Winter Clothes: What to Put Away and What to Keep Out

I don’t know about your city, but the weather is still cold in Seattle! While I wait for warmer temperatures to arrive, I’ve been extending the life of my winter wardrobe by incorporating touches of spring. I often wonder, what should you put away and what is best to keep out?

These tips may vary, depending on the climate in which you live — wool socks, oversized scarves, etc. Some days I need them and other days, it’s just too warm.

So in an effort to enhance my own wardrobe, I thought it may be helpful to share items I’m keeping out, in addition to what I plan to pack away for the next season.

Winter Clothes: What to Put Away and What to Keep Out

What to Keep Out

Holiday jackets: this one is huge! Just look how cute this white jacket is with my magenta lace top. I can channel spring while remaining warm. Full disclosure: the day we shot these photos was freezing, which reaffirms my previous statement! 🙂

Keep in mind you can dress down your jacket or up. Throw it on for a night out on the town or drinks after work. If you have a special occasion or event coming up, you’ll be happy to have your holiday jacket on hand.

Curious as to how I styled this jacket with other looks? You can check them out here and here.

Leopard-print items: leopard is all the rage this season. Although you may typically associate leopard print with colder months, it’s a must-have for both spring and summer. Lightweight shoes and accessories can be a great option!

Denim: denim is a year-round staple, so this is a no-brainer. While I tend to steer clear of my distressed denim during the cold months, now is the perfect time to begin wearing them again along with your other denim items, e.g., a chambray shirt or denim jacket.

Blouse: most — if not all — of my blouses are lightweight. I like to think of them as warm-weather staples rather than a winter one. During the cold months, I top them off with a pullover sweater or cardigan, and in the warmer months, I can go without a top layer.

What to Put Away

Base layer. You usually would put away your base layers in the month of April. However, I recently had to unpack my base layers for an art show I participated in. The venue was cold and more like a barn structure, letting in the outside air.

If you plan on doing any camping in the mountains or other outdoor activities, such as fishing or hiking, I recommend leaving out your base layers. If not, feel free to pack them away!

Heavy sweater and coats. Anything super heavy or containing wool can be put away, as you likely won’t need either until next fall. Plus, packing up these items will allow for more space in your closet.

Dark colors that you don’t plan on wearing to the office. If you work in a business casual or more formal environment, this tip may not apply. If your office is casual like mine, I would pack away items that are black or burgundy, and any traditional winter prints.

Tall boots. I wear my riding boots several days a week, but if your climate is on the warmer side, you can pack them away. If you experience frequent spring showers, keep a pair handy. I recommend Hunter rain boots (and other budget-friendly brands) for dreary spring days.

Statement jewelry and accessories.  This tip is also subjective. You may gravitate towards statement pieces during the winter months, but prefer delicate options in spring and summer. I encourage you to do an assessment of your jewelry and accessories, and pack away anything you identify as “winter-like.” This could include hat, scarves, and gloves.

I may be missing a few things, so if you have other ideas of what should be packed away in the spring, please share in the comments.

Shop the post:

Jacket: maurices c/o (similar) | Blouse: J.Crew c/o (old) | Jeans: AG jeans | Brooch: J.Crew (old) |Ring: Rebekah J. Designs | Shoes: Easy Spirit (similar) c/o | Purse: Cuyana c/o | Lipstick: Burberry Bright Plum No.49 c/o

*c/o: courtesy of or gifted

Photography: Nicholas Mercado