Unless a garment is going into the laundry, hang it up as soon as you remove it; close the fastenings and adjust the collar and sleeves. Then hang it where it can air. (Put a sweater over a towel bar instead of on a hanger.) Brush suits and coats before you store them. With regular airing and brushing, garments need less frequent cleaning and will last longer.
Invest in thick wooden hangers for suits and coats and padded hangers for other garments (or make your own padded hangers). The shoulders will retain their shape and your garments will be less crushed. To keep pants from slipping off a hanger, glue a strip of felt over the bar (this will also minimize the midknee crease).
Organize your drawer space with dividers or boxes. Minimize creases in folded garments by laying tissue paper on the backs before folding.
Before storing winter or summer clothing, wash or dry clean it; it’s best not to starch or iron the washables. Label bags, chests, or boxes with the contents so that you can easily locate items you need. Don’t store wool, cotton, and silk in plastic for more than a few months because these fabrics need to breath; use old sheets or acid-free paper. Where humidity and mildew are problems, avoid all plastic containers.
Use shoe trees to keep your shoes in shape and boot trees or cardboard tubes (from paper towel rolls) to hold boots upright. If you store shoes in boxes, air them before storing them.
Suspend handbags from the closet pole with shower curtain hooks or a plastic holder with pockets. Or store them in clear plastic boxes. Hang hats on wall pegs or hooks; organize belts on a belt rack or swinging towel bar.