As an image consultant I get asked question about at every season about when and how to clean those closets and rearrange for the coming season. Try to “shop your closet” and know what your forgot to use.
But before you start changing your closet from summer to fall take some time to examine and organize your spring/summer clothes as you retire them for the next 6 months. You’ll feel so excited next year when you transition your wardrobe into fall/winter. Taking a little time now will save you time next March!
10 Easy Wardrobe Packing Tips
1. See what needs to go. 
Have you hung onto clothes that didn’t fit you this year or didn’t fit you last year? If so it is time to call it quits, hanging on to clothes that don’t fit are taking up space. Let go of anything that doesn’t fit your lifestyle, or come close to your personal style formula.
2. Clean or get rid of stained clothing items.
If your clothes have stains from boating, backyard barbeques, family reunions or just those simple picnics you took this summer, take them to the cleaners now. Don’t pack anything away that has a stain on it, it will only get worse. Take a good look at your light colored handbags; did they get stained when they rubbed up against your darkest blue jeans? Take them to a shoe repair person and see if they can get the stain out.
3. T-shirts only last a season.
Go through your light or white T-shirts and toss the ones that have yellowed armpits. Replace them next spring.
4. Take a look at your colored T-shirts and blouses.
Have your black ones faded and turned brownish? Are your blues ones looking darker in some areas and lighter in others? If they have faded and lost their luster get rid of them.
5. Only keep items that fit.
Did you purchase an end of the season item that needs alterations, make a note in the following February to put in your calendar to have it altered in March. No sense in altering it before you have a chance to wear it.
6. Store hats you want to wear next year in hat boxes.
Protect them from getting wrecked. Toss the worn ones out.
7. Store off-season clothing properly.
Check out the container store for small to medium-sized containers to store your summer things in. There are many different styles to choose from, such as styles made of strong canvas, durable tech fabrics. Be careful of the plastic coded ones they tend to carry an awful smell that doesn’t go away. You don’t want your clothes absorbing that smell for six months.
8. Make a list of clothing items to replace.
Write down in your wardrobe log, (if you don’t have one, I suggest starting one) what items you got rid of and need to replace. The same goes for dresses, accessories or any key pieces. What did you really enjoy wearing this year? Plan to shop for these must-haves in the spring.
9. Treat yourself to a professional image consultation.
Call ahead to book some time with your Minneapolis Image Consultant to go over your wardrobe planning and shopping for next spring or make a note to call her in January to get her on your schedule. Like maintaining your hair, car, appliances etc… your wardrobe needs regular check-ups also.
10. Call me!
Whether you need help packing up your summer wardrobe, unpacking your fall wardrobe, or transitioning into the fall season, I am here to help.
Now is the Right Time to Ditch Clothes that no Longer Fit
Maybe you need or have had an image makeover and its time to clean the closet. Whether you’ve been through a gain or loss of weight, this is always a hard decision. When is the right time to ditch the extra clothes that aren’t fitting your current body? If you’ve gone through a weight loss program due to diet and exercise changes or your weight loss or gain is a result of a medical condition, take an intermediate step before tossing your duds.
It never hurts to put the final decision on hold. If you have storage space, pack your oversized or undersized clothing up and put that box away for a year. If at that point your weight has stabilized and those clothes still don’t fit, it’s time to schedule a trip to your local donation drop off box or if you have work-appropriate clothing for Ready For Success in Minneapolis where I am a volunteer, we would appreciate the donations and you will feel good helping another woman in need.
So not sure when the right tie is to ditch those clothes? Maybe you could benefit from my Women’s Closet Audit and Image Consultation, Through this session, we’ll determine what pieces to keep, what to donate, and what you’re missing from your wardrobe. We’ll also organize your closet so getting dressed becomes the easiest part of your day.
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