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The drawers are full and everything that you are pulling out doesn’t seem to fit your child. You’re thinking to yourself, “I just went through their clothes not long ago. How can this be?!” Well, I have a plan that has been working pretty well for me over the last two years that may help some of you out there that are having the kid clothing woes!

First of all, figure out exactly what your child needs at a bare minimum. Here’s what I try to keep on hand.

Shoes:

• 1 nice pair of shoes for church, going out to eat, dress up times, etc..
• 1 pair of play shoes (these are usually the ones that they are just about to outgrow)
• 1 pair of regular tennis/activity shoes for school, going to the grocery store, playground, etc..
• 1 pair of sandals either slip on or velcro style; easy in / easy out shoes

Underwear:

• 2 packs of current size (works out to be about 12 – 16 pairs at 6 to 8 pairs per package)
• 1 pack of the next size up – unopened

Socks:

• 2 packs of current size
• 1 pack of next size up (unopened)
• For my son, I’ve started getting the Hanes socks that have a different color of thread at the toe for each size. That way when he goes up a size, all I have to do is get out all of the current color toes (green for now) and replace it with the next size up (red line at the toes). Before this method, I used to drive myself crazy trying to pick out all of the socks that didn’t fit. It always seemed like there were one or two that would get left in there!

Shirts:

Several dress shirts

Lots of regular shirts and play shirts

Shorts:

Lots of thin shorts that double for pj bottoms – I usually try to get these on clearance at half price or better, since he is mostly wearing them to bed. It’s way cheaper than spending $16 per pair of pj’s.

Several nice pairs of shorts for running around in. Usually 1 or 2 dark denim and several cacky/tan pairs.

Pants:

I have about 5 pairs of cloth (not denim) long pants. Black, navy, cacky, tan, etc.. Kohl’s has great deals on these from time to time. I can get them for $8 per pair or less.

Jackets:

1 thin / fall jacket – can be zippered, hoodie style or nylon, rain type jacket

1 medium play jacket

1 heavy winter jacket, hat, and gloves

The list is pretty much the same for my daughter except she has dresses instead of dress shirts and also a cute pair of dressy shoes (not formal though). I keep more pants than shorts for her since she is younger, smaller, and generally colder than he is.

So here’s my plan. 1 chest of drawers (4 large drawers) holds all clothes for both children except dress shirts / dresses, jackets, shoes that need to hang. Shoes go underneath and are readily accessible by the children to put on and take off. Underwear and socks are in small baskets inside the drawers, on the left hand side. His drawers are on the bottom since he is older and can dress himself. That makes sure that he can be as independent as possible.

Now, for the rest of the plan, you’ll need 2 plastic tubs. 1 for incoming sizes and 1 for outgoing clothes. I have a large Rubbermaid tub in a storage closet where all of the outgrown clothing goes. When I put something on one of them and it doesn’t fit, in the tub it goes – immediately. Do not put it back in the drawer! When the tub is full, out it goes. Either to consignment or donated to the local Salvation Army or other organization. Totally trashed shoes go in the trash. Same for any underwear and socks.

The other tub is for any new purchases (jackets, shoes 1 – 1 1/2 sizes up, underwear, socks, etc..) that the children can’t wear yet. Some items are from the clearance racks that have been bought the season before.

This plan keeps all outgrown clothes going out and gives the new stuff a home too (instead of taking up valuable drawer or hanging space). It really has worked wonders for us. Try it and let me know how it works out for you and your family!