In our previous article about Spring Cleaning we recommended that if your wardrobe is on the larger side, you should switch out your winter and summer essentials seasonally. That way you keep the things you need easy to reach while maintaining the integrity of your off-season clothes and space in your closet. If you’re wondering where to begin, we can help!
When looking for what to pull, there are a few guidelines we have that can make it easier. To some extent, you know what you’ll need more than any one else. But these rules can provide inspiration and structure if you’re not sure. Make sure you consider:
Structure of Clothing
The first and easiest thing to consider is the type of clothing you’ll need in the coming months. We recommend utilizing your Spring/Summer clothes from March to about August, and switching to Fall/Winter ensembles the rest of the year. Think through the months ahead and decide what you will need most. You’ll probably want to keep tank tops, graphic tees, sundresses, and light sweaters, while culling your heavy coats, thick sweaters, scarves, and layering items. This is all about convenience, so even if it’s not a traditional spring or summer piece but you know you’ll wear it often, keep it! The important part is that you’ve decided intentionally what will be most useful for you.
Weight/Kind of Fabric
Once you’ve eliminated the obvious choices based on classic seasonal rules, the next thing to consider is the type of fabric in your garments. During spring and summer aim to keep breathable, lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton, or rayon blends. Take away thick wools, cashmere, heavy leather or suede. Some fabrics, like silk or thin leather, can be adapted for either season, so use your best judgment as to what you think you’ll wear.
Color of Pieces
Now that you’ve got the structure and fabric out of the way, colors are left to decide upon! As anyone who has stood out in the July sun covered in all black can tell you – seasonal color does matter. But fashion is also constantly changing and we love to promote experimentation, so don’t be too rigid with your color rules – a little white after Labor Day will still work if you know what you’re doing. But if you like to follow classic guidelines, then save dark and rich tones like chocolate, burgundy, black, and ochre for fall, while keeping pastels, bright hues, and light tans and whites out and handy for summer.
Lifestyle
It’s time to adjust for your lifestyle! If you travel frequently, be sure to keep airplane ready ensembles in the mix. And as you know, spring and summer are also peak times for vacations, weddings, and festivals, so think ahead and be sure to plan for your upcoming schedule. This has the added benefit of letting you know if you have more shopping to do before your next event!
This is also when your local climate comes into consideration. If you experience mild summers your wardrobe is likely to look very different from someone who lives in the hottest parts of the country. But that’s okay! Again, embrace what you love, what works for your life, and what is most efficient! It’s not about strictly following rules, it’s about making rules work for you.
All done! Now what do I do with it?
After you decide what’s coming out of your closet, it’s time to pack it away. We’ll be writing a more detailed article about this in the coming weeks, so check back to expand on these basics.
All clothing should be folded as flat as you can while making it fit, to keep from wrinkling. Ideally everything should be stored in a sealed box, like a trunk or the plastic bins you can get from The Container Store and elsewhere. Since they’ll be packed away for a few months, be sure to take some time and prepare. Cedar planks and moth eaters are great investments, as they will ensure your clothes will make it through to the next season smelling fresh and free from holes. Bed, Bath, and Beyond sells a sachet with cedar and lavender that will do the job and keep everything smelling dreamy.
Hopefully this outline has helped you see that it’s not only possible, but practical to switch over your wardrobe. It will save you time in the mornings, space in your closet, and when you pull out those bins this fall, it will feel like you have a whole new closet! Good luck!