Wardrobe change over day has finally come! Getting a whole new wardrobe.

As springs pushes into summer, there is something I really look forward to, my own special Change Over Day. It is something I have been doing for goodness knows how long, and still it is a true treat.  Such a treat in fact that I think it should be nominated as it’s own day, like National Hug Day (January 21) or National Cat Day (October 29). Trouble is it’s fluid. It is never the same day year to year, sometimes not even the same month. You see it all depends on the weather.

This year has been terrible. Rain, rain rain, and more rain. Still hasn’t stopped. (If you have been following the weather of France, you will know exactly what I mean.) Change over day relies on the weather transitioning from spring, and it’s cooler temperatures, to summer and it’s warmer. Finally yesterday, it got warmer, enough to decide it was time, as I was chaffing at the bit, time to change my wardrobe from winter to summer clothes.

I can’t remember when Change Over Day started, but it came about because my closet was too full. I had everything in there. Everything.  In a bid to gain some space, I removed all my winter items (as it was summer), boxed them up, and stored them away. Suddenly I had a closet that not only could I see everything, I could also wear it. Thus it began.

Now twice a year I take everything (and I mean everything) out of my wardrobe and out of storage and I transition my closet to the next two seasons. In spring, normally when the weather is becoming too warm for what I have to choose from, I put away all the winter heavy, warm, woolly items, and bring out the short sleeves, cool cottons and paler colours.

I am ruthless on Change Over Day. I try things on and check things over. If it doesn’t fit (and honestly never will), it goes. If I haven’t worn it in the last year, it goes. If it looks really worn, i.e. past it, it goes.  With fresh eyes, I take the opportunity to throw or give away any items I can. It is surprising how if something is stored away for 6 months, it is much easier it is to part with.

The flip side is once I have taken out, washed, mended, ironed and hung my clothes for the warmer weather, I see new colour combinations and discover forgotten pieces. Some are still old favourites, but having not seen them for awhile makes them feel like new friends. It is like having a whole new wardrobe, without the cost. And best of all, I don’t feel guilty if I want, or ‘need’, something new to add to my wardrobe for the season.

And in roughly 6 months time, I get to look forward to doing it all again.

Happy Change Over Day!