Are you beginning to smell apple pies in the air? Have the leaves in your neighborhood started flashing their reds, oranges, and yellows? The season of Fall is certainly upon us!
Now that the summer break is over (aren’t we all secretly glad to return to normal routines again?) you may need to layer up over those light summer clothes. And right now is the perfect time to play keep-or-toss with your airy sundresses, bike shorts, and tank tops that have served you well over the sunny months! At the same time, you will want to bring out the warmer clothes that have been sitting in storage for the last six months.
Curating a simplified and beautifully styled closet for the colder months will:
- Save you hours of wasted time flipping through pieces you no longer love
- Encourage you to wear more of your clothing this fall and winter
- Create a feeling of spaciousness and ease in your routine
So here are my top organizing tips for creating a Cozy Fall Closet:
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CUT YOUR CLOSET
By doing a full wardrobe edit first, you will have a clear idea of what “look” you want for the season of fall. The decluttering process is simple. Start by pulling all your clothes (then shoes, accessories, etc.) out of your closet and separate them into 4 piles:
To Keep: will wear this season
To Pack: summer must-haves
To Mend: needs stain-removal, repair, etc.
To Donate/Sell: don’t love it or won’t wear it
The more you can let go of in this stage, the more conscious your clothing choices will feel. An important phrase to keep in mind is “be relentless;” if you don’t love it, let go of anything you encounter where you don’t remember the last time you wore it.
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PREPARE AND PACK
Storing summer styles elsewhere can carve out more closet space than you think. But before packing anything away, check for any stains or tears and either get them repaired now, or toss the piece away. Making sure your stored clothes are clean and in good condition will save you time come spring.
If you do have the space to keep your summer clothing in your main closet, great! The most convenient way to do this is to rotate your warmer weather clothes away into a far corner or high shelf, so that your “prime real estate” is reserved for the ones you’ll be wearing more often.
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DONATE OR DISCARD
Giving up items that no longer hold value for you is not just about opening up more physical space; when you clear the old, you make space for the new! Whether it’s hopes of a new career, a new relationship, or just to welcome the season of fall. Consider how your energy will shift when you discard items that no longer support your current goals and aspirations.
One more thing – not knowing where to sell or donate items can be overwhelming, I know! Here are a few pieces of advice for that dilemma:
- For high-end items in great condition, I recommend visiting a consignment shop. These can be in your city or online!
- For lightly-worn business and interview attire, I love donating to Dress for Success. This company is a non-profit that empowers women entering their careers by providing professional attire.
- For casual and more worn items, you can donate to a local Women’s Shelter or thrift store.
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RINSE AND REPAIR
To set yourself up for success, start by repairing, cleaning, and tailoring your fall clothing.
First, assess all your shoes. Set aside any pairs that need to be re-soled, polished, or weatherproofed. Second, sort through your jackets, dresses, and blouses for any that need to be dry-cleaned, mended, or tailored.
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THE PERFECT PIECES
Now that your wardrobe has been edited, consider what clothing pieces would fill in the gaps of your collection. A capsule wardrobe is simple and fantastic to work with because it completes your closet with chic, high-quality pieces that mix and match easily. Consider which of your pieces you often skip wearing because they need “the right skirt” or pair of boots.
By adding a few intentional pieces, you can round out your wardrobe and make it a little more like your current taste with some new items (plus it’s an excuse to shop!)
With all this preparation and organization behind us, and now that you know how to create a cozy fall closet, how are you going to reward yourself for a purge well done?! Comment below!
