The Great Closet Turnover of 2011

I generally reorganize and update the girls' closet once a year, typically in the spring. I do tend to make some minor updates in the fall when colder weather clothing becomes priority but the spring turnover is one of a kind. And I always forget how long it takes.

Here's what the closet looked like before I dug in on Saturday.

I knew that I was going to be cleaning it out so I hadn't been keeping it neat. I had also started pulling out some clothes that were too small.

Cute kid (Em) in the closet.

All of the girls' clothes are housed here. Pajamas are kept in baskets on the old changing table, which still resides in Allie's room. There is a tiny two drawer bureau/nightstand in Em's room where socks, tights and underwear are stored. Shoes that are in season (and commonly worn) are kept downstairs in the front hall. As are everyday coats.

Last year, I slowed down purchasing clothes ahead of time. I was finding that the girls are able to wear clothes for more than one year (i.e., they have summer dresses from last year that still fit this year) so we ended up with an overabundance of clothing. I have actually now stopped buying ahead. My last buy-ahead purchase was back in the fall during some Gymboree sale/Gymbucks thing. I picked up some super-cute outfits for next fall.

I haven't had to buy the girls any clothes this year. (That hasn't stopped me from picking up a few things here and there but I have seriously cut back.) They still have size 12-18 month shorts from The Gap that are a perfect fit. I found shorts on clearance last April in Target for $1 each. $1. I bought 10 pairs. They now fit. (Last year, I had to roll the waistband down.)

So here is the closet Sunday night. Finished.

Before, I kept all dresses together, all skirts together, etc. I had started to keep "collections" together as well. For example, I purchased a bunch of coordinating items from Gymboree's safari collection last summer. I keep all of those items grouped together instead of the dress with the dresses and the tops with the tops.

Because the girls insist on choosing their own outfits, I tried to move as much of the warm weather clothing as possible down to the lower portion of the closet. I couldn't get tank tops and short sleeve shirts down there but I did find room for everything else. The shoes to the left of the belt basket, which holds belts that my kids never wear, are in larger sizes.

Cute kids in the closet.