How to get your wardrobe ready for winter
Short answer: The change of season comes down to three things: wash all summer clothing before it is put away, check winter clothing for holes, and make sure you have enough base layers for the cold months.
Wash before storing
Sweat and skin cells in clothing attract pests and cause odour over a season. Even clothes worn only once should be washed before they are put away. Store them dry and airy, ideally in a box with a lid rather than a sealed plastic bag. See storing bamboo clothing.
Check for holes
Socks and underwear from last winter often have thin spots at the heel, toe and crotch. Hold them up to the light and you will quickly see where the fabric has worn thin. It is better to find out now than on a cold morning in December. See how to tell that clothes are worn out.
Enough base layers
If you wear a base layer every day in winter, you need at least five sets, so you can wash without running short. With fewer, you end up washing midweek or wearing the same one two days in a row. Count what you have and top up. See bamboo undershirt for men.
The legs
Long underwear is what people discover they are missing when the first cold week arrives in November. It makes a big difference on a bike, on the way to work and when sitting still in a cold room. Check the waistband elastic before you get them out. See bamboo long johns.
The socks
Replace the whole stack at once if half of it is worn. That way you have matching pairs that are easy to sort, and you avoid wearing a pair with a hole because the right one is missing. In winter, socks take more wear inside boots. See all bamboo socks for men.
For women
The same advice applies for women: check the base layers, count them, and replace those that are worn at the seams or have lost their shape. A thin undershirt under a jumper makes a real difference when it is cold and damp. See the matching pieces in bamboo undershirt for women.
Washing
Everything should be clean and completely dry before it is put away. Moisture in the fabric causes a musty smell and can leave marks over a season. Wash at 40 degrees and let the clothes air dry fully before folding. Read more about temperature and drying in the washing guide.
Get winter clothing out in good time
Take out your winter clothing before it turns cold, so you have time to go through it and wash what has been stored for a long time. Clothes that have been packed away can smell musty and benefit from a wash or a day in fresh air before they are worn again.
Layer by layer
A thin base layer next to the skin, a warm mid layer and a jacket on top give more flexibility than a single thick jumper. You can take off a layer when you come inside and still be warm outdoors. The base layer is worn the most and needs washing most often.
Make a list of what is missing
Write down what is worn out and what is missing while you have everything out anyway. That way you avoid buying twice and know exactly what you need. It takes a few minutes and saves both time and money once winter is under way.
Frequently asked questions
When should summer clothing be put away?
When you have not worn it for two to three weeks, usually in October. Wash it first and make sure it is completely dry before storing it.
How many base layers do I need?
At least five, if you wear one every day and wash once a week. That gives you time to wash without running out of a clean set.
What do people miss most often?
Long underwear and socks without holes. People usually notice when the first cold week arrives, so it helps to have them ready in the drawer.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
