This is a very simple wardrobe organisation philosophy that essentially allows you to ensure you have access to the right seasonal clothing at any time. For instance, right now it’s Summer here in Australia (February) however, we are soon going to roll into Autumn. The morning temps are already feeling a little on the chilly side. And despite being warm here now, I’ve recently traveled to Japan where it is Winter. So in the space of 1 month I want to access clothing from my Summer, Winter and Autumn wardrobes. So how do you do that?
If you’re like me and you don’t have enormous wardrobes and storage areas, you need to firstly ensure that you are editing your wardrobe (culling, giving away, selling what you’re not wearing) fairly regularly. I recommend 1-2 times per year.
Zone 1 – Your “Right Now” Wardrobe
So thinking about the clothes you want to access now, for me that will be shorts, t-shirts, swimming costumes, summer dresses and skirts, lighter jackets and summer shoes. All of these are situated front and centre in my wardrobe so I can see what my options are as well as have everything close to hand. I’d estimate that most of my “what to wear” decisions are made in about 1 minute max each morning so I don’t have time to muck around here.
Zone 2 – Your “Out of Season” Wardrobe
Then, the out of season clothing I don’t need to access is stored in luggage right up the top of the wardrobe. They’re not accessible easily and they give me plenty of room down in the lower cupboards and shelves for my right now garments. These are items that I probably wont need for another 3-5 months or so.
Zone 3 – Your “In Between” Wardrobe
This isn’t actually a whole season’s worth of clothing, it’s more about some key trans-seasonal pieces that you know you like to wear towards the end of summer into Autumn or as Winter moves into spring.
For these pieces you want them to be more accessible than your Out of Season wardrobe but they’re not taking up precious space in your Right Now Wardrobe. So ideally you put them in some drawers or cupboards close to hand.
When to change over? I like to move my Winter clothes into the Right Now Wardrobe around the second month of Autumn (April in Australia). That way I’m covered for the warmer days and the cooler evenings. Conversely, I move the warmer summer clothes into the Right Now Wardrobe zone in the seconf month of Spring, (October in Australia).
In Between items for me include: longer running / exercising pants and tops, gilets or light puffer vests, and fine – medium knits.
As always, I’m very happy to come to you and help you sort this out yourself!
