Tips + Tricks of the Trade

Last week I covered steaming, cleaning and clothing upkeep. This week, read on for storage solutions that will help keep your closet as stylish as you are!

Closet Cleaning 101. Before you can organize what you own, it's best to make sure everything you'll spend time cleaning is actually worth keeping. If you haven't worn it in the last year, consider donating it, ditching it, or selling it on consignment. Don't wait for something to fit or come back into style – closet space is valuable real estate! Have you ever heard of the 80/20 principal? This applies to clothing too – odds are you wear 20% of what you own, 80% of the time. Make it a goal to reduce this ratio and get more out of your wardrobe!

Closet Hang-ups. The first secret to having a harmonious closet is matching hangers. I recommend sleek wooden hangers, which can be found for much less than you'd think. Try Ikea, Target, or Linens-n-Things for multi-packs in natural, cherry, or espresso woods to coordinate with your furniture. Having solid wooden hangers that all match will allow your clothing to hang beautifully and evenly spaced, and keep things wrinkle-free.

Sort It Out. Your next step is to decide whether to sort by color, clothing type, frequency of use, or in your own unique way. I personally sort by clothing classification, from sleeveless tops to blazers to dresses to pants, with everything else strategically placed in between. This allows me to browse my closet and select an outfit from head to toe in a logical order.

Shoe To-Do. Unless you're a morning person and allow yourself a leisurely amount of time to get ready for the day, I wouldn't suggest storing your shoes in boxes of any kind. Pulling one pair out can create a domino effect, and no one needs extra chaos while running out the door. Shoe trees, shelving, racks, or over-the-door pockets are the easiest ways to store your shoes. Keep the ones you wear most often in close reach, and store your special occasion and off-season footwear in harder to access spots. If you're looking to add a touch of fun to your closet area, "feature" your most fabulous shoes in a prominent spot for all to see!

Storage With Style. Ready to take it up a notch and make your closet a sanctuary? If you'd like to make your storage space a little more luxe, consider these upgrades – even if you don't have a walk-in!

Lay down a small area rug or runner & add luxe lighting with a mini chandelier or pendant lamp

Paint or paper it pretty & swap outdated closet doors for updated, ultra-chic curtains

Drape and display your jewelry & feature your favorite footwear with 'out of the box' storage

Decorate with a dress form & make your mirror match your style

Stay tuned for my final Stylist Secrets post next week and learn event-focused and on-the-go fixes to keep you primped and polished.

Stay Stylish,

Ally