I am on a mission to finally organize my closet and every aspect of my life really. Some of it is the seasonal organizing drive that happens but it’s also because my closet has become a complete disaster zone. I’m actually embarrassed by the state of affairs to be honest. Like if someone came over and saw, I’d be horrified. I’m sure that there’s a different vision of what my closet would look like as someone who shares style tips and closet organizing advice, and I know. I’m disappointed in myself as well. I let things get out of control, and I’m deeply ashamed. In all seriousness, I’m still trying to get our house in order post move and it’s a year later, and I basically just added to the closet, but haven’t done much in terms of organizing. I really need some good organizing systems and to invest in them, but I have been so focused on just the basics of furnishing and caring for a house, and settling into our new life, getting everything set up, balancing work and kids, and well, you know the drill. But I’m on a mission to get my closet organized, section by section. I find divvying it up really helps to make it less overwhelming, so this week, I’m focusing on how to organize your workout clothes (and here are my favorite places to buy cute workout clothes).
If you’re like me, you probably have a drawer of leggings, workout tops scattered all over the place, socks in another location, sports bras that can be hard to find and just no good system for how to organize your workout clothes. They’re some of the hardest pieces to organize because of the variety and size, and also the clothes you reach for daily (in theory), so they easily become disorganized after riffling through for that perfect sports bra or putting laundry away when you’re in a rush. I wanted to figure out a system I could maintain that would also allow me to see all my workout clothes and not have drawers so stuffed they wouldn’t close. I’m also hoping that by making my gym clothes easier to grab and put on, I’ll be more motivated to work out (har har). So I pulled together ideas and inspiration for how to organize your workout clothes.
Purge: Before you even think about organizing anything, it’s time to go through your inventory. We all have the see-through or worn out leggings we never wear anymore or the leggings that always fall down when we’re working out. Just get rid of them. That way you don’t waste time throwing on a pair that you hate or ruin your workout pulling up your pants every five seconds. I realize we have some leggings that we wear not for working out per se but hanging out, and that’s fine, but let’s put those in a separate pile (see below) and get rid of any that shouldn’t see the light of day or just don’t stay put. Toss any old ratty tees or tops you wouldn’t be caught dead in. I have a lot of those. Toss the stretched out or uncomfortable sports bras, too short shorts, etc.
Sort by Type: Group similar items together. Keep all your tops, bottoms, sports bras, socks, and accessories in separate piles. I also make separate piles for different types of tops (tees, tanks, long sleeves, and the sweatshirts/toppers I layer on), I keep workout sets in their own piles (so I don’t have to search for matching tops etc), and I keep leggings in two piles (ones I wear for workout and for everyday like apres ski or mom-ing around on weekends or going to the kids’ sports games).
Pick an Organizing Method: When deciding how to organize your workout clothes, consider your space and when you’re getting dressed to exercise. I like to keep all my exercise clothes in one area so I can grab it all from one spot, especially since I try to workout early in the mornings so I’m getting dressed when I am barely awake. To that end, I either store them all in a dresser and choose a few drawers and divide by type (leggings, tops, bras, etc.) or I’ll do a cabinet, which is my current situation. Here some options depending on how your closet is looking, but my top pick is probably drawers. It just makes it easier IMO:
Fold: I like to fold shorts and workout skirts in half lengthwise and then in half horizontally. I fold in third for leggings and any workout pants — fold in half lengthwise and then in thirds horizontally.
sweet and tidy via pinterest
Or use Drawer Dividers: If you have a dresser, use drawer dividers to keep different types of clothing separate. This will make it easier to see what you have and grab what you need quickly and keep things from just become messy piles where you can’t find anything.
polishedhabitat.com
Hang Up Jackets and Vests: If you have space in your closet, consider hanging some of your workout clothes like jackets, hoodies, and tops, which tend to be bulky and take up tons of spaces in drawers. If you don’t have hanging space, you could fold and place in drawers or on shelves (which is what I’m currently doing).
You can also hang up leggings and workout tops as well if you have the closet space.
Reebok
Use Baskets or Bins: If you don’t have drawer or closet space, consider arranging your bras, leggings, and tops in bins. You can also place small baskets or bins in your closet or on shelves to contain accessories like headbands, wristbands, and small workout equipment.
Label: If you use containers or bins to store your workout gear, label them with the type of clothing or accessories inside. This will save you time when searching for specific items.
Color Code: I like to organize my workout clothes by color. This can make it easier to find matching pieces and gives your storage area a neat and visually appealing look.
the home edit
Keep Your Most-Worn Items the Most Accessible: Place your most frequently used items at the front or on the top for easy access. This might include your favorite workout shoes, go-to leggings, or the sports bra you prefer.
And those are my top tips for how to organize your workout clothes. Let me know what you think and if you have any additional tips.
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