End of Summer Declutter

With summer coming to an end, it's time to be honest about what you used!

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. - Joshua Becker

It’s really important to go through your closet at the end of each season to assess what things you wore and what items were ignored. Summer is one of those seasons where you have specific types of clothes that you most likely do not wear all year round (depending on where you live – aka Canada is not a kind place to summer clothes for the better part of 8 months).  With winter, fall, and spring weather you can spread items throughout those seasons and you won’t look out of place.

Summer season clothes are hard to get rid of because it’s easy to hold onto items for that “beach vacation”, “tropical”, or other “what if” vacations. Somehow the reason to keep them ‘just in case’ always comes into play. Still, you probably wouldn’t be wearing these clothes at home in your own environment. That is why it’s super important to go through your closet right at the end of the summer to assess what you actually wore this summer versus what you “planned” on wearing but then ultimately opted for something else. Get rid of those things that would otherwise just be taking up space for the next full year. Additionally, it's difficult to get rid or summer clothes outside of the summer season because you cannot make a decision based on how much you wore them. Perhaps you know you don’t like it anymore which makes your life easy, but we usually go back to all those ‘what ifs’ and ‘just in cases’. Summer is just one of those special unique seasons.

Here are quick 4 steps and 4 piles for your quick summer declutter!

Pile 1: What did NOT get worn

What are things that have just been sitting in your closet all summer that you planned on wearing or really like, but you ultimately forgot about it or continuously opted for some other item?

Pile 2: You wore it but its time has passed

This pile is for all the items that have been loved and are not falling apart or that you bought but don’t feel good in or that don’t fit right. I have a pair of jean shorts that I have had since the end of middle school that I LOVE, but they are not ripping and tearing because the material is so worn, and honestly, because of that, aren’t very appropriate for anything other than wearing them to the beach. I was quite reluctant to give them away but they were loved and worn for years and they had seen their best days. Let go of the old to make room for the new! It’s important to recognize when this time comes or when you need to let go of the items that don’t truly make you feel good.

Pile 3: Gifts and Impulse Vacation busy

I don’t know about you but I’ve gotten a few gifts from people who go on holiday and bring back something that is cute, but for some reason, it probably looks cuter when worn in the place where they were. Or, you went on vacation and bought that cute market dress that everyone else was wearing or that fun flower shirt, but it just doesn’t really fit anything you would wear at home. Get rid of that stuff! There are two or three items I have the I keep for when I go kitesurfing (‘cause I know that is a repeated trip) or the beachy dress, but for the most part, I have simplified my summer clothes to make it possible to wear them in any summer environment.  

Pile 4: Any doubt, wear it out … now!

If you ever have a doubt about a piece of clothing, wear it right now. Use it today. Create an outfit with it for tonight. The warm weather is not completely over yet so if you are struggling to get rid of it, wear it today! See how you feel in it. Do you feel good in it? Maybe you can create a new outfit to go with it and you create a new “space” with a new perspective of that piece in your wardrobe. On the other hand, if you are hesitant right now feeling like you “have” to wear it today when you would really rather wear something else, that is a sign! Don’t ignore it! 


Now you can put your summer clothes away in your closet knowing that there is no unnecessary space being taken up. All the clothes taking up space can be passed on to those who will use and love them now that their job with you is done. Be proud of yourself, knowing that you shaved down a few more pieces that were not adding value to your life!