So You've Done Your Wardrobe Clear Out?
Now it's time for style maintenance 101...
Ok so you’ve completed the five step wardrobe clear out. WELL BLOODY DONE. Doesn’t that feel fab? I bet you’ve found getting dressed this week a breeze. Want to go one step further? Let’s indulge in some wardrobe maintenance, your clothing will thank you for it…
Steam everything. Once you’ve completed your wardrobe clear out, or whilst you’re doing it if you’re SUPER efficient, give everything a good iron or steam - whatever’s your preference. Personally I’m a steamer, I haven’t ironed in about five years. I have this one* which is large and cumbersome but utterly amazing. If you’ve got a spot to store it in then I highly recommend. The travel ones* are good if you need something smaller but you do have to constantly refill the water vessel and I don’t find the steam as ‘strong’. Bigger is better in this sense if you have the space.
Sort out your underwear. I’ll do a post on my favourites soon, but a good wardrobe starts with a solid foundation and that begins with your undergarments. Up until a few years ago I had holey socks, pants that didn’t really fit and two bras that I interchanged between. Now I have plenty of socks (and in neutral colours that add something to my outfits) and bras and pants in two genres of underwear; some that are no VPL and seamless and some in lace for if I want to feel fancier. And I own more than two! It makes all the difference and I’m never limited as to what I can wear as I always have the right stuff to wear underneath.
Get really good at ‘hand washing’. Spoiler: I never hand wash anything. Ever. WHO HAS THE TIME!? I either dry clean or most of the time I use the trusty hand wash cycle on the washing machine. From trial and error I’ve worked out that using the hand wash cycle, on a cold wash, is best for all my delicate items - be it silk, wool or cashmere. I’ve very, very rarely had a problem when using that setting. Of course make sure to spot check any new items if you’re unsure by wetting a piece of material in an unassuming area. I’m currently using this wash* and I use such a tiny amount that it’s going to last ages.
Work on your ‘pile’ immediately. We all have a pile right?! Whether it’s returns, or things to take to the dry cleaners, there is always some kind of active pile forming. Either work on it immediately, or schedule in a slot in your diary - book it in like you would an actual meeting - so you can get it done. It means these items will be up and running and ready to actually wear in your wardrobe sooner rather than later (or the money will be back in your account!!!). If you have some alternations or repairs and aren’t sure what to do with them, then check out The Seam. You tell them what you need and then they connect you with makers for your project; whether it’s an hem that needs taken up, or handbag repair.
Cobblers can do wonderful things. Honestly me and my cobbler are tight! We text! Whenever I get a new pair of shoes that don’t have grip on the bottom the first thing I do is take them to him to get a rubber sole added. It’s certainly not the chicest addition but it stops me looking like Bambi on slippery pavements and makes my shoes last longer (I am someone who is very heavy on their feet!!!). He’s stretched shoes, replaced heels and buffed out scuffs. He’s going to pop a new hole in my leather belt as well as I’ve always felt it would fit better if there was just one more! If you’ve got a shoe/leather/suede problem, there’s a high chance your cobbler will have the solution.
Buy these four things. And you’ll have a basic wardrobe maintenance kit. Keep it nearby to where you store your clothes so you remember to use them:
A steamer (see above)
A lint roller (any old one will do)
Make it look nice. I’m far more ‘into’ my wardrobe when it looks visually pleasing to me. Let’s merchandise our own wardrobes shall we? I mean we don’t have to finger-space out our hangers (although I do quite like the look of mine when I do that!!), but at least replace broken hangers (I use these for tops* and these ones for bottoms*), tidy our shoes and stuff and sort our bags so we can see them all (personally if mine are in dust bags I never use them). These organisers* are great for things that you store in drawers like underwear, workout wear and t-shirts. In terms of organisation on my actual rail I’ll pop a photo here but I tend to group items by category and then colour sort from white to black. So from left to right on my rail I have:
Trousers and skirts (mixed in but colour sorted) → dresses (folded on the hanger as they are heavy) → jumpsuits → dungarees → shirts and knitwear → coats
Give your leather some TLC. Sometimes comments on TikTok posts can make my butt clench and other times they are pretty helpful! Someone commented on a video of my Loewe saying that it looked a little crusty and could do with some leather conditioner - fair play!! So I bought this kit and treated all my leather goods to a day at the bag spa. Very fun and the commenter was right - all my bags, shoes and belts looked far healthier once I’d given them a cleanse and moisturise. It’s an affordable way of prolonging the life of them and keeping them in good condition.
I thought I’d collate all my advice into a to-do list incase you fancy a FUN WEEKEND ACTIVITY! Ha! But this is the order I would go in. Do all the boring stuff first and then get on to all the satisfying tasks and organising at the end. Like I said in my wardrobe clear out post, it’s probably too much for a day, but just some tasks that can be scattered into the next month that will help you if you’re trying to reconnect with what you already have instead of buying new (and if you’re a Virgo is your actual version of fun).
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Anna x
Love this post, Anna! Heading to my wardrobe to re-organize it immediately!!
Your post is so timely since the new year makes everyone ready to clean house!!