Remove all Spring/Summer to another location--Take out all the warm-weather clothing that you can’t use as layering pieces. I love to hang as many pieces as possible so I keep everything on hangers and just shift from one closet to another. Clear bins work well for folded items. Put your flip-flops and sandals away in clear bins, too. The goal is to see only the Fall/Winter pieces when you open your closet each day.
Launder, dry clean and repair before storing--Cleaning items before putting them away keeps clothing in great condition for years. Shoes, also, need some attention--new soles and some polishing work wonders. When you open your bins next Spring, you’ll be so happy that everything is fresh and read to wear.
Hang, fold and stack in garment and color order--Starting on the left, hang all of your Fall/Winter tops and sweaters together in your closet. Next hang pants and jeans and then dresses. Within each of these sections, hang the items in color order. For example (and again starting on the left), hang all the white then all the creme tops; then all the blue, green, red, etcetera...going through all of the colors you happen to own and ending with black on the right for each section. Apply the same method to folded items and stack by color.
Keep only the Fall/Winter pieces that make you feel great--This is the perfect time to edit. Create give-away or consignment piles of pieces you just aren’t wearing anymore. I’ve heard the ‘haven’t worn it in two years then it’s time to go’ rule but mine is: if you feel great when you wear it, then it doesn’t matter how old it is. Feeling confident and authentic is the best style guide. One caveat: the piece has to be in excellent condition (no stains, pilling, discoloration--recycle these types of items at any H&M store).
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