LITTLE GREEN DRESS

Preparing Your Wardrobe For The Season Ahead

By Hannah Timm

July 2026

July feels somewhat strange. Many of us are taking vacations, kids are here and there at camps, and Summer Fridays are in full swing. Our routines feel a bit different. It also marks the halfway point of the year, a natural time to check in with yourself. It’s a time to revisit goals, reflect on progress you have made, and sometimes set intentions for the rest of the year.

In terms of clothing, this time is ideal for checking in with your wardrobe. Before we know it (if not already) you will be tempted with back to school and fall fashion. Before we let sale season and new arrivals tempt us with an entirely new wardrobe, let’s use this time to check in to see what we already own. We forget pieces of clothing that are hiding in the back of our closets and overlooked outfit combinations we haven’t tried in months or even years.

I see this all too often with clients. Before purchasing anything new, we take a good look at their closet and take inventory of what they already own. It’s only then can we identify the true gaps in a wardrobe. Otherwise, we are adding more clothing without solving the underlying problem, creating more confusion and noise. Ultimately, creating more waste.

So how do we get there? How do we do a mid-year wardrobe check-in? Start by setting aside a few uninterrupted hours. Put on some music or a podcast. Grab a cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and maybe light a candle. This experience is meant to be a slow time to reconnect with your closet.

Begin by working through your closet, one piece at a time. As you go through, create three piles on your bed: keep, donate, and tailor (or repair). Resist the urge to rush through the process. The goal is not to get rid of as much as possible. I encourage you to take the opportunity to reconnect with your closet and better understand what you have and why you have it.

As you work through each piece, ask yourself a few questions. When was the last time I wore this? What do I love about it (get specific!)? How do I typically wear/style this piece? Are there any other ways I could wear it? Would tailoring make it any more wearable? And lastly, how do I feel when I put it on?

After you move through your closet, you’ll likely begin to notice patterns. You might notice that you prefer linen or that you love cool toned colors. Perhaps you prefer geometric prints over dainty florals. Maybe every pair of jeans and pants you own has a similar rise and leg shape.

These observations aren’t random, I think of them as information for the future. They can tell you what feels comfortable and true to your personal style. The more you understand these patterns, the easier it becomes to make thoughtful decisions when you go to shop. Instead of hoping that a new purchase will solve all of your problems or wardrobe frustrations, you are choosing pieces that support what you know already works for you.

Once you have sorted through your closet and decided what you are keeping, donating, and tailoring, it’s time to determine your gaps. Think about going to a grocery store without a list. You might come home with a bunch of items, but nothing that actually makes a meal. Shopping for your wardrobe works the same way.

I suggest keeping a running list in your notes app (or in a journal). As you notice the genuine gaps pop up, write them down. You might notice that you are missing a lifestyle sneaker. Something easy, but elevated to pair with dresses, skirts, jeans, and trousers. Or you might notice you need layering pieces or particular accessories like jewelry or handbags. You may even discover that you already have everything you need. 

When fall collections come around, you will be able to make decisions from a place of understanding rather than urgency and impulse. Instead of reacting to every trend or sale, you’ll know exactly what your wardrobe needs.