Rain has stopped play today. Autumn is surely here, so I’m preparing for a little post-summer wardrobe weeding.
The heatwave earlier this month might have delayed my seasonal wardrobe switchover, but I’m starting to layer up. Wearing my jeans again, with light knits and shackets.
The washing basket is, of course, laden with the last remnants of my summer wardrobe. They’re ready to wash and store away. However, before I do, I always find this a good time to do a little weeding.
If, like me, your storage space is tight, you’ll store and unpack your hanging clothes, a top drawer and shoes, twice a year. In hiding for half the time, it feels like a whole new wardrobe when I switch the rails up. There’s always a lovely piece I’ve forgotten I own. Winner winner chicken dinner!
Keeping my home uncluttered and organised is important to me, so before I pack summer stuff away I detox. Because a) I’ll get rid of the stuff I didn’t wear, there’s a reason so why keep it; b) it saves on storage space; c) I can sell it on Vinted and make some cash to buy new autumn/winter pieces that I need. Read. want.
If you want to join along, here’s how to do it.
Weed Your Wardrobe: step-by-step guide
- Split your spring/summer clothes into two piles. What you wore and what you didn’t.
- Put all the pieces you enjoyed to one side ready to go into storage.
- Do check the condition of these clothes at the same time. Damaged pieces can be mended and clothes too worn can be taken to a clothes recycling bin.
- With items you haven’t worn, it’s time to get up close and personal with them and consider why not.
- Try on each piece and give it an honest appraisal.
- Does it suit the look/vibe you want to achieve? Peoples’ style evolves over time.
- Are the clothes no longer fitting you? Are they too loose or tight? Holding on to any that don’t work for you anymore can have a negative effect.
- Does each piece suit your current lifestyle? For example, corporate summer dresses may no longer be needed if you work in a more casual environment.
- Similarly, are pieces too loud or subdued to suit your personality? Perhaps the pattern doesn’t really match your vibe, or the colour drains the life from your face. In either case, let them go.
- By the end you should have a clearer understanding of what’s working and what’s not. Don’t feel guilty about the pieces you need to let go of. You’ve had your fun with them and they no longer work. It’s over. Let them go. There are plenty of charities who can make good use of them.
- With everything else. All the good stuff. Use vacuum storage bags that suck the air out to reduce space. The bags can then go under the bed or in your suitcases.
Et voila. Summer is over for another year.
I promise that taking the time to do this now will serve you well. You don’t want to get to next year and unpack a bunch of things which you’re still not going to wear.
Like some more help from me? Check out my Wardrobe Reboot service here.
