Any guidelines or tips for fall closet rotation?

shiny

I'm planning to rotate out my summer clothes for my fall clothes, tomorrow night after work. (I have a small closet and can only fit one season at a time).

It is getting fall-like here, but you never know when we'll have that odd summer day...

Any tips or guidelines about what should get tucked away now? Other than the obvious stuff, like summer sandals.

For example, what about blouses and knits and cardis that are in summer colors? Fuschia, turquoise, etc? I think this is where I am most puzzled.

17 years ago

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Ellen

Active Member

This isn't a very set guideline, but I just rotated my closet and, since we still are getting some warm weather, found I faced the same question. I was able to easily decide what to do with most items when I asked myself whether I would RATHER wear it in summer or fall. If the answer was Fall, I kept it in, but if it was summer, then I packed it away to keep from wearing it out in a less ideal season.

17 years ago

Jillian

Active Member

Shiny,
Are you open to the idea of a mid-season rotation? I've found myself a lot happier when I did a mini rotation early in the season, putting away sandals and the like as you say. I get out the long sleeve cardis, some jackets, ballet flats, etc. Then, a later rotation (6-10 weeks later) when I put away the denim clams and ballet flats and get out the snow boots and chunkier sweaters (and cords, but shhhh don't tell Angie). I do the reverse in the spring, first putting away the chunky sweaters and boots and then finally the trousers and long sleeve cardis. It drives my husband nuts, but I love the 4 afternoons a year I set aside for myself to do this. I try on a bunch of things and shop my closet and have a grand time!

17 years ago

Jillian

Active Member

One other thought-- doing it this way made me realize the short life span of some spring/fall clothing and has cut down on some bad purchases. For instance, over the years, I've bought several short-sleeve chuky sweaters because I find them cute and cozy looking when they show up in the stores in August. But their life span in my closet is about 6 weeks before it is too cold to wear them unless they can be layered or are a color that would work in spring as well.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Excellent point about the short life of some transitional clothes, Jillian.

happylife, I have nothing to add except to add that today I was a victim of premature fall rotation It is an unseasonably warm 80 degrees in Chicago and all of my capris are packed away! Luckily my jean skirt did the trick. Still, Jillian's mini-rotation might be the way to go.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I do plan to keep my denim clamdiggers handy for another month or so. I guess I'm talking more about colors - and I seem to recall Angie may have even blogged about this recently, so I probably should go searching for that blog.

For example, my turquoise cardi doesn't feel right lately... the color feels too summery (no matter what the temperature). I haven't worn my fuschia cardi in awhile, but I get the sense that may be another one that wouldn't feel right - even if we get an 80 degree day.

White (not cream) shoes definetly go into storage now? And my white short-sleeve ATL jacket? White jeans may be okay for a little longer.... Hmmm....

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Shiny, I think fabrication is more indicative of seasons than color.

If the fabric says summer, put it away.
If the color says summer, but the fabric is season neutral, try to keep it out for a little while. It's better to have it available incase you want it, than to regret having stored it away too soon.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Shiny, I wouldn't tuck away the fuchsia items. It's a great fall color!
I'm in the process of rotating out summer items as well. Besides putting away shorts (I did keep the cropped Matchtsticks for now) and light summer skirts and dresses, I put away most of my sleeveless tops and some camis in very light summery colors, e.g. light turquoise. I did keep some sleeveless tops that will still look under jackets, especially in black and white colors or others that I consider neutrals, e.g. red.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Everyone has made super suggestions, Shiny and I have little to add.

This does not apply to you because you live in a cold place, but if your Autumns are hot and the Winters mild, than the opposite may hold true. This is when you want to wear Autumn colours in Summer fabrications so that you feel a transition happening in your wardrobe. Otherwise things get boring.

17 years ago

Shari

Active Member

Here in the midwest we can sometimes wear shorts on Halloween. After wanting my trenchcoats last week (they were at the seamstress), this week it will be in the 80s.

I go more by color than anything. I put away the summery colors and filmy stuff. I keep sleeveless stuff out to layer with cardis. I put away shorts, print skirts where white is part of the print and white/light shoes/sandals. However, I keep out a few basic sandals until October (black, bronze). I keep out linen and silk pieces in darker colors. I keep out any dress or skirt that I can later winterize with tights.

I don't have a huge wardrobe right now so my switch is easy. But it shows you how short the season really is for summery things. Here it's about 3 1/2 months - Mid may to the first or second week in September.

Missouri is a place where you need to keep one or two opposite season items out "just in case" because the weather can be so unpredictable! It can be 70 in February or 50 in July. LOL!

Shari

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, I know what you mean about color seeming seasonal. I have a kelly green 3/4 sleeve cotton cardi with white buttons from JCrew that suddenly feels too summery. Odd, because I have a teal-colored cardi with similar style and fabric from Liz C. that feels right for fall (maybe because the buttons are teal and not white?).

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Thanks everyone - these tips were all very helpful. Tonight I completed phase 1 of my closet rotation: jackets, pants, knit tops, blouses, cold-weather exercise gear, shoes, and a major cull/reorganization of lingerie and jewelry. I tackled everything but sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, and winter coats... and an under-the-bed storage bag filled with... I don't really know what.... before running out of steam!!!

I thought I'd end up doing a major cull requiring endless trying on of stuff, but I didn't try on anything, but DID cull quite a bit!!! After being tucked away in storage for so long, it took me just seconds to decide what to keep and what to toss. Though I do admit I did keep one small box of "just in case I gain weight again" emergency clothes.

I did not toss that much of my spring/summer clothes. Just an item or two here and there that simply didn't work, or wore out too fast. Otherwise, I think it works best for me to to hold on to them until next year to make that final decision.

I also organized so that one storage box contains hot summer weather items - including bathing suits, cover-ups, sundresses, beach tote - all perfect for a winter get-away to a tropical beach (heh... I can dream, can't I???)

And one storage box contains fall/winter items I still like, but just don't imagine using this season for one reason or another... will keep this one on top so it's easily accessible if I want to pull something out.

It's great to see what I have now and it makes me realize I don't need all that much. I can be choosy. Even if I have a ton of empty hangers!

Much to my chagrin, I realized I *just bought* a BR jacket that's *very* similar to an Ann Taylor loft jacket I bought last year!!!! Ugh. I will have to think that one through (tags are still on the BR jacket). I suspect I may keep the BR jacket because it is better quality.

Once I make it through my sweaters and other stuff, I'll post my official fall wishlist....

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Great update. Shiny, one question: What type of things are in this box?

"And one storage box contains fall/winter items I still like, but just don't imagine using this season for one reason or another... will keep this one on top so it's easily accessible if I want to pull something out. "

Just curious as to why you have things you like but don't expect to wear this year. Are they in outdated styles that you think might come back another year, or...? Thanks!

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*spanner* (sorry).

My dear Shiny, why can’t you keep ALL your clothes and footwear together? Your closet looked larger than mine.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Angie: I live in a circa 1915 house. Does that give you an idea of the closet size? It may look big in the pics, but it's not. I can measure tomorrow if I get a chance. Let's just say... my poor DH is resigned to the guest bedroom for his clothes.

Besides, I do like some room so everything's not so packed-jammed in there that I can't find anything.

Antje: some of it may be outdated for the moment - but not forever. I'm trying to develop a better eye for pieces that will come back in style again. The amount of items in this category are very small.

Otherwise, it's mostly fall/winter skirts. I just didn't wear skirts and dresses last season all that much. So I'm keeping them in storage but very handy and on top if I get the occasion or inclination. The only skirts I decided were closet-worthy are a two grey wool skirts (since grey is so in fashion this year), a red pencil skirt, and the mini skirt I shared previously that got Angie's okay.

I have a ton of black skirts in every length, material, shape imaginable... I went on a spree when my grandmother died (years ago) and I had a "dawning moment" that I had nothing suitable to wear to a funeral. So I stocked up (weird obsessive "deal with grief by shopping" - whatever you want to call it). They are handy - just not hanging in my closet. I'd rather fill the space with:

1) Light grey flannel LINED dress slacks (can't get this idea out of my head, for some reason!)

2) Interesting jackets - adding some with intriguing color would be good.

3) Scarves. Euro style scarves, but in fall colors.

4) More dressy blousy-blouses.

That's my wish-list so far... plus one more fab wool coat ... and if I luck out, the ideal black leather jacket (but I'm not holding my breathe on that one...)

17 years ago

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