Ahh elastic. During the months leading up to my children’s births and the long struggle to find my waistline afterwards, I leaned on the magical stretchy waistline to clothe my ever changing body.

At a certain point though, I peered into my closet and saw not a single thing I wanted to wear. My maternity clothes were baggy, my pre-baby clothes were impossible, and I was tired of looking at all of them on a daily basis.

Since we’re focusing on eco-nomical solutions this month, we won’t recommend burning your old clothes—though I have to admit that I have had pyromaniacal fantasies about setting fire to those black stretch pants that I wore three times a week for almost a full year. There are less drastic ways to make your closet a more refreshing place without fire–and without tossing your skinny jeans, or your hopes of wearing them, into the wind.

Step One. Pull everything out you hate. As a frugal, green soul, I always got hung up on this step. I would contemplate how much that hot pink plaid flannel jacket with hideous vertical stripes cost or who gave it to me and grudgingly hang it in the back, where I would catch a glimpse of its woodsy ugliness every single day. Eventually I learned that if I hate it on a gut level, it’s time to let it go!

Step Two. Organize everything else. Once I had a giant pile of loathed garments on the floor, it was time to actually arrange what was left in a way that made my life easier. I made sure my favorite pair of jeans were easy to access and the lovely floral sundress I wear once a year at summer weddings is stashed in the back. Nail up some hooks or invest in some hangers if it makes getting dressed even the least bit more fun.

Step Three. Determine what you might need. Would your life be infinitely better if you owned a pair of black yoga pants? (Mine is..sigh.) Do you need more work blouses that button down for easy nursing access? Make a concise list of what you need.

Step Four. Go buy it! You can certainly head off to Macy’s with credit card in hand, but our favorite eco-nomical solution for post partum clothing is buying used. Consignment shops or thrift stores often have top quality brands for a fraction of the price. Since your body may be fluctuating a bit over the next few months, it’s best to forgo expensive clothing that may not fit in the short run for high quality used garments. (Note..buying clothing at thrift and consignment stores may become habit forming. I began hitting used shops after my baby was born, and am now fully addicted four years later!)

Step Five. Decide What to Do With Your Rejects. Stay tuned to an upcoming post about establishing a clothing exchange with friends to swap out clothes and get new ones without spending a dime. You can always donate the lot or sell them at a consignment store to earn some cash for the clothes you’d like to have. The pre-baby jeans can be packed away out of sight for a later time so that you don’t have to view them on a daily basis.

Step Six. Enjoy Getting Dressed! Every day that you open your closet doors to see comfortable clothes that fit, is a day that starts out just a tad bit better. Celebrate your body where it is and realize that it takes time to shift back to your former shape. In the meantime, make your closet a friendly space!

Have you pulled out those maternity jeans yet? Are you still wearing them? Have you managed to attack your closet while caring for a newborn?