Fall weather is finally here, and I’m so excited to unearth all of my sweaters, boots, and corduroys. Besides my own wardrobe, I’m also in charge of switching out my daughters’ summer apparel and getting them outfitted for the cold months ahead. My husband is left to his own devices for the most part, but if you, like me, are responsible for multiple family members’ closet swap-outs, it can be overwhelming. As you prepare your family’s wardrobe for the season ahead, here are some tips, tricks, and strategies to make sure everyone’s butts are covered, literally.

First, Rome wasn’t built in a day. By this, I mean it’s unrealistic to expect to swap out summer clothes and swap in fall/winter clothes all in one afternoon, day, or weekend. Like the change of seasons themselves, transitioning apparel is a process that takes time. Ideally, you’ll want to start phasing out warm weather clothes around the beginning of September. Take stock of how many pairs of shorts, tees, and sundresses everyone will need to make it through the month. Put those aside, then pack away the majority of your warm-weather clothes.

As September rolls into October and the daily temperatures start lowering, start pulling out long-sleeved shirts, cardigans, jeans, layering leggings, and warmer socks. If you haven’t already, assess everyone’s outerwear at this time as well. See what shape everyone’s winter coat is in after six months of storage. Which overcoats need dry-cleaning, which puffer jackets need new zippers, does everyone have a coat, snow pants, hat, and gloves that fit? And don’t forget to look in the very back of those closets and attics for all the winter apparel you bought last spring on sale. Give everything a good shake, brush, and airing out before machine washing. If someone needs a new coat, especially if that someone may grow over the winter, best to size-up when making a purchase. It’s fine if your little one’s coat is a bit baggy, you want a garment that will see them through till spring.

Once you have outerwear sorted, it’s time to move on to holiday and activity outfits! The next three months are jam-packed with festive events and family gatherings where you’ll want your brood to look their best. I’m not suggesting you need to coordinate matching ensembles for each member of your household, but if you want to, you certainly have my blessing. At the very least, I recommend that you start to think about what everyone will be wearing for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s, as well as any additional activities on your calendar, like homecoming, family events, harvest festivals, special church services, and any specialty gear for hunting season. Then, go about the arduous process of making sure these garments fit, are clean, and aren’t in need of repair.

Next, start your list. Whether it’s physically written down, typed up on your phone, or just a running mental scroll, list out all the items your family will need but do not have for your upcoming events and the winter ahead. Think of it as the start of your gift list for the coming holidays. This can be a mix of functional garments, like snow boots, and scarves, as well as stylish or event-specific pieces, like a dress for the winter formal or a bright striped sweater to bring some more color into your winter apparel. Don’t forget accessories like dress shoes, belts, and neckties for any formal shindigs on your calendar. And, as any good household organizer knows, this is a great time to incorporate the hand-me-downs from older children to younger siblings. Even if they aren’t the same gender, you can still pass on pieces to little kids that are neutral, like plain long-sleeved shirts, sweatpants, and navy coats.

Speaking of hand-me-downs, once you’ve cleaned and organized the closets in your home, look to see what items you will no longer be wearing, but are still in good enough shape for others to wear. Before you start shopping to fill the holes in your fall/winter wardrobe, consider organizing a clothing swap with friends and other families. Have your mom friends come over with their kids’ outgrown winter gear and see if anything fits the bill off your “gift” list from before. This is a great way to save money, reduce clothing waste, and have time with friends. Items that aren’t successfully swapped can be donated.

I’m very lucky that my girls are young enough they’ve yet to put up any resistance to the clothes I plan for them. To take full advantage of this blessing, my mission this fall is to have them wear all their cute dresses for Mass each Sunday before they grow out them and before it gets too cold for dresses. This includes hand-me-downs, gifts from overly giddy Grandmas, and a few matching frocks that were just too cute to resist. I have the dresses grouped together in their closet for a quick grab n’ go come Sunday morning. I’ve also picked out clothes for our annual trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving, which is still a while away but seems to always sneak up on me every year. If you have the luxury of being able to set clothes aside for specific occasions or upcoming travel, go ahead and do it. Maybe even pack up those holiday sweaters in everyone’s suitcase now, so you know it’s done.

Lastly, don’t forget underpants. I say this to my husband every time he starts packing. All joking aside, don’t neglect the underwear drawers. Underpants, tights, undershirts, bras, shapewear, go through everyone’s underthings, and see what needs to be thrown out (underthings are not eligible for swap parties or donations) and what needs to be replaced. From briefs to black tights, I recommend having a good 2-3 weeks’ worth of undergarments in working order for everyone in your household. Again, the point of all this labor is to make sure everyone’s butts are covered.

Of course, older children and spouses should be part of the process and hopefully be able to do a lot of this work for themselves. Try to get family members involved in at least part of the process. Have them go through their own clothes and decide what can be swapped, handed down, donated, or thrown away. The good thing about a thorough fall wardrobe prep is that once it’s done, it’s done, and you won’t have to worry about hauling bins of clothes in and out of storage until late in the spring.