How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids

Maximize outfit options while minimizing spending costs by creating a seasonal capsule wardrobe for your kids.

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Buying clothes for growing kids can be quite difficult. With as fast as children grow, clothes often don’t last more than a season or two. Additionally, the older a child gets the more wear and tear their clothes get, so they often don’t last as long due to getting stained, dirty, or holes in them.

Buying new clothes so often can get very expensive. I have applied multiple different techniques to purchasing clothing in the past. When my oldest was very young, I did not have any hand-me-downs so everything was purchased new. I generally stuck to neutral colors and that was very convenient as everything (for the most part) was able to match everything else. Once my daughter started to get older and her personality started to show, we began to purchase her fun colors and exciting prints so she could express herself.

I loved seeing her in her clothes that she picked out, but things quickly became difficult with creating outfits since certain pieces would match only with one or two other things. This also increased the amount of times a week I was having to do laundry to make sure we had the necessary pieces clean to create outfits.

For my youngest, I am utilizing the hand-me-downs from my oldest, but we are getting to the point that the size she’s currently wearing are not lining up with the seasons and type of clothing, so we are in need of a new wardrobe for her for the fall.

As I have prepared to purchase clothing for my girls, I have decided to create a capsule wardrobe for both. My goal is to spend under $200.00 per child while getting all necessary pieces to take us through the fall. I decided to do a capsule wardrobe because I would like to maximize the outfit options by having pieces that all match with each other. In addition, I am hoping that some of these pieces will move with us into the winter. Any pieces that the girls either grow out of or that get destroyed can be replaced with the same item to continue maintaining their capsule wardrobe.

I truly love colors for my girls and I know that they enjoy them too. The capsule wardrobe will be mostly neutral colors, but I am not concerned that they will not have color in their wardrobe. Any time we have gifts given to them or let them pick something themselves, it ends up being something colorful. A capsule wardrobe will allow the base of their wardrobes to be neutral and match well, and the colorful extras will be a wonderful addition.

In this blog post, we will go over the most common FAQ about how to create a capsule wardrobe for kids.

Capsule Wardrobe FAQ

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated selection of clothing pieces that all work well together to create an outfit. The pieces are generally versatile and neutral or basic in color, easily able to be matched with any other piece in the collection. A capsule wardrobe significantly increases outfit choices by creating a mix-and-match ability with all pieces. For a child, a capsule wardrobe can be beneficial because, as they learn to dress themselves and gain independence, they will be able to independently create beautiful and matching outfits.

What is the Purpose of a Capsule Wardrobe?

The purpose of a kid’s capsule wardrobe is to maximize outfit options while minimizing spending costs by creating a smaller wardrobe with versatile pieces. A kid’s capsule wardrobe is a thoughtfully curated collection of essential clothing items that are versatile, timeless, and can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. The goal is to simplify dressing your child while ensuring they look stylish and feel comfortable.

What are the Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe?

There are many benefits of a capsule wardrobe. Some of these are as follows:

• Lower Costs: Buying fewer pieces can be more budget-friendly in the long run. You’ll spend less on impulse purchases and reduce the need for constant wardrobe updates. Some people choose to purchase “higher quality” items in a capsule wardrobe, but for kids I don’t find this to make sense. My kids love being active and outdoors, so their clothes get a lot of wear and tear. I prefer to purchase items that are affordable and replace when an item gets worn out.
• Saves Time and Energy: Mornings can be chaotic, but a capsule wardrobe streamlines the process of getting your child dressed. With fewer choices, decision-making becomes quicker and easier. In addition, my daughter loves being able to dress herself, and a capsule wardrobe makes sure that whatever outfit she chooses she will be matching.
• Environmental Consciousness: By focusing on purchasing fewer items, you can reduce your family’s impact on the environment. The fast fashion industry generates a significant amount of waste, and a capsule wardrobe can be a more sustainable choice.

Is a Capsule Wardrobe Cost Effective?

A capsule wardrobe is cost effective. It is less expensive because fewer pieces of clothing are required to create beautiful and modern outfits. In addition, as pieces need replacing, it is cheaper to replace one piece or add a new piece than to have to purchase an whole new outfit to add to your closet.

As an example, a capsule wardrobe that works well in the fall can easily transform into a great wardrobe for the winter by purchasing a coat and a pair of boots to improve warmth of the outfits.

Creating Your Child’s Capsule Wardrobe

1. Assess Current Wardrobe: Start by taking stock of your child’s existing clothing. Identify what fits, what’s in good condition, and what your child actually wears.
2. Identify Core Items: Select core pieces that are versatile and seasonally appropriate. This may include basic tops, bottoms, outerwear, and a few special items for occasions.
3. Consider Your Child’s Preferences: Involve your child in the process. Ask them about their favorite colors, patterns, and styles to make sure they feel comfortable and confident in their clothing.
4. Mix and Match: Choose colors and patterns that can be easily mixed and matched. Neutrals like navy, gray, black and white work well, with a few fun colors or prints for variety.
5. Invest in Quality: Look for well-made, durable clothing that can withstand the wear and tear of active kids. Keep comfort in mind, especially for younger children.
6. Set a Number Limit: Decide on the number of items for the capsule wardrobe. A typical range might be 20-30 pieces, but adjust it based on your child’s needs and activities. Also take into consideration your laundry routine. Make sure to have enough outfits available between laundry days.
7. Rotate Seasonally: Seasonal changes are a wonderful opportunity to review and refresh the capsule wardrobe. Donate or store items that are out of season and bring in new ones as needed, such as a coat and boots for winter or shorts and tank tops for summer.

My Method for Creating a Capsule Wardrobe for My Kids

For my kids, I am creating a capsule wardrobe that will include at least enough outfits for a full week. I am choosing this because while I do my best to stay on top of laundry, there are weeks that I cannot get to it until the weekend and I do not want to be stressing about them not having clothes available to wear. Also, I feel it’s important to always be prepared with kids, and there are times that an outfit gets dirty and needs to be changed so more than one outfit will be worn in a day. Because of this, I will be making sure to have at least two options for outfits each day.

For the capsule wardrobe, I chose the following for my almost 5 year old:

• 10 tops
• 10 bottoms
• 2 dresses
• 1 jacket

For my 7 month old, these are the items I will be getting:

• 10 tops
• 10 bottoms
• 2 dresses
• 1 jacket