As winter starts to slowly creep upon us, it’s time to take control of your wardrobe and make a smooth transition from summer attire to warmer wear suitable for the cooler months. If you’re struggling to know where to start, then digest the following fashion tips to stay on top of the style stakes.
Do a wardrobe audit
Unless you’re lucky enough to own a wardrobe to fit clothes in for all of the seasons, the chances are most of us are going to have to start thinking about storing summer clothes away once winter takes hold. But deciding which clothes to put in hibernation can often be a tricky affair.
Lay all of your clothes out on your bed and give your wardrobe a complete audit. It will soon be obvious which items you’ll no longer need for the following months, so store away bikinis, strapless dresses, tiny shorts and midriff-bearing tops.
The colours of your clothes will also help you to decide what you can and can’t wear this wintertime. Summery shades of pastel colours, very light tones and floral patterns look distinctively out of place in winter, so these can happily be stored away.
Don’t necessarily assume that you have to store all summer items away, however, because some of them can actually cross over easily into the cooler season. Some summer dresses in darker colours can still be worn in winter, but can be teamed up with tights, boots and a chunky cardigan, for instance. The same goes for summer skirts and some dark-coloured shorts, which can create a great winter look when worn over thick tights.
Use layers
Layers are a fantastic way to add warmth to an outfit, so keep vests, short sleeved tops and summer blouses out for winter, as you can add knitwear and scarves to these items to add layers to an outfit. A silk blouse may well keep you cool in the summer but it can also look great in wintertime for an elegant evening out when coupled with a smart jacket.
Storing items away
Once you’ve gathered your summer clothes to be stored away, make sure that you pack them carefully so that they are in tip-top condition for the following year. If there are a few items of clothes that you are still a bit undecided about whether they merit going away for storage, then keep them separate from your ‘definite’ pile – so that you can get access to them during the winter if you change your mind.
Make sure that the clothes you store away are all clean, and never put any away that are still a bit damp after washing, as it will only encourage mould to form on them during the period stored away. Fold the clothes neatly and take extra care of delicate items, which often require different storage techniques. For instance, store silk items in flat boxes or use acid-free tissues; never use plastic bags. Some items may need to be kept on hangers in bags to maintain their shape.
It’s an emotional thing to transform your summer wardrobe into a winter one as it usually means that beach holiday season is over. One upside is that it’s officially hot chocolate seasons so not that bad after all! It also means that you can get creative with your wardrobe, we love pairing our Patra silk dresses with knit tights and boots for an effortlessly chic look.
