It’s the last few days of winter which means that it’s the last few days of my winter seasonal capsule wardrobe. It also means that I’ve spent this past few days transitioning my capsule wardrobe to spring. Since I’ve had a few questions asking me how I do this, I thought it would be useful to write it all out, in case anyone else is struggling with the transition.

Since I’m not buying and new or secondhand clothes this year, my spring seasonal capsule wardrobe will be pulled entirely from the things that I already own.

5 Steps to Transition your Seasonal Capsule Wardrobe

1. Choose carry over items for the new seasonal capsule

The first thing that I do is go through my current capsule wardrobe and decide which pieces I want to carry over to the next seasonal capsule. The ones that I’m still excited to wear. These are the pieces that are also weather and lifestyle appropriate for the upcoming season.

2. Prepare items for storage

I remove the items that aren’t being brought over and get them ready for storage. Since I keep my seasonal capsule wardrobe on a clothing rack in my office, storage for me is my closet and dresser (for sweaters).

I start by tending to any needed repairs.

Next, I wash all items depending on their materials. I hand wash wool items in the kitchen sink and lay them flat to dry. I wash all other materials (cotton, linen, silk and tencel) in the washing machine (cold wash) and hang to dry.

Once items are washed and dried, I de-pill any knit items that need it.

Items are then placed on hangers and returned to the closet until they are needed again or, in the case of knits, they are rolled up and stored in the bottom drawer of my dresser.

3. Decide which items to be added to the new seasonal capsule

Next, I go through the clothing items that have been in storage and decide which ones will be added to the new seasonal capsule. I focus on the items that I am most excited to wear first. Then I pull items that I know have worked in previous capsules. If this is your first time transitioning a seasonal capsule, it definitely requires a little experimentation…just pull items that you think will work. Experience will eventually tell you if they do.

For the upcoming capsule, I’m looking for items that can be worn in warmer weather but with a few cold weather pieces thrown in for those cold days that we’ll still get. I am looking for items that layer easily, as well as ones that are comfortable for a life spent mostly at home (aka nothing fancy).

4. Put it all together and assess

I add the items that came from storage to the clothing rack that holds the pieces that I’m carrying over. I assess whether it’s cohesive. Even though I have prints and patterns in my capsule, I want to make sure that most of the items look good together which gives me more outfit possibilities.

I check to see whether there are any gaps. For example, do I have enough layering pieces for the colder days?

I check in with how the capsule makes me feel. Am I excited about it? Can I wear these items for the next 3 months and not get overly bored?

5. Decide on seasonal capsule wild card spots

This is something new that I did with my past seasonal capsule. I basically added 5 wild card spots for items that I made. I only ended up adding 2 items but having the option was extremely helpful and helps me to not feel “stuck”.

Once I’ve settled on the items and the wild card spots, I do a final tabulation. I never have a specific number in mind, but I do like for it to be a multiple of 5 typically, but that’s a personal preference. I don’t include shoes, accessories or outerwear.

If you’ve never down a capsule wardrobe but would like to try one, check out this post to help you get started.

Will you be putting together a spring capsule wardrobe? How do you transition your seasonal capsule wardrobe?

Follow me on Instagram (@uncomplicatedspaces) for daily capsule wardrobe talk.

Until next time,

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