As we move into September, it’s time to say goodbye to your summer clothes and make some space for autumn. That’s right, the season of chunky knits and boots is upon us, and it’s time to get your wardrobe ready for it. 

The summer to winter wardrobe switch-out is a great way to get your clothes organised ready for the season ahead. Whether you’re new to wardrobe switch-outs or it’s a part of your autumn ritual, we’re to help you make the most of it so you can start the new season in style, and with a little extra space. 

Read on to learn why your summer-to-winter wardrobe switch-out is worth it and how to do it effectively.  

Why a wardrobe switch-out is a great idea 

There are so many great reasons to consider doing a wardrobe switch-out. If you’re fed up with battling your drawers and clothing rails every day trying to find something to wear, switching your clothes out each season can make a big difference, giving you the space to see your clothes and keep them organised, and ensure you’re not reaching for the summer fabrics when you need to stay warm and dry. Some of the main reasons to switch-out your wardrobe with the seasons include: 

Reduce your clutter more frequently 

Decluttering your wardrobe is good for the soul, but many people hold onto unsuitable or unwanted clothes for several years. Not only does this mean your wardrobe is full of things you’ll never wear again, but you’re missing out on giving someone else the chance to wear them. 

However, a declutter twice a year can help you keep your wardrobe current and fresh, ensuring you don’t fill your home with things you no longer want or need.  

Keep your wardrobe season-appropriate 

While there are such things as transitional pieces, summer and winter wardrobes (especially in the UK) are very distinctive. Summer clothing is designed to be light and comfortable, while winter clothes are there to keep you warm and cosy. By putting your summer clothes away for the autumn/winter months, you’ll only have access to your season-appropriate clothing. 

Say goodbye to shorts and linen, and get ready to make space for your winter knits. 

Benefit from a more organised wardrobe 

It doesn’t take long for a wardrobe to become disorganised chaos. This not only makes for an unsightly wardrobe, but it also makes it difficult to find what you’re looking for. If you dedicate some time to refreshing your wardrobe each season, you’ll get the chance to tidy things up, and organise your clothes in a way that makes it easy for you to find what you need. Whether you choose to organise your clothes by colour, or by style and occasion, you’ll stand a far better chance of keeping things neat when you look at your wardrobe and its contents frequently. 

Make money from your unwanted clothes 

A seasonal switch is a fantastic way to make some money by selling your clothes. You may find there are items you no longer want or no longer fit, allowing you to make some extra money that can be used towards purchasing some new pieces.  

It’s best to sell items at the beginning of the season they’re appropriate for. If there are items you put away last season you no longer want, you can prepare to sell those, or if you have a load of items from the summer you won’t want next year, use a storage box or a packing crate to put them away safely, ready to sell in the spring. 

How to switch out your wardrobe effectively 

A wardrobe switch-out isn’t something to be taken lightly. You’ll need to dedicate some time and ensure you have all of the right tools to get the job done right. Some of the things you’ll need include: 

  • A debobbler 
  • Hangers 
  • Sewing kit 
  • Storage boxes – including tall cardboard boxes/packing crates/vacuum bags 
  • Labels and a marker 

Get everything out 

The first thing you’ll need to do is completely empty your wardrobe. This will help you go through each item in turn – leave nothing untouched!  

Just remember, it’ll be worse before it gets better, so if the mountain of clothes before you fills you with dread, keep the end goal in mind.  

Decide what to keep, what to sell, what to donate and what to recycle 

Next, you’ll need to make separate piles to decide what to keep, what to sell, what to donate and what to recycle. 

Even if you think your clothes are beyond saving, clothing recycling schemes exist to stop them ending up in a landfill. You can take bags of unwanted clothes (as well as other textiles like bed sheets and towels) to shops in the UK including: 

  • H&M 
  • TK Maxx 
  • Marks and Spencer 
  • Zara 
  • New Look 
  • Schuh 

Most of these stores offer some sort of reward in return, meaning you can earn gift vouchers, etc., while ensuring your clothes are disposed of responsibly. 

Store your summer items carefully 

With your summer clothes ready to be put away until next year, you need to ensure they are stored away carefully. This will help keep them protected from dust, moisture, moths and anything else that has the potential to ruin your clothes without you realising.  

Packing boxes are a handy way to store your clothes, with boxes available in different sizes to suit different types of clothing. Packing crates are also a fantastic option – they’re durable, easy to stack and protect your clothing from all kinds of damage.  

You can also use dedicated wardrobe cardboard boxes featuring rails to help protect your clothing. A hanging rail for wardrobes will also make it easier to put your items back in your wardrobe next season. 

Vacuum bags are also an effective way of maximising your storage, and can be ideal if you don’t have a lot of storage space, as they can easily be stored under the bed, in a storage cupboard, or on top of your wardrobe. 

Remember to label your clothing boxes to help you find things easily if you need them. 

Organise your winter clothes 

Once you’ve packed away your summer clothes, you can start work on organising your winter clothing. You should inspect your pieces for signs of damage, and carry out any repairs, debobbling or cleaning before putting them away. 

Use hangers to keep clothes crease-free, or try some clever clothes-folding techniques to help you make the most of drawer space for an aesthetically pleasing wardrobe. 

Your seasonal wardrobe switch-out made easy with phs Teacrate 

At phs Teacrate, we know how important it is to keep your home clean and organised. With the help of our wardrobe storage boxes, crates and packing materials, we’ve made it even easier for you to make your wardrobe switch with ease. We even sell tall cardboard boxes that are ideal for hanging coats, jackets and long dresses/skirts. Buy or rent our items for as long as you need – we’ve got you (and your clothes) covered.