Tips on Decluttering Your Old Clothes This Spring and Summer

Pare down your wardrobe this spring and summer with a few easy tips. A lighter wardrobe means less stress when packing for vacation. Plus, it’s easier to get ready daily with a clothing collection filled with seasonal pieces you actually wear. Here are some things you can do right now to optimize your spring and summer wardrobe:

Assess Your Wardrobe

This is the most important part of decluttering your clothes. Evaluate every item you own, from undergarments to outerwear. If you haven’t worn it in a year and know you probably won’t, toss it in a tote for donation. If you haven’t worn it in a year but may for a special occasion, store the piece in a garment bag or box for future use. Anything stained or torn beyond the trendy distressed look can be recycled into quilting scraps or cleaning cloths.

Another important part of going through your wardrobe is separating items by season. First, go through your fall and winter items. Donate or recycle what you don’t want, then store the rest for next year. Spring and summer clothes from last year get the same treatment—decide what to keep and get rid of. Once you’ve removed unworn items, it’s easy to see the outfits you can put together and any holes in your wardrobe that need to be filled with new apparel pieces.

Classic Pieces to Pack Away

When sorting your fall and winter wear, there are some pieces you’ll want to keep for the long haul. Women’s wool coats in a neutral color such as navy or black are always classic. Long camel-colored belted coats are another cool-weather necessity. Any winter bags, belts, and shoes you don’t plan to wear during the warm season can be packed into boxes until next year. Women’s thermals made from silk interlock are another item that lasts several years with proper care.

Sweaters are a winter fashion staple; you may have some to donate and some you want to keep. If you can’t decide, cashmere is always in style. A women’s cashmere turtleneck for example, can be worn with everything from dress pants to skinny jeans. Supima cotton sweaters are sturdy enough to last for many winters. Your favorite flannels can be worn indefinitely, as flannel tends to get softer and more comfortable each time you wash it.

Versatile Year-Round Wardrobe Staples

You’ll want to keep some wardrobe pieces on hand all year. Women’s T-shirts are a must-have for all seasons, as you can wear them to stay cool in the summer and layer them with other tops in the winter. Lightweight button-downs and polo shirts are also good for year-round. They’re airy, breathable for spring and summer, and easy to layer with sweaters and sweatshirts in fall and winter.

Creating a Warm-Weather Capsule Wardrobe

Now that you’ve decided what stays in your wardrobe add the appropriate pieces. It’s easy to create a capsule wardrobe for spring and summer based on the items you already have. Capsule wardrobes traditionally contain mix-and-match apparel in neutral tones. For winter, your fashion color palette might consist of dark neutrals such as charcoal and navy. On the other hand, spring and summer capsule wardrobes can be lighter. White, ivory, khaki, camel, and light gray are all warm-weather options. You can even go further and add a versatile hue, such as olive green or even blush pink.

Top Apparel Pieces for Spring and Summer

A discussion about decluttering and optimizing your spring and summer wardrobe isn’t complete without a quick rundown of our favorite warm-weather pieces. Midi and maxi dresses for women are essentials for spring and summer that you can layer with blazers and jackets or wear as-is on hot days. Shirt dresses have a casual vibe, while fit-and-flare styles are polished enough for date night. Consider a navy sheath dress if you want a spring and summer dress that’s always business casual and can be dressed up for formal events.

Spring and summer casual wear can consist of midi, maxi skirts, and women’s shorts in various lengths. Skorts are the way to go if you like the look of a skirt with the modesty and fit of shorts. Capri pants, as are wide-leg cropped pants, are also great for mixing and matching during the warmer months. Women’s jeans are another item that you’ll want to keep in your closet or dresser all year. Then, of course, there’s swimwear. Tankini swimsuits are the most versatile swimsuit style, as you can combine different tops and bottoms to create a plethora of looks.