When you live in Canada, you experience each season to the max. Summers are hot, with temps between 25-30C, then fall comes when temps drop to mid-teens before winter sets in. Winter temps, well, you don’t want to know (although it hasn’t hit -40C here for a few years).

Nevertheless, we are required to maintain four distinct wardrobes: a robust winter wardrobe, a good summer wardrobe and modest spring and fall wardrobes (because those seasons tend to be so short).

As we enter fall, it’s time to migrate breezy summer wear to the back of the closet and bring out the cozy fall fashions. Here are some tips on making your closet switchover easier:

• First, edit. Look at your summer clothes and identify those that are past their prime and destined for the garbage. Also look for items in good condition that you want to donate. Keep the staples and timeless styles for next year. Get clothes drycleaned before storing.
• Second, shift. Move the most summery items to another location (either back of closet or another closet). Their time is past. Keep any items that may still work in fall if paired with warmer tops or jackets.
• Third, reinstate. Bring back your fall winter clothes. Give them a good once over and dryclean/repair anything that wasn’t attended to in spring. Donate or discard those fashions that no longer work for you: out of style, beyond repair, don’t fit.
• Organize your closet. This is a personal choice but there are a couple of ways to approach this. You can colour coordinate and group like-coloured items together. Or you can arrange by outfit, grouping pieces that work together.
• Don’t forget your shoes and boots in this process. Clean and set aside all the strappy sandals. Discard those that are worn out. Pull out your fall/winter shoes and boots. Clean them and organize to make it easy to pair them with your outfits.
• Lastly, prepare for winter to hit any time. (This is especially true when you live in Canada!) Find and clean your hats, scarves and mitts. Replace any that are worn. Donate any that are in good condition but you no longer need.

Happy fall, everyone!