How to Tidy Up Seasonal Wardrobe Items

Main Takeaways

If you’re struggling to close your dresser drawers, find a swimsuit mixed in with your thick winter sweaters, or it takes forever to pick out what to wear, it’s time to get your wardrobe under control. Evaluate your current system and make the necessary adjustments.

One common method for organizing your wardrobe is by sorting clothing according to the seasons. There's no reason your thick winter sweater should be stored next to a summer tank top in your closet's prime space.

To make an organizational system effective, it must be tailored to your specific needs. Embrace the 'less is more' philosophy. By keeping fewer items in your closet or dresser, you’ll have better visibility of what you own and actually use it [source: Ewer]. To achieve this, you’ll likely need to rotate clothing depending on the season or occasion. This can even give you a fresh perspective on your wardrobe each time, making it feel like you’ve gone shopping.

Adopting a rotation system also helps you identify timeless pieces worth preserving. It might also prompt you to let go of items that have fallen out of fashion since the last time you wore them [source: HGTV]. Marking a clothing rotation date on your calendar each season ensures you make time to organize and care for your wardrobe.

Now it's time to give your closet and dresser a thorough makeover. Keep reading to discover effective methods for sorting through seasonal clothing.

Sorting Seasonal Clothes

True organization can't be achieved until your clothes are sorted. This stage can be the most laborious, as it involves deciding what to keep, what to donate, and what to toss.

Start by setting aside a space in the room to begin the organizing process. If you’re in your own bedroom, you may need to shift furniture or put other items out of the way. In a child’s room, you might have to clear a space free of toys and books. If necessary, move the clothes to a different room for sorting if you think the process might take more than a day.

Begin with your shoes, as they tend to be quicker to sort, which will give you a confidence boost for the rest of the task. Create four shoe piles on the floor—one for each season. Sort them into the correct piles, making sure to keep pairs together. For shoes with laces, tie them together to prevent separation. Once sorted, categorize each pile, such as athletic shoes, formal shoes, donation shoes, etc. Set off-season shoes aside for storage. Return current season shoes to your closet, placing the most frequently worn pairs in the most accessible spot. Store special occasion shoes at the back of the closet or on shelves.

Continue sorting your clothing by emptying your closet and dresser. Create seasonal piles just like you did with your shoes. Next, divide each seasonal pile into categories: everyday wear, special occasion clothes, donation items, and items for the trash. Put current season clothes back in your closet or dresser. Store off-season clothing elsewhere. Check each item to see if it needs any extra attention, and set aside any clothes requiring alterations, mending, or a fitting test.

Now that your clothes are in piles all over the room, it's time to restore order to the chaos. Turn the page to begin making decisions about what to keep and what to remove from your closet and dresser.

Which Clothes Should I Keep?

Choosing what to keep, donate, or toss can be an emotional task. What do you do with that t-shirt from middle school gym class or the sweatshirt from your senior year with everyone's signatures? Letting go of sentimental clothes can be tough. If you really need to hang on to a few items from the past, go ahead. However, if the pile of sentimental items is getting too large, consider reducing it. Purging can be liberating — removing items from your past might make room for new opportunities and allow you to focus on the future.

One effective method for sorting is to keep only those clothes you’ve worn in the last 12-18 months. If you haven’t worn certain items in that time, it’s time to donate or toss them, as it's unlikely you'll wear them again. Try on pieces that may not fit and assess them in the mirror. Do you like the way they fit? If so, and you believe you’ll wear them soon, keep them. If they’re out of style or fit poorly but are in good condition, donate them so someone else can benefit from them.

Don’t forget to come up with an organizational plan for the clothes you decide to keep. Consider investing in or crafting drawer dividers for your underwear and sock drawers. Divide the drawer into sections that suit your needs, such as one for socks, one for pajamas, and one for underwear. Dividers can help keep your drawers neat and organized by assigning space to each clothing type [source: Good Housekeeping]. Group similar items together, too. Place cotton knit tops in one drawer, bulky sweaters in another, and jeans and pants in a separate one. You can even dedicate a drawer—or part of one—for workout clothes if you have a collection of them.

There are many ways you can organize your closet with the clothes you've decided to keep. You could organize by length or color, or group matching items together to form outfits. Another option is to organize your closet based on your workweek versus your weekend clothes. Choose the method that best fits your daily routine and lifestyle.

Once your clothes are properly organized, you'll need a system for storing the seasonal items you're not currently using. Keep reading to discover a simple, effective way to store your off-season clothes.

Storing Off-Season Clothes

The most effective way to store off-season clothing is by using large plastic bins. Assign a different color for each season, but make sure each bin is clearly labeled with its contents. This will help you find your clothes easily. For example, all of your winter sweaters should go into a bin marked with a winter color, and you can organize your other clothing in the same way.

Storing your clothes in bins helps safeguard them from pests. Mice and insects typically won't chew through plastic bins, especially since there's no food inside. As long as the lids are securely fastened, moths will be kept away as well [source: Martha Stewart Living]. To maintain a fresh scent in your clothes even after months of storage, consider adding a dryer sheet or a sachet of potpourri to each bin.

Choose the right location for storing your bins based on the available space in your home. Many families opt to store their off-season clothing in attics or basements, but make sure the area you choose is free from water damage. Elevate your items off the basement floor, even using simple platforms, to prevent mold and other issues. Providing a bit of airflow will also help avoid mold growth. If you're concerned, drill small holes in your bins for better air circulation [source: HGTV].

For families with multiple children, store off-season clothing in an easily accessible spot. Consider installing shelves in a laundry room, utility room, or even the garage. Children grow quickly, so having easy access to various sizes and seasons of clothing is helpful during growth spurts.

Once your clothing is properly stored and organized, you may find yourself wearing a greater variety of your wardrobe. Your room—or your child’s room—might look tidier, or even feel larger. Regardless of the outcome, you will have a simple, effective system in place to keep your clothing organized, and a sense of accomplishment for completing the task.