Summer’s Coming—Here Are 6 Things to Toss Before It Arrives

Don’t worry, we aren’t going to make you literally throw away any of the clothing in your closet, but as we’ve been uncovering dozens of incredible summertime pieces, we’ve been stressing about how they’re all going to fit into our closets. If you’re anything like me, you waited until the last second (aka right now) to begin any of your spring cleaning. That means all of your fall and winter pieces are still sitting center stage in your closet, disabling you from even seeing the pretty new summer things you’re adding to it. Well, my friends, that stops here. Your ultimate spring-to-summer style transition is now in full force. 

In an effort to get you ready for summer, both literally and figuratively, we’re here to gently walk you through what would be a great jumping-off point into your seasonal closet swap. Here we’ll explain which items you should put away for the time being (store, donate, sell—it’s up to you) so that you can successfully enter into your official spring-to-summer style transition. With things like colored blazers and silky slip skirts on the horizon, there’s no way you’ll miss any of your cold-weather companions. 

Leather jackets used to be what we instinctually grabbed in our closets all throughout winter and well into spring. You probably always told yourself you’d invest in a “transitional” jacket, but that more than likely hasn’t happened yet. Since summer is officially around the corner, buy a colored blazer and call it a day. Style them with their matching pant counterparts as a suit, over a bra top with jeans, or over a summer dress when it’s a little too breezy for comfort. 

Chances are you wore the same few pairs of ankle boots all winter and fall long. We’re not saying never wear ankle boots during the spring or summer, but we are saying give them a well-deserved rest and slip into some strappy sandals instead. They will go perfectly with all the other summer items we’re recommending here. 

Dark florals can really weigh you down, and in such a festive month like summer, that’s the last thing you need. Instead of darker prints, opt for big and bold florals that will not only put a smile on your face but on the face of everyone walking past you on the street. 

This might seem like a no-brainer, and it kind of is, but instead of getting annoyed that we’re telling you to store all your wool pieces this summer, be appreciative of what we’re telling you to swap them out for. This year, colorful silk slip skirts are all we can talk about. From neon hues to delicate pastels, these skirts are going to replace all your rigid denim come the intense heat of summer, we can guarantee. 

If you live in a city where commuting to and from work is unavoidable, make the trek a little more bearable by swapping out your (probably beat-up) black tote bag for a woven version instead. Thanks to brands like Loewe and Kayu, we’ve seen a rise in woven summer bags that actually fit things, are actually durable, and are actually cute. Instead of having your work tote bring down your look, these seasonal versions will bring it up just a few notches. 

Sweaters were your go-to for so many months. Now, it’s time to shed that chunky layer and throw on a lightweight baby tank. Reminiscent of the classic ’90s style, these ribbed, cropped, and sometimes bow-adorned tank tops are the perfect counterpart to every slip skirt, colored blazer, and pair of jeans you’ll reach for this summer. 

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