A group of experts, including Hong Kong Tatler’s own editors, weigh in how to get your clothing collection in order to welcome the arrival of Spring

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Cleaning out your closet is a disorienting endeavour that many procrastinate on. But, unless you’re Mari Kondo or one of the blessed few with a huge walk-in closet, it’s a necessary evil for a land-scarce city like Hong Kong. 

Having an edited and well-organised space for your garments not only helps you prepare for the changing weather, it improves the functionality of the brain: According to findings from a study conducted by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, physical clutter hampers the mind’s ability to focus. In other words, deciding on an outfit to wear will probably be a piece of cake once you have an acute understanding of where every item is.

“Decluttering is much like exercising,” says Kissa Castañeda, Editor of our sister publication Home Journal. “It might be difficult to pull yourself out in the morning for a run, but you're so much happier after the workout.” With the help of Castañeda, our in-the-know friends and organisational experts, we’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to help you get in the groove for the simplifying ritual. Imagine all the time you are going to save on getting ready in the morning.


Step One: Plan Ahead

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The beginning is always the hardest, but you’ll save yourself a lot of time down the line by approaching the matter pragmatically. Megan Evans, a personal stylist and the founder of The Well Coiffed Closet, recommends starting the makeover with your most troubled areas. For instance, if you are having difficulty finding trousers that fit your body, try on all of of the existing ones you have.

Clear your contents and make three piles out of it: Clothing that no longer serves a purpose in your life, clothing that needs tailoring or cleaning, and clothing you are putting away. Organisation expert Jill Pollack recommends setting aside around two hours for this undertaking.


Step Two: Toss or Keep

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Unless something is formalwear, a good rule of thumb is to eliminate an item from your wardrobe if you haven’t worn it in the past 12 months. One handy trick Pollack suggested is putting your clothes on hangers inside out. When you take something out to wear, put it back in the closet normally. Anything that’s still hung backwards in a few months should be given a cold hard look, and possibly donated.

For garments with more sentimental value than actual mileage in them, Pollack proposes storing them in a keepsake box. Your half-marathon T-shirts are better off as memorabilia than laying idle in your drawer.


Step Three: Nail Down the Basics

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You should always gravitate towards high quality basics, according to Hong Kong Tatler’s Fashion Editor Justine Lee. Her essentials include crew neck sweaters, a classic black coat, a leather biker jacket, a fresh-looking pair of jeans and an array of silk shirts. Invest in a blazer if your dress code for work is more conservative, and don’t forget the Little Black Dress.

As for the gentlemen, our Social Editor (and resident organization guru) Christian Barlow prefers going monotone. He recommends keeping handy a great pair of black jeans, a basic white tee, a black leather jacket, a pair of loafers or slip-on, white sneakers, and a classic denim shirt.


Step Four: Develop a System

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Once you get a grip on what goes and what stays, now comes the hard part: Getting everything in order. “I’d start with determining whether an item should be folded or hung,” said Castañeda. Then, create a space for each ‘family’: for example, sleepwear and workout gear are in one drawer, as they're folded, while blazers and coats hang side by side.

According to Evans, off-season clothes should be stored in another closet or a separate section, since they don't need to be front of mind. She advised sorting blouses according to sleeve length and then colour coding the collection.


Step Five: Use the Right Tools

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All the professionals we spoke to favoured thin felt hangers, as they are lightweight and slip-free. The situation also calls for a bit of creativity: Evans uses rolled magazines to stuff inside her tall boots so they stand upright, and acrylic letter holders to store her clutches.

What if your off-season or special occasion gear is taking up too much room? PAKT, a Hong Kong-based storage solution service, can take care of all that — and so much more. The company picks up your excess clothing and creates a photo database for you to keep track of the inventory. A “clothes spa” is available to give your stock some love by way of tailoring and cleaning.