How can you organise your jumper drawer to make getting dressed easier?

The jumper you want always seems to be at the bottom of the pile, while two almost identical styles sit at the front of the drawer. Before buying another storage organiser or a new piece of knitwear, try making what you already own easier to see. The aim is not a perfect drawer: it is being able to find a jumper without taking everything out.

Start by taking stock of your jumpers

Gather your jumpers on a clean surface and go through them one at a time. Set aside any that need washing, repairing or a label check. Then divide them into two groups: those you are wearing now and those you do not expect to wear any time soon.

It can help to note the colours and shapes you already have. Three black jumpers will not necessarily serve the same purpose if one is fitted and another is loose. Equally, two pieces you always wear with the same trousers may cover the same need. Taking stock helps you work out what is actually missing.

Give every jumper a place where you can see it

Lay the jumper on a flat surface without stretching the edges, fold the sleeves in, then fold the body to fit the space available. Adjust the fold to suit the style and any instructions supplied with it. Arrange your knitwear so you can see each piece: in small piles on a shelf or accessible rows in a drawer, depending on your storage.

If you have to force the drawer shut, keep fewer pieces there. You could give the easiest-to-reach space to the jumpers you are wearing this week and store the others elsewhere. There is no need to squeeze a whole season’s knitwear into a compartment that has become too small.

Check the fabric, not just the knitted texture

A jumper is not necessarily made from wool. For example, the product listing for the men’s black Calvin Klein Jeans jumper states 100% cotton, while the women’s beige Vero Moda jumper is listed as 98% polyester and 2% elastane. Follow the instructions for each garment rather than applying the same care routine to everything in the drawer.

For wool knitwear, Woolmark recommends folding garments gently and storing them in a drawer. It distinguishes these from woven wool garments, for which it recommends suitable hangers. This guidance applies to wool; it does not replace the care labels on garments made from other fabrics.

Make busy mornings easier

Sort your jumpers by whichever detail helps you get dressed: colour, neckline or the outfit you plan to wear. You do not need to combine every system. You could also keep a photo of two outfit combinations you like, so you do not have to work them out again every morning.

Before putting a jumper back in the drawer

Check its condition and make sure it is completely dry after cleaning. Before washing, drying or ironing it, consult the care label. If an instruction is missing or unclear, ask the brand for clarification rather than guessing how to treat the garment.

A practical storage arrangement keeps every jumper within reach and its care information easy to find. It is also a good way to rediscover a forgotten piece before deciding to buy something new.