How to Prepare Your Closet for Fall
Cleaning out and prepping your closet for fall not only makes space for new sweaters and other cozy layers but also helps you reassess your wardrobe needs. It’s a chance to store away summer stuff, donate pieces you no longer wear, and make sure your fall clothes are clean and ready to go. With just a little effort, you can smoothly transition your closet into the new season and kick off the fall feeling prepared and organized.
How to Prepare Your Closet for Fall
1. Set Aside the Time
Cleaning out your closet always takes way more time than you think! This is not a job you want to start an hour before you have to leave for an appointment. Be sure to set aside 3-4 hours in your schedule (or even a full day) to do it properly.
2. Assess Your Wardrobe
Some people recommend taking everything out of your closet and dresser and laying them on a clean surface. While this does allow you to see all of your clothing at once and gives you a blank closet to work with, I don’t prefer this method. I like to keep it simple by starting at one end of the rod or going through one drawer at a time.
Have five bags or boxes at the ready:
- This box is for summer clothing that is ready to put away for the season.
- This box is for items you want to donate or send to consignment stores.
- This trash bag is for things that are too worn to salvage or donate. Our landfills are clogged with discarded clothes, so you could also investigate non-profits that will accept textiles in any condition.
- This bag is for garments you want to keep wearing but they’re in need of repair, cleaning, or alterations.
- This not-sure box is for anything you’re on the fence about.
The not-sure box is super important! You can bravely place things in this box because you know it’s not leaving your house. The decision is temporary and allows you to revisit the pieces later, but they aren’t hanging in your closet to see each day. Tape the box closed and store it in a guest room closet or the garage to examine in 6+ months.
As you look at your pieces, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does it still fit well at your current weight?
- Have I worn it in the last year?
- Is it still in good shape, or does it need repairing or altering?
- Do you feel confident wearing it?
- Does it align with your current style?
If the answer to these questions is no or you’re unsure, place the garment into the donate, trash, alteration, or not-sure box and move on.
3. Clean and Repair
Before you pack away your summer clothes, make sure everything is clean and in good repair. Washing and repairing these pieces now will save you hassle later when you go to pull your warm weather clothing out of storage next year.
As you pull your fall clothing out of storage, give each piece a quick check to make sure they’re fresh and ready to wear. Look for any stains or odors that might have settled in while they were stored, and treat them as needed. Use a fabric shaver to remove any pilling or fuzz that might have accumulated on sweaters and other knitwear so they look neat and new.
4. Store Summer Clothes
Once your summer clothes are clean, you’ll want to store them in a way that keeps them safe and organized until next year. Clear plastic bins, vacuum-sealed bags, or fabric storage bags will keep them protected from dust and pests. Make sure to label each container so you can easily find what you need next season.
5. Organize Your Fall Wardrobe
Now that the clothing you won’t wear this fall is out of the way, it’s time to get to work actually organizing your closet. There are many ways to tackle this, and each person has to decide which method makes the most sense for their lifestyle. Some people like to organize by color, and others use categories. I find categories work best for me, then I further refine it by color.
Uniform hangers can make your closet look more organized and prevent clothes from slipping off. I used wooden hangers for years, but I found velvet hangers save a ton of room on your rods and virtually double your closet space. I also have several of these four-bar hangers that I use for scarves, pants, etc.
Hang all your shirts on the rod, facing in the same direction. Group all jeans together and all pants together. The same with skirts, jackets, sweaters, and knit tops. You can further categorize them by color (light to dark) or formality level (casual to dressy).
Place your most-worn items at eye level and within easy reach. Store less frequently worn items higher up or in less accessible areas. If you are short on space, you can utilize vertical space savers like the items below to make the most of your closet.
6. Decide What Pieces are Missing/Shop for Fall Essentials
Figuring out what your wardrobe is missing is key when shopping for a new season. Now that the pieces you don’t or can’t wear are removed, you can look at what you already have and spot the items you need. Do you need a new winter coat, new workout wear, or versatile pieces for in-between weather? Don’t forget to check your shoes, accessories, and basics, too.
By knowing exactly what you’re missing, you can shop smarter and get what you really need for the season ahead.
Is your closet due for a clean-out? What pieces do you need to purchase this fall?
Fortunately I have enough space to keep out-of-season clothes in a different closet, then change them out from season to season. I sort my clothes by type, but not by color or casual/dressy because I think it limits my thinking. Sometimes it’s cool to wear a dressy top with a pair of jeans. I also rotate the clothes in each category, so I don’t miss something and wear the same things too often. Years ago, I started the practice of keeping a shopping bag in the corner of my closet. Since I rotate my clothes, if something comes up and I don’t want to wear it, depending on the reason, it goes in the bag. When it’s full I take it to the local “helping hands”. My clothes stay updated and I don’t have to do a major clean-out.
I have a bag in my closet too for the same reason. Occasionally, something comes out of the laundry looking unfixable and in the bag it goes!
Oh gosh I feel kind of inadequate. All of my fall/winter clothes hang in a spare bedroom closet, my summer clothes in the master bedroom closet, and my coats in a coat closet/mudroom. Plenty of room for all of it and my husband’s too. We are retired, enjoy gardening and travel. There’s not much I need every year, and even now I see a row of jacket toppers from Chico and Macy’s that I simply don’t wear any more with my more casual (but not sloppy) lifestyle. I’ve been keeping them in case I gained weight. I need to let them go. I also need to let some coats go, I have far too many and tend to wear the same Ralph coat all the time for dress up. I own
probably six dresses, mostly summer ones, a good black winter dress, and a fun scarf print winter dress I wear with boots that are 10 years old. I take good care of my stuff, and buy good things to begin with. I really like the idea Shari W. had, of listing things I don’t need (black pants! White shirts! Third layer jackets!).
I like Shari’s idea too. I should never look at another pair of new black pants!
Love the orange sweater, I have one somewhat similar from Everlane, it’s my fall go to. thanks for the tips on closet clean out.mine is long overdue….looking foward to Fall….I do lean towards casual, but casual can still be chic….
Casual chic is my favorite way to dress 🥰
A great organizational post. Years ago I switched out all my mismatched hangers to all thicker white ones. I love to see the line of white down my closet. I have shelves to organize my handbags so I can easily see what I have. I find I’m not changing them out as often though. Getting lazy in my old age. 😉
I’m not ready to think of fall yet. I’m going to get every minute out of summer right into September. I do have cashmere sweaters on my buy list and dark brown leather booties at the moment.
Are fuzzy sweaters trending? Yours is very pretty!
It’s an old sweater but fuzzy sweaters are always nice in chilly weather.
I love the handbag organizer!
One thing I’m going to try during closet transition is put together prospective outfits for a variety of occasions from what I already own.
Looking at prospective outfits for dinner out, theatre, church, meeting friends for lunch, volunteer meetings. Should save me some time and impulse buying. Will see how this goes.
That’s a great idea Susan
I’m interested in the Conair fabric shaver. Do you have the battery operated or rechargeable version?
I have the battery version. It lasts a long long time
Yes, that sweater is really nice! Too bad it’s gone😞
This post was terrific – just what I needed to get inspired to change my closet for the fall and winter.
Do you recommend wooden hangars for knits and sweaters instead of the velvet ones?
If they’re heavy, I fold the sweater in half over a velvet hanger. Lightweight ones I hang. I used to prefer wood but they tended to slip off.
Thanks Jennifer for all the great closet cleaning Ideas.
Need to start this project soon. Great push in the right direction.
Where did you get that gorgeous orange cardigan? I have been looking for one for years.
Thanks,
Connie
I’m now on the hunt for one for you ladies. Mine came from a little boutique in Victoria many years ago.
Your orange sweater brought back special memories of traveling with my family in Canada when I was a teen. My mom and I found beautiful orange wool and she knit me a sweater that year when we were home in Illinois. It was my favorite for many years!
What a beautiful memory!!
Would love to have the link to that beautiful orange sweater.
Also, When you send things to the cleaners do you leave in bags or take them out of bags and hangers and hang on your own hangers?
It’s sold out but this one is similar.
I only dry clean things with a lining like jackets, blazers,and coats. I remove the plastic bags then hang on larger wooden hangers at home. It’s better for the shoulders.
Love the mohair orange sweater. Is that available. Used to have sweaters like that but haven’t seen them in a long time.. Thanks
It’s sadly sold out.
It’s way too early! I live in NW Washington State and our summer’s are short – but we’ve got at least 6 weeks left. I go through the process you described in late September or early October.
Good morning, thank you for the closet clean out post. I already utilize a number of your suggestions, the velvet hangars are a must! They save SO much room in your closet. However, I now have a few of your space saving items in my Amazon cart. Great ideas and helpful post.
Cindy
I’m glad this was helpful. I replaced all the plastic hangers they left in our apt with the velvet ones.
I love this eyelash cardigan you are wearing today. Please tell me needed information so I can order it. Thank u.
I wish I could! It’s old and sold out. I’ll try to find some similar.
Good morning, Jennifer…. This was so helpful to me. I just ordered the handbag organizer and can’t wait to arrange my bags. I always put them away carefully with tissue inside, however, then place them in cloth bags which don’t allow me to see what’s inside. This will be wonderful…thank you for the inspiration!! Have a great weekend.
I agree Violet. If I don’t see them, I forget to use them. Have a great weekend!
Tell us about the luscious peachy/orange sweater please!!
Sadly it’s sold out. I found this great alternative. and it’s got a huge markdown.
Jennifer, your previous article on B Corps was very interesting and appreciated as are many of your posts.
Could you provide the details on your lovely fuzzy sweater in the top picture? Thank you. Leslie
I’m sorry it’s sold out. I’ll look for some similar ones.
Great post! In addition to keeping a list of items I need, I have also started a list of things I don’t need any more of. I can get attracted to certain items and end up with more than I really wear. (No more jeans!) I’m also having a frank discussion with myself about my true lifestyle and how many items of certain categories I really need. How often do I dress up, need business wear? Maybe a few times a year. I’m focusing on casual but not sloppy. Finally, my body has changed with age. Things I wore for years no longer look good. So I’m continuing to navigate that and I’ve made some mistakes. I’ve given myself grace on those itmes and passed them on to someone who can enjoy them. It’s a journey.
I love your comment Shari. Such wisdom in your observations. Casual but not sloppy Thank you!
This column reminded me of a friend who also takes this opportunity/transition time to pack away favorite summer clothes and shoes for a planned winter trip or extended stay in a warm climate. Then she is mostly “ready to go” when the time comes,