How to get your wardrobe Spring & Summer ready

Here in the UK we’re pretty unfortunate when it comes to the weather and its predictability (or lack thereof).  One minute we have glorious sunshine and the next it’s torrential rain – we’ve all been caught in a downpour wearing sandals, right?  Therefore knowing what to wear isn’t as simple as corresponding outfits with the season and resorting to wearing a chunky knit in May seems ridiculous.

There is, however, a way to prepare yourself for all eventualities and Safestore have got some tips to prepare your wardrobe for the months ahead.  Simply follow our 7 step guide and you’ll be climate appropriate and bang on trend in no time.

Step 1 – Preparation!

Start your wardrobe prep by keeping an eye out for key trends coming up, whether it’s in magazines, boards on Pinterest or looks you like on Instagram.  There are tonnes of styles to choose from this year – maybe some gingham, a bell sleeve, or both? Or perhaps you could swap out your Birkenstocks for an on-trend metallic mule or a pair of sliders.  The options are endless!

Step 2 – Remove the ‘proper winter’ items from your wardrobe

‘Proper winter’ means the items in your wardrobe which, no matter how disappointing you may find our British summer, you should never wear during the warmer months as you run the risk of resembling Maggie Smith in Lady in the Van.

Things to remove include garments like:

–              Jumper dresses

–              Turtleneck sweaters

–              Knee high/UGG style boots

–              Big coats

–              Gloves

–              Hats

–              Heavy, chunky knits

But by all means keep a couple of those over-sized, loose-knit jumpers to hand, especially in seasonal colours like blush pink, as they’ll look perfect thrown over a summer skirt or dress when the sun goes down.

Step 3 – Winter storage

Now sort through your pile of winter items making sure that anything you’re going to store for next winter is clean, with all buttons/zips present and in working order.

Storage can be as simple as folding things into a suitcase under the bed but you can store them wherever is best for you – just make sure that it’s a place where your clothes won’t get damp, dusty or eaten!

You should also use this step to get rid of any old winter clothes that you no longer like or wear; storing something you don’t plan to wear again is a waste of precious space!

Step 4 – Clean and fit for purpose

With all your ‘proper winter’ garments now removed, all you should have left in your wardrobe are the spring/summer options.  First up, do they fit? If so, how are they looking? Have a good examine of each item and decide the necessary action – some pieces may just need a quick wash and press whereas some, where there’s extensive yellowing under the arms for example, should probably be replaced.

Step 5 – Complete outfits

Having discarded items that don’t fit or that are tatty/stained – you now need to ascertain how many ‘complete’ outfits you have.  Are you missing some basic tops that go with your skirts and trousers?  Or do you need some skirts and trousers to go with all your tops?!

Have a good trying on session and make a note of the outfits that work – taking a quick pic of the outfit laid out on the bed is the quickest way. You’ll soon build up a catalogue and getting ready will be quick and easy if you’ve got outfit references to look back on.

Step 6 – Make a list

Make a list of what you NEED to buy and add to that the items that you WANT from step 1.  It could be that you need some extra vest tops or gold sandals to complete a few outfits you’ve put together.  Remember – you don’t have to buy everything at once as you can do it in stages but try to stay focussed on that list.

Step 7 – Finishing touches

And finally give yourself some speedy TLC. You don’t need to visit a salon to get summer ready!

–        Smooth and shape nails with one of those brilliant nail buffer blocks and give them a lick of nail varnish.

–        Rub some tinted tanning lotion onto the bits of your body that will be on show (which is bit like painting round a wardrobe when you decorate but no one need know of the anaemic, verging on blue, flesh that lies beneath your beautifully curated SS17 wardrobe!).

–        Brighten up your make up with coral and peachy tones – gone are the days of dark reds and burgundies, at least until next winter.

–        Stock up on sun screen.  Protected skin stays wrinkle and sun-spot free!

–        Smooth your heels with some ultra-moisturising heel balm.

–        Invest in some nice new sunglasses – have a look online for the perfect style to suit your face shape.

–        Invest in a home teeth whitening kit.  Pearly whites will make your summer snaps POP.

Until winter, ladies!