The first step is realizing you have problem. As you all know, there are so many positives to living a healthy active life but with that comes a few challenges as well. If you are anything like me, you have amassed a ridiculous amount of clothes a nice wardrobe to go along with your active lifestyle. The challenge becomes how to hide it all from your husband how to store it all. I consider myself a pretty organized person, but things were getting out of control in my closet and armoire. I discovered some easy ways to get it all under control.
About a year ago, I took over this old armoire to store my hoodies and jackets. After a while, it just became a huge heap and I found myself wearing the same ones over and over again. Sound familiar?
I picked up a few of these stackable crates from the Container Store and miracles happened! I now have 4 distinct storage areas:
-Vests
-Water resistant wear
-Light jackets
-Winter jackets
I can now easily see what jacket and vests I have available and no longer have to dig through a heap of clothes everyday.
I put narrower, smaller containers on side to hold gloves, headbands, and race belts.
My closet had become even more of a disaster with running shirts, tanks, skirts, shorts and capris. When I became an Ambassador for Skirt Sports a few months ago, things really got out of control. I couldn’t find anything in there.
First, I went through my drawers and got rid of stuff. Here are my rules for that:
-If I haven’t worn it in a year, it’s gone.
-If it doesn’t fit me now, it’s gone.
-If it is a race shirt I know I won’t wear, it’s gone.
I realized I could fit so much more in my drawers if I rolled up the clothes. I found these plastic “Mens shoe boxes” were the perfect size to fit into my drawers. They come in all sizes and shapes to fit inside the drawers.
I then divided my shirts into categories:
-short sleeve
-tanks
-long sleeve
-race shirts
Rolled each set up and placed it into it’s own box
Moving on, I did the same for my bottoms.
-capri
-leggings
-running skirts
Having them in easy to see boxes, I can easily move them around as the seasons change. I am embarrassed to say that I found clothes with tags still on them that I had totally forgotten I bought. You can easily find plastic container similar to these at Container Store, Target or Walmart. You may even have some lying around your house as well.
I am so happy that I took the time to organize all of my workout clothes in a way that I can actually see them and appreciate them. Just in time too because the new spring line of Skirt Sports is coming out next month and now I have lots of room for them! 🙂 Next up: tackling the shoes.
Linking up with a couple of friends Jill and Nicole so please check out their posts today too.
Hahaha love this! I definitely have a major problem, especially now I have all my wonderful Saucony stuff and feel incredibly loyal to them (steve thinks a little too loyal….), yet I can’t bring myself to throw out all the years of the evil brand, so they just stuff up my drawer. I needed these tips, I have a big mess above my wardrobe as there are too many in the drawers haha. Thanks for the tips!
They easily get out of control!
I have a workout drawer, workout basket, gear workout basket , overflow drawer, boxes…it never ends. You’re right, I need a workout closet.
I need a workout room! Oh now that’s an idea. When my daughter goes to college I could take over her room 🙂
I need to get my clothes organized! Its a bit of an explosion!
That’s how I felt and I couldn’t find anything!
Great idea. Everytime I think I am going to get organized, I fold everything up nice amd neat and say to myself now I will keep it like this….yeah right! Bins are perfect, instead of piling clothes up in closets and drawers.
I know I had tried to keep them folded and it just didn’t work. The rolling up is great I can see everything
What a GREAT idea!!! I am so doing this!
I’m loving being organized!
Ha! I feel like you wrote this post for me! I was just telling my husband I need a new system for workout clothes, they are EVERYWHERE and busting from my drawers. I need a new plan. I like the open shelving idea. I just need to get rid of the stuff that doesn’t fit me anymore, but I have such a hard time letting go. Those pants and shirts were part of my weight loss journey….oh my I sound like a hoarder. Time to get cleaning out!
ha ha I felt exactly the same way and I couldn’t find anything. This is working really well so far.
This is great. I need you to come over and do my entire closet. Workout gear to the dresses. Please??? 🙂 It is a nightmare.
Well to be honest, I just did the workout clothes. The rest of my clothes are still a disaster.
Great idea! My drawer is overflowing all the time. I started rolling my clothes and it definitely made more room and easier to see what I have so I don’t make a mess of it every time I go to grab something.
It’s definitely helped me see what is in there and not just wear what is on top
Oh wow, this looks like such a great organization system! I might need a trip to the container store. My work out clothes are just a jumble in my closet.
That’s how mine were too and it was just out of control. I’m really happy with it now. Need to do the rest of my clothes
I’ve tried to do this but need more bins…clear is a great idea! I’m a member of MRTT too 🙂
I needed more bins than I thought I would. Yay I love MRTT! Which chapter are you in?
Great ideas! Rolling clothes is a great space saver. This is how I pack a suitcase actually. I currently have 2 drawers for my running clothes. One with tanks, short sleeves and sports bras. The second one has the long sleeves, a jacket and all bottoms. The problem with this drawer is it’s all mostly black so it’s hard to quickly pick something. I have to keep it somewhat organized. Once I get the clutter out of my closet, I want to get one of those hanging shelf things to organize this stuff better. I have one now that holds all my cardigans and every day tank tops. It works great!
I am probably not as organized as you are! I need to do my regular clothes too. Thanks for sharing it on your FB page. Appreciate it friend!
There is no organizing my chaos. None. I’m hopeless, haha!
NO one is hopeless! You can do it
Will you come to my house? Ha ha. I need to roll up the clothes and place them in bins. You can actually see your stuff! Mine are folded and stacked…and every time you need something, you start digging. SMART.
I know I can finally see my stuff! It’s life changing!
So jealous you are so organized. Can you organize my stuff b/c it is literally EVERYWHERE! I wish I were kidding. LOL
That’s how I felt! I am so much happier that I can see my stuff
I like the idea of rolling the shirts up. I had bought one of those cube shelves and am filling the cubes with my race gear, but its hard to see them in the stacks = roll them! Thanks.
I also use one of those multiple skirt/pants hangers to hang my SkirtSports skirts – they can dry after washing and then they take up less space in my closet. 🙂
Yes rolling is great bc I can now actually see everything in there and not just wear the stuff on top. Good idea on the multiple skirt hangers
AH HA HA! I totally need this tutorial because um, you should see my closet!!!
Well yes I can imagine! Mine was a disaster now to the shoes
The intro paragraph (with the strikethrough text) cracked me up! We are definitely soul sisters in this regard! I bought a new chest of drawers to organize my fitness clothes last summer, and it is my prize possession. If there is ever a fire in our house, you will see me trying to load up that whole chest on my back to get it out of the house, ha ha!
ha ha I must remember that in case of emergency!
Since I workout early in the morning and don’t want to wake the husband or the baby, I keep a canvas bin in the bathroom with all of my workout gear. Not the best, but it works for now 🙂
Also a great idea-I’d need a pretty big bathroom!
Please come help me… LOL!
ha ha! I’m with you virtually you can do it. The first step is acceptance
Love this! Makes me want to do a closet makeover of my own!!
You can! Do it! It’s very fulfilling
Perfect timing on this post!!! I was actually going to dive into my closet this weekend! Right now I have 2 hanging organizers that hold my running clothes. I have them separated by shorts/skirts, capris, tees and tanks and so on. But yeah, you’ve inspired me to TOSS the stuff I don’t love or use!
Thanks for the great ideas to add to my arsenal!
No problem! Good luck with it and get rid of the stuff you don’t use. I am giving mine to friends.
Yep, same problem here. I have such a hard time getting rid of things. But I have the same rationale, If I haven’t worn it in a year it goes in the Salvation Army bag!
I’ve also been re homing stuff to other MRTTers. It is hard to get rid of stuff
This post is perfect and so necessary in my closet! I hate looking at all the piles…especially the ones that have fallen over! Looks like one of my weekend activities is planned!
That’s exactly what mine was like! I couldn’t take it anymore. Have fun this weekend!
I’m in the process of organizing my workout closets, and I’ll definitely be using some of these great ideas!
Good luck! The rolling up really works
I love this idea! About 2 years ago when I realized my closet was out of control I took all my workout clothes and put them into 2 totes that sit at the bottom of my closet and I just have 1 small shelf that I switch them out from the totes from time to time.
However, I LOVE your idea of rolling them up so you can open the tote and see exactly what you want to grab it. (Mine are all folded and not really organized:) This is a fabulous idea, and love the clear tote idea too:) I can pretty much 100% guarantee this is going to be a weekend project for me, I love the rolled idea!!!! Thanks for sharing!
The rolling up is key to organizing! You will love it-good luck!
I have the stackable crates and they work great until you have too many clothes in one crate. :p I need to work on getting rid of some stuff. Also love the idea of rolling up shirts, tanks, and capris for more room!
I was in the same boat-rolling up is key! You will love it
Great ideas! I have mine organized by running vs. non-running vs. cold weather, but my running drawer is stuffed full.
So was mine crazy I couldn’t find anything!
I feel fortunate that we have a pretty big closet. I hang all my jackets and tops. I have shelves for all my capris/tights/sweats/yoga pants….Shorts have a drawer, sports bras a drawer and socks a drawer:) I use a over the door shoe holder for gloves/headbands…
I’m coming to your closet!
I thought I had a lot of stuff (OK, I do), but you make my collection look small. ;o)
LOL! I don’t know how it happened!
I recently went the basket route. I love the way you rolled your gear, makes it easier to choose. It is definitely hard to organize when I just have too much especially Skirt Sports!
I know! It had gotten out of control. Rolling it up was the key bc no I can see it.
Love the rolled up short storage idea! Organizing things relaxes me 🙂
I know me too! I hate when things are in disarray. The rolling up is the best way to see everything.
My workout drawer and closet are out of control! I don’t even want to talk about my shoe space either. This weekend I’m going to attempt to calm the beast. But I really can’t get rid of anything – I wear it all!
You can’t possibly wear it all?! Try rolling it up it really saves space. I haven’t done the shoes yet
This is so awesome! I’m putting this on all my social media channels so I can remember to do it lol. I have so many race t shirts and bottoms that I don’t have room for them all- I did go through a few weeks ago and toss some of the ones I knew I didn’t like and wouldn’t wear (why is that so hard even though you know you won’t wear it?). But I still have a ridiculous amount of clothes.
I also love the comments like “so my husband won’t see.” I’ve been guilty of hiding receipts from my significant other because it would be like “You bought MORE workout clothes?” 😉
I know if he sees me bring in more stuff he might divorce me! LOL. It is hard to get rid of it but I knew I wasn’t going to wear the race tees and half of the other stuff.
This was truly inspirational! 🙂 I remember 2 years ago all my stuff fit in one drawer. Yes one drawer! As I am slowly dinking around next week out on sick leave this is a definite project for me!
Definitely! Go for it! tweet me a pic if you do it. It’s the rolling up that makes all the difference.
So funny that you posted this – I just reorganized all my workout gear a couple of weeks ago. It feels so good to have it under control…relatively speaking 😉 I still haven’t figured out how to get the shoes organized!
I know! The shoes are up next 🙂
Your running wardrobe is so impressive! I wish I had all that cool stuff to choose from!
Great tips – I will use to re-organize my very small collection 🙂
I just re-tweeted this – super helpful!
Thanks
Thanks! Now that I can actually see everything it’s been great.
The crates are a great idea! I love organizing my closet 🙂
I didn’t love doing it but I am so glad that it is done!
I can’t help but feel I’m going to expose myself to some criticism here – I only have 2 sets of “work-out” clothes… they’re either in the wash or on. 😉
Ha ha something to aspire to? So you have to do laundry everyday?
I need all the help I can get in this department. You are FAR more organized than I have ever been or will be. 🙂
Ha! The rolling up is key try it!
Yes! My workout drawer is overflowing. I recently had to get rid of a few items because my collection was getting out of hand. I love the bins, I totally need to get better organized in that department.
Rolling up everything was the key!
Fantastic idea! I bet this would also work with my kids clothing too!
Oh great idea! I need to do that too!