Smarter seasonal clothing- and storage!- swapsfeatured
Seasonal clothing swaps!
Is it too early to think about swapping over seasonal clothing? (…Probably. But I’m gonna do it anyway.)
The trick to managing a vast amount of clothing at any given time is to plan– especially if you’re dealing with clothes for multiple members of the family. Just a little, friends, but you’ve gotta plan. (Otherwise you end up in Sweater City, atop Castoff Mountain, Population: You, crying wool-blend tears.)
Get stuff out.
This is especially pivotal before you switch new seasonal stuff in. I know, I know, the NEWNESS of the upcoming season is thrilling (and, frankly, what probably inspired your drive to do this project in the first place), but you’ll thank me for this one next Fall. What didn’t you wear this winter? What stuff is still holding guilt status in your closet (due to gift intention, purported value, or fleeting love of the dang thing)? Toss it now– and pass it along to someone who’ll actually, wonderfully wear it- and you won’t even think about it next season. Promise.
Tedious, I know, but if you’re mindful about the stuff you’re putting away NOW, you’ll have less stuff to sort, try on, and wonder about later on.
And while you’re at it!
Set up bags or bins for Next Season, Try On, Donate, or Trash. (Don’t just leave piles on the floor. Otherwise, in the thick of purging, well, see Sweater City, above.) And yes, you know which items are deserving of which bag or bin. Don’t look at me like that. You do. When you’re done clearing so much fresh air-filled, sexy, sexy clothing space, (and after you purge stuff from the incoming clothing stacks), THEN deal with the Try On stuff.
Li’l hack right here: Once you’ve unloaded the newcomers, you might find that you have a plethora of pants- and very little desire to try on the “Try On” pants anymore. BOOM.
Doing this for the kiddos?
Be realistic about wardrobe. Yep, that gorgeous Easter dress is your vision of a Pinterest photo shoot, but if she’s not going to ever be thrilled in it? Pass it on- and free up three hangers worth of space. Conversely, if your kid has a texture/fabric thing (like my middle gal does), load up on leggings and take a pass on corduroys with bunchy waistlines. (Yes, I know those cords are from Mini Boden. Yes, I know the leggings are from Old Navy and will rip by next Monday. I know. I know.)
And while most kids are too rough n’ tumble (and heck on play clothes) to ever rock a “capsule wardrobe,” adopt a less is more attitude. (Kids gets overwhelmed by choice and clutter just like the rest of us.)
In with the new!
Okay, ready? (Me too!) You’ve got a new pile of springtime faves. So…try ‘em on. Every last one. I know, I know, I know. But let’s have a little bit of Real Talk, yeah? If you don’t like how it looks/feels/fits now, it probably won’t be the first thing you reach for this summer. And yes, winter hibernation pounds are real and, absolutely, I believe in you. (You know I do.) But miracles are generally reserved for downtown parking spots and flights taking off on time- not waistlines shrinking multiple inches in a month.
If you’re enamored but it’s snug? Sure, hang onto it. Undecided and it’s tight? Come on…
Pro tip: You deserve clothes that fit you well and make you feel divine. Life is short. There’s no time for lukewarm feelings regarding denim.
Crowded closet/dresser/wardrobe?
Take this opportunity to have some tough talks with yourself. What sort of laundry crisis would have to happen to warrant three week’s worth of pants? (And in such a case, would I really care about dry clean-only khakis?) Yes, hoodies are God’s gift to comfort- but maybe one or two can be slouched on over to your favorite neighborhood teen? I believe in you.
Reusing one my favorite hacks, here: Anything you hang up should be hung backwards. When you wear it for the first time, hang it the right way. After 3-6 months, take stock of your closet. Sayonara, backwards-facing hangers!
Clean/purge/go
Before you send even one sweater to storage, make sure each and every item is clean, stain-free, and with buttons and zippers in fully operational order. (Keep those bugs out/keep that item immediately ready-to-wear!)
There’s a certain joy in clearing out a huge corner of your home and following it up with a big ol’ donation to a center near you. Decluttering your possessions (and mind) while helping those with way, way less? That’s pretty much why we’re here, folks. (Salvation Army and others will even do a free pick-up if the load’s big enough!)
(Pin me!)
Storage!
So what to do with the seasonal stuff- and, for the kids, hand-me-downs? I love clear, dust-proof moving bins. The ones I have (from Akro-Mils) feature great interlocking lids, making it easier to swap things in and out as needed and then to stack back up.
If you have the space, I highly recommend giving each member of the family a Spring/Summer and a Fall/Winter bin and labeling each with something removable like masking tape. (Bonus: When you empty one, it can immediately become the other. Having the restrictions of keeping next season’s clothing to one bin is a pretty nice limit, too.)
For your kids’ current/super imminent sizes, store those seasonally. Any sizes above for each kid can be stored in one honkin’ bin as 6T, 10, etc, etc. Kids’ sneakers and dress shoes to grow into, if you’re fortunate enough to have multiple sizes handy, should all go in one bin, regardless of size. (Otherwise you’re searching through the 2nd grader’s 7T bin for size 11 shoes that the preschooler might just be in waaay sooner than 2nd grade.) Same for winter and rain boots because a) they’re gigantic, and b) it’s really nice to have a one-stop way to determine who still needs what for the upcoming rainy/snowy season.
Store these bins in an attic or crawlspace, if you can. (Basements are pretty much just begging for moisture issues.) Rolling up sweaters and keeping them in suitcases is a nice double-duty hack, and don’t forget the real estate of under bed drawers!
And if you can’t store multiple sizes up for each kiddo? I give you permission to pass future hand-me-downs, well, down. (Unless you can see some sort of dystopian future where you’ll never again befriend folks with slightly older kids than yours, you’ll probably work out some age-appropriate clothing swaps. Another reason to continue being nice to people and making new friends. #payitforward)
Helpful hint: Before storing your winter gear, make a list in your planner or on your phone (I’m bonkers for the Wunderlist app) about outgrown snowpants and tights that should be replaced- not to mention staples in your own wardrobe that need replenishing- so you can hit up sales and neighborhood groups and, like, not end up with four pairs of size 8 Spiderman boots next October. (For example.)
However you choose to store your seasonal stuff, remember this: Always lavender, always cedar- NEVER MOTH BALLS.
Love,
Keely (who made that mistake in 2003 and is still, still paying for it)
Inspired yet? Stuff to add?
Comment below!
