Reorganize Your Wardrobe this Autumn by Employing the Reverse Hanger Technique
Disinguishing a jam-packed wardrobe and getting rid of excess clothes can be accomplished in various ways, although some methods are more complex than others. As the autumnal chill sets in, why not consider a straightforward approach? The hanger technique is uncomplicated, needs minimal effort, and by the close of the season, you'll possess enough practical information to make informed decisions regarding what to retain.
What is the hanger technique?
This timeless advice has stood the test of time for its effectiveness: Remove every coat hanger in your closet and turn them all to face the same direction. Essentially, position the hook on every hanger to face the back wall of the closet. That's the basic procedure, as far as initial moves go. Then, establish a timeframe, such as a month or three months, and during that period, whenever you wear something and hang it back up, flip its hanger around. If you wear it again, leave it facing the second direction; don't revert it to the starting point position. At the conclusion of your chosen timeframe, eliminate any garments still hanging facing the initial direction and dedicate yourself to donating or discarding a considerable portion of those items.
Although it takes a few months to yield results, the hanger technique is a relatively straightforward and fact-based method of purifying your wardrobe since it enables you to visually observe what you actually wear and what you don't. The mere fact of noticing which hangers went untouched during that time will help you acknowledge which clothes you don't truly need or, at the very least, which ones should be relocated to the front of the closet so you utilize them more frequently.
Drawbacks of the hanger technique
It's important to recognize that this technique's success hinges on a few factors. For instance, you must allow yourself enough time to carry out this exercise, giving yourself a genuine chance to wear these garments. That's why I advise executing it during a full season, such as autumn: Over a span of three months, you'll have ample time to wear work attire, leisure attire, and likely special occasion attire, enabling you to gather substantial data as opposed to allotting just a month and observing only a small number of worn items.
Second, it only functions if you commit to decluttering upon concluding the experiment, so introduce other decluttering strategies at that juncture. The five-second rule works well here. Grab a piece of clothing you didn't wear, permit yourself five seconds to decide whether to keep it or donate it, and then quickly act upon your preference.
Lastly, it can be harmonized with other organizational methods with a bit of initiative. If you're using tiered hangers to conserve space in a cramped closet, for example, be careful not to rotate the tiered hanger when retrieving garments, confounding the direction your worn and unworn clothing are face. You can also try it with hanging shoe organizers or shelves within the closet, turning the shoes or clothes one way to initiate and flipping them around after you wear them. If you do so, jot down the original and new directions somewhere, such as a note on your phone, to ensure you remain focused and avoid confusion.
Using the hanger technique at home during the autumn season can help you declutter your closet effectively. After three months, get rid of any garments still hanging with their hangers facing the initial direction. The five-second rule can be an effective decluttering strategy to use when concluding the experiment.
Making the most of the hanger technique requires allowing enough time for the exercise, committing to decluttering at the end, and being mindful of other organizational methods like using tiered hangers or shoe organizers.
