Living in the mid-Atlantic, weather cycles. It freezes when the calendars say it should. Water to the outside faucets shut down to avoid expensive plumbing repairs. Having reached a stable height and weight decades ago, and for many of them needing to look presentable at work most days, a lot of clothing has accumulated. As much as I donate unwanted, and sometimes ill-fitting items to Goodwill or to the charity bins in store parking lots, I still own more garments than I actually wear. Twice a year, typically October 10 and April 10 with modifications for shabbos and yontif that might appear on those dates, I transfer winter to summer. Last fall, I packed a duffel, a carry-on, and a box that originally carried 90-kcups with shorts, polo shirts, and t-shirts. Maybe some summer pajamas too. At one time I used a plastic clothing storage bag, one with a vacuum port to suck out the air. Those never held the vacuum, often tore, and did not transport easily from My Space to the bedroom when the exchange date arrived. If I even have another of these, I would have to look for it somewhere in the recesses of My Space.
Despite doing this twice a year, I don't really know if I have more winter stuff or summer clothing. Winter items have more bulk, but I probably own fewer of them. T-shirts, which fill that K-Cup box, come my way in various ways. Sometimes I see a logo that I like in a store at a great price. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles appear on many. Often, I receive one as a promotion, donating platelets, or doing some group charitable effort. I have my favorite universities that tell others where I have been. Not so many souvenir t-shirts from where I have traveled. When I buy one of these, which I often do, they become gifts, rarely additions to my own wardrobe.
Collared polo shirts have also become a staple, short-sleeved in summer, long in winter. The long-sleeved variety have very few logos, but the short-sleeved options include team emblems and university swag.
Shorts get stored in a plastic cubby, one occupied by a neatly folded pile of cashmere items slowly accumulated as bargains get too good to pass up, though rarely worn. Shorts get worn every day. Mostly solid, some plaid. My inventory includes significant cargo style representation. These were once more popular than they are now, but I find them useful. I also wear long slacks in all seasons. Those stay in my closet, even the rarely worn woolen ones that need dry cleaning. They just do not take up a lot of space. My dress clothing does, most of which I wear only to synagogue. Anything wool goes to the back of the closet, lighter fabrics I wear, then hang by a loop on a downstairs over the closet hanger. Eventually I will have about three on that rack, which I rotate for synagogue wear, though increasingly I attend in shirtsleeves with a long-sleeved dress shirt and tie. But often I will wear a plain upper quality collared polo under a light jacket. I never go to services wearing just the polo.
Among my shoes, only the sandals are really summer seasonal, and not often worn. I have boots and insulated shoes for going out in the snow, rarely worn. Those stay in the closet.
This year, I may move winter coats upstairs to the closet in My Space. They take up considerable room in the lower hall. I will leave the all-weather raincoat for summer use, one midweight jacket, and my full collection of nylon windbreakers. Sweaters stored in my bedroom mostly get exchanged, except for one light cardigan and two cotton sweaters, which will come in handy for football season, which begins before the fall exchange. Sweatshirts, mostly logo type, serve the transition well. The hoodies can go to storage, though.
One key decision involves whether to do this semi-annual project as one big effort or a series of smaller exchanges. While most things I take in a few-minute increments, this one goes better if just completed in a few longer sessions. Once done, I have what I need at hand for six months.
Do I ever travel to someplace warm when the weather freezes at home? Not often. My wife likes to more than I do. A few items off to the side for seasonal transitions will suffice. I regard swimwear as non-seasonal, as travel during any season usually takes me to places where my hotel preference includes an indoor pool. Same with sleepwear. Flannel lounge pants are my preference. Socks I wear most days, irrespective of season.
Investing an hour's time, maybe a little more, makes things easier for me over six months. I can check weather, see what I need to do that day, and extract a few suitable times. The stuff in storage just stays there, not even thought about. No new shopping needed. Some tasks are just worth the effort of doing once but doing well. That enables other warmer weather activities. The garden, fishing, drives to beaches and parks. The real attractions of living in a place where seasons change.
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