Simplifying Your Kids Wardrobe: 5 Steps to Building A Capsule Wardrobe

Creating a simplified wardrobe has simplified my life in so many ways. Now we spend less time and money on our kids’ clothing and have more outfits that work together.

The laundry room was one of the first places our family created a simplified system. Almost three years ago, we started folding laundry together as a family on Monday nights. I don’t know why we chose Monday or remember exactly how it all began, but I do remember being a tired and slightly resentful mom constantly washing, drying, and putting clothing away.  We started washing and drying during the day, and the kids would fold their own clothing and put it away at night. Then, we all started to become more mindful of the clothing we were wearing and the stuff we weren’t wearing.

We have learned with our kids that there are definitely clothes and types of clothes we prefer over others. Sometimes a hand-me-down from a cousin or friend will never get worn, or a gifted sweater will hang in the closet unworn until it's too small and you are ready to donate it.  Laundry baskets can be overflowing with clothes that have been barely worn as kids change or leave unworn clothes all over the floor. Having too much in your kids’ closet can be overwhelming and exhausting for all of you–too much constant laundry and too many decisions to make. By simplifying your kids' wardrobes you can foster confidence and independence as well as more ease and joy.

Here are 5 steps to get started with simplifying your kid’s wardrobe.

Quality Over Quantity
Good quality clothing not only lasts but it holds up to stains and wear and tear, so you can get a lot more wear out of clothing. If you have multiple kids, investing in high-quality pieces is a better investment in the long run when you can get years of wear out of a piece. We have found this especially true for bigger ticket items like winter jackets, boots, and sweaters.  If you are buying new, some of our favorite brands are HM, Zara, North Face as well as local handmade companies. If you know what you are looking for you can find lots of good quality brands at your consignment shops and thrift stores.

Pick a Colour Palette and Stick With It
Choosing neutral and complementary colors means everything in their closet can be worn together giving kids independence to choose their own outfits (although don’t get too carried away, it is fun to let your kids express their own style).  I also suggest having your kids get involved in some of the shopping and picking. We really like the 5 pack of shirts from the H&M conscious line. Sticking with a colour palette also makes packing for vacations or a weekend away super easy.  You can pack multiple pieces, and your kids can have the flexibility to mix and match outfits.

Get Your Kids Involved
Having your kids involved in laundry and putting away their clothes instills confidence and makes them aware of the process of wearing, washing, folding, and putting away. (No there aren’t laundry fairies!) As they get older they are less likely to just throw clothes in the laundry basket, saving you time and laundry.

Pick and Brand or Fit and Stick with It
Find a brand of clothing or style that fits your kid well and they enjoy wearing and just stick with it. Buying the same brand means a consistent style and fit—and a wardrobe that actually gets worn.  Kids sizing is infamously inconsistent—so I stick with what we know and like:)

Buy Everything You Need In 1-2 Shopping “Trips”
Your kids’ wardrobe will be more cohesive if you limit to 1-2 shopping “trips.” I say “trips” because for many that may mean online shopping and for me it can be shopping our own hand-me-down stash. I like to go through hand-me-downs and fill the gaps with online shopping or consignment/thrift shops. This saves time and money and limits impulse purchases. For me, it is extremely satisfying shopping knowing what exactly I am looking for and not being overwhelmed by too many choices or options. Head online or into a shop with a clear and specific list.

Sample Capsule Wardrobe For Any Kid For Any Season

Below is suggested clothing based on what I have for my kids. This is the guideline I follow for our 4-year-old son. Use it as a starting point and find what works best for you. You can also use this as a general guideline for kids of any age and maybe even yourself.  Remember the best-simplified wardrobe is one your child will actually wear. If they dislike long sleeves or jeans then don’t include them in their wardrobe and if they never wear dresses or dress shirts then don’t add them.

Tops

short-Sleeved Shirts/tops and or dresses 4-5

long-Sleeved Shirts/tops and or dresses 4-5

sweatshirts  1-2

zip-up 1-2

sweaters 1-2

dress shirts/dresses 2

Bottoms

casual (ie. leggings, joggers, shorts) 4-5

jeans/khakis 2

Underthings

socks  7

underwear 7-8

Footwear

sneakers

dress shoes

Additions for Spring and Summer

sandals 1

bathing suit 1

sunhat 1

rain pants 1

rain jacket 1

light fleece 1

rubber boots 1

Additions for Fall and Winter

long underwear shirt  1-2

long underwear pants  1-2

warm jacket 1

light jacket 1

ski pants  1

boots  1

mittens 2-3

touques 2

buff or neckwarmer 2

So that’s it. I hope you can enjoy simplified wardrobes for your kids, and more time doing the things you love instead of managing clothes and laundry. If you want to get started with a simplified capsule for your kids you can download the free checklist below.

Happy Simplifying!