A friend of mine just relocated from Southern California to a place with a much cooler climate. Needless to say, she was all smiles about the move until the weather began to turn from tempid summer days to crisp fall temperatures. In my attempts to console her about frigid winters (which thankfully I no longer have to endure) I reminded her that winter weather means a new world of fashion: boots – both functional and fashionable, coats in many colors, scarves, hats, etc.

The fashion news flash did perk her up a bit. However, I didn’t inform her that having a revolving closet does pose its own problems. For example, what do you do with all of those fall and winter ensembles during the heat of summer, and vice versa? Here are a few simple tips for keeping your seasonable wardrobes in check even if you don’t live in snow country.

1. Move it out. If you have the storage space in your basement or garage, it’s best to pack up your summer clothes once the first signs of fall hit. This will give you plenty of room in your closet to hang up all of your favorite sweaters and turtlenecks.
2. Move it over. If you can’t dedicate your entire closet to the current season then you should slide all of your sun dresses to the depths of your closet and rotate your holiday dresses and twill pants to the front.
3. Put it on top. Do you have a basket in your closet full of hats and scarves? Put all of your ball caps and straw hats at the bottom and bring scarves, gloves, and knit hats to the top of the pile. On a windy, cold day it will be easier to grab a matching set instead of digging through a pile of odds and ends. The same goes for thicker tights and leggings that can be put at the front of your sock drawer.
4. Shine up your shoes. Your knee high boots you haven’t donned all summer may need a little TLC before they can be sported again in public. Pull out the polish and remove scuffs now before you’re in a rush to get somewhere and you have to reconfigure your attire because your shoes aren’t ready to wear.
5. Clean it out. Use this an excuse to remove any clothing that no longer fits or that needs mending. Donate older clothes in good repair to charity and make a wish list of items that you may need or want to complete your wardrobe. Also, check out your summer and spring attire before you pack it up or move it down the closet’s rod. Make sure it’s still worthy another unveiling in 2010.
6. Check the kids, too. Don’t forget other family members need a similar closet makeover. There’s nothing worse than searching for a raincoat on an unexpectedly rainy morning.

Question: What do you do with your seasonal clothes to keep your closet organized?