -> I don't use my sweaters as much because the are stored in the drawer, so I don't see them. I still have to figure out a way to have them visible... but safe from moths :(
I used to rent a fully furnished flat. I had four (!) wardrobes with hangers only. The only shelves were near the ceiling - too high for me. I kept almost everything on hangers. I liked it very much because I hate folding clothes. Hanging them on an hanger was quick and easy.
I think what system works for us also depends on how much we have. Minimalists or even 'Normalists' (who dont have too many clothes) can use the Kondo method more effectively (and it kind of makes sense that Kondo is Japanese). If you have just enough that your brain doesnt struggle to remember what you have, likely that Kondo will work for you.
Me, I live for my clothes 🙂, and have a lot of them. I just cannot remember everything I have, and hanging is the way to quickly browse through them. Of course, color coding or categorisation just helps it go that much faster.
Recently, even though I live in a house with closets, I decided to get garment racks and put all my clothes on them. Having them always in view helps jog my memory, also I find myself 'shopping' them whenever I have a bit of time.
My family says my bedroom looks like a mini-store now. But I just love this. It has helped me remember what I have, give it more mental space, avoid buying the same things by mistake, and use more of what I have.
It has also helped me buy more strategically, avoid shopping out of boredom ( I dont even have to open a closet to see what I have).
And seeing them everyday, I can quickly plan new outfits, and combinations, mix and match, instantly.
I realised I had too many clothes (if you wore one outfit everyday, how many months can you go wihout repeating - thats my yardstick - I think more than 3 months means you have clothes you might Never Wear, even if you love them all). We gotta be realistic here. So i donated a lot of them.
I still have too many - but I can see myself slowing down my constant shopping. Eventually, Im gonna own a lot less, and enjoy them better
I have literally done a similar change in my wardrobe last week, I feel very validated :) ! enjoy the visual of everything hanging and, I admit, I dig saving time by not folding everything. But the Marie Kondo method gave me a starting point on which to build that was needed. I love how you show us your journey of self-awareness whenever you take on an issue big or small in your life, no method is bulletproof if you don't know yourself enough to adapt it to your situation.
So I have a friend who loves playing in my closet and she has a really good eye for stuff so I ask her to come over have lunch/ dinner and put together outfits with stuff I love but have a hard time figuring out ways to wear and she makes me full outfits that we hang so that if need to go out and look good I can just pick something and try it out… we normally do this twice a year and also have clothes swaps between a gang of friends to get out of a rut.
Also I stash my clothes seasonally because if I don’t I get bored and when I get bored I buy new stuff… that way I get to rediscover old friends and also find it easier to recreate seasonal trends …because I get a fresh eye…
One thing I will get this season is a T- shirt with shoulderpads to wear under my knitwear and dresses. Thus making it new/ giving a new silouette …
I just did this last weekend. Still have a few items to go through but it is great to get rid of stuff. It feels so good. And it’s true, getting dressed is more relaxing because you know what you have and where it is.
Could you make a wardrobe playlist? I’d love to rewatch some of your clothing videos!
I have no drawers and hang virtually everything. I prefer to be able to see all of my clothes all the time. Also, your look today is wonderful.
I loved this! I actually listened to this video while listing items in my PM closet. Organization that is visually appealing & workable gives me such a sense of calm. Thanks for sharing!
this makes me think of wooden spoons for me. I used to have favorite wooden spoons. Spoons that made me feel like what ever dish I was making was going to be delicious. If I was cooking with less optimal spoons would make me grouchy with my meal. There was a light bulb moment where I realized that the only reason I had NON favorite spoons was if my Faves were dirty. It does not take that long to wash a spoon. I no longer cook with spoons that make me unhappy. I applied this idea to my whole kitchen. now i only have items that i love that will honor the work i put into the dish. and a bonus is that the favorite items are more frequently clean becuase my k8itchen isnt so overwheming. I can really appreciate my tools.
Love her, but the Kondo method just doesn’t quite work for me. I enjoy my clothes & crave novelty. So, I do something similar to you. I also have favorite items I don’t wear every year, but know I will likely wear them again and it’s always such a treat to get them out when I’m ready. I am trying out this new thing where I create capsule wardrobes within my closet and set that capsule to the side for whatever amount of time I’m using the capsule. Everything else gets organized by color. 😆 probably sounds chaotic, but I swear it works pretty well for me in this phase of life. Also, my weight fluctuates a lot so it’s a fun way for me to play with what works for my body right now.
We had the same problem in our closets in our small CA condo! Last year we employed a very similar system, and it has been working swimmingly. After adopting the system and loving it for a long time, I realized I still was not utilizing 50% of what I had, but the clothing i did keep still "sparked joy" and I could not, and did not want to get rid of them (my precioussssssss). So every two weeks I go through and pull out what i believe I am going to wear in the coming weeks, along with pieces I have not worn, and challenge myself to come up with outfit creations using what I have pulled. I have a very small clothing rack just for this selection. When approaching what to wear, it is even less intimidating as I challenge myself to use what is on the small rack. It makes sure i use everything already in my closet, and I now know how I want to style each piece. Thank you for another amazing video, this was extremely satisfying to watch... as with all of your videos! Drooling over most of your pieces
I adore this video. This is actually inspiring me to get some hangers for pants. I’ve never had them except for two that I received with two hand me down bottoms. I have a good sized closet with lots of hanging spaces, but like you I only have some odd drawers that I don’t love (no dresser). I’ve been hanging almost everything - and now I desperately want to include pants to that too. Pants are also one of the hardest clothing items for me to find. This video just really spoke to me okay 😝 Happy you found a system that works for you!
Wow! I haven't watched you in a long time and it is good to see what is going on in Hannah's world. I want to go back and watch some back videos. I love hanging everything. If it is in a drawer, I don't see it and I don't wear what I can't see. I have a whole house with four full closets and two coat closets and lots of things are my dad's and mom's stuff and they are past now. It has been really hard letting go of things but I have started that emotional process. It takes a while. We all have life changes and it affects what we wear. I confess I buy like I am going to work everyday which I don't, I'm retired. I do take all those things when I travel. I salute your efforts and I will take some of your suggestions.
hi Denisa!
Marie Kondo’s way is the most effective way for me, i listened, study and tried almost all the organizations techniques and yet Marie’s way is the best. The only thing I don’t do is the bag inside bag.
I gave up when it came to pants. I updated my closet to create a pole for my collection of jeans. I’m struggling on the sweaters now. I love all my clothes and have a dresser for jumpers and bulky sweaters (winter) a dresser for work clothes a dresser for regular underclothes night clothes etc. Marie Kondo set the plane and I adjust as I go through the journey