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Beyond Storage have put together a list of top tips and handy hints for your wardorbe and storage requirements

Need Help planning your wardrobe? Check out Wardrobe Magic for information and advice on creating a successful wardrobe.


1. Get Hung Up

Who would of thought that the coat hanger could be such a fundamental part of your wardrobe! Take the time to invest in the 'correct' kind of hanger for the type of clothing you are hanging. Use padded hangers for delicate clothing, plastic hangers for button down shirts, blouses, etc. and sturdy wood hangers for heavier items such as suit jackets and coats. Remove all wire hangers (And save them for the day you lock your keys in your car) these don't support your clothes. And finally if you leave the plastic dry-cleaning bags on your clothes - REMOVE them. They don't allow the fabric to breathe, keeping the chemicals used in the process of dry-cleaning in your clothes.

2. Clear It Out

We are all guilty of it - men and women - keeping clothes because we might wear them! Distinguish between the clothing and shoes that you wear and items that you need to get rid of. Remember the golden rule of wardrobe organisation “if you haven't worn it in a year, toss it”. Also if it doesn't fit you well, it is time to get rid of it. Instead of hanging onto your 'skinny' jeans until you lose those few kilo's - get rid of them!!! Even more motivation to get down to your goal weight and treat yourself to a stylish new pair of jeans.

3. Windows

You either love them or loathe them being in your wardrobe! If you do have a window in your wardrobe the best recommendation is to get it UV treated or a blind installed. Even a window that is on the south side can fade your clothes quickly.

4. Top Shelf

You can use the top shelf of your wardrobe to store the things you hardly need access to, such as out of season clothes and accessories. Also a great place to hide those Christmas gifts and Birthday presents. Cane baskets or boxes with lids look great as well and are perfect for storing wrapping paper, gift cards and all those bits and pieces you just can't find a home for.

5. Style Tip

Here's a tip for us from Joanna Giles, Christchurch Image Consultant and Wardrobe Planning Expert from 'Love Your Look'. Joanna will be sharing regular advice and tips for Beyond Storage followers, and is also happy to answer any style or wardrobe questions you may have, just email them in. To create a 'user friendly' wardrobe group all your clothes by garment type e.g. all the jackets hung together, all the trousers hung together and so on. This makes it much easier to find what you're looking for in a hurry, and to put it away easily when you're finished with it.

If you're like me and you lead a bit of a double life (business women part of the day, at home mum to school ages kids the rest of the day) arrange your clothes within each grouping from most dressy (e.g. work wear jackets on the left of the jackets) to most casual (e.g. fun crop denim jacket for the weekend to the right of the jackets). Use this system for each garment group (Cardigans, Skirts, Trousers...)

This little trick makes it much easier to create successful outfits in a hurry. Just think "Am I getting dressed for a casual or dressy appointment?" and then head to the left hand end (dressy) or right hand end (more casual) of each group of garments to easily create each layer of your outfit.

Have fun trying this system out and let me know if you have any other wardrobe or style issues I can help you out with. Just send me an email to jgcosmetics@gmail.com or phone 385 5485. 

Joanna Giles
Love Your Look - The Feel Good Style System for Real Women

6. Shoes

Where possible avoid storing shoes underneath hanging clothes as they will be hard to see. Choose clear drawers or boxes so you can quickly identify the pair you want.

Switch your shoes (just like your clothes) between winter and summer. Store the out of season shoes in a clear box. Use a 'shoe tree' or 'boot shapers' to help protect the shape.

7. Wardrobe Planning

Tip courtesy of Pauline Watson from Wardrobe Magic. www.wardrobemagic.co.nz
Spend the weekend going through magazines for pictures and ideas for this season's fashion. Though just because it is in fashion doesn't mean that I have to wear it! Best to find your own unique Style, and shop for your wardrobe, not for an event! It's called Wardrobe Planning!