Coming out of hibernation - YouLookFab Forum

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Coming out of hibernation

Runcarla

Veteran

This week was the daylight savings switcheroo and next week (March 20th) is the first day of spring. Double digit temps are forecast for the rest of this week - with some rain. I expect the snow will be gone after this weekend.

So, in anticipation of good things to come weather-wise, I’ve spent the week doing some wardrobe prep.

1. cleaned the heavy winter outerwear and accessories, and put them away.
2. brought out lighter weight outerwear, rainwear, and spring accessories.
3. polished and conditioned all the leathers - footwear, bags, belts
4. wiped down and weather proofed non-leather winter footwear and put them away.
5. had hair cut and layers put in, so I can style wash-and-go curly through the warmer/humid months
6. Performed a mini-edit with some try-ons of warm weather items and a hard look at the condition of some sweaters.

7. played in my closet and Finds to create some new outfit combinations for the transitional weather I expect now through the end of May
8. booked myself in for a day spa (gift certificate from Christmas) for the 20th to celebrate the first day of spring!

I’ve been on a ‘no buy’ - because I don’t feel I need anything, and I haven’t seen the things I want when I have been shopping. A shopping trip is planned since DH’s golf capsule needs attention, as does my fitness kit. It will be fun to window shop and pet the merch!

I know that not everyone experiences seasonal changes at the same time, but if you are changing seasons, how are you preparing?

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Rock

Ket

Veteran

Sending you spring flowers and waving hello to you, Carla! I love that you have some rain ahead. We don't get much rain where I live, and I sometimes miss it.

I love how industrious and organized you are!! Your list gives me some good ideas for my shoes and such. What a great post!

Our mountain weather is such that we have 60s and sunshine one week, then 30s and snow the next week. The average temperature will start to warm-up by mid to late April, at which time I'll be able to clean and put away most to all of the winter things.

This is more my to-do list, versus have-already-done list. I admit, it feels like a tall order. My in-laws arrive for an extended visit on Memorial Day weekend. I'm excited to see them, but also know we have a decent to a lot of preparation for their visit. (Our house is still under construction and then just general cleaning and making the house sparkle and feel comfortable.) But hoping to make most to all of it happen.

Purchase/knit/sew a couple summer tops/blouses. That is one area my summer wardrobe is seriously lacking in. I have a decent slew of dresses but only a few tops and tees.
Purchase another pair of summer sandals. I have one pair I bought last year. A second pair to rotate with would be really good, both for wear and tear and wardrobe versatility.
Get second pair of fitness sneakers for summer trail walks.
Haircut and roots scheduled at the end of April.
Take my sewing machine to a reputable shop and have it cleaned and serviced.
Pick out a sewing pattern and project and sew it this summer. Since I've been collecting fabric and sewing patterns for almost a year now, it's really time to try it. For real.
Wash all the woolens and winter coats and put away.
Find a summer coverlet/duvet for our master bedroom. I love what we have but it's just too warm for the summer.

Irina

Veteran

Same as you, I’m slowly putting away the heaviest coats and boots. Got my trusty Chelsea boots back from a cobbler. Finally bought a pair of rain boots! Bonus - the insoles smell like lemon

LJP

Veteran

I packed away all cashmere and heavier wool sweaters last weekend, and anything with velvet, lace or satin anywhere on it . Treated myself to a pedicure with the best bright mid-blue colour ever...and now I want a wardrobe full of bright blue things to wear with them, lol. Still wore a med weight puffer today as it's only just above 0 and flippin' windy. Did a season-end edit and bagged up some things to donate and a few that were past that point. I'm the market for new Birkenstocks (don't know what I want yet) and some new runners for outdoor walking (think I'm going for the new New Balance Foam+ in orange) and hopefully that's it. I cannot WAIT to get outside on my bike!

SarahD8

Veteran

Ohhh you are very inspiring with your dedication to wardrobe maintenance! I had a Quebecois housemate in my 20s who was the same, polished her boots on a regular cadence. Is it required for Canadian citizenship? Anyway, I am taking notes and trying to be better....

Runcarla

Veteran

@ SarahD8 - there are activities that are like physical ASMR (maybe there is already a name for it) - like ironing, polishing shoes, swimming laps - that I find put me into a meditative state, and are therefore calming. ☺️

SarahD8

Veteran

See I love lap swimming....why can't I get myself to polish my shoes??

Irina

Veteran

Hmm, I’m the same, RunCarla. Maybe it’s something in the water here? Lol

JAileen

Veteran

We had a few days of nice weather, but I woke to snow this morning. It’s all melted, but just now we got a little pellet snow. I don’t mind the snow because I enjoy drinking water in summer.

I have been thinking about warm weather, and ordered navy cropped pants from Lee. My old pair that I’ve had since at least 2016 (I wore them to the Seattle get-together in July that year) look very shabby, but I’m guessing I wore them more than 100 times. I ordered the same brand and size and lo and behold they fit! I also ordered a few tops from Macy’s. I need to figure out my footwear for warmer temps. Last year I added a couple pairs of Bernardo sandals. I love them, but I’m not sure how they will work with my fat free feet. I might be able to wear them to sit down events. I really love these sandals and have several pairs, but healthy pain-free feet is a priority.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It has suddenly turned summer this week (will probably dip back to warm spring soon) so it is time for me to revamp my shoes and organize them for sockless weather. A pedicure is in order too.

Lisa

Veteran

I keep everything in one large walk in closet. If I pack things away I will forget about them and with our big swings in temperatures during transitional seasons, layering different weight fabrics is key so it helps to have everything handy. I'm also fortunate to have a closet large enough to hold all seasons in one place.

I do rotate inside the closet though, since I'm short, I'll switch out of season items to higher shelves and in season items to lower shelves. Long sleeve tees and heavy sweaters were moved to higher shelves, short sleeved tees to lower shelves. Fleece jackets and cardigans have been moved to the back of hanging rods while lighter weight jackets and button down shirts were moved to the front.

I've started trying on everything for spring and summer and creating a list of any wardrobe holes. I've also started putting together a handful of outfits for grab and go days. Last night I paired my solid tees with my Rails button down shirts so those layers are ready for use. Next up is a session where I plan to pair up my graphic tees with joggers and shorts.

As the weather warms up I'll starting lightening up the colors of my outfits, wearing lighter wash denim more often than darker washes, then eventually no denim at all (because it'll get too hot and I'll be reaching for pants, chinos, or shorts). I also start swapping boots for sneakers and reaching for white instead of ivory/cream more often. I've also started searching online for ideas of new color combinations to try, especially combinations without neutrals.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Carla, you’re very diligent to clean the leathers and rotate out the coats and accessories. Since we have one coat closet, it generally holds all the coats for any weather, except my dedicated running jackets and hoodies. We had an opportunity to clean out the closet a month ago when the rod fell down!

We donated several coats and jackets each, a tennis racket, some old but still good snow boots.
Moved a box of tennis balls and baseballs to the garage, and kites to a basement game storage area.
Disposed of a few accumulated pairs of demoted-to-yard work sneakers.
Sorted out DH’s cap collection, stored most in bins, left about 25 that he currently wears (!!!), and reorganized some gloves and winter hats.
Bought a boot tray (after the photo was taken) and have only hiking and snow boots and shoes on the floor. And pickleball duffel.

Now my coats and jackets consist of two short puffers, two heavier, hooded snow coats, corduroy shacket, bright blue rain jacket, denim barn jacket, soft shell thigh length coat, tan trench coat, and a black velvet with fur collar knee length dressy coat. I will move the jacket weight ones to the front, make sure the pockets are empty of the heavier ones, wash, rehang with zippers closed.

Sorry for getting carried away on the closet saga, but it’s pretty wonderful to have so much room and organization every time I open the doors! Look at all the empty hangers!

I don’t think I’m ready to sort out sweaters and tops yet, but soon! Today was sunny and up to 71°F, and I wore tank top for running. But it will get cold again!

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slim cat

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Not ready to do the spring switch but the winter collection got already reduced during our sudden move to a smaller apartment ( upstairs neighbors flooded us with hot water couple months ago ). It may take a month for me to start slowly switching things. I have already worn my cropped wide leg jeans that I've got in December - trying to make it my next workhorse .
You are very organized and disciplined in keeping your wardrobe in a best shape!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yikes, Slim Cat, I hope you are getting reimbursed for any damage!

Carla, you are super organized (and also optimistic -- I remember snowy days in MAY in Ontario!

We have daffodils and heather and cherry blossoms here but It's still definitely cold spring! I'm wearing my cashmere and my puffers, except for the heaviest one. Around the end of this month I will start with the washing and putting away of the cashmere and velvet and put away most of the puffers and boots, I hope. April should be warmer.

I haven't bought any clothing or accessories since early December. Just haven't needed anything! will get a clearer sense of my potential needs for the spring when I do the closet switchout, but at the moment, updated white denim or cotton-linen pants are at the top of the list. I can probably manage with that alone. Sourcing it might be tricky in current circumstances -- but I do have a few Made-in-Canada ideas.

cat2

Veteran

We are still doing winter; a weird late set of storms. I haven’t done much Spring prep since my December year end shop. So my Spring/Summer things will be a pleasant surprise when I get to them!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

It’s so hot here in Auckland NZ right now. We officially change seasons on 1st of the month quarterly rather than using solstice dates. Not sure why it’s different, has been like this my whole life. So it’s officially autumn since 1 March but still feels like summer.
I am doing a 6-day trip for a 40th reunion of our graduating class at the end of next week, 21 March, to a much colder part of the country with beautiful autumn colours (Wanaka, South Island NZ, near Queenstown). So I will pack for it to be cooler, and expect it to stay cooler once I am back 26 March maybe.
Am enjoying the last hot days!

Sisi

Veteran

Good job Runcarla! I live in a 4-sesons climate but experience taught me not to store away Winter clothing before June!

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Gosh you are so organised. Well done! We are having warmer weather now (very unusual) but a freeze is coming next week so not doing any swaps yet.

Dee

Veteran

Weather here has suddenly turned more springlike, I was lucky enough to get in some great skiing last week just before this happened. I'm a little suspicious on how long it's really going to last, so I've only moved my heaviest down puffer into the back storage closet and brought out some lighter jackets for these milder temps. I've also shuffled my bedroom closet and now have my lighter long-sleeve options front and center and the heavier sweaters/vests tucked in the back. Fingers crossed the weather holds but spring here can be all over the place.

bella

(website)

Veteran

We are having an unseasonably warm week over here with midday temperatures reaching 25 C (77F). It seems like it will go back to normal next week (low to mid 60s with intermittent rain). I haven't had any motivation to sort out my wardrobe yet. I think I can safely put away the snow boots and the thickest puffer coat, but other than that, you never know. Like Lisa, I don't put away anything in storage but I do rotate within the closet itself.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That sounds so organized! Just last night my husband stood in the closet and said he needs to get his wardrobe organized, and I need to do the same. My holding zone has grown again. And it’s time to do phase one of putting away the cold weather sweaters and heavier jackets in favor of lighter layers. Thanks for the reminder!

RobinF

Veteran

It really is nice to feel like spring may be coming! It is a bit soon to put away my heaviest things but I did move my super warm coat to the back of the closet I will need to do some closet cleaning soon though. You have inspired me!

Val MN

In my climate we are in transition from late winter to early spring. It's a phase where it cycles between freeze and thaw. Here's what I've been doing the last few weeks:

1. Bringing out the waterproof boots for rain and mud, and the un-insulated low boots for drier days. But not putting away the snow boots yet. Boot trays are getting crowded.

2. Bringing out the raincoats. Leaving the heavyweight and midweight winter coats out too.

3. Working my way through a very long shopping/making/repairing list for my spring and summer wardrobe.

4. Finding spring clothing in the next size up for my growing child.

Once we are fully into spring (May), I'll clean and store winter coats, boots and accessories.

Roberta

Veteran

Like Janet, I plan to pack away the wool sweaters, leave out a few cotton sweaters, and look at some of those long sleeved shirts that aren't warm enough on their own. We are having lovely weather in the high 60s, but I know it will get cold again sooner rather than later. I sent three coats for donation as well as a few things that haven’t been worn at all this year.

I also ordered a pair of pale pink chinos from Loft, that seem like they would be terrific spring pants.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't hibernate

Helena

Veteran

Sounds great Carla! The milder temps and longer evenings are giving me a new lease on life! Haven't done much wardrobe wise, although I did buy a new raincoat so I'm ready for the April showers

Sal

Veteran

Like Jenni I head South for a week and it will be cooler there. I have put away my most summery pieces and evaluated a few winter options. I have also added four new Autumn and winter items so no more for a while.

Rock

It snowed five inches last night, so (sigh) I'm not putting away my winter items any time soon. Even transitional clothing is premature at this point, because we got seven or so inches one day last week and snow is in the forecast all week. That being said, I'm ready for spring, so I'm wearing heavy-ish sweaters in brights and pulling in some silver sneakers. I would feel much more downhearted about the weather were we not heading for Italy for a couple of weeks at the end of April. Planning the travel capsule is keeping me going. The palette is navy, bright orange, pastel blue, and olive, with a smattering of leopard and black.