FALL ACCESSORIES
With Fall officially upon us, this seems like the perfect time to address the storage and care of some of the toughest seasonal items! Chunky sweaters and tall boots can take up a lot of valuable space in the closet, and require special care. Here, I’m going to share a few of my personal pro tips for taking care of these items all year long!
SWEATERS
If you’re going to hang knits, it’s best to use sweater hangers. They curve at at the ends, ensuring sweaters drape naturally and you don’t end up with dimpled or creased shoulders. Alternatively, you can fold a sweater in half lengthwise and drape it over a wide bamboo hanger or open, non-slip pant hanger (bonus points for putting tissue between the sweater and the hanger!). When you’re dealing with more delicate pieces, consider a leather storage box or sweater bags. The Container Store offers a few good options, including these natural cotton/PEVA storage bags (superior to plastic) and these convenient drop-front sweater boxes.
BOOTS
First and foremost you have to decide how best to store your boots! If your collection mainly consists of fashion boots, I usually recommend boot trees and shapers to help prevent unsightly stretching, wrinkles, and permanent creases in the leather. Not only are these a great tool to keep your boots upright and looking tidy, they will also extend the life of the suede and leather so they stay looking new for longer! Consider installing a rod to hang your boots for a more custom look! If you aren’t wearing your boots for months at a time, you might prefer to store them out of sight. A storage box can be a great way to discreetly stow away large seasonal items, and will help prevent against dust or accidental scuffs in the case of softer materials. For more on caring for your boots, see my post where I give all my pro suede and leather care tips!
SCARVES
When I work with a client who has an impressive scarf collection, we explore several storage options. One of the most popular paths is creating a custom pull-out cabinet that retracts into the storage unit or cabinet. For non-custom options, try folding in a drawer, hanging on a tiered hanger or creating a scarf display by building a framed installation.
HATS
While winter hats typically take up less room than summer ones, it can be challenging to find a good “home” for head-toppers, no matter the season. Fedoras, beanies and berets can be stored a few different ways depending on the amount of space you have and whether you want them to be a focal point. When I designed Monica Rose’s closet, we created a mesmerizing hat wall, the perfect stylist statement. If you don’t have the space for a visual hat display, you can add wall hooks, or use hat trees or mannequins to display them. If you prefer to conceal your hats, opt for a decorative hat box for larger, stiffer hats and laying flat in drawers for smaller, softer hats.
