Tips for Storing Off Season Clothes

We have been lucky to have a house with lots of storage and I loved filling up all the closets! When the seasons change – in this case Winter to Spring – I start storing my off season clothes. A few years ago I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and attacked everything in my many closets, drawers and hiding spaces (I posted about it here).

It really helped me start thinking about what I liked to wear, what looked well on me and only keep things that “sparked joy”. I minimize my clothes and swapping seasons is so much easier.

Now when I embark on my closet switches I take some of the lessons learned from Marie Kondo, some from when I worked with a clothing stylist and then tips I have learned over the years.

Don’t Rush! I know you want to get it done quickly but you will regret it later.

Here are Some Great Tips for Storing Off Season Clothing

PURGE: This is a big one. Before you do anything. Take a stroll through everything in your current closet and drawers. What did you not wear? What have you not worn for over a year or more? What doesn’t fit? What do you put on and end up taking it off because you don’t feel good in it? ? It’s time to Sell, Donate or Toss.
Clean and Mend Clothing: Anything need a repair, a trip to the cleaners or seamstress? You will be so happy that you made the effort now to fix and clean before storing. I promise you! Nothing is worse than pulling out a beloved sweater to find a stain you forgot about.
Shoes Need a Once Over: Winter boots and shoes need to be cleaned and wiped down. Dirt, salt, and even wet rain/ snow can leave marks that need to be addressed before storing. Summer sandals – especially your beach sandals need to be cleaned and brushed off.

Time for Storage: Now you are ready for storage!

For Folded Clothes: It is best to keep your clothes and accessories in a climate controlled environment away from direct sunlight or heat. The sun can fade garments and dry out leather items. I prefer clear bins that let me see what I have stored and keep moisture and any potential critters away. Do not use clear bins if you have any sunshine in your storage space, instead use an opaque colored bin.
For Hanging Clothes: I transition my current hanging items to a foldable garment rack and then bring in my off season items. I then place the items for storage in clear hanging storage bags
For Shoes: I use these clear drawer boxes for all my shoes. I move the winter shoes to the top of my closet and the Spring ones down to eye level.
For Boots: I put my cleaned, wiped down boots in their original boxes with tissue paper stuffing to keep their shape. I place the boxes in a clean plastic bin.
For Bags: I stuff the smallest bag with tissue and place it inside its dust cover. I then use that bag as the stuffing for a bigger bag. I put a dust cover on each bag after it has been stuffed with either tissue or another bag. I place the stuffed, covered bags standing up in a clear bin. I tape an index sized card on the box with a list of the items inside.