Outerwear Storage: How to Keep Your Irish Coats, Jackets, and Boots in Shape

When you live in Ireland, your outerwear, the coats, jackets, and waterproof layers you rely on through rain, wind, and chilly mornings. Also known as weather-ready clothing, it’s not just fashion—it’s survival gear. If you don’t store it right, it’ll shrink, smell, or lose its shape by next season. A wool coat left crumpled in a closet? It’ll stretch out. Wet boots stuffed under the bed? Mildew sets in fast. And don’t even get started on that puffer jacket you shoved into a plastic bag after Christmas.

Proper outerwear storage, the method of keeping coats, jackets, and footwear protected during off-seasons to preserve fabric, fit, and function. It includes seasonal clothing care and is essential in Ireland’s damp climate isn’t about fancy closet systems. It’s about simple, practical steps that match how you actually live. Think breathable cotton bags instead of plastic. Cedar blocks instead of mothballs. Shoe trees for boots that keep their form. You don’t need a walk-in wardrobe—you need to know what to do with what you’ve got.

Coat storage, the practice of hanging or folding heavy outer layers to prevent stretching, creasing, or moisture damage. It’s different from storing a light summer jacket matters because Irish winters leave wool, tweed, and waterproof fabrics damp longer than you think. Hanging your coat on a wide, padded hanger lets it breathe. Folding it? Only if it’s made of knit or synthetic material that can’t hold its shape on a hanger. And never, ever store a wet coat. Let it air dry first—preferably in a room with airflow, not a steamy bathroom.

Same goes for boot storage, the process of cleaning, stuffing, and protecting footwear to prevent cracking, odor, and deformation. Also known as footwear preservation. Mud, salt, and rain don’t just dirty your boots—they break them down. Clean them with a damp cloth, let them dry naturally for 24 hours, stuff them with newspaper or shoe trees, and slip them into a cotton bag. Leather boots? A dab of conditioner before storage keeps them from cracking. Rubber or synthetic boots? Just make sure they’re dry. A damp boot left in a closet for months will smell like a wet dog and start to peel.

And what about those bulky puffers and parkas? They don’t need vacuum sealing. That just crushes the insulation. Instead, hang them in a cool, dry spot—or fold them loosely in a breathable storage bin. If you’re short on space, use the top shelf of your closet, but keep them away from direct heat or sunlight. Sunlight fades colors. Heat weakens waterproof coatings.

Most people think outerwear storage is just about saving space. But in Ireland, it’s about saving money. A good coat costs €150. A pair of quality boots? €200. If you let them go bad because you didn’t store them right, you’re throwing cash away every year. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistency. A little effort now means you’ll still be wearing your favorite jacket in five winters.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real tips from Irish women and men who’ve learned the hard way. How to store your favorite tweed coat without crushing the shoulders. Why cedar is better than plastic for boots. What to do with that waterproof jacket you wore through three storms last January. These aren’t fancy closet hacks—they’re the quiet, practical habits people in Galway, Cork, and Dublin use to make their outerwear last.