Tips for Seasonal Wardrobe Transitions

Swapping out the summer wardrobe for autumn is one of the things I look forward to the most when moving from Labor Day to late September. Bringing chunky knit sweaters or knee-high boots into the mix does a lot to help me lean into the changing weather and embrace the season wholeheartedly. Plenty of items like white button-up shirts or your favorite denim jeans remain in regular use throughout the year, but others like linen tanks or bathing suits typically move from my dresser into underbed storage until the sun and warmth return the following year.

When it comes to your closet, the number one thing to remember is to never hang your heavy sweaters. If a knit is lightweight, you can get away with it by using a shaped wooden or plastic hanger that won’t create creases or points in the shoulders. For the rest, the most common way to keep sweaters in neat condition is by loosely folding them and setting them in a drawer or on a shelf. For other hanging items, I like to use the “turned hanger” trick when I first bring out a garment for the new season: place all of your hangers backwards on the closet rod or garment rack. After wearing the item, hang it back up facing the opposite way (the “standard” way of hanging a hanger). Anything left at the end of the season that’s still backwards is probably safe to consider selling to your local Style Encore if it’s in good, gently-used condition.

For those summer items you’re tucking away, you won’t want to put anything away unless it’s been freshly washed. It may seem like extra work to wash something you don’t intend to wear anytime soon, but this is one of the best things you can do to prolong the life of your clothing. Especially in summer, your bathing suits or shorts tend to be exposed to substances like greasy sunscreen or lake water. After cleaning, make sure your item is one-hundred percent dry before rolling it (fewer creases!) and stowing it in underbed storage or a plastic tote. When you get it back out for next year’s warm weather, give each piece a spritz with water or your favorite fabric spray and air it out on a clothesline.

Taking proper care of your clothes ensures seamless transitions between seasons. Plus, these tips create the perfect setup for a visit to your local Style Encore to sell unworn items and pick out new and trendy pieces to breathe new life into your seasonal wardrobe.

Blog By: Chelsea Lankford | @truelane