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.
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?
