A seasonal switch-over of your wardrobe is probably a term you’ve heard a lot, especially at this time of year. But what does it actually mean? And would it work for you? We’ve created a guide to switching your summer wardrobe out and bringing the winter season in.
What is a seasonal wardrobe switch-over?
Switching your summer wardrobe to winter is the process of removing summer clothes and accessories from your wardrobe and replacing them with winter ones.
Of course, it’s not as simple as that. It isn’t always easy to do a straight swap and in temperate climates (like the UK) where there often isn’t a clear change in season, it can be difficult to know which items to swap out.
We’ve put together the pros and cons of the method and added some of our own top tips, so you can update your wardrobe this winter.
Pros and cons of switching your wardrobe seasonally:
Pros:
1. It’s space saving
You don’t want to give prime wardrobe space to items you aren’t currently wearing.
2. It creates clear categories
With more space in your wardrobe, you’ll find it easier to keep your clothes organised.
Cons:
1. It’s hard to know what to put away and what to keep out
The weather is getting more unpredictable – one day you can wear a skirt, next you’re in a winter coat and gloves. You don’t want clothes packed away that you need access to.
2. It can be difficult to do a direct switch
Winter and summer clothes don’t tend to take up the same amount of space. Jumpers are bulky so doing a direct switch into the same storage space doesn’t always work.
3. It isn’t always the right option
If you have enough space in your wardrobe for all your clothes, it’s an unnecessary task.
When should you do it?
Late October or early November is a good time as, by then, summer is well and truly over. It’s best to swap everything at once. Give yourself an entire day to make the transition so you aren’t having to stop half way through.
Where should you store clothes you aren’t using?
The Attic
One place to store out of season clothes is in the attic, but be aware of any damage that may be caused by damp or pests. Store your clothes in waterproof, lidded boxes to avoid any damage occurring. And remember to label them so you don’t forget what you have!
Ottomans beds
If you have an ottoman bed, storing summer clothes in it is a great idea! Use labeled storage bags to keep things clear of dust, and your clothes will be easy to access in case you need to grab anything mid-season.
At the top of your wardrobe
The goal of switching your wardrobe is to free-up space for more frequently used items, so try storing summer clothes in a spare wardrobe or on a less accessible shelf instead.
Our top tips
- Remove your holiday clothes from your wardrobe. You wouldn’t have your ski gear in pride of place in your wardrobe year-round and the same goes for summer holiday clothes. Take beachwear, shorts, summer dresses and sandals out of your wardrobe and store them in vacuum-sealed bags. It’s a good idea to keep one or two in the wardrobe for an ‘odd weather’ day.
- Jumpers are BULKY so storing them in drawers isn’t the best use of space. Use wardrobe boxes or fold jumpers on a shelf to use the space more efficiently.
- Make space for winter accessories and essentials like gloves, hats and scarves. If you don’t have much drawer space, installing hanging baskets to the back of a door is a great option for accessories.
- Winter boots take up a lot more room than sandals, so if you’re trying to do a direct swap with your summer and winter footwear, you may find it a struggle. Store your winter boots in another cupboard, or install a shoe rack by the door for easy accessibility.
- Again, winter coats take up a lot of room so it’s best to have space for them outside of your main wardrobe. A wardrobe in a spare bedroom is a good option.
- Layering is a great way to make the best use of your wardrobe. Edit your wardrobe, and focus on keeping versatile pieces that you can use all year round, dressing them up and down as the seasons change.
- Be open to changing the layout of your wardrobe when you swap seasons. Your jeans and jumpers take up much more space than your bikini collection so you might have to rearrange categories to get the best fit.
As with any organisational tasks, there isn’t always a ‘right way’ to swap your summer and winter wardrobes – it’s about what works for you and your space. Follow the advice above and as long as your wardrobe works just as well in winter and it did in the summer, you know you’re onto a winner.
