Walk Right In
As you return your garments to the closet, line them up with a sense of order. Sort shirts and blouses by color and formality so that dress shirts are separated from casual weekend wear. Ditto for skirts and dresses and suits. Function and usage should determine location. Keep the things you grab daily closest to the closet door.
If you think hangers are just an afterthought, think again. In Mommy Dearest, Joan Crawford permanently gave wire hangers a bad rap, but it was well deserved, anyway.
Don't throw away those flimsy wire hangers you get from the dry cleaner. Local recycling plants will take them off your hands, and dry cleaners love to reuse them, too. You can also drop them off at thrift shops and homeless shelters or save them for the kids’ school projects.
Wire hangers simply aren't constructed to keep the shape of your garments. They add shoulder lumps and give slacks awkward creases. Wood or padded hangers keep your clothes in shape by maintaining the contours of garments and add to their longevity. The sturdier the hanger, the better.
Sweaters, by the way, are better off folded. Folding sweaters over a sturdy hanger bar, dry cleaner–style, is also fine. As a rule of thumb, hang garments made of rayon, linen, and cotton, as well as anything that's prone to wrinkles or needs to keep its shape, such as delicate fabrics, pleated skirts, or creased slacks. Use dresser drawers for knitwear, sweaters, jeans, pajamas, and sportswear.
Have hangers facing in the same direction, and use a complete set of uniform hangers. Your closet will look better that way. Who cares about looks? You should. When you open your closet doors to find your clothes looking like the inside of a Rodeo Drive boutique, it'll go a long way in helping you keep the momentum moving.
