How to: Weed Your Wardrobe

How to weed your wardrobe

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.

What to Pack For a Summer City Break

 

What to pack for a summer city break?  The answer is here.

I love a city break, whether its summer or not, but it does require a little consideration when it comes to packing.  The baggage weight limit and an aim to not spend precious hours in the airport, when I could be sipping cocktails on a rooftop bar, means I’m lean when it comes to packing.

I used to take far too much stuff, taking lots of pieces ‘just in case’. Well, those items never get worn, just lugged around, resulting in a sore shoulder.  Not the lasting memory of a longed-for trip that I wanted. So, less is definitely more.

First things first, to help narrow your holiday wardrobe pick a colour theme.  The one I’ve chosen below focuses on blues with some neutrals thrown in.  This means you’re more likely to be able to mix and match what you take. For example, I can wear the cream wide strap top, jeans and blue blazer effortlessly together, as easily as I can wear the printed dress with the blazer (there’s a little blue in the dress).

When it comes to shoes, I would take trainers for lots of walking in the cooler months, but a pair of flat/sturdy sandals that allow my feet to breathe in the summer are perfect. It goes without say, but don’t take new shoes as I’ve done before, because the chemist is often not as near as you think.  One pair of flats and one pair of heels will suffice.

You might wonder why I’ve included a jumpsuit, and I’ve opted for a short option here as this is definitely a summer wardrobe idea, but I think short or long they’re a good option because you can wear them casually or with lots of jewellery in the evening.  Go for a printed design to add some fun to your holiday options.

The swimsuit has been included for cities with beaches (e.g., Barcelona, Lisbon, Copenhagen) and for those who are staying somewhere with a pool.  Don’t forget, brilliantly, a swimsuit can also be worn as a body.  This design will look just as good under the blazer as it will pool-side.

What else could I have included?  I’ve kept this suitcase lean, but if you’re staying longer than two nights, you can include tailored shorts, a skirt in your choice of length, and a pair of wide leg linen trousers.  I would also suggest packing a white and/or black T-shirt and maybe a blue cotton or linen oversized shirt that can also be worn over the other pieces and tied at the waist if the weather cools.

Lastly, I haven’t added one, but there’s always space for a foldaway raincoat!  Just in case.

Happy holidays.

 

Gail xx

 

 

H&M Straw Bag, £34.99

Mango Cotton Shorts Jumpsuit, £35.99

H&M Single Breasted Blazer, £34.99

Next Stretch Flare Jeans, £42.00

& Other Stories Criss Cross Leather Sandal, £85.00

Warehouse Wide Strap Top, £27.00

Black Asymmetric Swimsuit, £55.00

Gingham Cotton Check Dress, £49.99

Zara Printed Midi Dress, £59.99

Zara Tied Heeled Sandals, £45.99

Mango Striped Knit Top, £22.99

 Marks & Spencer Broderie Long Sleeve Blouse, £29.50

H&M Blue Small Patterned Bag, £17.99

& Other Stories Ball Charm Hoop Earrings, £15

Mango Tassel Bead Necklace, £19.99

John Lewis & Partners Cat’s Eye Sunglasses, £18.00

 

 

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