Getting My Clothes Organized for Spring

As I discussed last week in this column about my favorite , I'm not going to be doing much spring and summer clothing shopping this year, what with having a baby in May. But what I have been doing with the clothing I have is seriously organizing my inventory.

The idea is that this spring and after baby, I'll be able to, as GOOP-y Gwyneth says, shop my closet. (I know, I know, you cringe but you have to admit that the smug mom of two has mad style.)

I went through and took a good hard look at every single parcel of clothing and accessory I owned. I grabbed a bunch of cardboard boxes and tackled my clothing with a very critical eye. I labeled one box keep, one box donate, one box rags and one box trash. I stored all keepers that I know I will not be wearing until late fall in the guest room closet and in Tupperware bins and sweater boxes. I feel fabulous and so does my closet and dresser!

My goals?

• To feel like I have a whole new wardrobe. By getting rid of things I don’t need and organizing the items I decided to keep, I feel like I went on a shopping spree and I am giving primo space to the things that I truly like.
• To re-embrace my old summer clothes. You know, the stuff really hasn’t changed that much since last year, no matter what those mags at the nail place try and tell us.
• To increase my post-baby workout motivation. There's a big link between organization and health. I for one feel that when my home is tidy, my willingness to make healthy choices goes way up, and I'm banking on that as I work to lose the baby weight.

• To save time getting ready. With a newborn, I'm going to need to get dressed in a fast minute and feel confident and current in my outfit all day...or at least until it gets barfed or pooped on.

Elle Decor always say to treat your closet like a jewel box and give the inside a fresh coat of paint or luxe wallpaper. WhatEVER. My big aesthetic move? I got rid of all wire hangers like Mommie Dearest and bought a bunch of plastic hangers in the color I already had the most of, white. The non-white hangers I use to hang the winter items in a storage closet. This color-coordinated hanger thing was totally goofy and makes me sound like a jerk, but it does make me feel more organized and the closet looks way neater.

I feel so good about my clothes options since getting rid of things and getting my remaining possessions in order that I bet I won’t feel the need to shop.

I know, I’m still shocked myself.

Want even better organizational tips? Check out these past Patch articles by professional organizer Leslie Berlin Clesner.

Jessica McFadden is a soon-to-be mom of three who is in major nesting mode. She writes daily about parenting at A Parent in Silver Spring.