Storing seasonal clothes: how to swap your wardrobe twice a year
Few of us have enough cupboard space to keep every coat, jumper, linen dress and pair of sandals within reach all year. Swapping between a warm-weather and a cold-weather wardrobe frees up room, makes daily dressing faster and gives you a natural moment to see what you actually wear. Done well, it also protects your clothes: the months in storage are when moths, damp and creases do most of their damage.
When to make the swap
There is no fixed date. In a climate like Belgium’s, autumn and spring are both unpredictable, so many people keep a small “transition” section with a few layers from each season. A practical rule is to wait until you have not reached for a category of clothes for two or three weeks. Then it can go.
Step 1: Sort before you store
Take out everything from the season that is ending and lay it on the bed. Make three piles:
- Keep: items you wore and want to wear again.
- Repair: loose buttons, dropped hems, small holes. Fix them now, or they will still be waiting next year. Our guide to sewing on a button covers the most common job.
- Let go: things that no longer fit or that you did not wear all season. Donate, sell or recycle them.
This is the most useful part of the whole process. Storing clothes you will never wear simply moves the clutter into a box.
Step 2: Clean everything
Never put away clothes that have been worn, even once. Invisible traces of sweat, skin, perfume and food attract moths and can cause yellow stains that appear months later, especially on light fabrics.
- Wash or dry clean every item according to its label. See reading clothing care labels if the symbols are unclear.
- Make sure everything is completely dry before packing. Even slight dampness can lead to mildew.
- Do not use starch or fabric softener on clothes going into storage, as residues can attract insects.
- Empty all pockets.
Step 3: Choose the right storage
| Option | Good for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Breathable fabric bags or boxes | Wool, cashmere, cotton, linen | Let air circulate; keep dust out |
| Plastic boxes with lids | Most items, damp-prone spaces | Add a silica gel pack; make sure clothes are dry |
| Vacuum bags | Bulky synthetics, duvets, ski wear | Compression can crease and flatten natural fibres such as down and wool |
| Garment bags on hangers | Coats, tailoring, dresses | Prefer cotton or breathable covers to thin plastic dry-cleaning film |
| Shoe boxes | Shoes and boots | Clean and dry shoes first, fill with paper to hold their shape |
Vacuum bags save a great deal of space, but keeping natural fibres compressed for months is not ideal. If you use them for knitwear, do not squeeze out all the air, and give the knits a good shake when you unpack them.
Avoid storing clothes in the plastic film from the dry cleaner. It traps moisture and fumes, and it is designed for transport rather than months on a shelf.
Step 4: Pack with care
Knitwear
Fold jumpers and cardigans rather than hanging them, and put the heaviest at the bottom. Clothes moth larvae feed on animal fibres, so store wool and cashmere in closed boxes or sealed bags, and add cedar blocks or lavender sachets as an extra deterrent. Our guide to washing and de-pilling knitwear explains how to prepare knits before they go away.
Coats and jackets
Hang coats on sturdy, shaped hangers that support the shoulders. Brush wool coats to remove dust and hair. Close zips and buttons so they keep their shape.
Delicates
Fold silk and fine pieces with sheets of acid-free tissue paper between the folds to limit creasing. Keep white and light-coloured items away from wood and cardboard that may release acids over time.
Leather
Clean and condition leather jackets, bags and boots before storing them. Stuff bags with paper so they hold their shape, and keep them in fabric dust bags rather than plastic, since leather needs to breathe. More tips are in our article on choosing a leather bag.
Step 5: Choose the right place
The ideal spot is cool, dark, dry and with stable temperatures. A cupboard, the space under a bed or the top of a wardrobe usually works well. Lofts and garages often get very hot in summer and cold or damp in winter, which is hard on fabrics, and cellars are frequently too humid.
Label every box with its contents. It saves rummaging later and makes it easy to grab a jumper during an unexpected cold spell.
Unpacking next season
When the season comes back round:
- Shake out and air every piece. A few hours on a line or near an open window removes most storage smells.
- Check knits for moth holes before they go back into your wardrobe.
- Steam or iron away creases.
- Look at what you have before you shop. You may find that a monochrome capsule wardrobe is already sitting in your boxes.
Twice a year, a careful swap keeps your clothes in better condition and your wardrobe easier to use. It takes an afternoon and pays off for years.
This article may contain partner links. They never influence what we write.