source: Jon Kraft

With the official start of spring and more and more warm days every week, I’ve got the itch, and I’ve got it bad. It’s definitely time switch out all of our wardrobes and pull out the warm weather clothes.

With three growing girls (plus an undeniable need to break out the maternity clothes for myself), the idea of switching out the wardrobes can be a little overwhelming to me. How do I figure out what I have and what I need to buy? And as I pack away the old stuff, what do I keep and what do I repurpose or give away?

We’ll be talking about rotating seasonal wardrobes all week, but today, let’s start with some questions as you think through your family’s needs:

:: Is rotating wardrobes just a matter of packing up the winter stuff and pulling out the spring/summer stuff, or do you also have to purchase larger sizes for growing children?

:: If rotating wardrobes also means reevaluating sizes, have you stocked up on larger sizes or will you need to purchase everything?

:: What clothing needs does each member of your family need to have – dressy clothes, play clothes, sportswear, etc.?

:: Do you prefer to limit the amount of clothing each person has, or do you love adding new outfits throughout the season?

:: Do you have any hand-me-downs to sort through?

:: Do you have limited space for each person’s wardrobe, or do you make room for whatever they have?

:: Will you be packing away the winter clothes for next year or another child, or will you be giving them away?

:: When you pack away seasonal clothes, are they in a convenient location (such as under a bed) or in a harder to get to spot (such as the attic)?

:: Do you need to buy any hangers, storage totes, etc. before you’ll be able to finish rotating the clothes?

:: How many people’s clothes will you be rotating? Do you prefer to do them all at once or one at a time over several days/weeks?

Thinking through these questions before you start actually rotating the clothes gives you a head start and minimizes the surprises you’ll encounter in the process. We’ll talk more this week about some specific tips and methods for making the rotation a little easier for everyone, and I want to hear your tips as well!

Do you enjoy switching out your family’s wardrobes, or is it something you dread? Have you started the process yet this year?