Winter to Spring: Seasonal Wardrobe Storage and Care

Department stores and boutiques are always way ahead of us: bathing suits appear on the racks in the middle of a February snowstorm, and sweaters surface on the hottest day in August. But why? Fashionistas know that designers release new clothing lines every spring and fall, following the fashion cycles. Retailers take advantage of these cycles by displaying new seasonal items as early as possible. It's also a nudge to begin your spring cleaning to make way for new clothes.

Although, technically, winter is here for another two months, it’s never too early to consider your plan of attack for clearing the clutter. (After all, what else is there to do when you're snowed-in for the day?) When you’re ready to transition from cozy coats to skin-baring summer styles, closet organization and smart storage techniques are key.

Proper seasonal wardrobe storage is imperative to keep garments looking fresh and ready to wear for next year. Dry cleaning expert Chuck Horst, president of Margaret's Cleaners in southern California and vice president of Garde Robe West, advises against overcrowding garments. "Clothes need to breathe," says Horst. "Crowded closets with minimal airflow and dark spaces can promote mildew growth and create nesting places for insect larvae to feed on fabric." Horst also recommends making sure that all clothing is clean and repaired before storing.

Not all of us are afforded extra closet space with our tiny city apartments or lofts. Often, our massive wardrobes necessitate large closets that simply don’t exist. Using an offsite storage and valet service like Garde Robe takes the guesswork out of properly storing precious--and often pricey--garments.

While deciding which items to keep, store, or toss, keep one thing in mind: the weather. Elizabeth Larkin, personal-organizing expert and writer for About.com, says to keep layering pieces at-the-ready between seasons. Although spring can feel like a short season (depending on where you live), during this time, many people are met with chilly mornings and evenings and warmer temperatures during the day. Having light layering items, such as jackets and scarves, at hand will prepare you for sudden temperature changes.

It might only be January; but because closet organizing is a daunting, time-consuming task, it's never too early to begin planning for the seasonal transition. After all, our favorite designers and retailers won’t hesitate to stock the shelves with bathing suits and shorts while we're snowed-in, just thinking about organizing our wardrobes.