Clothes calls: Which clothes to keep for the new season, which to store and which to toss

When back-to-school ads start showing up, you know it's about time to store the swimsuit and get out the fall-ish clothes. To make this seasonal exercise more effective, think in terms of categorizing your wardrobe in three ways: items to keep for the new season, items to store, and items to toss out.

Some things you keep in your closet year-round. Maybe it's a little black dress you couldn't get along without. Some items you keep to wear again, but for now, store them until warm weather arrives again.

Usually the toughest part of this process is tossing out items. These are the ultra-trendy clothes and accessories that likely won't be coming back next year, and they're not worth storing until they make a return.

Whether you give these castoffs to friends, donate them to a charity or throw them away, the deletion will make room in your closet for fall's must-haves.

Retailers have definite opinions on what to keep, what to store, what to toss and what item you should make sure you have in your wardrobe this fall. Here's what some are recommending:

TOSS:

Ultra low-rise jeans or pants

Babydoll tops

Baggy clothes

Tattoo T-shirts

Short T-shirts

Printed pants.

KEEP:

A good black pant

Pencil skirts, graphic prints, boyfriend jacket

Leggings and skinny jeans, tunics, big hoop earrings

Full trouser pants

Scarves of all sizes, shapes and fabrics

Long sweaters, long vests, skinny leg jeans, short, fitted jackets, wide leg trousers and wide belts that are worn at the waist

Ankle pants, especially because you can tuck them in boots.

Versatile black dress

BUY:

A sweater wrap

Something rich in texture, such as a sweater.

Skinny jeans and solid-colored tights, in blackberry and rich berry colors, teal and mustard

Luxurious wraps, especially cashmere

Matching suit, instead of mixing and matching jackets with pants or skirts. It should be a bit stylized, not totally classic.

Great riding boots

Pencil skirt, a great day dress and a boyfriend jacket

Boots (ankle or over-the-knee) and buy a bold, oversized ring

STORE:

Ethnic or Bohemian prints

Shoes and handbags

Leggings

Cowboy boots

Capri pants

Long skirts

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.