Like most people with access to Netflix and a WiFi connection, I too have become enchanted by the tiny organisational wizard known as Marie Kondo [1] and her uncanny ability to spark joy through artfully arranging clothes [2] and adding small boxes to drawers and closets [3].
With the help of my organiser Holly [4] — I needed some emotional assistance to get started with this mess — I tackled the biggest part of my closet: my workout clothes. (Being a fitness editor has perks.)
Of course, as any organiser would tell you, the first step is the purge [6]. Eliminate any piece that no longer serves you, or no longer "sparks joy," as Marie would say. I followed suit, and had heaps and heaps of clothes to give to (very stoked) friends and donate to charity.
Lesson: the limit does exist, contrary to what Mean Girls [7] would have you believe. Second lesson: Marie makes everything look so easy, and I honestly wish I had that graceful air about me, but alas, it takes work to get on this joy-sparking level.
Ahead are the different sections of my room and workout wardrobe, and how I got them organised using my best attempt at the KonMari method. If you're a novice like me, I hope this proves to be equal parts helpful and validating.
Leggings
Perhaps the easiest and most satisfying folding [8] is that of the leggings. Folded exactly the way you would a pair of jeans or trousers, leggings don't typically give you any issues. In fact, they're easier to fold than their denim counterparts. Another point for leggings in the "leggings vs pants" debate.
Think of it like this: half, half, and thirds. Fold your leggings in half lengthwise so they become one single pant leg. Fold the ankle of the legging up toward the waistband, thus folding it in half from bottom to top. from there, fold your leggings into thirds so they can stand up on their own, file cabinet-style.
Sports Bras
The caption for this photo should be, "I'm doing my best." No matter how hard I try to tuck, fold, smooth, rearrange, I can't quite get my sports bras to be picture perfect the way Queen Marie can. Alas, though semi-wrinkled and contorted, I'm quite pleased with how I can see all the colours and options easily [9], so I don't forget about any of my styles!
The method here is to lay your sports bra flat, fold the straps down the back (so you can tuck them away), then fold the bra in half. Again, you'll want to stand them up vertically so you can see everything, as you would in a file cabinet. It's easier than it sounds, despite the photo indicating an intense struggle.
Tanks, Tees, and Long Sleeve Tops
Since I have limited shelving space but had a chunk of closet hanging space, I opted to hang my sport tops. Arranging them in sections by colour makes it easier for me to find what I need quickly, and it looks more organised [10]. Looking at it now, I already want to rearrange it so it flows more chromatically — I guess not all of us can be Marie.
She recommends going from lightweight to heavyweight (so, from tanks to tees to long sleeves, in that order). You can see I started this with the pale pink tanks flowing into the long sleeve pink tops, and then went onto the next colour . . . and then apparently lost track of the task at hand. Like I said, I'm doing my best, OK?
The biggest takeaway from this lesson was one from my organiser Holly: get the velvet hangers. I cannot express how much of a difference this has made not only in the organisational aesthetic and congruence, but also in making more room in my closet overall. They're thinner than my old-school plastic hangers and have helped me optimize limited closet space [11].
Sneakers, Hiking Shoes, Spin Shoes
And the grand finale: the thing that sparks the most joy for me, my sneakers! It might seem crazy, but again, this is after I've gifted, sold, and donated other pairs. Since I have so many active shoes, and because I love them so much, it made more sense to have a separate unit for them that allowed them to be on display.
I opted for an IKEA bookshelf that was simple and inexpensive, and added several extra shelves. Having the sneakers on display is a constant reminder to keep them clean and organised [12] (i.e. don't leave them around the house and definitely clean them up [13] after my dog steps on them with muddy paws). It also reminds me to stay active each day — I can just toss on a pair of these and head out for a walk or jog, or head to a great workout class.