The world knows that we are all self-proclaimed world class shoppers here. We buy shoes every weekend, clothes at the shopping mall downstairs after office hours (sometimes on weekdays) and what about all those times that we spent ogling at those yummy bags and sweaters online before hitting the ‘add-to-cart’ button?

So after a while, we started to have a little bit too much of the good things and we are of course, running out of space. When we no longer have enough space, we started to abandon these clothes and push the older stuff deep into the bottom of the closet. But when those 1999 turtleneck sweaters are suddenly back in fashion, we started to dig down at the bottom just to discover that they are totally battered, with stains and holes on it or maybe the roaches got them.  We could only wish that we store it properly…

How to do it?

1. Well the first important thing that everybody should know is those sweaters are not supposed to be hung. They should be folded because when you hang them, the hanger will leave bumps on the shoulder. Unless you have those great sweater hangers with silicone pads, folding and stacking them neatly in the closet is the safest bet. I once yell at my cleaning lady for hanging my Margiela cable knit sweater with a wire hanger. I’m serious! No wire hangers please. Have some mercy on them clothes.

2. Don’t forget to remove those pin, brooch and other accessories before storing them. Not only they will leave a hole, if you leave them on long enough, you might even get rust stain. On that note, make sure the clothes are also properly cleaned before storing them. Even if you have intention to wear them again before having them cleaned, don’t hang them in the closet. Put them on the coat hanger or wall hook. This is to avoid those nasty pit-stains and you know how difficult it is to remove two or three week’s old ketchup stain from fabrics.

3. My mother always sneaks in some mothballs into my closets. I don’t really like the smell but I just didn’t know how to stop her. So I bought a small container that she could fill with her mothballs without having them touching my clothes because they can really ruin our clothes. The odour last even longer on dry-cleaning only fabrics, which is not really a good thing.

4. And as for shoes, if you don’t have any intention on wearing a particular pair for a long time put them in a box. Stuff some tissue papers inside to maintain the shape of the toe. You can buy one of those clear shoe boxes from the department stores or you can always get shoe trees. Socks on the other hand, belong to the socks drawer and so do ties, handkerchiefs and underwear.  Fold them neatly and make sure they are clean.

5. And finally for the bags, they should be stored in an airy place with lower level of humidity to prevent the molds from developing on the leather surface. I once hung my bag on this iron rod that transfers blue paint to the bag’s handle. It took me ages to remove them. So be careful with where you put them. We love our bags, they are precious. Don’t ever put your Prada on the floor on or in plastic bags!

So remember these little tips. You have no idea when you might need to take those last year’s patent leather shoes and vest out of the closet again.

Photos from Wikimedia Common.

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