Autumn has arrived: the days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and with the change of season comes the wardrobe switch.
Goodbye to skirts and light dresses, welcome back sweaters and scarfs!
The wardrobe switch is often seen as a major source of stress, and as the most dreaded time of the year.
However, not all bad things have to be detrimental.
If done at the right time, with the right mood, and with some calming techniques, it could turn out to be not only easier and faster than expected but even a source of new order (both physically and mentally), fun, and maybe even some extra money.
Actually, transforming a usually unpleasant moment into (almost) a game.
Here are 10 tips to approach the seasonal change on both a practical and psychological level without turning it into a drama.
These 10 Tips Will Make the Switch Easier to Handle
1. Take it as an Opportunity to Get Rid of Clothes
When switching out your wardrobe, adopt the good philosophy of decluttering, getting rid of the excess that has been dripping everywhere by now. First and foremost, in your wardrobe.
To proceed with a Marie Kondo-approved cleanout, ask yourself the following questions:
- Did I wear it this year?
- Does it fit me well?
- Is it still in good condition?
- Do I have at least two other items I can pair it with?
If the answers are mostly “no,” get rid of it without remorse!
2. Exchange the Extra Items with your Friends or Sell Them
The excess can be a source of fun or profit if you organize a swap party with your friends or put what you no longer use up for sale.
There are many apps where you can swap, buy, and sell items you’ve set aside during the wardrobe switch. Three of them are: Depop, Vinted, and Vestiaire Collective.
3. Iron Everything Before Hanging it in the Wardrobe
Iron your clothes well before storing them, then fold them neatly.
Rolling is also a space-saving and stress-saving technique.
If you want top visual harmony, opt for vertical storage. It will help you have a complete view of your wardrobe, making it easier to create the perfect outfits.
4. Create Visual Order
A clean, organized, and simplified wardrobe reflects a similarly clean and organized mind.
Ironing, folding, and arranging pants, skirts, sweaters, and so on, is a way of taking care of your things (and yourself).
5. Choose the Right Boxes for you
The wardrobe switch’s best friend? The box.
Get lots of them in different shapes. Different sizes depending on the items and accessories to be stashed, as well as different colors to help you remember where you put that specific pair of jeans.
You must have colored boxes, small boxes (for accessories like bags, shoes, belts, and scarves), medium boxes (for pants, skirts, sweaters, shirts, etc.).
And, of course, the maxi-sized ones. In the large boxes, you can place coats, puffer jackets, blazers, blankets, and anything else that’s very bulky.
But even before getting into the heart of the wardrobe switch, get four boxes.
Label one “to throw away,” another “to give away,” yet another “not sure,” and the last one “to organize.” This way, you’ll do a commendable job of sorting your clothes.
6. Do the Wardrobe Switch with a Friend
Yes, doing the wardrobe switch alone is deadly boring. Ask a friend to keep you company, turning a stressful moment into a playful skit.
Some music, a hot herbal tea, lots of laughter as you try on old things that are now out of fashion, as well as your standout fashion pieces!
Afterward, return the favor.
7. Choose the Right Day
The day matters. You need to choose it carefully, avoiding high-stress days of the week.
No Mondays, absolutely no Sundays (because Sunday blues won’t be of any help), and, in general, avoid days when you’re tired.
If possible, take a day off to devote entirely to your wardrobe, using the opportunity to take care of your home and yourself.
Or do it on Saturday and recharge on Sunday while enjoying your perfect wardrobe!
8. Empty all the Closets and Drawers
The temptation to do one compartment at a time to avoid too much chaos is strong. But resist it!
You need to create disorder to be able to create order. So, the advice is: empty all the drawers and closets, then place everything on the bed, where it’s clearly visible.
Divide them into piles based on the type of clothing. The important thing is to separate jackets from shirts, pants from skirts, and so on, to avoid a mess when you have to fill up the wardrobe properly.
Having everything in plain sight on the bed will also help you see your entire wardrobe at once and examine any duplicates.
9. Take an Inventory of your Wardrobe
For the ones that enjoy organizing and keeping information on paper, you could try to keep a wardrobe diary.
Taking an inventory of your wardrobe will prevent you from buying duplicates. It also teaches something very important: valuing the things you own.
Similar to a food diary when you’re on a diet, a wardrobe diary will help you limit excessive shopping.
It’s also a great way to know what to wear at all times, allowing you to plan mix & match outfits on paper.
10. Be Sentimental Only with Truly Significant Items
At every wardrobe switch, you should never allow yourself to say, “No, I refuse to throw this away!”
But we know it’s impossible, so at least set some limitations: save at most two items that make your heart skip a beat (even tho you know you won’t wear them this year either).
It’s a different story for those clothes that have special emotional significance.
The dress you wore on your first date with your significant other; the pair of jeans that has faithfully accompanied you on every trip; the jacket you wore for the job interview for the job of your dreams, which has now become your office…
These items are untouchable, so they should not be thrown away. But don’t mix them with the clothes you frequently use.
So, get yourself a spacious box and store them there, separating them carefully with tissue paper.
It will be your fashion memory box! To be stored away.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA Italia.
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