Cleaning out summer wardrobe thumbnail 9.27.18

It’s time to start wrapping up the full-on summer wardrobe, assessing each item’s success (or lack thereof!), and a) deciding what stays in for fall, b) what comes out now but will be saved for next summer, c) what fall(ish) items can be moved into the closet to be combined with summer pieces for transitional outfits and, the most fun, d) what new items can be brought in to jazz up current pieces. Not a lot, just a few new things – maybe a coveted new favorite color (chestnut brown, my love!) or item that’s been missing (I mean you, waterproof raincoat!).

 Here’s how to do that.

  1. Gather everything together in one location – make sure nothing’s hiding in the laundry hamper or trunk of the car (don’t ask). You want to make sure you have every combination of items right in front of you.
  2. Pick up each item, one by one, and ask yourself: Did I wear this this summer? Once or twice? Or a lot? If only once or twice, maybe it’s not really pulling its weight and another piece could be a more valuable player. Does it go with more than one other item? I like each item to be able to make up at least three outfits. This, of course, is just a guideline. I usually have one or two STARS, items that I love so much, that make me feel so good when I wear them, or play such an important role for specific occasions or events, that I let them stay even if they are One Hit Wonders.
  3. Try on anything questionable. If you haven’t worn it in awhile is it because the fit is no longer good? Let it go. Does it need a repair or alteration? Do you like it enough to go to that time, trouble and expense? Of so, then do it. If not, then move it out of your closet. Let someone else have the items that you no longer love or wear.
  4. Move the rejects (sorry) somewhere else and focus your attention on the remaining items. Take out anything that you still love, that’s still in good condition, that fits, and that plays nicely with other items, but that no longer makes sense for the season. This will be different for each of you depending on where in the world you live. Put them away, wherever you put your off-season clothes.
  5. Now you’ll have a manageable amount of clothes hanging in front of you. These should be items that can be transitioned into fall with the addition of another item – maybe from your summer wardrobe…or maybe you’ll have to break out the fall stuff. A summery sundress that can be worn under a lightweight cardigan. Jeans and a tee shirt that can be worn with a heavier weight kimono or poncho. Now’s the time to start adding a denim or biker jacket or blazer over everything! Swap out open sandals for booties or this fall’s new obsession, cowboy boots!
  6. I prefer to change over to a new season in stages. I hate an overstuffed closet. So I don’t bring winter clothes in yet. No bulky turtlenecks or sweaters or big heavy coats. But that’s me. I like to stay light as long as possible, and don’t mind re-adjusting in 6 weeks or so…taking out the last of the real summer items and replacing with heavier winter items. Here’s the line in the sand for me: when I can no longer wear dresses with bare legs, the summer-dresses go away and the last swap-over is made to straight-up fall.

And there is your cleaned-out, edited FUMMER (I’m not giving up just yet) wardrobe! Ideally, you’ll have gone through this same process last spring when you assessed your winter wardrobe before putting things away, so your cold season clothes should be ready to go. Now you get to do The Fun Part, which is making a shopping list of the things you need to go with the things you have, to make the outfits you want! That is all explained in depth here.

Here is a video showing the steps in action:

Let me know how you make out!
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