Practice What I Preach: Packing Away My High Summer Wardrobe

Apparently, we are now well into the “ber” months.

Instagram and social media are full of cosy Autumn vibes, chunky knits, boots and falling leaves. Meanwhile, as I write this, my balcony doors are wide open and I have a fan on.

So perhaps we’re not quite ready for all things cosy just yet.

Having returned from Italy just over a week ago, though, I decided it was time to put away my high-Summer wardrobe. And after the fabulous Summer we’ve had this year, it has certainly been well used.

But for once, I didn't just wash everything, fold it up and hide it away until next year.

I decided to have a proper look at what I was actually putting away.

First: wash, iron and inspect

Everything was washed and ironed, then carefully checked before being stored.

Any permanent marks? Anything past its best? Any holes?

And yes, I discovered that moths had attacked one of my favourite dresses. Not impressed.

But there was another question that turned out to be much more useful:

Had I actually worn it?

The holiday suitcase test

As always, I left packing for Italy until the last minute.

I only wear dresses in the Summer, so I basically grabbed every Summer dress I could fit into a carry-on case and off I went.

Among them were three dresses I hadn't worn all Summer.

As the week went on, I naturally reached first for my favourites — the dresses I feel comfortable in, feel good in and, importantly, don't hate when I see myself in the endless photographs that seem to be taken on holiday.

Eventually, though, I got down to those three dresses sitting hopefully in the wardrobe.

There was no chance of simply re-wearing something else. It was scorching in Lake Garda!

So out came dress number one.

Lovely colour. Gorgeous print.

But the neckline was too high and I spent the evening fidgeting with it. The armholes were cut slightly deeper than I feel comfortable wearing, which created the inevitable bra problem. And despite how lovely the fabric looked, it was simply too hot to wear.

I felt uncomfortable all night.

Straight onto the donate pile when I got home.

Dress number two came out the following evening.

Again, lovely colour and print. This time, though, the neckline was too low.

Then I saw the photographs.

Nope.

Donate pile number two.

Dress number three had a lovely colour and an elbow-length sleeve, so perfect if you prefer a little arm coverage.

But it finished just above my knees.

On me, that length simply looks wrong. I know it does, yet somehow I'd kept the dress anyway.

Donate pile number three.

Then I tackled the ones left at home

Back home, I turned my attention to the dresses that hadn't made it into the suitcase.

Three are definite keepers. They simply travel better when I have hold luggage because they like a little more space than a carry-on case allows.

Then I spotted another three hiding at the back of the wardrobe and wondered why I hadn't worn them.

So I tried them on.

They looked fine.

But I was fidgeting.

And suddenly I remembered something I used to say to customers all the time when I had the shop.

If someone came out of the changing room pulling a garment this way, tugging it that way and constantly adjusting it to try to make it work, I would discourage her from buying it.

Because if you're doing that in the changing room, you'll do it every time you wear it.

And eventually, you won't wear it at all.

Apparently, I should have listened to myself.

And why do I own all these T-shirts?

Next came the rest of my Summer wardrobe.

At some point I had to ask myself why I own at least a dozen perfectly nice Summer T-shirts when, as I've already admitted, I only wear dresses in the Summer.

So I've kept four.

Next year I might try them with some lovely light, floaty trousers. I've no idea why I've gone off Summer skirts completely, but apparently I have — I don't even own one now.

And that's fine.

Our style changes. Our bodies change. Our lives change. What we enjoyed wearing five years ago isn't necessarily what we reach for today.

The wardrobe needs to catch up occasionally.

I'm making next year's shopping list now

I did the same thing with my shoes and accessories.

Some much-loved favourites have finally seen better days, so rather than putting them away and rediscovering next Spring that they're worn out, they're going now.

And I've made a list in my Notes app of what I actually need.

When the Spring/Summer 2027 collections arrive in the shops next year, I won't be trying to remember what was missing from my wardrobe six months earlier.

I'll know.

Less in storage — but a much better wardrobe

By the time I'd finished, my storing pile was considerably smaller.

I'd started the exercise thinking I probably owned more Summer dresses than I needed.

Strangely, I've finished it realising that I could actually do with a few more.

But not just more dresses.

More of the dresses that suit me. Dresses with the necklines, lengths, armholes and fabrics I know I'll feel comfortable wearing. Dresses I'll reach for again and again rather than admire on the hanger while choosing something else.

And perhaps that's the biggest lesson from my little end-of-Summer wardrobe clear-out.

Don't judge your wardrobe by how much is hanging in it.

Judge it by how much of it you actually want to wear.

After all these years of giving exactly that advice to other women, it appears the moral of the story is very simple:

Practice what I preach.