Feel that chill in the air? See those deepening colors on your backyard maple? It couldn’t be more clear — fall has officially fallen.

Whether or not you’re a fan of sweater season, there’s really no better time to clear out your closet, take stock of your clothing, and finally get your wardrobe organized.

Even if you’ve been dreading the chore of cleaning your closet, the change of season is a perfect time to go through your wardrobe and figure out what to keep, what to cull, what to store, and what to purchase anew.

Follow these 5 steps and you’ll be on your way to a total closet refresh in no time!

Step 1: Assess your current wardrobe

Evaluating the clothing in your closet is the most important step in getting organized.

First, prepare 3 large boxes labelled Keep, Donate, and Recycle. Then, comb through every item in your wardrobe, assess each individual piece, and sort it into the appropriate box.

If you’re unsure about where to sort an item, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• When was the last time I wore this?

• Will I realistically wear this within the next year?

• Does this fit me?

• Do I feel good wearing this?

• Do I have too many of this exact item? (i.e., denim skirts, basic black tops)

• Does this, in the words of organizing guru Marie Kondo, “spark joy” in my life?

Don’t be afraid to be brutally honest with yourself.

That gown you spent way too much on for your friend’s wedding ten years ago? It may do better sitting in a gemach than in your closet.

That outfit that fit perfectly many, many pounds ago? Holding onto it is probably more harmful than letting it go.

By purging unnecessary, impractical, and unwanted items, you’ll be able to relish in your newly spacious closet and pave the way for new pieces you’ll love for a long time to come.

Step 2: Style and restyle

Now that your closet is filled with clothing you love, it’s time to curate a wardrobe for yourself.

Do you look at your closet and think of it as a storage space for many disparate items? Instead, try thinking of your wardrobe as a single, dynamic entity.

In other words, many items in your wardrobe should be able to do double-, triple-, or even quadruple-duty, starring in different outfits at different times of the year.

For example, adding a suede belt and dark-colored tights to a summery maxi dress will create an entirely “new” autumn outfit.

As we move away from spring/summer styles toward autumn/winter, look through your closet and figure out how to repurpose what you already own into a new, seasonally-appropriate look.

Style tip: When transitioning into fall, layering is key. The strategic use of sweaters, blazers, long-sleeve tees, and scarves will help you wear some of your favorite warm-weather clothing pieces in colder temps.

Step 3: Store summer items

While you may have discovered some spring/summer items you can use through autumn, you’re also sure to have clothes that simply scream “summer!”

If you have room in your closet, you can simply move these summer clothes to the back of your closet until next year.

If you’re tight on space, however, or if you have pieces you want to store for longer periods of time, consider these storage tips for keeping your clothes in great shape until you’re ready to wear them next:

• Clean your clothes before storing them

When clothing sits for a long time, any surface stains — even ones that are invisible to the eye — will set and may be impossible to remove in the future

• Store your clothes in plastic bins with lids

Cardboard boxes can cause discoloration and attract pests

• Store your clothes in a climate-controlled areas

Instead of keeping clothes in damp or insect-prone locations like the garage, basement, or attic, store your clothes in the main areas of the house, like in bedroom closets or underneath beds

• Watch out for delicate items

To keep silks or other lightweight pieces in good shape, fold them instead of keeping them on hangers. Also, remember to place delicates on top of your clothes pile, while keeping heavyweight items on the bottom

Step 4: Fill in the blank spots

As you’re outlining your existing wardrobe pieces, you may find that you’re missing necessary elements for full autumn/winter wardrobe.

Whether you need big-ticket items (a cold-weather special occasion dress or winter coat) or you’re missing smaller pieces (hats, tights, shoes), now is the time to look ahead and fill in any blank spots so you’ll be prepared for the winter ahead.

When shopping for new pieces, get the most for your money by purchasing items that are stylish but not overly trendy.

Here are some current styles for autumn/winter 2020/2021 that are classic enough to wear for many seasons to come:

• Cropped blazers

• Pleated skirts/dresses

• Ruffle details

• Peasant/tiered skirts

• Animal prints

• Velvet and velour fabrics

• Metallic fabrics

Step 5: Tackle clutter with a closet organizer

Once you’ve streamlined your wardrobe, you might still have to contend with closet clutter. Gauge where your mess is coming from and choose an organizer designed specifically to tackle those problem areas.

For a total closet overhaul: Custom closet kit

For folding fixes: Hanging closet shelf organizer

For shoe issues: 6-tier shoe rack organizer

For a slew of scarfs, belts, and other accessories: Metal loop scarf hanger

For jumbles of jewelry: Hanging jewelry organizer

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Getting your wardrobe organized is no small task, so take your time completing each of the above 5 steps. Come winter time, you’ll relish in your beautifully organized and curated closet!