How to Get Your Fall and Winter Wardrobe Ready

There’s always one morning in the fall when you reach for a coat and realize it still smells like the back of the closet. Or the zipper sticks. Or there’s a stain on the sleeve you swear wasn’t there in March. A little prep now saves you that moment, and early fall is the best time to catch problems before you actually need the piece.

In Acworth, the first truly cold mornings usually arrive in late October or November, with plenty of warm afternoons still mixed in. That gives you a window to get organized. Here’s a simple seasonal checklist from the team at The Elementals Laundry.

Pull everything out and take a look

Bring out your coats, sweaters, boots and heavier trousers, and look at each one in daylight. You’re checking for:

• Moth holes, especially in wool and cashmere. Hold pieces up to a window.
• Stains that appeared in storage. Spills that looked invisible in spring can turn yellow or brown over the summer.
• Loose buttons, broken zippers and dropped hems.
• Musty smells, a sign of humidity in storage.
• Anything that no longer fits your body or your life.

Freshen what’s been in storage

Clothes that were stored clean usually just need airing out and a light steam. Hang them somewhere with good airflow for a day. If something has a musty smell, yellowed spots or wasn’t cleaned before it went away, bring it in for a professional cleaning before you wear it. Stains that sit for months only get harder to remove. Here’s why in our stain guide.

Give sweaters some attention

Sweaters often come out of storage a little flattened or pilled. A fabric shaver or sweater comb removes pills quickly. Fold knits rather than hanging them, so they don’t stretch at the shoulders. If a wool or cashmere sweater needs cleaning, check the label before washing it at home. Our guide to reading care labels helps.

Fix the small stuff now

A sticky zipper, a missing coat button or a dropped hem is easy to ignore in September and annoying in December. Fall is a good time to drop off repairs and alterations before the cold weather rush.

Don’t forget boots and outerwear accessories

• Clean and condition leather boots before the wet season.
• Check scarves, gloves and hats for moth damage.
• Test rain jackets and umbrellas before the first storm.

Be honest about what you’ll actually wear

If you skipped a coat or sweater all last winter, you’ll probably skip it again. Those pieces are worth more to someone else right now, at the start of the season, than they are hanging in your closet. Fall is one of the best times to consign cold-weather clothing. Before you bring them in, run through our consignment prep checklist.

Fill the gaps wisely

Once you’ve sorted, you’ll know what’s missing. Maybe it’s a warm coat, a versatile blazer or a pair of wool trousers. Shopping secondhand lets you get better quality for less. See how to spot quality in a secondhand coat and what to check before buying a secondhand leather jacket.

Swap your summer clothes out properly

• Wash or clean summer clothes before putting them away, even if they look clean.
• Store them in breathable bins or bags, not sealed plastic.
• Keep them somewhere cool and dry, not a hot garage or attic.
• Keep a few warm-weather pieces handy. Georgia falls are famous for 80-degree surprises.

Common questions

How do I get a musty smell out of a coat? Air it outdoors in the shade for a day. If the smell remains, have it professionally cleaned.

Can moth holes be repaired? Small holes can sometimes be repaired, depending on the fabric and location. Bring the piece in and ask.

Can you clean comforters and blankets for winter? Yes. The Elementals Laundry handles bulky bedding too. See laundry services.