Out with the summer, in with winter clothes, right?
Not so fast!
The winter wardrobe swap presents the ultimate decluttering opportunity and it can be accomplished in five very simple steps.
Step 1: Out with the Old
Go through your spring and summer clothes and ID items you haven’t worn or that are damaged or out of style. For the gently used, donate to charity. For older clothing, consider recycling to minimize waste.
Step 2: Assess Your Winter Staples
With winter coming, you want to assess the condition of your essentials: coats, sweaters, and boots. Check for any damage or signs of wear and tear. Determine whether items need cleaning, repair or replacement.
Step 3: Make a Winter Wardrobe Inventory
Before putting one item of clothing in your closet, take inventory of what you have. This will help you make a list of things you may need to purchase. This help you shop strategically and avoid impulse purchases.
Step 4: Layering Is Key
Another winter wardrobe strategy: layering. When you make new clothing purchases, invest in in quality base layers like thermal tops and leggings. Items like this will keep you warm when it really gets cold and enable you to mix and match different pieces in your wardrobe, creating stylish and functional outfits.
Step 5: Organize by Category and Accessibility
Keep similar items together: coats (e.g. sweaters with sweaters, scarves with scarves, etc.). Arrange in a way that makes the most frequently used items easily accessible. Done correctly, you can get dressed in the dark, which is typically most mornings in the winter.
Whether you like winter or not, the winter wardrobe swap provides opportunities beyond out-with-the-old. It’s a chance to rethink your look and it can be done one piece, one layer at a time. Not to mention the good that can come from donating the winter clothing you no longer want and how that could benefit someone less fortunate.
If you have a winter coat to donate but our unsure as to where to bring it, One Warm Coat® can help you find a place to make a contribution.
Need some help with your winter swap? Drop a line or give me a call at 508-246-6120.
