| Getting ready to head back to school? These next | | | | know that Coco Chanel had just nine articles of |
| few simple tips will help you and your children start the | | | | clothing in her closet when she died? Her entire |
| school year on the right foot. | | | | wardrobe consisted of just nine pieces -- now that is |
| Plan a wardrobe. | | | | smart wardrobe planning! |
| Unless your child attends a school with a mandatory | | | | Attack the closet. |
| uniform, shopping for back to school clothes can be an | | | | Closets are breeding grounds for unwanted "stuff" so |
| annual battle between you and your student. | | | | it's a wise idea to purge your closets at least once a |
| Fortunately, a few minutes of thoughtful planning can | | | | year. Trash, sell or donate unwanted (or outgrown) |
| go a long way in saving you time and money, as well | | | | clothing, toys, sporting equipment, musical instruments, |
| as ensuring that your child gets the clothes he or she | | | | shoes, etc. File or ditch excess papers (which will also |
| wants, to display their own style and fit in with their | | | | keep the silverfish away), replace cedar planks or |
| classmates. | | | | other scented accents, vacuum the floor (especially if |
| Take some time to go through your child's current | | | | you haven't seen it in awhile!) and organize the |
| wardrobe to see what still fits, what is still in fashion, | | | | remaining items for efficiency and ease of use. |
| and what needs to be donated because of excessive | | | | This is sure to help your student start the year off on |
| wear and tear. Take stock of what he or she has, and | | | | the best possible foot. Encourage your children to |
| look to see what's missing (jeans shoes, long sleeve | | | | keep their closets organized (incentivize them if you |
| tops, etc.). Be sure to check the school's dress code | | | | have to!) so that you won't have to repeat this ritual |
| policy as well, to ensure you're making wise wardrobe | | | | each year. Remember to check under the bed, too! |
| purchases. Shop the sales to ensure you get the best | | | | Look for inexpensive, durable containers to help you |
| deal and stick to your list. | | | | organize stuff in the closets, and label the containers |
| When you plan a wardrobe in this way, you'll find that | | | | ("shoes," "winter gear," "video game accessories," etc.) |
| your child has more options and more possible | | | | as this will make it easier to keep items organized. |
| combinations in getting dressed each day. Did you | | | | |