Have you ever heard of koromogae?
It’s a Japanese concept meaning the seasonal changing of wardrobes, in other words, swapping out cool-weather clothes for warm-weather attire (and vice versa) at particular times of the year.
Being in the northern hemisphere, people in Japan tend to give winter gear a rest and bring out summer wardrobes at the start of June, reversing this at the start of October. In a country with clearly defined seasons and limited space, it’s a practical custom – apparel that is out of season can be carefully stored in boxes, vacuum-sealed bags or camphor chests until it is needed again, while current-season garments are kept within easy reach.
Although seasons are less clearcut in Australia (it’s not completely unheard of to need doonas and puffer jackets in January in the southern states, so it’s best not to store them anywhere too inconvenient) there are elements of koromogae that make sense wherever you may be. In essence the practice is a kind of twice-yearly monitoring and maintenance scheme for wardrobes, so even if you are not short on space, it’s a worthwhile investment of your time and energy.
As we’ve just come out of winter here in Australia, you might be thinking about spring cleaning anyway, so here are some tips on employing koromogae principles to keep your wardrobe in top condition – regardless of the season.
1. Clean coats before storing
At the start of spring, the cold weather may not be quite over, but thick coats, jackets and jumpers probably won’t be needed again until next winter, so it’s fairly safe to put them into storage, whether that means simply shifting them to the back of the wardrobe or actually packing them up to store elsewhere. Before you do, make sure they are clean and dry: take them to the dry cleaners if needed, spot clean or wash them and give them a good airing outdoors if possible.
2. Check what needs mending
Prior to putting cool-weather things out of sight for the summer, give them a once-over to check if they need repairs. You may find seams have split, holes have developed, jumpers have pilled or any other number of issues that can be dealt with at leisure while there is no immediate call for these garments. When storing items made from animal fibres (wool, silk, alpaca and so on), make sure they won’t fall prey to clothes moths. There are plenty of storage options and moth prevention methods on the market, so find one that will work in your house.
3. Footwear can take a rest, too
When you put your winter wardrobe away, don’t forget about shoes, boots and other items such as hats and scarves. Clean and mend them if needed, and if storing leather footwear or handbags, make sure they’re dry. Take care not to store leather items where they may become mouldy, such as in plastic bags or anything that could trap humidity – this is especially true in the warmer northern areas of the country but is worth keeping in mind wherever you are.
4. Review your winter style
As you are going through your cool-weather items, think about how much wear you have had from each piece and decide whether to keep it or move it on. If you’ve barely worn something for a whole winter, it’s unlikely that you’ll need it the next time the season rolls around. If it’s in good condition, pass it on to a friend or take it to an op shop. If it’s not, and cleaning or mending won’t help, think of other ways it could be used around the house: cut up for cleaning rags, used as a pet blanket or cut into strips to stake plants in the garden, for instance. Some mechanics, animal shelters and schools also take old clothing and textiles for rags, bedding and art programs respectively. There are also clothing, footwear and textile recycling programs, although they can be a bit harder to find. Try your local council or do a search on Google or social media.
5. Start enjoying your spring wardrobe
Once you’ve taken care to safely store your winterwear, it’s time to rediscover those items that have been languishing since last summer. Shift them to more prominent positions in the wardrobe or in drawers, at the same time checking whether they need airing, cleaning or mending. You might also want to do a spring wardrobe warm-up exercise by putting a few outfits together so that you’re not stuck for ideas before outings. Fashions and personal tastes can change quite a lot from one year to the next, so while it’s easy to reprise favourite looks from springs past, it’s a good time to experiment and refresh your seasonal style.
Do you have any tips for keeping your wardrobe looking great? Why not share them in the comments section below?
Also read: Six celebrity style tips for special occasion dressing
