As the Fall season arrives, it is time to review and refresh your wardrobe favorites for the season ahead. Here are some helpful tips to make the task easier.
- Perform routine maintenance. Review your wardrobe as you pull winter items out. Woolen garments and accessories are most prone, of course, to moth holes and other pest damage. Also, check to see if small repairs are needed. Taking care of things quickly (e.g. fixing loose beads, reinforcing open seams) can save a favorite garment from damage or more expensive repair.
- Prep out-of-season garments for long term storage
You’ve enjoyed that billowy cotton dress or tropical print shirt during summer. Now its time to put them away. It might be tempting to fold them away as is, but think again. One of the best ways to keep your clothes in good shape, when they won’t be worn for an extended period, is to first make sure they are clean. This deters the attraction of fabric damaging bugs to any food particles, dead skin or stains that might linger on the garments. - Pare down while putting away
Now is a good time to make decisions about what is worth keeping or moving out of your closet. Much has been written about the importance of purging items but there are always exceptions to the rule. Keeping an outfit, for example, if it has sentimental attachment, is a cherished heirloom or worn only on special occasions makes sense. The general rule for purging items:- If you haven’t worn it in many years (despite promising yourself that you will).
- Your weight and lifestyle have changed, making certain clothing items no loner relevant.
- Anything irrevocably stained, not worth repairing.
- Clothes you’ve tried on multiple times this year and rejected.
- Items that are uncomfortable and ill-fitting.
- Take preventative measures.
This includes using protective sprays on leather goods, underarm shields to avoid perspiration stains and makeup guards to prevent accidental smudges that can mean an unexpected trip to the cleaners. - Be ready for fashion emergencies. Prepare a wardrobe care kit to keep on hand as you rush about your busy day. If you take care of unexpected issues right away (stains, snags, tears, etc.), you’ll avoid potentially permanent damage to your garments.
- Clean closet fixtures
Take a moment to remove clothing then dust and wipe down shelves, rods, etc. Vacuum the rug inside the closet. This removes any food particles and odors that might find its way on new clothing and cleans the area of insect shells and droppings. Plus, gives the closet a renewed feel as you head into the new season. - Add your personality to closet accents
Your closet is more than just a place to hang your clothes. It can also reflect your personality. Add a “boutique” touch to your closet by bringing in lighting fixtures that properly illuminate your clothing and add pizzazz to the area. While you may want a harmonious look to your organizers with uniformity of colors, adding a dash of your favorite solid color or printed accessory boxes can bring an element of style. - Update storage systems
It can be enticing to invest in a whole new organization system for your closet, but you may not need to do so. What is the best way to begin making choices? Prepping for the new season can give you a good sense of what is lacking (or works really well). Do you need different types of storage bins? A complete overhaul? Just a few additional things? This is the time to look at your dressing routine and see what is needed in keeping things neat and easily organized for the season ahead.