The Benefits of Organizing Your Closet by Color: Enhancing Style and Efficiency

The Benefits of Organizing Your Closet by Color: Enhancing Style and Efficiency

Organizing your closet may seem like a mundane task, but how you arrange your clothing can significantly impact your daily routine and overall sense of style. One popular method that brings both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits is organizing your wardrobe by color. Here’s why adopting this method can transform your closet and simplify your life:

1. Visual Appeal and Aesthetic Harmony

Organizing your closet by color creates a visually pleasing display that can turn your wardrobe into a work of art. Imagine opening your closet to see a gradient of colors or neatly grouped sections of similar hues. This method not only looks appealing but also makes it easier to appreciate and coordinate your outfits.

2. Streamlined Decision-Making

One of the most significant advantages of color-coordinated closets is the ease of decision-making when choosing outfits. Instead of rifling through your wardrobe searching for a specific item, you can quickly locate pieces based on color. This streamlined process saves time, reduces stress, and helps you start your day on a positive note.

3. Enhances Outfit Coordination

By organizing your clothing by color, you naturally group items that complement each other. This makes it simpler to mix and match pieces to create cohesive outfits. Whether you’re dressing for work, a casual outing, or a special occasion, having a color-coded closet facilitates effortless outfit coordination.

4. Discover New Styling Possibilities

Organizing by color encourages you to see your wardrobe in new ways. You may discover overlooked combinations or experiment with color pairings that you hadn’t considered before. This creative exploration can rejuvenate your style and inspire you to make the most of your existing clothing collection.

5. Encourages Closet Maintenance

Maintaining an organized closet by color encourages you to keep your space tidy and clutter-free. When everything has a designated place based on color, you’re more likely to return items to their proper spot after wearing them. This habit reduces the likelihood of clothes piling up or becoming disorganized over time.

6. Easy Inventory Management

Organizing your closet by color also facilitates better inventory management. You can quickly assess what you have and identify any gaps in your wardrobe. This makes shopping more efficient because you can easily spot which colors or types of clothing you may need to complete your collection.

7. Simplifies Seasonal Transitions

When the seasons change, transitioning your wardrobe becomes more straightforward when items are organized by color. You can easily rotate seasonal clothing in and out of your closet without disrupting the overall organization. This ensures that you always have appropriate clothing at your fingertips, whether it’s summer shorts or winter sweaters.

8. Promotes Mindful Consumption

A color-coded closet encourages mindful consumption by helping you recognize when you have a surplus of items in certain colors. This awareness can curb impulse shopping and guide you towards purchasing pieces that truly complement your existing wardrobe.

9. Creates a Sense of Calm and Order

A well-organized closet by color creates a sense of calm and order in your living space. Knowing that your wardrobe is neatly arranged can have a positive psychological impact, reducing feelings of stress or overwhelm associated with clutter.

10. Personalizes Your Style Expression

Ultimately, organizing your closet by color is a personal choice that allows you to express your style in a way that resonates with you. Whether you prefer a rainbow spectrum, subtle gradients, or organized sections, this method empowers you to curate a closet that reflects your unique taste and personality.

Conclusion

Organizing your closet by color is more than just a practical method—it’s a transformative approach to managing your wardrobe. From enhancing visual appeal and streamlining decision-making to promoting mindful consumption and creating a sense of calm, the benefits are numerous. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or simply looking to simplify your daily routine, adopting a color-coded closet system can elevate your style and bring joy to your everyday dressing experience. So, next time you organize your closet, consider arranging your clothing by color to reap these rewards and transform your wardrobe into a stylish sanctuary.

Social Media and the Resurgence of Twee Fashion

Tumblr, a blogging website founded in 2007, had a direct influence on the fashion trends of the early 2000s. In the 2010s it was soft grunge, where scuffed Doc Martens, band t-shirts, and ripped skinny jeans were popular staples. And in 2014, came ‘Twee,’ a fashion aesthetic that consists of Peter Pan collars, Mary Jane flats, and colorful A-line dresses. Drawing inspiration from the 1970s and 1960s mod fashion, Twee is a British term meaning “affectedly of excessively fainty, delicate, cute or quaint.” The aesthetic embraces quirkiness, playfulness, and goodness. Its range of bright colors are often reminiscent of Wes Anderson films; however, actress Zoey Deshanel is often considered one of the most prominent icons of this style. With Tiktok becoming one of the main hubs for the newest fashion trends, we are starting to see a twee resurgence. 

On social media, there’s been a huge rise in the vintage movement. Many millennial and Gen Z consumers are interested in sustainability and are aware of the damaging effects of fast fashion. Both generations are finding twee garments  in abundance at many second hand stores and thrift shops. It’s more affordable and allows the consumer to create their own unique iterations of the trend. However, twee is also being featured on the runway with brands such as Miu Miu showcasing knitwear and mini skirts in their Spring 2022 show. 

Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri showcased “a mod-pop happening at Christian Dior” for Paris Fashion Week, according to Vogue. The show was a throwback to the 1960’s fashion that twee draws its inspiration from. In addition, the show consisted of many twee staples including bright colors, A-line dresses, and Mary Janes;emulating that youthful, spirited aesthetic that twee tries to achieve. 

Although this style is seeing a surge in popularity, it isn’t without it’s own controversy. As quoted by Vogue, “the original twee aesthetic of the mid 2010s glamourized thinness and lacked diversity.”  Fortunately, today’s generation celebrates diversity and inclusion in body types and race. It’s exciting to see the return of a once loved aesthetic, especially as it becomes more accessible to a more diverse group of people. 

What Learning to Paint Taught Me About Perfectionism

I am the type of perfectionist whose desire to be perfect manifests itself into intense anxiety.  The anxiety becomes so overwhelming that I’d rather not complete a task if I cannot do it perfectly. This has led to dropped hobbies, blank job applications, and countless missed opportunities. I’ve had to mourn the person I had imagined I’d be if I had at least tried. 

During quarantine, I had time to evaluate and understand the perfectionist side of myself. I came to the conclusion that I am worse off than if I was to have failed at all of the things I’ve wanted to try. When I thought about all of the unmet potential, it was difficult to not curl up in a ball of misery and unfulfillment. So, from that moment, I decided that something needed to change. 

I wracked my brain for all of the things I’ve wanted to do in my life but was too scared to make any attempt. I’ve always appreciated art; I had a painting of Van Gogh’s Cafe Terrace at Night hanging on my dorm room wall throughout all four years of college. But I’ve never considered myself particularly artistically inclined. However, I figured art is subjective, so technically, I couldn’t be “bad” at it.  Admittedly, this was weak logic but it worked for me. 

I decided that I was going to learn how to paint. I ordered a cheap set of acrylic paints, canvases, and a variety of brushes. I set up my supplies, picked a tutorial on Youtube and sat in front of canvas... and stared at it for ten minutes. In reflection, it sounds insane, but I was afraid. Was I wasting my time? Did I just throw away money? What was the point?

These thoughts reminded me of a painting I once saw in an Art History class in high school. There is a famous artist named Mark Rothko. His art mostly consists of paintings that are simply rectangles of different colors (See below).

(Mark Rothko- Green Red on Orange)

When I saw his paintings, they frustrated me. How could such simple stripes of color be considered art?! Because my own art exploration reminded me of him, I did a little research. 

One particular quote I found that described his art stated that it was a “simple expression of complex thought” (Gottlieb). Rothko intended on people having emotional, spiritual reactions to his paintings.  He was able to communicate emotions in a simple way. They weren’t just rectangles of colors; they had depth, texture, and allowed the viewers to connect with them in any way they pleased. 

My research gave me a better appreciation for Rothko. He helped me realize that the feeling I got from painting was more important than the subject of the painting. That idea brought me such great relief. I was able to create without the worry of falling short to some unrealistic expectation. 

“A painting is not a picture of an experience, but it is the true experience.”- Mark Rothko 

His words rang true. The experience of painting became the most important thing to me. Even the mistakes I made in the process became an integral part of the experience. 

The first subject I decided to paint was the night sky. The painting would consist of a black background, and sparkling white stars. Simple. But still, as my brush hovered above the crisp, flawless white canvas, my fingers shook. I was nervous, anxious; but with a deep breath, I made my first stroke. It was liberating. And it was fun. 

From there, I moved on to clouds and then flowers. I experimented with mixing colors and using different tools to create different textures. Feeling bold, I started posting photos of the paintings on Instagram. I posted them as a joke, but I was shocked when I started receiving such genuine and kind compliments on them. I was being praised for something I didn’t believe I was good at and it was mind blowing. As the adventure continued, I tried my hand at more complex subjects or I recreated paintings I had seen online. With each one, more praise came. But that wasn’t important to me because, for once in my life, I was doing something just for the sake of having fun. 

Will I ever become a professional painter? No. Will I ever make money from my paintings? Probably not. That’s okay. I might not be the best, or very good at all. In spite of that, it made me happy and that was good enough for me.

Sources 

Moma learning. MoMA. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/mark-rothko-no-16-red-brown-and-black-1958/ 

Twemlow, M., 2013. [online] Metmuseum.org. Available at: <https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/teen-blog/modern-and-contemporary/posts/rothko> [Accessed 13 January 2022].

Growing up, I think I made a mistake when I read stories of girls that experienced great adventures.

I gazed out of windows to catch a sight of the impish smile of a boy who never grew up.

I brandished a pen in attempt to cast spells and conjure up my greatest fantasies.

I heard tales of girls who rode dragons, led revolutions, and fell madly in love.

But my life is nothing like the stories. There’s no great adventures, no love stories with magical happily ever afters.

My pen is just a pen.

The window is shut.

I’m jealous of the girls who lived miraculous lives, while I can only read about them in books.

Coffee Order

There’s a new girl that works in the coffee shop down the street from my house. I visit there nearly every day, tucking myself into the corner, coursework scattered across the table.  And every single day she gets my order wrong. 

“Caramel Macchiato right?” she says brightly. I eye the sunflower pin on her creamy white work apron.

I drink my coffee black. 

“Yup, I’m surprised you remembered,” I say, smiling back at her, now familiar with this same old song and dance. 

“Of course I remembered you!” she says with a smile. And that smile is the reason I never correct her. 

I take my usual seat in the corner table, sipping on the saccharine treat that coats my mouth in sugar and makes my teeth ache. I try to get some work done but like always, end up drawing her face until it’s as natural to me as writing my name. She checks on me during her break and places a plate with a cookie on it, the pastry split in the middle. 

“I didn’t order this,” I say

“I know, I accidentally broke it so we can’t sell it. I thought you might like it,” she says. She doesn’t have a nametag so I don’t know her name and I’ve never told her mine. 

“Thank you,” I say, taking a large bite of the cookie. Too sweet. But she’s looking at me with those eyes that sparkle like fresh morning dew dripping off blades of grass. So I smile and tell her it’s delicious. “Broken” baked goods make their way to my table every day now.