Seasonal Closet Changes

Photo Source: Dan Gold on Unsplash

Seasonal clothing transitions from winter to spring require washing, mending, repairing, and storing winter clothing, boots and accessories; and washing, mending, repairing and preparing clothing for spring and summer (because you didn't do it when you packed your summer things away). Overwhelming is a good word.

I'm a big proponent of small steps. I chose to do all my sweaters over a week because I wanted to wash them by hand. When they were dry I rolled them and put them in drawers in a spare bedroom. All the scarves, mittens and gloves were taken from the front entry closet and placed in one of the drawers in that same chest. Pick a category of clothing and commit to getting all of it put away and soon you will have gathered up and organized your summer clothing while putting away your winter things.

Cleaning: 

Make sure they're clean. This may mean handwashing wool and cashmere sweaters, scarves, and mittens; drycleaning wool suits and blazers, and cleaning and polishing boots. 

Mending & Repairing: 

There's no sense in putting something in storage and then taking it out the next season and finding it's unwearable. Mend it and if it's unrepairable, discard it. If you can't wear it and it can't be mended, no one else is going to want it. Check the heels of your boots for wear and tear. Get them re-soled or re-heeled with new heel tips now so that they are ready to wear when winter comes.

Photo Source: Nathan Oakley on Unsplash

Storing: 

Depending upon your space, this can be tricky. Storage is often a problem and the luxury of having a spare bedroom with an empty closet isn't available to everyone. A friend who lives in a 500 square foot condo, stores her sweaters in a large suitcase. She tucks in two or three unscented dryer sheets that she sprinkles with lavender essential oil between the sweaters and keeps the suitcase under the bed. Vacuum storage garment bags work as well. These can also be piled on high, hard-to-reach shelves while waiting for the next season. "Storage" furniture that doubles as seating (ottomans and benches) is another option. 

What's your storage strategy for off-season clothing and footwear?

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