Here’s something I like to do at the end of a season.

After I declutter, I like to wash everything left just to get rid of any musty smells.

I then move them to a top shelf until the weather gets cold again.

That’s them in those plastic storage boxes. I’m trying these so they keep the jerseys (sweaters) in neat piles.

What kinds of systems do you have going for your clothes?

Wherever you are in the world, the seasons change every three to six months and it’s either warming up or cooling down in your part of the world.

Whatever your situation, take the time to sort out your wardrobe.

Pareto’s Principle states that 20% of your efforts result in 80% of your results.

Did you know that this principle also applies to your wardrobe?

That’s right – you only wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time.

The aim of your wardrobe is to have clothes you love, that look good on you and that flatter your body shape.

I’ve been reading up a lot on clothes websites and blogs and I gathered some tips for everybody:

If you wore the fashion the first time around, you shouldn’t be wearing it this time

Even if it still fits you, the styles and colours will have changed.

Pleated and tapered pants are out for all body shapes. Aren’t you glad?!

Now let’s get busy purging and organising your clothes.

1. Put on some upbeat music and call a friend or professional organiser to help you.

2. Set aside an afternoon and remove everything from your wardrobe.

3. Make 3 piles:

• Clothes you don’t love, don’t suit your lifestyle or don’t look good on you

• Clothes you love and that fit you properly

• Clothes that you’re not sure about, for whatever reason

4. Action the piles

• Donate or throw out

• Organise in your wardrobe or on your shelves according to your personal preferences – by colour, style (smart, casual, etc), or season/ sleeve length, etc.

• Move to another place in the house or to a storage container. Make a note in your planner or in Outlook to look at this pile again at a later date (I like to think of this as a pending file for your clothes).

When you look at this pile again, fit everything on. You will then be able to look at the clothes unemotionally and decide whether they deserve to take up space in your wardrobe (you want to keep them) or whether they need to be donated.

Rather have half the amount of clothes and be able to wear everything than a full-to-overflowing wardrobe where you can only wear a few items.

When was the last time you decluttered some clothes?

shoes, glorious shoes

boots, flats, active shoes, slip-flops, slippers, everything!

Tell me in the comments how many pairs you THINK you have – tomorrow you can do the actual count

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The Organise your Home ecourse is a step-by-step system delivered in bite-sized pieces so you will NEVER feel overwhelmed. You even get an audio of me teaching you how to organise your space.

Tons of people have been through this system; are you next?

Right, so today we’re decluttering T-shirts.

I want you to go through all those T-shirts, especially those at the back of your cupboard…I have them so I know you have them too

Look what I found…

an ex-boyfriend’s T-shirt from university!

and one from when we worked in the children’s church before we were married actually (this is 14 years old)

You should be wearing clothes that fit well and that flatter you because you’re worth it.

Throw out those old T-shirts – I don’t even think you should keep them to wear to the gym because you deserve to look cute even when you’re all hot and sweaty from exercising.

How many T-shirts did you get rid of today?

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Marcia Recommends
The Organise your Home e-course will help you get your entire home organised in just 12 weeks. Tons of people have been through this system; will you be next?

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Challenges for the rest of the month…

8 – underwear and socks, including pajamas

15 - shoes

22 – pants & jeans

29 – sweatshirts and jerseys

next month, we’re going to declutter and organise our clothes

1 - T-shirts, both long and short-sleeved

8 – underwear and socks, including pajamas

15 - shoes

22 – pants & jeans

29 – sweatshirts and jerseys

Get ready for tomorrow; it’s T-shirt time!

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The Organise your Home e-course will help you get your entire home organised in just 12 weeks. Tons of people have been through this system; are you next?

Since I tackled my wardrobe in two parts (on the blog, at least), I thought I’d post the final picture.

Before – bottom of old organiser
I knew I was going to sort this out so I created a mess on the bottom of my wardrobe during the last few days (yes, it felt good)
the whole lot in one very ugly pile

Sorting it all out

1. I put one awkward shape inside of another very big bag.
2. I used the space on the floor along the back (orange bag) and surrounding my basket (beige and brown bags).
3. I rolled up some bags and positioned smaller, lesser-used bags in my basket. This basket currently holds 8!
4. The basket stashes under my new lime-green organiser (for spring) because the shelves are quite narrow, which makes for a neater look.

Here is the end result – 20 bags, beautifully organised

In case you’re counting, I am wearing number 20!

Just for fun, tell me how many handbags/ purses/ pocketbooks (whatever you call it) you have!

In Johannesburg, there’s no middle ground. It’s either ice-cold or blazing hot.

During the last week of August I was still wearing corduroys, boots and thick, winter jackets. On 1 September exactly, it was blazing hot (high 20′s) and it hasn’t let up at all.

Last week we had temperatures of 28 and 29 degrees the entire week.

Which is why it became really urgent to swop my winter and summer clothes around because I hate wasting time in the mornings.

I keep the clothes I need to access a lot on the right side of the wardrobe because my side of the wardrobe is on the left of our bedroom, and the ones for the other season in plastic bags on the left side. I know I shouldn’t keep them in plastic but quite honestly, it’s worked for me ALL these years and I’m happy like that, okay?

I have a double rail to maximise space and it really works because everything fits (except the thick winter coats).

I had to

1. throw out any old clothes, clothes that I no longer loved or those that don’t fit
2. move the clothes around
3. sort out the colours
4. sort out the sleeve lengths

before – bottom
Before you get really worried, I have tackled all those handbags too. Those 3 were only thrown in during the last couple of days in total frustration. That will be posted as next week’s tackle. It’s a big one!

I can still declutter some more – this will happen as I wear things and find they don’t look so great any more

and I present – my beautifully organised wardrobe

I sat on my bed and just gazed at it for a few minutes afterwards

If I had to change to spring/ summer clothes, then I’m guessing that you US guys have to change to autumn/ winter clothes.

That’s my challenge to you – tackle those wardrobes (closets) and link back here so I can come have a look.

Scroll down for new posts – I’m leaving this up until next Friday 3 August.

Well, I never thought I’d see the day when my comments went over a hundred. Reaching for 20 was a goal in itself

It was terrible for me seeing all the comments knowing that I couldn’t just give the Household Organising File to all of you!

So I put on my thinking cap and decided to give everyone (who visits this blog) a 20% discount on this or any of the other 2 organising products in my store.

These 3 downloadable products are featured on the welcome page of the store. You have to enter this product code dogdays to see your discount at checkout. I have tested and it is working perfectly

This discount code is only valid for a week until next Friday!

I also have other free forms on my website which you must please go download. And don’t forget – I publish free weekly tips every week. The sign-up box is at the top of the sidebar. Over there — >

However, the winner is……………
Nikki Bonham – congratulations, I really do hope this helps you! It seems Nikki is a fellow Rod Stewart fan. Go Nikki

To those of you who sent me questions, THANKS A LOT. I’m going to answer one question every week on a Thursday for the next couple of months!

Here are some pictures of Ali’s beautifully organised closet.