5 Easy Ways to Make Your Seasonal Wardrobe Switch More Streamlined

While fall is just around the corner, here in Southern California the weather is going to be warm for some time to come. However, the types of outfits we wear do tend to shift into the fall and winter season. Typically, there’s a lot of cross seasonal mixing which can make switching out your seasonal wardrobe a bit of a challenge. We’re never quite sure when it’s time to pack away this swimwear and break out the sweaters. But I know I tend to gravitate toward different colors and styles as my activities and mindset shift into the autumn season. Today I’m going to be sharing tips for editing, organizing, and simplifying your seasonal swap—no matter what the weather is doing!

Step #1: Store Last Season's Clothing Safely

If there are items of clothing you know you’re not going to be wearing for a few months, it’s worth making sure they’re properly laundered, dry cleaned, or stored with moth prevention in mind. Make sure knits are folded to avoid stretching, and anything on hangers is covered by garment bags to prevent dust or damage. I recommend utilizing a guest room or kid’s closet for off-season clothing or outerwear. I also store swimwear, shorts, and sweaters in breathable zipper bags that slide under my bed or on a top shelf of my closet. That way, I can still easily access them if needed. Be realistic with yourself about what you didn’t wear this summer and don’t let it take up valuable storage space in your home. Now is the time to donate clothing—while it still has a useful life, let someone else benefit! Even if your closet is large enough to hold your full wardrobe, this is a great time to “archive” and assess your summer wardrobe and let your fall items come out to the forefront for easier access.

Step #2: Pull the Present Season Out of Storage

I recommend pulling out all of your off-season clothing at the same time and looking over items for any pilling, stains, loose buttons, holes, or other small repairs. Take the time to try everything on and evaluate if it works for you and your lifestyle. Doing this one season at time is less overwhelming than editing your entire closet. Also, checking to make sure your clothes fit and are in good repair will ensure you are ready to go for lower stress mornings. Launder or iron as needed and hang or fold into your existing closet system so the items you’re actively wearing are easily available. It may seem early to be thinking about this, but consider what you like to wear for holiday parties or other events that are coming up this fall. Note if you have any wardrobe gaps, and make a point to shop for those specific items.

Step #3: Carefully Organize the Closet Before Filling

A seasonal swap out is a great time to reconsider your closet organization. I personally prefer to organize by item type and then color within that category. I’ve worked with clients who prefer to keep all workwear together, with separate zones for casual, lounge, and exercise clothing. Organization should fit your lifestyle and wardrobe size, as well as your existing space. If you have a lot of jeans, sweaters, or other bulky items it’s worth considering how and where you store those to maximize capacity and ease of locating what you’re looking for. Warning: overcategorization can backfire. Don’t make it so complicated to put things away that you end up with a “floordrobe” instead of a functional wardrobe!

Step #4: Add the Collection to the Decluttered Dresser

Now is also a great time to pull everything out of your dresser and reassess. Most of my clients have some socks, bras, and underwear that have seen better days; maybe now is the time to recycle those tattered items and evaluate if you need to replace them. Often replacements have already been purchased, but we need to clear out the space to make room for new items. Pick a number that you think is a reasonable for each of those categories and just edit down to that amount. I usually recommend storing socks, hosiery, bras, sleepwear, workout wear, and swimwear in the dresser. Some people also put shorts and T-shirts in dressers. Most tops and pants are best hanging in the closet, but you may have a different configuration or category sizes so choose what works best for you! The main issue is making sure things are not being buried and forgotten. Organizing your drawers by subcategories and making sure you have a right-sized wardrobe for your lifestyle will go along way toward peaceful mornings and easy packing for travel. Seasonal swaps are the perfect time for those mini-edits that keep your wardrobe in great shape.

Step #5: Don't Skip Over the Shoes and Accessories

Don’t forget shoes and accessories! You might find yourself reaching for a fall handbag or ankle boots even before the main components of your fall wardrobe are needed. I simply swap my shoe storage by putting sandals up higher and boots down lower in my shelving system. Tall boots can be accommodated underneath your long hang section in your wardrobe or possibly in a different closet altogether as long as you don’t forget about them! It’s worth finding a solution for your beautiful scarves, belts, handbags, jewelry, or hats. If you can display them inside your closet or next to your closet, they can bring joy even when you’re not wearing them! I had one client with an absolutely fantastic collection of bowties that definitely deserved prominent display. Set up your shoes and accessories like a boutique so you can shop your closet each morning.

Editing your closet seasonally doesn’t have to be a chore, it can actually be a joy! Once you’ve been through the process a few times you’ll move through it more quickly. To start, I usually recommend you set aside an hour or two, put on a podcast or show in the background, and work your way through the previous season’s clothing by category. Then repeat on another day with the upcoming season’s clothing with an eye to an organized and prepared closet for the coming season. I also recommend waiting to shop until you have reminded yourself of what you already have. You may find it’s time to replace that favorite black sweater that’s looking the worse for wear—or you may find you have several black sweaters already and definitely do not need a new one! Taking notes will be really helpful and allow you to make the most of your fall and winter wardrobe shopping.

If you're ready for an expert to bring function to your closet space, I’ve got your back! Contact me and let's get to know each other.

Cheers,

Karina