Purge and Prune: 4 Tips to Audit Your Wardrobe for the Fall

We are now in August! Can you believe that the summer is almost over? I can’t believe it. Well as you enjoy the last few weeks of summer you should start planning your fall wardrobe. Pre-fall clothing has been in stores since July. I’m not huge on shopping pre-fall lines because some things can’t be transitioned into fall longterm and I like to get the most out of all of my clothing. One thing I do when I start to transition into fall, I do a wardrobe audit. I do this audit for my summer clothes and my fall clothes.

Audits help you select the best pieces from your current wardrobe that you want to keep. They also help you take inventory of what you actually have before you go shopping. This will help you avoid buying items that you already own or have something similar to that you don’t need two or more of. Lastly, audits can help redefine your style.

So here are my tips to help you audit your wardrobe for the fall:

Step 1 Commit to the Process! If you are not committed to auditing your wardrobe, it is not going to work. You are going to have a hard time parting with things that you don’t love or need. So first make the decision that you want to improve your wardrobe. Depending on how large your wardrobe is, this can take a few hours.

Step 2: Identify your basics. Some basics include: white blouse, blazer, black slacks, little black dress, basic t-shirt, well-fitted jeans, dressy top for going out or that can go from day to night, cardigan, v-neck sweater. Of course you will have more than one of some of these items and that is ok.

Step 3: Begin to separate your clothes into four piles:

• Keep

• Mend/Alter

• Donate

• Throw Away

This takes the longest because you have to try on some of the items. If you haven’t worn something in years, it is too tight, or it no longer compliments your body then add them to the donate pile. Don’t force yourself to keep things that you aren’t crazy about. Throw away anything that’s ripped, split, or dingy. If you have some items that can be altered at a reasonable price, then keep them at take them to a tailor. The length of time that you’ve had an item does not mean donate or throw away. I have a few items in my wardrobe that I’ve had for four or five years and they are in good condition, so I keep them. You want to keep things that can be transitioned and that are timeless.

Step 4: Research and make a list of new items that you want to add to your wardrobe. You have to do research to create the look that you want. I recently went into Target and did not wander around buying things I do not need. That’s usually my process when I don’t have a list and I never have a list. I always end up with the most random things lol. When I have a list I’m focused and on a mission. This takes discipline. So check your favorite magazines, websites, or style bloggers to see what is on trend, or create your own style. You want to replace the things that you are throwing away or donating from Step 3, so you definitely need a list.

These steps can work with outerwear, shoes, and accessories. So this is definitely a detailed process that takes time, so do not rush. Choose a day that you aren’t busy to do your audit.

How do you prepare for a new season with your wardrobe?