what is an organized seasonal clothing swap?
how do you do a SEASONAL clothing SWAP?
Finishing touches to a seasonal clothing swap
Your Guide to an Organized Seasonal Clothing Swap
An organized seasonal clothing swap is a must do for anyone whose closet is just not robust enough to hold all the things. No matter where you live, there will be apparel that isn’t appropriate for a current season, which brings us to the organized seasonal clothing swap! Seasons are different depending on where you live – in the South, a twice a year swap is usually plenty but up North, this may need to be done quarterly.
Seasonal Clothing Swap
What is an organized seasonal clothing swap?
An organized seasonal clothing swap means that you remove out of season items and store them elsewhere in an organized and systematic fashion. By housing only what you need for the current season in your closet, you’ll have more space, be able to find items quickly, and have breathing room plus you’ll feel awesome because you’ll really feel that you have a handle on what you own. You don’t want that breezy cotton dress getting in the way when you’re searching for your favorite toasty sweater or having to rustle through scarves when you want your bathing suit! Seasonally swapping your wardrobe also gives you a chance to evaluate everything you own and ideally edit out things you don’t use or like.
Seasonal Clothing Swap
How do you do a seasonal closet swap?
Glad you asked! There are a few different ways you can do this but we find it’s most helpful to just get it over and done with. It’s best to block out at least 3-4 hours for this project – and it will feel amazing when it’s done! If that is too daunting, then we suggest identifying one category at a time such as sweaters or jeans or athleisure.
Gather your supplies!
- a folding table can be super useful for laying out accessories or folded clothing but a bed works just as well
- a garment rack can also be helpful to spread out while you are evaluating your hanging clothes
- weathertight totes for storage - we like these from Container Store
- clear bags for donate or consign items (clear keeps them from being mistaken for trash)
- Post It notes & Sharpie to categorize
Seasonal Clothing Swap
Step-by-step seasonal clothing swap
- Create a space where you can lay out your clothes. It could be your bed, the floor, or a large table.
- Take all of the clothing, shoes, and accessories out of your closet and drawers.
- Group each of your out of season (or all if you feel daring!) categories loosely – like with like
- Sort items into four different sections within each category:
- Basic pieces you could layer and continue to wear during the off season
- Pieces you will definitely keep and wear in the upcoming season
- Pieces you definitely won’t be able to wear until a change in weather
- Pieces you didn’t wear last season or can’t see yourself wearing this season (these need to go!)
- Pieces you may need for a trip that may involve another season (think international travel or heading to the beach/mountains)
- Place the “can-be-layered-during-cold-weather” pile back in the closet (neatly!)
- Create a travel bin if appropriate (beach, ski, etc)
- Store any items that are not wearable until warmer/colder weather arrives
- For the items you didn’t wear last season and don’t think you’ll wear this season, let these go – someone will love them but they don’t need to clutter up your closet!
Seasonal Clothing Swap
Finishing Touches
No matter how you choose to approach your seasonal wardrobe swap, here are some things to keep in mind throughout the process.
- Cleaning and Mending: Now is a great time to have out of season items repaired, dry cleaned, or simply laundered. Cleaning and tending to any needed repairs will save you time when the next season comes around!
- Proper Storage: Appropriate storage is vital for keeping your pieces in excellent shape. First, determine a location in your house where you can place your out of season items. The upper shelves of your closet, under the bed, or even an attic space would all make great options. Utilize plastic bins that will properly fit your storage area
- Label, Label, Label! Label each of your bins as "Out Of Season" then additional labels as needed "Tops" "Shoes" etc. This will make items easier to find and your next swap even easier.
- Tidying Your Closet: Now is a great time to clear any clutter that’s accumulated and give the floor of the closet a thorough vacuum. You can also evaluate any organizational needs you may notice. Do you need a better system for keeping your scarves neat? How about a new shoe rack? Start the new season as organized as possible.
- Products! Now is a great time to incorporate matching hangers and gorgeous baskets to keep everything super tidy and looking amazing.
Seasonal Clothing Swap
Don’t have time for a seasonal wardrobe swap or too overwhelmed by the chaos of everyday life to think about the process? Our experienced organizers have this down to a tee and would love to make this happen for you! Contact us today to schedule your organized seasonal clothing swap!
