Do you feel like summer is almost over? Or are you still enjoying the balmy weather for several more weeks? I have news for you – Labor Day Weekend is next weekend! And for a lot of people, that’s the unofficial end of the summer season.
But whether you feel like you’re in the middle of it or the end is days away, now is a great time to take stock of your summer wardrobe. And I don’t mean that you need to do a full-fledged closet clean out (like I do with my clients). You can take a half hour and look at two main categories in your closet – the things you’ve been wearing the most, and the things you’ve been wearing the least. Because these categories can point out a few things.
What you’re wearing the most gives you indications of what’s worked well this summer – both in what functions for your lifestyle and what makes you feel good. And what you’re barely wearing (or not wearing at all) can give you some pretty good insights, too. Check out what you can learn from both of these categories – along with a few tips on what to do about it.
LOOK AT WHAT YOU’RE WEARING THE MOST
Grab some of your favorite items from this summer, and ask yourself a few questions:
Why am I wearing it so much?
Is it more about how it looks or how it feels?
Is it easy to outfit with other things in my closet?
Am I wearing it because it makes sense for what I’ve been doing?
Do I simply just love it? What do I love about it? (color, pattern, texture, shape)
Do I appreciate that it’s easy to care for?
Is it still in good condition?
The answer to these questions can give you some major insights – not only into what’s worked this summer, but into your style in general. Take note of these thoughts for future reference.
Then here’s what you can do with this information:
See if you’re wearing it in a good rotation. Or if you’re wearing it so often that it’s getting worn out.
Check if these items represent a need in your wardrobe. If you’re always grabbing your white blazer, do you need other jackets that add polish to simple outfits? (Read this for why I love a white blazer in the summer.)
If you simply love it so much, really think about why. This may represent style preferences that you haven’t fully explored. (Click for another way to explore your style.)
And a few action items:
If this is a category in your wardrobe that needs expanding, put it on your shopping list.
If it makes sense to buy other options, shop for them now – while there are still summer items in stores, and many are on sale. (Read my tips for shopping mindfully.)
If any of your most worn summer items are in need of repair, take care of them now. Deal with stains, repair torn seams, replace lost buttons. It’s much better to deal with these issues before you put things away for the season, rather than when you first reach for them next year.
LOOK AT WHAT YOU’RE WEARING THE LEAST
Check out what you’re barely wearing – and also what you haven’t worn. And ask yourself a few questions:
Do I still like it? Or did I just forget about it?
Do I feel good when I wear it?
Am I missing things to wear it with?
Does it make sense for my lifestyle right now?
Have I just not had the opportunity to wear this?
Has my style evolved beyond this?
Is it specifically hard to care for?
Does it need to be repaired/altered before I can wear it again?
Again – the answers to these questions can give you major insights into what isn’t working for you right now. Or things that you just overlooked this summer.
Here’s what you can do with this information:
Check if your lifestyle has evolved, but your style hasn’t caught up. If you used to dress up for work, but now you work from home a lot - that’s the reason your silky blouses haven’t been worn. (Here are a bunch of easy late summer work from home outfits.)
See if your priorities have changed, specifically regarding clothing care. If dry cleaning feels like a big deal right now, prioritize easier to care for styles.
Revisit how you organize things in your closet, especially if you found a few things that you love that you basically forgot about. (Click for a few closet organization tips.)
And a handful of action items:
If you love something that you haven’t been wearing, wear it before the season is over. This will give you feedback as to whether you just forgot about it - or if there’s a reason you’re not wearing it. (Read this to ensure you wear your favorite styles before the season is over.)
If it’s something that no longer makes sense for your style or your lifestyle, let it go.
If you’re not sure what to do about it, put it in limbo. Shift it to another closet or an under-bed box. If you don’t go for it before the season is over, you don’t even remember you own it. And it’s a strong candidate to be donated or consigned.
If it just needs to be repaired or tailored, do it now, so it’s ready for next summer. (Here’s what you need to know before you head to the tailor.)
Are you ready to take stock of your summer wardrobe? Comment with any other questions you have regarding your most and least worn items!
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