by Sanjoli Arora

Thanks to this lockdown, we are now at home. There is no time being wasted on the commute and nowhere to go. The day goes juggling between your bed and sofa. Since this pandemic has gifted us all with the boon of time, why not put it to some good use. Say a deep cleanse of your wardrobe. Agreed PJs are the quarantine uniform, dressing up once in a while is not a crime. So let’s organize one mess at a time and find you some old treasures to flaunt.

Where to start?

It is always hard to make the first move especially when there is so much stuff to organize. So start by dumping everything on your bed. Now slowly segregate the clothes into different categories. For example all tops together, bottoms in one pile, dresses in another and so on.

Once you can see the separate sections, you will get an idea of what you have. Now before we start to actually fold and set them back in the cupboard, it is essential to categorize the clothes based on what should stay and what should go. 

Start with one section, say the tops. Split them into what you love and this stays, what you don’t love (we can think of how to repurpose this) and what needs to go. If you are ever confused between whether to keep it or let go, use Marie Kondo’s golden rule- ‘Does this piece of clothing spark joy?’. Once we have a pile of clothes we love, it is time to organize.

How to organize?

When looking at big piles of clothes, it is very easy to get lost. So when you get to the organizing phase, stay sharp and focused. The technique to fold clothing is guided by three principles-should look neat, is easy to identify in a pile and takes minimum space. 

There are tons of videos to help you fold the clothes in this optimum way. Remember to use the technique that's easy for you since we would want to use it over time. Once all the clothes are folded, it is time to arrange.

Stacking clothes on top of each other is the most used trick in the box, but then again when has a long stack ever stayed upright for long. Instead think of horizontal stacking. Investing in good quality organizers to help add more organized space in your cupboard is another good approach. A well organized cupboard does not just look clean, but is practical for everyday use. So make sure to organize based on your daily needs and personal habits.

How to repurpose?

While it is easier to organize the clothes we love, it is the ‘maybe’ pile that gets shoved in the back corner. This time, let us try to repurpose this pile instead of shoving it. Think of what exactly makes this piece of clothing a maybe? Does the color not suit you? Is the style out of trend? Has your size changed? Now think of any alterations you might be able to give it. Can you add some embellishments, maybe cut and sew it into a new design or a new product altogether? After all, repurposed cloth bags are making a comeback. 

The ‘maybe’ pile is a good way to learn the art of sewing. You may not get a perfect result in the first try, but at least it is a start. Also repurposing and rewearing clothes does not just add some new looking pieces to your wardrobe, it ensures that the landfills are not exhausted by textile wastes.

There are various videos, bloggers and influencers who can guide you in creating beautiful reinvented pieces. And if all else fails, books and old magazines will always come to your rescue.

What to let go of?

So now that we are through with our reinvented pile, it is time to look at the junk. Clothes that are beyond repair or too old to be worn. Again when thinking of disposing them, avoid dumping in the trash wherever possible.Some possible options can be resale of pieces that are wearable or donating in charity shops. For clothes that don’t fit you, think of swapping with your friends. Finally pieces that are too worn out can be used as cleaning cloths around the house.

Conclusion: Closet cleaning is necessarily not a grueling, time-consuming task. It can be a good source of finding the pieces you love, reinventing them, styling them to create more looks and finally sharing them with others to spark joy. Guess binge watching Marie Kondo did turn out to be useful after all.

Graphics by Sanjoli Arora