How to make the switch: setting up your new season wardrobe

Still pushing your way through summer dresses to get to your cosy jumpers? Chunky cardis fighting for space alongside floaty skirts? Drawers overflowing with an eclectic mix of crop tops and thick tights? Sounds like you need to set up your new season wardrobe, stat!

Separating your wardrobe for the seasons makes getting dressed loads easier, and it’s easy to do even if you don’t have loads of space. Plus, it’s always good to have a seasonal sort-out and donate those pieces you’re not wearing any more. 

Here’s our guide to creating a seasonable wardrobe that works for you.

The first step in setting up a new season wardrobe is to sort through all your clothes, and unfortunately the best way to do this is to pull EVERYTHING out and go through it piece by piece. 

It’s painful but affective, as you can pop things into three piles – wear now, wear later, wear never. Donate your ‘wear never’ pile to charity, put your ‘wear later’ pile to one side and concentrate on the ‘wear now’ stuff.

Once you’ve pulled out the pieces you want to wear right now, it’s time to put them back in your wardrobe in an easily accessible way. Things like dresses, blouses and tailored trousers should be hung, while jumpers and jeans can be folded and stacked in piles. 

Layering tops, leggings and vests can be thrown into soft boxes and stored on shelves, while shoes and boots can line up at the bottom of your wardrobe. Arrange things in sections so you can see your full collection of dresses, cardigans or shirts at a glance. 

Top tip – once you’ve hung everything up, make sure all your coat hangers are facing the same way. When you wear something and hang it back up, turn the coat hanger round the other way. At the end of the month, look at the pieces still hanging the same way – these are the things you haven’t worn for a month. Could you donate any of them to make more space? 

Now it’s time to turn your attention to your ‘wear later’ pile. These are the pieces that you won’t even look at until next spring – think strappy dresses, cut-off shorts and leather sandals. 

These items should go into storage so they’re not taking up space in your wardrobe - fold everything up, pop a clothes freshener between piles and store in soft boxes that can go under the bed, vac pack bags you can keep in a cupboard or inside your holiday suitcases. Utilise space on top of the wardrobe and in the loft too, if you can. 

Now you’ve sorted your clothes into seasonal sections and made space by removing those summer essentials, it’s time to look at what’s left and make it work as hard as possible. Enter the seasonal capsule wardrobe!

Knitwear is the hardest working category in your autumn/winter capsule wardrobe – there are so many layering options, you can keep it simple with just a few key pieces that can be worn a multitude of ways. 

 

Look out for cropped cardigans, like this chunky style. They sit really nicely over dresses, and you can belt them at the bottom to switch up the look. 

Your favourite jumpers can be worn layered over a collared shirt for that preppy look or worn under an oversized shacket to keep the chill away. And if you prefer a sportier style, a hoodie like this Adidas style can be worn in the same way. 

 

Finally, don’t forget about knitted vests – these are perfect layering pieces and can be thrown on over everything from dresses to blouses. We love this simple white style. 

Neutral basics can be worn all year round – a white tee is an essential whatever the weather and you’ll wear your long-sleeve tops and cotton vests under warmer pieces even in the depths of winter. 

A classic white shirt will work with anything and everything – try layering it over a fine knit polo jumper and teaming with straight leg jeans for a super chic look. 

As mentioned, cotton t-shirts and vests are handy to have in your wardrobe at all times. When the weather really turns, you’ll be glad of that extra layer under your knits! 

Who says dresses are just for summer? Certainly not us. That’s what tights are for, right? 

For the colder months, look for dresses in heavier fabrics like cord, wool and denim to keep that cosy vibe. But even floaty maxi dresses can work – layer up with a chunky cardi over the top, thick tights underneath and a pair of boots to finish off the look. We love the autumnal shades in this style. 

Similarly, a slinky slip dress will look fab peeking out from beneath an oversized jumper – belt it at the middle for a bit of shape and you’re good to go. And if dresses aren’t really your thing, how about a skirt instead? We love this tweedy skirt paired with a buttoned cardi for a collegiate vibe. 

From leather and denim to cord and heavy cotton, there are so many trouser options for the colder months that you’ll never be short of a style. 

Go a bit rocky with a leather pair, like this straight leg style, worn with a delicate silk shirt to mix up those fabrics. Or try these tailored joggers – they’re smarter than your usual loungewear, so perfect when you’re working from home and need a touch of professionalism without being too dressed up.

And let’s not forget the denim – from skinny to straight leg, low slung or high waisted, denim really transcends trends. If you want to mix it up a bit though… how about a denim jumpsuit? Gorgeous! 

A capsule wardrobe should be carefully stocked with pieces that have multiple uses and can be worn in many ways, and your coat collection is no exception. Don’t be tempted to overload your wardrobe space with a wide range of heavy coats – all you really need are the classics!

Start with the most practical – a warm, waterproof coat to see you through the worst of winter. The North Face are the best in the business when it comes to stylish yet functional coats – this waterproof parka is a great example. 

Round off your coat collection with something timeless you can dress up for a night out or wear when you need to be a little smarter. This mid-length trench coat is a modern take on the traditional style and will look fab with business casual, and this leather biker jacket will toughen up even the most feminine outfit. 

Finally, no wardrobe is complete without a good pair of shoes (or three). And for autumn/winter 2022, it’s all about the ballet flats!

 

Yep, we can’t quite believe they’re back in vogue either, but it’s true – the ballet flat is here to stay, and to be honest we’ve always had a soft spot for them. This simple black pair has been a staple in many Parisian wardrobes for years, and will take you through countless interviews, date nights and cinema trips. 

And because those ballet flats aren’t really made for trudging through a British winter, you’ll need a pair of boots too… these Chelsea boots have that classic styling with a modern platform sole – just perfection. 

With your clothes separated for the seasons, you can now enjoy all your lovely autumn/winter pieces and when spring rolls around, it’ll be like having a whole new wardrobe! Take a look at our new season collection and if you need some more inspo, here are some tips on wearing winter florals.