As we all succumb to reality, the temperatures are dropping and it’s time to say goodbye to our summer wardrobe (for now). One of my favorite activities to do twice a year is switch over my closet in between seasons (shocking, I know). Clearing out your closet will help streamline your daily wardrobe by having only what’s in season in front of you and not having excess clothing taking up space. It's also a great opportunity to take stock of what you have and pair down what you no longer want. If you haven’t already transitioned your closet, here are a few tips on how to do it! 

PART ONE: PULL & PACK AWAY

First, pull all of your lighter summer layers out of your closet. Keep in mind that there are certain layering pieces you’ll be keeping in your closet that can be worn during the fall and winter seasons, just not on their own. 

Once you have your summer clothing removed from your closet, ask yourself which items you did not wear that season. This is a great opportunity to purge your unwanted or unworn clothing since you had months to wear it and for whatever reason did not. 

Before putting all of your clothing away, make sure that all of your clothes are fresh and clean. Get out any stains or unwanted smells that will remain once everything is packed away. 

Once all of your clothing is paired down and washed, sort like with like. This will allow you to save time and make your unpacking much easier when you go to put your clothing back into your closet. Trust us!

Once your clothing is sorted, let’s consider the storage options. I often suggest using durable plastic bins like this one from The Container Store that has wheels and is clear so you can see exactly what’s in it. If you’re looking for a more natural option check out this one from amazon. If you’re at all concerned about moths, we suggest adding a spritz of lavender oil. It’ll also keep your clothes smelling fresh when you revisit them in the spring and keep the moths away! 

Voila! You’ve completed part one and have taken out all of the out of season items. 

PART TWO: TAKE OUT & HANG UP

If you didn’t sort your clothing into the out-of-season bin when you put your winter clothes away, sort it all before you put the clothing on hangers or in drawers so you can see all of your categories easily. *Side note: This is also a great opportunity to purge anything you no longer want from your fall wardrobe* There are a few different ways to sort your tops. If you like to pick out your wardrobe by color, sort all of your clothes into the right color categories and then further sort by sleeve length within the color category. Another option is to sort by sleeve length (all of your tank tops together, short sleeve, long sleeve, sweaters, etc) and then by color within the sleeve length (all of your white tanks together, followed by brown, gray, black, ROYGBIV).

If you have a hard time keeping your closet in check, a great trick to separate your sections is to use labeled rod organizers like these. Having your closet sections labeled keeps you in check knowing where your items belong. These are also super helpful for anyone else that lives in your household who has a hard time putting their clothing back where it belongs. 

Once your fall clothes are hung back up and put into the proper drawers, maintain your systems! We suggest having a small bin or basket in or near your closet for any clothing that you decide you no longer want mid-season or requires repairs or dry-cleaning.  

If you follow these steps you’re going to have a seamless transition flipping your clothing in between seasons. Sometimes it’s helpful and fun to do it with a friend or organizer who can be honest with you about your wardrobe. We also suggest checking out SwapIt in Medford for any styling needs!