Simplify Me: What am I going to wear today?!

Earlier this week I told Lisa I'd do a post on closet organization on Saturday--yesterday. But then I completely forgot! 

Organizing the closets in her home is one of Lisa's goals for this project, and it's something we all seem to do a lot. We get a closet put in order and then somehow a month or two  later it needs to be done again.

(I'd like to say that in my home it's because other people mess it up--but my half of the closet and the armoire where I keep some of my clothes suffers from the same problem! Perhaps it's just the nature of closets.)

Since I don't have pictures of my closets to share right now (which I will do in upcoming posts on this, talking about specific closets as we go like kids' closets, adult closets, coat closets, linen closets, etc.), I thought I'd take a minute and talk about getting dressed each day--something related to closets.

For the past couple of years I have tried to set out clothes for the girls on Sunday nights--determining ahead of time--and with their help--what they'll wear each day. It makes our mornings run so much more smoothly.

Of course there are those days when they suddenly decide they hate the outfit they agreed on just days earlier, but for the most part it works. There are also those days when the weather does something completely unexpected--snowing on a day when the forecast predicted highs in the mid-50s. That always requires a change in plan.

As I said, this works great for the kids. But I have still had the tendency to change clothes three or four times, running around at the last minute like a crazy woman because I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!

So last week I tried something new in light of the fact that I have to leave the house at a particular time each day during the week and can't sit around in my jammies until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I set out my clothes for the week too. 

And it worked! (I only changed my mind one day--and that only involved picking a new top to go with my jean skirt.) It worked so well that I'll be setting out my outfits along with the girls' clothes before we head to bed tonight.

Here's what it requires:

• Printing out the forecast for the week--Will we need heavy coats, snow boots, hats, gloves, and all that stuff?
• Knowing the girls' school schedule--What days do they have P.E.? Is there a field trip requiring chapel dress and a red shirt? Remembering chapel dress (khaki bottoms and a collared shirt) every Thursday.
• A system for setting out their outfits so they know what to wear each day (see below)
• Time--All told, it takes about 15-30 minutes to do this with both Audrey and Emma and about the same amount of time for me (I go ahead and pick out accessories like jewelry and shoes at the same time too)
• Clean clothes (though if some things are in the wash it does help ensure that we wear all of the clothes we  have rather than just the same favorite outfits again and again) 

The girls each have an organizer hanging in their closets with five shelves. (I got this one from IKEA, but you can find them at Target or Container Store or Bed, Bath & Beyond.) The top shelf is Monday, next shelf is Tuesday, and on down. We put shoes and socks on the bottom of the shelf, stacking the rest of the outfit on top to keep it from getting dirty.

For myself, I just made some room on one of the hanging bars of my closet and hung everything up from left to right, hanging jewelry from the hangers and folding sweaters or other items that I don't store on hangers over the hanger so the outfit was all together. 

So...how do you tackle what to wear each day--for yourself and any kids who aren't quite ready to select their own clothes each day? Let's hear your ideas and systems--and if you blog about it, put a link to your specific post in the comments too.

Comments

[Lisa R-P]

Joanne,
We have those hanging things from IKEA in both of the kids closets to and use them the same way. It works really well.
Lisa

[Kim Feth]

Can I loosely hang this idea on a scripture? I heard someone that "sometimes putting on the full armor of God means making sure you have matching socks the night before". I've said Amen to that ever since - not that I don't have to re-learn that lesson every now and then.
I have a similar organizational system for my almost 8 y/o son. We learn the weather for the week and pick out the clothes. He really doesn't care what he wears, so long as it's appropriate for the weather and comfortable. That does make it easy.
I've gotten in the habit of ironing everything that I'll wear for the week and hanging them in order.
The fun part of the closet these days is that I'm losing weight, so I've just handed out my "they're too big" pants to another lady and I keep trying on my goal pants.
Somehow though, I still end up doing an old fashioned go-thru and organizing about two to three times per year. Maybe I need to expand on the organizational components in the closet? Any input anyone?
Kim Feth
Apex, NC

[Puva]

Sometimes, I pick out clothes for the next day and hang them up on a hanger on the cupboard door knob. Sometimes, I don't plan. I just take out what's comfortable and suitable for the day. But it's usually better to plan out, so I've been trying to stick to that habit. (:

[Elizabeth]

Hi Joanne! I have been following your blog for awhile but this is my first comment! I met you awhile ago at Bethany MOPS- my mom lives 2 doors up from your parents! Anyway- you would not believe your timing on this post! I have been wanting to start doing this and it has been on my mind lately I even picked out cute colors for each child on landofnod.com. My husband thought it was the craziest idea- just a weird type-a thing. We were talking about it and I happened to open my email and read this. I said, see I think God wants me to do this and he said, "okay, he must, so go ahead!" It was too funny!

[Jen]

All I can say is "I am SO unworthy" ;o)

I think I'm going to print this post and hang it on the bathroom mirror, and the refrigerator, and the door, and anywhere else I will see it to get me motivated to get into the "great closet organization of 2009". Maybe it would be easier if all of you just came to my house and we can just have a closet party!

Thanks for the "swift kick" Joanne....I needed it ;o)