Is your closet ready for winter?

By: Sadie Raddatz

Getting ready for the winter weather can be hard but fun. It can be hard to part with old clothes or it can be nice and refreshing, like a new start. This article will, hopefully, help you to decide what to get rid of or what to store away. It will also help you to decide what new items you will need to get for the colder weather.

You should get rid of anything in your closet that you do not wear. A change in the seasons is the perfect opportunity to declutter your closet and drawers. Doing this will help you feel more organized and clear headed, and is a great way to find out exactly what kind of new clothes you really need.

Go through each item and ask yourself if you’ve worn it at all in the past year. If the answer is no, then get rid of it. There are a number of great ways to repurpose clothes you don’t wear anymore: donate them to a shelter, sell more expensive or stylish items to a consignment shop, or organize a clothing swap party with your friends. Clothing swap parties are a great excuse to socialize and get “new” clothes without spending a dime.

Just like you would do a spring cleaning, you should also do a winter purge. Put away, or get rid of, the clothes you no longer wear or is too cold to wear. Pull out all the fall and winter clothes from wherever you’ve been storing them and sort into piles: To keep (you know it fits), to try on (not sure if it fits), and to sell/donate (know it doesn’t fit) and to toss (beyond saving for anyone).

Once everything is sorted, put it all in the right places. Hang anything that wrinkles. Fold and shelve sweaters. Organize by color and/or sleeve length. Place a small drawer or set of baskets or use an over-the-door organizer for winter items, such as gloves and hats.

Shoes and jackets worn most frequently should be kept in a spot closest to the door, but out of the way so no one will trip. Shoes worn only on occasion should be kept in bedroom closets. Same for jackets and coats that do not get worn frequently. Now that everything is sorted and put away, you can do that fall and winter clothing shopping for any needed items.