How To Create a Kids’ Capsule Wardrobe

So, you know, I have six kids. There’s a lot of large family living going on here! It’s springtime here in Alabama and a few weeks ago it was time to switch out the kids’ fall and winter clothes for spring and summer clothes. I literally got so overwhelmed trying to switch everything that I broke down in tears! There were so.many.clothes. I was surrounded and had no idea what to do with it all. I’ve known for a while I needed to pare down the kids’ clothes, so in my usual fashion, I turned to the internet and searched how to create a kids’ capsule wardrobe. I’ve heard about capsule wardrobes and how much they help simplify the laundry process, so in my quest to simplify life with kids, I’m giving it a go.

How To Create a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids

In all of my research I have discovered that a capsule wardrobe consists of all of the basic clothing items that a person could need. Those clothing items can be mixed and matched to create several different outfits. For example, you can create a wardrobe with 15 items and create 30+ outfits with just those items.

Many people choose to buy their kids a certain number of pieces of clothing. I have done that, too, but I probably have a few more pieces of clothing than the average capsule wardrobe. I also really love sets for my youngest kids, so I do have a few “outfits” that may not mix and match as easily.

You’ll also want to create a basic color palette for each child. For our boys we have chosen khaki/navy for their bottoms and their favorite colors for their tops. I have one son who loves blue, one who loves orange, and one who loves red. Those colors are reflected in their tops.

For our daughters we have chosen black as the base color, and then pinks, purples, and yellows.

Each child has 2-3 pairs of shoes. We buy casual shoes and then dress shoes. So, in the summer each child has a pair of sandals and dress shoes. In the fall we purchase athletic shoes and new dress shoes if needed. 

If you are going to create a very small capsule wardrobe, I would recommend purchasing higher quality items because you are going to be washing the clothes often. You want clothes that aren’t going to fade and fall apart easily. Because our capsule wardrobe is a little larger than most, I’m ok with purchasing some of our kids’ clothes from Walmart. I also purchase from Kohl’s, Old Navy, Target, and if I go thrifting I look for clothes from Gymboree and The Children’s Place.

Benefits of Kids Capsule Wardrobe

I see two main benefits to a kids’ capsule wardrobe.

1. Less Laundry – As a family of eight, the laundry is one of my biggest and most daunting chores. If my kids only have a certain number of clothes they aren’t going to be changing multiple times per day.
2. Less Mess – I don’t know about you, but my kids like to throw their clothes all over their rooms. Less clothes – less mess all over the floor.

Children’s Wardrobe Essentials

I divide my children’s wardrobe by seasons. So, essentially, we have a spring/summer wardrobe and a fall/winter wardrobe. 

How many sets of clothes does a kid need?

Younger children and babies will need more sets of clothes than older kids because accidents happen. I personally aim to make sure we have enough clothes to last one week. With my babies and toddlers, I’m doubling that number. 

Let’s take a peek at the children’s capsule wardrobe checklist I made for my kids.

Boys Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

Color Palette: brown/navy and red, orange, and blue

• 7 T-shirts
• 3-5 “nice” shirts
• 7 long sleeve shirts
• 3 pairs jeans
• 3 pairs pants
• 3-4 cargo shorts
• 3-4 athletic shorts
• 1 khaki pant
• 2-3 pairs shoes
• 2-3 pajamas
• 1 light jacket
• 1 heavy coat
• underwear
• socks

Girls Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

• 7 T-shirts
• 5-6 play dresses 
• 3-4 undershorts
• 7 long sleeve shirts
• 3-5 skirts
• 3 pairs leggings
• 2 tights
• 3 pairs shorts
• 2-3 fancy dresses
• 2-3 pairs shoes
• 2 nightgowns/ 2 pajamas
• 1 light jacket
• 1 heavy coat
• underwear
• socks
• bows for hair

So, that’s my list for our capsule wardrobe for kids! How would you like a chance to win a gift card to purchase clothes for yourself, or anything else you need for that matter?