How to keep your wardrobe looking as efficient and shinny as Gisele's Hair!

Photo: Ikea.com screen capture of wardrobe option available
My Shoe system :HINT: Stuff boots with plastic bags to help retain their shapeWooden hangers help preserve garment shape!

Wardrobe Systems. Some folks dread them and others relish in how great theirs are. But for all of you who happen to have one...that looks like a moldy bowl of pasta this 'How to guide' in wardrobe maintenance and organization should be a god-send.

First of all Wardrobe's should be at all times systematically organised period. No Wardrobe is too big or to small to house quality coat hangers, proper packaging and systematic storage compartments. If you don't believe me just go to www.ikea.com which has great storage solutions for both small and large homes and wardrobes.

Getting back on track... Every good and efficient wardrobe -regardless of price- contains these 5 vital ingredients:
1. Quality Wooden Coat Hangers-Keeps garment shoulders in shape and doesn't rust like wire hangers do all over your pretty spring dresses
2. Shoe Boxes - whether they're the boxes the shoes came in or specialized clear containers
3. Moth Balls - even if you don't have the nasty things living there, one day you may just open the cupboard door to find your favourite cashmere sweater in tatters wishing you'd just thrown in a couple of dollars worth of balls to save the heart ache.
4. Tissue paper - great for retaining the shape in shoes and wrapping delicate garments
5. Cardboard dividers- Makes it easier to distinguish the socks from the stockings and the Belts from the Bras.

Now with these tools you can ensure all of your clothes stay just as beautiful as on the day you purchased them no matter how long ago. And to keep track of all these wonderful garments any wardrobe OCD (Obsessive Compulsive) will tell you 'systems are the key to success!'.

This nifty system ensure all of my beauties stay in front of my eyes and not long lost with the mouldy socks and other long forgotten fashion flops ...ahem... bubble skirt:

All of my wardrobe that is not hanging up is divided into 7 basic sections which are:
1. Uniforms -work or school
2. Tops
3. Socks Hosiery and Swim-wear
4. Winter staples
5. Bottoms -shorts, skirts, skorts etc
6. Pj's and;
7. Shoes

These 6 different sections suit me just fine but some people may find that they have twice as much tops as they do bottoms and so you can adjust the amount of storage given to either accordingly. The second part of this system involves organizing each section generally it goes as follows:
1. Tops are sorted in either colour, season, most worn and least worn, fabric, style or a mixture of a couple.
2. The same is done for bottoms
3. Socks Hosiery and Swim-wear are sorted accordingly preferably within cardboard dividers as previously mentioned and;
4. Pj's are sorted into winter and summer with which ever season's crop sectioned towards the top or front.
5. Shoes are sorted so that everydays are at the front moving down to the 'rare occasion' good dress shoes at the bottom and each box has a Polaroid of the shoe inside attached to the front so that you can keep track of them all!

These solutions should help give order and purpose to your wardrobe allowing you to make quick clear sartorial decisions in times of hast or crisis. You should also remember to have at least two fail safe 'look amazing' outfits in times of dire desperation and these should only be used in these situations to avoid over use. Some other handy hints to make your wardrobe look like the fashion closet of a star (if you have the time) are:
1. Pretty ribbons can be placed tied to the tops of coat hangers to add a decadent boutique like finish
2. Yummy smelling salts and Potpourri can be kept at the bottom of your wardrobe to keep you clothes smelling clean and fresh and;
3. Cute wrapping paper or specialty wallpaper can be applied to the insides of your wardrobe to help inspire you to be creative with your outfits each day and also to show off all of you glorious clothes, cause lets face it after spending all that money on each item you want them to still look pretty even if they are patiently waiting to be worn.

So there you have it the perfectly organized, presented and smooth running wardrobe to ensure that you'll never be caught out looking for those grey marle tights; or finding that favourite scarf....moth eaten at the back of your undies draw ever again!!!

Love always xoxo
S.A.A.