How to get your wardrobe Spring & Summer ready

If you live in the UK you’ll know how awkward and unpredictable the weather can be and that, despite the weather forecast, you need to be prepared for at least three different climates in any given week.  You may leave the house wearing a summer dress, but come 2pm the sunshine has been replaced by a black sky a drop in temperature.  How is a girl to choose an outfit when the odds are always stacked against us?

Here is my guide to decluttering your wardrobe first.  There is, believe it or not, a way to prepare yourself for all eventualities and Safestore have got some tips to prepare your wardrobe for the months ahead.  Simply follow the 7 step guide and you’ll be ready to face the temperamental summer with minimum effort.

Step 1 – Preparation!

Start your wardrobe prep by keeping an eye out for key trends coming up, whether it’s in magazines, boards on Pinterest or looks you like on Instagram.  There are tonnes of styles to choose from this year – maybe some gingham, a bell sleeve, or both? Or perhaps you could swap out your Birkenstocks for an on-trend metallic mule, some feather sandal like the ones below or a pair of sliders.

If following on-trend fashion isn’t your thing, perhaps you can start thinking about styles you like and research those instead.  Whatever you’re looking to buy for the summer ahead, make sure you keep a note of styles or items you’d like to get for easy reference when you’re ready to start shopping.

Step 2 – Remove the ‘proper winter’ items from your wardrobe

‘Proper winter’ means the items in your wardrobe which, no matter how dismal our British summer, you should never wear during the warmer months as you run the risk of resembling Maggie Smith in Lady in the Van.

Things to remove include garments like:

–              Jumper dresses

–              Winter jumpers and cardigans (heavy knits, turtleneck, etc.)

–              Knee high/UGG style winter boots

–              Big coats

–              Gloves, winter hats and scarves

It may be prudent to keep a few over-sized, loose-knit jumpers to hand, especially in seasonal colours (pastels, blush pink or coral, for example), as they’ll look perfect thrown over a summer skirt or dress when the sun goes down.

Step 3 – Winter storage

Now sort through your pile of winter items making sure that anything you’re going to store for next winter is clean, with all buttons/zips present and in working order.  Storage can be as simple as folding things into a suitcase under the bed but you can store them wherever is best for you – just make sure that it’s a place where your clothes won’t get damp, dusty or eaten!  If you have any silica gel packets lying around (the little bags of beads that you get in new shoe boxes or handbags) you can throw some of these in with your clothes as they will absorb any moisture while your clothes are in storage.

You should also use this step to get rid of any old winter clothes that you no longer like or wear; storing something you don’t plan to wear again is a waste of precious space!  If it’s broken or stained beyond repair, part with it now and add it to a list of things to replace when the cold weather starts to creep back in.

Step 4 – Clean and fit for purpose

With all your ‘proper winter’ garments now removed, all you should have left in your wardrobe are the spring/summer options.  First up, do they fit? If so, how are they looking? Have a good examine of each item and decide what to do going forward – some pieces may need a quick wash and press whereas some, where there’s extensive yellowing under the arms for example, should probably be replaced.

Step 5 – Complete outfits

Having discarded items that don’t fit or that are tatty/stained you now need to ascertain how many ‘complete’ outfits you have.  What are you missing?  Make a note of what you need, whether it’s summery tops, vests, sandals or skirts.

Have a good trying on session and make a note of the outfits that work – taking a quick pic of the outfit laid out on the bed is the quickest way to make a log. You’ll soon build up a catalogue and getting ready will be quick and easy if you’ve got outfit references to look back on.

Step 6 – Make a list

Make a list of what you NEED to buy using your notes from step 5 and add to that the items that you WANT from step 1.  Remember – you don’t have to buy everything at once as you can do it in stages but try to stay focused on that list.

Step 7 – Finishing touches

And finally give yourself some TLC. You don’t need to visit a salon to get summer ready!

• Smooth and shape nails with one of those brilliant nail buffer blocks and give them a lick of nail varnish.  Try out some bright or pastel shades – lilac goes with everything and accentuates a tan, for example.
• Rub some tinted moisturising lotion onto the bits of your body that will be on show (which is bit like painting round a wardrobe when you decorate but no one need know).  Or apply a gradual tanning lotion for a subtle glow.
• Brighten up your make up with coral and peachy tones – gone are the days of dark reds and burgundies, at least until next winter.
• Invest in a home teeth whitening kit.  Pearly whites will make your summer snaps pop and accentuate a tan.
• Try to use a foundation and moisturisers with added SPF – protected skin stays wrinkle and sun-spot free.
• Smooth your heels with some ultra-moisturising heel balm.
• Invest in some nice new sunglasses and keep older pairs for your holidays.  You don’t want to lose your brand new Ray Bans in the sea!

 

Until winter, my friends!