How to Organize Men's Wardrobe

A well-organized wardrobe is a dream come true for any man. Not only does it make getting dressed in the morning a breeze, but it can also help you save time and money—time that can be put to good use putting together the perfect outfit for any occasion—money that would otherwise be wasted on clothes you never wear because they’re buried at the back of your closet.

In this guide, we outline how to best organize your men's wardrobe using color coding, shelving, and more.

Color Code Your Wardrobe

One of the simplest ways to organize your wardrobe is by color-coding it. This way—you can see at a glance what pieces you have and quickly put together an outfit. It also makes finding a specific item much easier.

To color-code your wardrobe, start by dividing your clothes into categories: shirts, pants, jackets, etc. Then, arrange each category by color, starting with the lightest shade and progressing to the darkest.

If you have a lot of clothes, you can further divide them by season. For example, you might have a section for summer shirts and another for winter jackets. Or, if you live in a warm climate, you might have a “spring” and “summer” section instead.

Wear Clothes that Serve More Than One Purpose

When you’re trying to save space in your closet, it’s important to make sure that each piece of clothing serves more than one purpose. For example, a jacket that can be worn with both dress pants and jeans is more versatile—and takes up less space—than two separate jackets, one for each occasion.

Also, opt for clothing that is designed to merge function with aesthetics like the core collection at WRK. We create clothing that is multi-purpose—meaning it will look good at the office, during leisure activities or a night out on the town. Therefore, it is going to take up a lot less space than buying three pieces that each serve a single purpose.

So, when you’re shopping for new clothes, always ask yourself if the piece can be worn in more than one way. If not, think twice before adding it to your wardrobe.

Similarly, try to avoid pieces that are only suitable for one specific event or occasion. If you have something like that, it’s better to store it away in a container somewhere and only take it out when you need it.

Insert Shelving in Your Closet

If you don’t have a lot of space to store your clothes, or if you want to keep them easily accessible, consider inserting some shelving into your closet. This will give you a place to hang shirts, pants, and jackets, as well as store folded items such as sweaters and jeans.

You can find shelving units specifically designed for closets at most home improvement stores. Or, if you’re feeling handy, you can build your own using some basic woodworking skills.

Also, you can install hooks on an empty closet wall or the inside of your closet door to hang belts, ties, and other accessories.

Less is More—Throw things Out!

One of the best ways to organize your wardrobe is by getting rid of the clothes you never wear. This might seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually very liberating!

Take some time to go through your closet and get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, is out of style, or you just don’t like. You might be surprised at how much stuff you can get rid of when you take a close look at it.

Also, follow this simple rule: If you haven’t worn an item of clothing within the last year, donate it to charity. Otherwise, it’s taking up valuable space—and you probably won’t miss it. 

Once you’ve pared down your wardrobe, it will be much easier to keep it organized. And—you’ll have more space for the clothes you actually wear! If you want more inspiration for the less is more approach, be sure to check out our blog post on how to put together a minimalist wardrobe here.

Use Containers for Things You Don’t Use Often

If you have a lot of clothes, but don’t wear them all often, consider using containers to store them. This will free up space in your closet and make it easier to find the items you do wear. Small items like cufflinks that are easily lost can be stored in a container on a shelf.

There are a number of different types of containers that can be used for this purpose, including boxes, bins, and baskets. Just be sure to label them so you know what’s inside!

Don't Forget to Optimize the Clothes Hamper

Piling laundry on the floor or putting clothes in a cluttered hamper can discolor or get mildew on your favorite shirt. Then, all that trouble you went through to organize your wardrobe and get it to look its best goes out the window.

Instead, use the following tips to get your clothes hamper in good shape:

• Get a hamper with three slots: You can use one bag for dark items, one for lights, and the third for dry cleaning. You can also hang three cotton bags from hooks on your wall that serve the same purpose while conserving space.
• Line the hamper with a plastic bag: This way, if there is any spillage, you can simply remove and replace the lining rather than having to wash the entire hamper.
• Add a lid: A lid will keep your clothes from getting dusty or mildewy and will help to contain any odors.
• Use a drying agent: You can toss a silica gel packet in the bottom of the hamper to fight moisture, but make sure it is in a place where it can't get wrapped up in your clothes when you wash them, preferably under a plastic bag in the bottom of the hamper. They can make a mess and can clog up your washing machine if they hitchhike among your clothes and get washed.

Explore the Men's Core Collection at WRK

Organizing your wardrobe doesn’t have to be hard. By following the tips in this guide, you can easily achieve a well-organized closet that will make getting dressed each day a breeze. Before you go—be sure to explore the WRK collection of men's fashion to make your brand statement while making the most of your wardrobe.