Changing Out Seasonal Clothing: The Pros and Cons

I was recently working with a client who was changing out seasonal clothing. We packed away summer clothing and brought winter wear out of storage. It got me thinking about the pros and cons of this process and how we could simplify it.

The Pros

The benefits of changing out seasonal clothing include:

• Taking an inventory. You can determine what fits, what you need to replace or repair, and what you can do without.
• Finding hidden treasures. You might find articles of clothing you forgot you owned and discover they still fit.
• Saving money. Storing good quality second-hand clothes (particularly if you have kids of varying ages) can help reduce costs.

The Cons

The disadvantages of changing out seasonal clothing include:

• Finding enough time. The process can be a real ordeal because you must find an uninterrupted block of time to complete the project.
• Heightened stress levels. Is it worth finding the time and having enough energy to tackle this process every season?
• Increasing storage costs. Hanging on to every item of clothing and footwear can increase storage costs, whether you need to build more closets or rent off-site storage to hold everything.

How to Make the Process Easier

How can the process of changing out seasonal clothing be simpler and result in spending less time, effort and money on clothing? One option is to implement a capsule wardrobe system. The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to curate your current clothing into a small collection of useful items that you love and fit you well. Additionally, you can wear these pieces from one season into the next or by adding or taking away a jacket, for example.

Have you already started decluttering your closet? Great! Keep going! For motivation, watch The Big Downsize video on downsizing your professional wardrobe after retirement and review my posts on closet organization and design. If you find the seasonal clothing change process overwhelming, reach out. I’d be happy to help.