How to Transition Your Wardrobe From Winter to Spring

It is that time of year when the weather warms up. Those jumpers, long sleeve shirts and coats become too hot and heavy.  It becomes a mad scramble to find something lighter, cooler and NEW. I get frustrated at all the bulky items hanging around in my wardrobe. They block me from getting to cooler clothes.

Not all of us have enough room in our wardrobes to keep both Winter/Autumn and Spring/Summer visible and available all year round. Even if we do have a large walk-in wardrobe, it needs tweaks every 6 months to optimize the storage.

First Step – Declutter

My experience with wardrobes is that most of us buy more clothes than we can possibly wear. Before swapping the seasons over in your wardrobe, try to declutter as many items as you possible can. It is the perfect time to ask yourself “Did I wear this at all this season?” If not, it might be time to let it go.

I find that saying the reason that we want to keep the 4th black top out loud, can really emphasize how silly it sounds. For example, “I am keeping this black top because I have not worn it and it cost lots of money”.  There is probably a valid reason you do not reach for this top.

Freeing up space before will reduce the time and energy that you have to spend on reorganising. Lean into the idea of giving good quality clothes to charity. You can feel good about letting a charity do good works with the money they make on your clothes. You can feel good about not having to worry about wearing a tricky piece of clothing that may never suited you. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse for a little wardrobe refresh?

Removing the Cold Weather Clothes From Easy Access

Once the weather starts to warm, it probable will not get back to deep cold. It is good practice to keep a few transitional items ready to put on, as the temperature can go up and down a bit in Spring.

Take a closer look at the coats, jumpers and thermals before they are packed. Clothes moths love eating clothes that have small stains of organic material on them, such as food or sweat. Check your local supermarket for moth repellents to pack in with Winter clothes. You should consider washing or cleaning items that have stains.

Take a look at at this ABC News article https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-17/how-to-deal-with-clothes-and-pantry-moths-in-your-home/9425618

Checking the Fit

Before you pack away Winter clothes, check that they fit. Are they still a style and colour that suit you are useful in the lifestyle that you will enjoy in the next year. If you are changing jobs, will the clothes be suitable next year?

Do the clothes make you feel good? Is the fit appropriate for the places you want to wear the clothes next year? I recommend getting your colours done by a Colour Consultant. It can be done online using photos. I was able to easily cull quite a few unflattering garments out of my wardrobe on the basis that they were an unflattering colour.

Storing Out of Season Clothes

When it comes to storing out of season clothes, there are many options. I use study mesh bags and some vacuum bags to store Winter items. I like to keep my long sleeve and full leg exercise gear in the large size packing cubes. I stick a label on the outside, so I can find them once the weather cools again. I store jumpers and smaller jackets that don’t mind being crushed in cloth bags, lavender and bag leaves.

There are thousands of videos online about how to fold clothes to minimize the space they take up. Marie Kondo is probably the most well known folding guru.

My large jackets are stored in a cupboard in my spare room. I hang up clove balls and lavender bags to keep the clothes moths away. I inspect the cupboard regularly and try not to overcrowd it. Wool and natural fibres will do better in a breathable fabric container. A soft cloth cover or a suit bag will keep dust away.

I pack all my soft warm scarves in a packing cube too. I try to imagine my future self. I try to make her life a bit easier by putting all the same sort of items together and labelling the packing cube.

Plan for Sydney’s Unpredictable Spring Weather

Spring in Sydney can be tricky. One minute you’re loving the sunshine, the next you’re running for cover from a sudden downpour. Keep transitional pieces like lightweight jackets, cardigans, and scarves within reach to layer up or down as needed. A good raincoat never hurts either!

Transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring doesn’t have to be stressful. By decluttering, storing items properly, and keeping versatile pieces handy, you can make the change smooth and easy. Plus, you’ll free up space and save yourself future headaches. A little organisation now means a lot more calm later—so why not make your wardrobe work for you?