Marie’s hands-on folding technique is a way to give thanks to our clothes. Each of our bodies is physically unique, so the clothing we choose to keep – and how it’s folded – will vary from person to person.
Members of our community who wear plus-size clothing have asked how to apply the KonMari fold to their items, which can yield thicker bundles and don’t always fit in drawers or storage boxes. To tidy a plus-size wardrobe that sparks joy, keep the following tips in mind…
“By involving our hearts when we tidy clothing, we can thank our items for all they do to protect our bodies and express our identity.”
Tip 01: Use Te-ate
The Japanese word for healing is te-ate, which literally means to “to apply hands.” Practicing te-ate is a key step in the KonMari fold – smoothing your hands over each item as you fold transmits your energy into it and gives you a chance to express gratitude. Use a flat surface as a base for folding so you can bear down – with love.
Not only does this step connect you with your clothing, but it also removes excess air from the material, eliminating wrinkles and making your items easier to fold. The warmth of your palm causes the fibers on the garment to stand up and pulls the clothes taut.
Tip 02: Minimize Overlap
Plus-size clothing items are typically wider and longer than the garments referenced in “Spark Joy.” To keep the fabric from creating too much volume or bulkiness, minimize any overlap when folding to ensure the garment stays as even as possible.
For larger items, Marie recommends reducing the number of folds to prevent bulkiness. A sweatshirt, for example, might just be folded once from top to bottom. The end result should be compact but not squished.
Tip 03: Store Items Left to Right – or Stack!
Folding firmly and carefully allows more items to fit into your storage space – the goal is to see what you have at a glance and give your clothes room to breathe. If needed, store items left to right in a drawer instead of front to back.
In general, Marie advises against stacking possessions because the items at the bottom of the pile usually get neglected. But if stacking works best in your space, do so joyfully. Keep the stack small – no more than three items – and occasionally move items around so they all get a chance to be on top. For bras, a small vertical stack may free up more storage space than arranging them in rows.
“Conveying gratitude for your clothing as you tidy is a meaningful way to get in touch with your inner self and make peace with your body.”
Tip 04: Hang It Up
If your drawers are full, it’s perfectly fine to hang your clothes! Try sorting garments by thickness – keep ones made of thinner materials in your drawers to optimize space and hang the rest.
If you’re still seeking more space, try storing seasonal items until they are needed. By rotating these items as the seasons change, you can free up some room for hanging additional items.
Tip 05: Embrace Items You Love With Gratitude
For many, clothing is a physical representation of our identity. Because of this, conveying gratitude for your clothing as you tidy is a meaningful way to get in touch with your inner self and make peace with your body. By involving our hearts when we tidy clothing, we can thank our items for all they do to protect our bodies and express our identity.
When deciding whether to keep an item, do not confuse fear for joy. Hold on to clothing items that speak to your heart instead of keeping items solely because they may not be available in your size later on. What you wear impacts your self-image, so it is important to choose clothing that cultivates confidence and joy.
