To help us get a handle on clothing clutter, we reached out to Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid, to get her perspective on clothing storage. “Putting seasonal clothes away helps you see what’s really in your closet for the right season,” she explains. In fact, Peterson says stuffing your entire year’s wardrobe in the closet can actually wreak havoc on your clothing collection. Some of the fabric can get wrinkled, damaged, or start to smell from being packed so tightly together, she explains. Once you’ve separated the clothes you intend to store and ensured that they’re clean and dry—and we mean all the way dry because moisture trapped in storage can lead to mold—then take a look at how much clothing you’re storing and where you’ll be storing it. Ask yourself: Will you be using an upper closet shelf? Hiding it your garage or basement? Utilizing the space under your bed? Whichever options you’re considering, we promise there’s a container or bin to suit all of your cute clothes! “Aim to organize your closet, and do seasonal swaps twice a year,” Peterson advises. In most climates, it makes sense to combine your spring and summer fashions because those clothes work for each season. You can also combine fall and winter, too. With Peterson’s advice in mind, our Best Overall clothing storage pick is the Lifewit Clothes Storage Bag. We think it’s great for your foldable clothing. The bins are stackable, they feature a transparent window so you can see exactly what’s inside, and they come in a convenient set of three. Here, you’ll find all of our picks for the best storage containers for storing clothes, so you can look glam all year-round. They’re available in sets of three or five, and you can choose from black, gray, or blue. They lack extra supports that keep them upright when they’re not full. However, this is the same feature that allows them to be easily folded down for storage. Our suggestion: fill them one at a time so they stay sturdy, and those in waiting will be easy to tuck away—or even slide underneath. Price at time of publish: $20 for 3

One thing we recommend with this particular bag is to fill them intentionally. The lightweight material isn’t as durable or sturdy as other types of storage, so if protection is a priority for you in addition to storage, take that into account. Price at time of publish: $2 The material is a frosted, transparent polypropylene plastic, so the bins are as sturdy and durable as you can hope a high-quality plastic bin to be. The only thing missing are labels that can help you identify contents from a distance (especially helpful if you have more than one), but we think that the transparent material will probably be sufficient for most people to identify what they’re looking for. Price at time of publish: $35 for 74-quart With a fabric container, keep in mind that the reality of the material and design means it won’t be as sturdy as heavy duty bins or boxes. Still, it’s a great option for storing clothes and keeping the dust—and pesky moths—away. Price at time of publish: $10
Having a label makes a world of difference when it comes to organizing. “For easy access, containers that have labels are optimal, so you remember what you stored in each one,” says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid. The Sorbus makes labeling easy! The containers come in a set of two, and there are even six colors to choose from (including pink and teal green). They’re collapsible when they’re not in use, but they’re so practical we’re confident you’ll find plenty of ways to fill them. If we could change anything, we’d extend the line so more sizes are available. But in the meantime, we’re definitely fans of the current offering. Price at time of publish: $23 for 2
There are five color choices in total, and if you don’t want adjustable dividers, that option is available, too. You can also buy a single bin. While we like these options, we’d also like to see one with a more durable frame or sturdier inserts to protect shoes even more. Price at time of publish: $40 for 2
The amount you can fit inside will of course depend on the size and style of your wardrobe, but rest assured it boasts a weight capacity of 50 pounds. Speaking of weight, it’s not as easy to move a piece of this size and shape as it is to scoot a bin or bag around, so you’ll want to plan accordingly if and when the need to move it arises. But if that’s not a bother for you, there’s lots to appreciate. Price at time of publish: $91
We also like how it’s hefty but not bulky, and still a suitable size for most closets, basements, or garages. Take note that if you are filling and stacking more than one, you’ll want to be careful lifting it because it can get heavy. Price at time of publish: $27
These bins also feature wheels at the bottom, so they slide with ease, and they coordinate with various other Container Store products if you’re inclined to match. This bin in particular is also sold in bundles of six, though it’s not more cost-effective. If you are using more than one—or really, if your storage tends to be “out of sight, out of mind”—then you may want to add a label to the front, which is not included. Price at time of publish: $30
With convenient features like short and long sizes and color-changing zippers, we think they’re well worth consideration. Just make sure to have a hand pump or vacuum at the ready because the set does not include one. Price at time of publish: $29 Like some of our other favorites, these fabric bins can also fit under most beds, or they can stack on top of each other in your closet or storage space of choice. Handles come on two sides, so you can pull from either direction, and the top flap is transparent so you can see your belongings. And, a stainless steel zipper ensures everything stays safe and secure inside. Note that these bins are sold as a set of two—we expect most buyers will be glad for the extra storage, but you may want to plan accordingly if that doesn’t suit your needs. Price at time of publish: $36 for 2

Stackable

Anyone who has ever sat on a suitcase knows that most clothing can handle a bit of squish from time to time—but that doesn’t mean we want to subject them to it long term. There’s a reason that stackable bins frequently come up in conversations about long-term storage and organizing: they’re a versatile choice that works for a variety of belongings. And, they tend to hold their shape well. Among the choices gathered here, roughly half are stackable. We singled out Sorbus Storage Bins as Best Stackable in part because of their dual-openings that allow you to access your clothes without lifting out the bins on top—a feature well-worth considering if you don’t want to break into a sweat just to get to your bins on a regular basis.

Design and Size

As tempting as it is to see pristine and polished closets and shelves on our Instagram feeds, we recommend always pausing before you make a purchase (especially one inspired by a social post), and making sure the design and size of the piece will not only work for your space, but also for your lifestyle, too. If you’re coveting the hanging space of a portable closet, but don’t yet have a spot in your home identified for such a piece, or you love how rows of transparent bins look but know yourself (or your family members) well enough to predict that the lids will never stay on, you don’t need to rush to make any purchases. Your system will work better in the long term if you match it to your needs (and to the space you have available in your home).

Value

Clothes serve countless purposes, and there are enough reasons to store and protect them as there are frayed edges on your favorite t-shirt that you can’t bear to throw away. Whether you’re saving it until next winter—when your daughter is ready to wear it—it’s worth it to do everything you can to ensure your treasured clothing stays in good condition. If investing in clothing storage isn’t something you’ve considered before, know that you can do it on almost any budget. The choices we’ve brought together range from $2 apiece, for the IKEA PÄRKLA Storage case to $91, for the Honey-Can-Do 43" Wide Portable Wardrobe Storage Closet, so no matter how much you’re willing and able to invest, there’s likely a reliable solution for you.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Dena Ogden is a lifestyle and commerce writer who’s been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022. She’s written about everything from baskets and bins to carpet shampoos and robot vacuums. If you are keeping clothes in an environment where they may potentially be exposed to moisture, consider an airtight or waterproof storage option, like our Best Plastic Bin, the Clear Weathertight Tote from The Container Store, or the TAILI Hanging Vacuum Storage Bags.

However, cardboard boxes can be a lifesaver when you’re moving or in transition because they can be folded down after use, and they can often be easier to buy in larger quantities. Certain lidded cardboard boxes can rival plastic bins in durability and can even include handles and other conveniences. When plastic or other sturdier choices aren’t an option, cardboard can still do the trick. If you’re limited in choices and find yourself using an area that’s prone to dampness, you can still take precautions to protect your belongings. Use airtight containers (such as TAILI Hanging Vacuum Storage Bags, our Best Long-Term choice, or our recommended Best Plastic Bin, the Clear Weathertight Tote from The Container Store). Also, consider shelving, or stacking containers so that they’re off the ground. You can also add charcoal to absorb moisture (it combats odors, too). For this piece, she reviewed and considered clothing storage options from major retailers, combed through product descriptions and listings, and factored in additional features like size, features, material, and design. Her own clothing storage tendencies lean toward baskets and bins. In fact, she’s on a personal quest to determine if one can ever own too many plastic bins, and so far the answer appears to be no.