Summer is here and my closet was a hot mess! With all the end of the year going-ons, many places in my home are in a state of neglect. I function best in life when things are organized – it’s just how I roll. Ok, you got me, I’m a Virgo.
The 911 came, when I went to get dressed one morning last week, and despite all the pieces staring back at me – I simply could not put one outfit together. Not one. Not even denim shorts, a top with a pair of flip flops. It was 95 degrees out, and I was so desperate I was willing to sweat it out in jeans and a flowy top – but that wasn’t coming together for me. I finally settled on a top that was on it’s way to the resale store (because it is too cropped), with a longer tank layered under it, flare crop jeans and sandals. Annoying. I kinda get miffed when I spend too much time getting ready, how about you?
#memiffed
Oh, and I’m extra miffed in this photo because I just realized that the tailor altered my new jeans in a really bad, crappy way (wrong color thread and crooked hem. Maybe difficult to see in the photo, but trust me), and I was going to need to drive back to the store to have them fixed – that’s a whole other story, one for another post.
#girlsgotbetterthingstodo
Something was wrong. The universe felt out of sync. Then it dawned on me, it’s officially hot summer here, and my closet still looked like the end of winter/spring. Yes, I had cleaned out my closet – back in February, but weather and my lifestyle has shifted since that time. Time for a quick closet refresh, and fast – before the kids are out of school!
So I got busy. It only took an hour this past weekend, and my closet is back up in working condition, phew…
First step, was to take every piece of clothing I knew would not see the light of day till October, and cover them in garment bags. Uncovered, they were creating the illusion I had more options to wear, than I really had. Avoid confusion.
Next, I thought about how I live during the summer months. With the kids home, the heat, casual lazy days enjoying the summer; festivals, farmers markets, block parties, pool parties, casual dining outside, trips to the beach – I knew most of my clothing needs for the next few months were going to be met with comfortable, casual pieces.
My closet was currently organized by type, then color. For example, all skirts together, pants, dresses in one spot…then colorized. This works in the cooler months because my wardrobe tends to be black and denim based, and most pieces work well together. Not so in the summertime.
SOLUTION: create 5 separate lifestyle areas, in my closet.
Casual Everyday Tops and Bottoms
This section got prime real estate. This is where I will be pulling most of my outfits from, this summer.
You’d think I have more pieces- this surprised me as well!
Career Separates
skirts (only 2 that can be worn in hot weather!) | blouses | jackets (4)
Career/Dressy-Casual Dresses
As you can see, I opt toward dress for work, over separates – in the warm months.
Casual/Everyday Dresses and Jumpsuits (right of garment bags)
Cocktail Dresses (left of garment bags)
Prior to the re-organization, all my dresses were together – by color. It was overwhelming. The 3 garment bags you see house items that I don’t want to store in totes – nicer pieces, dresses, suiting, denim that is too heavy for summer but will come back out in the fall. I know I will absolutely NOT wear these pieces in the next 4 months – so why look at them everyday?
Shoes
got a facelift as well.
Flip-Flops and slippers in a basket:
Everyday shoes on display:
Work pumps, ballet flats, flat sandals:
Evening shoes and off season boots etc., are stored in clear shoe bins on the top shelf.
In season handbags
are hung on shower hooks.
Long necklaces on a tie rack (target).
Belts rolled up and in view:
Shorts, folded.
You guessed it, I’m not a big shorts person – though I do like them on everyone else. Maybe now that I can see them, I will wear ’em more. They were folded in with my swimsuits – eek!
And don’t forget a step ladder, to reach higher up pieces,
a place for extra hangers(white basket), market and beach totes (stacked inside each other)
With my summer pieces organized, in a small section together, I can see what I have, what may be missing (how adding a bit of color in that neutral top selection? Maybe just one or 2 colored tops? ) as well as what I don’t need (dresses for work or lace up sandals).
Anyone else had a closet melt down lately?
Have your reset your closet for summer?
How do you organize your closet in the summertime?
Do you consider your lifestyle, when organizing your closet?
With my closet back in working condition I’ve been thinking about creating a Summer Wardrobe Capsule – which I plan to share on Saturday.
Off to organize the pantry, junk drawer, laundry room, second garage (scary!), switch up the dining room table to a summer look, toss disgusting bath towels that have been hanging around – you get the idea…
but with a much happier me.
Have a great week!
XOXO
Suzanne
A quick note: “Blogs I Read” has been added back onto Ask Suzanne Bell. This is a list of blogs I personally follow, not all, but regulars. This page automatically updates – whenever the author posts something new. Therefore the most current post lands at the top. My hope is that this new format makes it easy, so you don’t have to hunt around for your favorites. While you are here visiting, you can simply pop on over and see what’s new out in the world of blogging. Not all are fashion or style blogs, you may just find one you love!
Linking up with : Not Dressed As a Lamb| Fashion Should Be Fun| My Refined Style| Sheela Writes | Style Stories |Visible Monday|40 Plus Style | Style Me Wednesday | Style Perspectives Link-Up
great post, I love a good clean up! You know I have two wardrobes in my appartment and I still don’t have enough room unless I remove the off season!
H
Hi Helen! Thank you! I tell you, it’s made the biggest difference this week. I’ve narrowed my Summer Casual pieces down to about 36 items – that all work together. I was feeling guilty adding pieces to my already filled closet – but realized where I was overflowing, I was equally lacking – in pieces to wear everyday! I love the science of style – so fun! Thanks for dropping a line!
XO Suzanne
I really love how you organize your shoes: one shoe facing forward and the other facing back. That’s one of those simple, yet insightful, tips that keeps things easy. I have closet envy, by the way!
Hi Signe! Thank You for stopping by! Great catch on the shoes! The reasoning behind the shoe thing, is one, they ACTUALLY fit better on the racks, and two, I can see what I have much better. It’s a quick way to see what I own in terms of heel height and styling. xx Suzanne
Your closeT is way more organized than mine. I have mine grouped into categories. Jeans, v-necks, skirts, dresses, etc. it needs A do over though. Lol!
http://www.thebeautybeau.com/haul-gojane-fashion-block-heels-demi-wedges-distressed-jeans-fringe-crop-jeans/
Hi Candace! I traditionally organize the same, by category and just switched for the summer because my needs were so DIFFERENT. I found it looked like i had things covered, but when I went to get dressesd – most of my tops for example were more going out type tops or tops for work. it’s only been a week, but its been so super easy so far. Ill be sharing more tonight on my finding with this new system! xx Suzanne
I am encouraged…i boughjt some baskets and cute fabric organizing bins today plus beige velvet hangers to get me more motivated…i have the winter clothes in bins and the summer ones all out but not SORTIED…i see some tops that i loved last summer but now they make me tired to look at them… Like new some of them…how do you give away almost new clothes that make you feel tired? What I do love is all the space I have in my closet now that the winter clothes are out….a bin of boots out and SANDAL, that take up so little space, are in. So wish me luck….i am going to get this all organized and cute as well !
Hey Cyndy! Congrats! You are moving in the right direction! Boots and sweaters out is the first step!:) I say if you are tired just looking at those tops, they may need to go. WHo needs tops that bring you down? Not me! I just narrowed down my casual portion of the closet to 16 CASUAL tops | 7 CASUAL dresses | 11 CASUAL bottoms | 3 LIGHTWEIGHT CASUAL jackets (I will be sharing it on the blog tonight) – I know, shocking. Now my closet still has loads in it, but what I wear everyday is front and center and all interchangeable. AS far as those tired tops, I say send them off to the consignment store (I think there is one by you that will take your stuff on the spot and give you cash!) Or order a free cleanout bag from THredup.com and send them those pieces for cash, to put towards a new piece you are missing. I know another reader who sent the pieces she was not using any longer to Thred Up and with the money she got – purchased 2 beautiful Tory Burch clutches on POShmark. Out with the tired pieces and in with 2 pieces she was missing in her closet! Good Luck! XO Suzanne
Wow…..I’m impresssed and I picked up a few great ideas! Love the idea of putting garment bags over things you will not be wearing until fall. I just went through my younger daughter’s closet and boy did it need a refresh! After we had everything bagged we went to Plato’s Closet where they selected the things they knew they could sell. My daughter made $24 so she was thrilled and they took the rest off our hands and donated to an organization in the area. So easy! feels great to have her closet done! I want to thank you for adding me to your blog roll…..so sweet of you and I really appreciate it! April xo
Hi April! Thank you for stopping by! Don’t you feel such a sense of accomplishment when it is all done? My closet is always my first stop, before I take on the rest of the house – nice to get that out of the way! This is the first time I tried the garment bag idea, but it sure has made shopping my closet so much easier – less confusion with all those items I know I won’t wear until at least October. Happy to have added you to the blog roll – its my own personal Bloglovin – without any pop-ups! xx Suzanne
Closet refresh is perfect timing! Thanks for the inspiration. Something that takes up much of my closet real estate are work out clothes and basics-Lingerie, socks etc. what is your solution for those items? (I don’t have much space for a dresser)
So yes, I do store those items in a dresser outside my closet. Depending on how your closet is set up, one idea is to use bins. Using either ones that can sit on the floor or on a center shelf. Another option I use in my daughters room are these drop-down hanging shelves from IKEA, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20299730/ | You can buy bins or drawers separately that fit into the drop down shelves. They also sell shoe bins and boxes with compartments, http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80299727/ Thanks for stopping by! Suzanne