Koromogae: The Japanese Seasonal Wardrobe Change (and a Proper Closet Clear-Out)
Koromogae (衣替え) is the Japanese custom of changing your wardrobe with the seasons. On 1 June, schools and many offices switch to summer uniforms; on 1 October they switch back to winter ones. At home, people pack away one season's clothes and bring out the next — and it is the perfect moment to decide what deserves to come back at all.
So say goodbye to the old season's blues and hello to a fresh one. What better way to start than by decluttering that wardrobe of yours? Trust me, you'll thank me later.
Where does koromogae come from?
The custom goes back to the Heian court more than a thousand years ago, when aristocrats changed their robes on fixed days of the year. Over the centuries it became an everyday habit, and in the Meiji era, when Western-style uniforms arrived, the government set the dates still used today: summer clothes from 1 June, winter clothes from 1 October.
Japanese homes are small, so the swap is practical as well as seasonal: off-season clothes go into boxes or vacuum bags, and the closet only holds what you will actually wear in the next few months. That alone makes getting dressed easier — and makes every item earn its place.
Step 1: let go of the worn-out pieces
First things first: get rid of the old, worn-out pieces you've been holding onto for years. I know, I know — that hoodie from university holds sentimental value. But if it's faded, stretched out or full of holes, it's time to let it go. Textile recycling points will take what can't be worn again.
Step 2: be honest about what doesn't fit
Next, the clothes that don't fit. I'm talking about the ones you're keeping for that "someday" when you fit into them again. News flash, honey: that someday may never come. Donate them to someone who can wear them now, and make room in your closet for clothes that make you feel confident and fabulous today.
Step 3: face the impulse buys
And don't forget the impulse purchases that never see the light of day. You know the ones — that neon green blouse you just had to have because it was on sale. If you haven't worn it yet, chances are you never will. Donate or sell it, and put the money toward something that truly fits your style.
Step 4: organise like a Japanese closet
Now that the clutter is gone, it's time to organise.
- Store the off-season away. Use boxes, baskets or vacuum bags on the top shelf or under the bed. Label them. Out of sight is out of mind — in the best way.
- Fold vertically. Fold T-shirts and knits into small rectangles and stand them up in drawers, so you can see everything at once.
- Hang by type and colour. It makes the closet look like a calm little boutique and getting dressed in the morning a breeze.
- Leave space. A closet with air between the hangers is easier to use and gentler on your clothes. (That breathing room has a Japanese name too: ma.)
Step 5: keep it shibumi
Before you buy anything new for the season, look at what came back out of the boxes. Choose fewer, better pieces in calm colours that work together, with one detail that is unmistakably yours. That is shibumi in a wardrobe: simple on the surface, quality underneath, nothing trying too hard.
So there you have it, my friends. The change of season is the perfect time to clear your wardrobe and start fresh. Let go of the clothes that no longer serve you, and make room for pieces that make you feel amazing.
Happy decluttering!
Frequently asked questions
When is koromogae in Japan?
Traditionally on 1 June (to summer clothes) and 1 October (to winter clothes). Schools and many companies still follow these dates, though some now allow a more flexible transition period.
How often should I declutter my wardrobe?
Twice a year works well — at the change of the warm and cold seasons, exactly like koromogae. You are handling every item anyway, so it's the easiest moment to decide.
What should I do with clothes I no longer wear?
Donate wearable items, sell good-quality pieces, swap with friends, and take damaged textiles to a recycling point rather than the bin.
