Comments on: How My Kids’ Capsule Wardrobe Simplified My Life (& Laundry)

By: Marisa

Marisa — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:04:53 +0000

I do half in their proper size and half in a mix of larger sizes. I do laundry every 3 days, so a 2t girl would have 4 days of proper fitting clothes(maybe 6 outfits? Cuz accidents) then maybe 3 3t and 3 4t outfits as back ups. I’m not as hurt if my girl ruins a 4t outfit before it even fits properly as I am if I buy extra 2t outfits when the pipes freeze then never touch them again after and they get outgrown. Don’t buy the back ups all the same size even if it’s larger because your kid might blow past that size. Get a mix. A 4t dress will be a bulky maxi dress on a 2t child but she could grow into and out of a 3t over the summer and all that 3t back up would be a waste. And again, these are back ups. So like If you are in daycare(not us), those extras they want are the oversized things you send in. If you vacation twice a year and don’t want to wash on vacation those couple extra outfits you need for that are a little bigger. Main thing to watch is necklines(spaghetti straps will fall off if too big) and if pants have adjustable waists. Length can be rolled on some things but for tops things with thick cuffs or elastic wrists stay up better rolled/scrunched than a basic tee shirt. I do second hand for some and buy some new, second hands are usually larger sizes and new is usually as needed items. Also I find blouses resist stains and look nicer longer than basic tees without a major price difference. Woven cottons are sturdy and comfy. Chambray matches anything and if you get solid neutral bottoms they will match most other things too.

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 09:02:22 +0000

In reply to Lizzy. I think it just means that the laundry won't have a chance to turn into a huge pile if there isn't a huge pile of clothes in the house.

By: Lizzy

Lizzy — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 17:52:30 +0000

I think I need to do it, problem with my kids is that they love all their outfits!

Also, question, how does this reduce the amount of laundry? I mean, if they have 5 outfits or 20 outfits, in both cases they wear one outfit a day, right? so the amount of dirty laundry is the same…

By: Jamie Larrison

Jamie Larrison — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 19:50:49 +0000

In reply to Jessica Evelsizer. No, but the lists would be similar. Just swap out any summer/spring items for fall/winter alternatives. Like a heavy coat in lieu of a light jacket.

By: Jessica Evelsizer

Jessica Evelsizer — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 21:52:19 +0000

Do you have a fall/winter list somewhere?

By: Erin Boutin

Erin Boutin — Thu, 06 May 2021 16:39:55 +0000

Thank you! Great article!

By: Jari

Jari — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 16:41:45 +0000

This sounds like a lot of clothe for a capsule wardrobe. It sounds more like an average amount. I guess it means something different to everyone though.

By: Bryony

Bryony — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 19:08:24 +0000

Some great ideas and i definitely want to try and implement a capsule approach to my kids’ wardrobe as i am totally overwhelmed by laundry. I find we have too many of some things, but not enough of others…and i hadn’t factored in how different kids wear out clothes differently…e.g. my daughter is wearing out the bottoms on her rompers through skidding down the beach pebbles but my son never did that…he just chucked food all over his tops instead! However, just one note, that i found it funny that you would tell your kids that they can only wear two block colours or one block and one pattern at a time. Personally, i love seeing what crazy combos my son comes up with and it makes him really happy to choose his clothes!

By: Sevi

Sevi — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:32:42 +0000

Hey Mama, You never did a post on your “sock system” I have been following this post for guidance on my child’s minimalist wardrobe for about 3 years now and it works perfectly.

By: Mo Tunnell

Mo Tunnell — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 17:12:59 +0000

We recently did this with all 5 kids. However, buying ANYTHING new was not an option. So, we just used what we had. My kids still have more clothing than they “need.” They play SO HARD that they rip through even high-quality clothes like Hanna Andersson leggings. (I’ve bought them myself and have been gifted a few for my girls.) I do keep extras of things because they need replacements before things are outgrown- jeans bust out at the knee, cloths tear on trees or concrete, etc. On the high shelves in my closet, each child has a small bin for extras and things soon to be grown into. I also don’t do laundry every day, even with a family of 7. So a slightly larger wardrobe allows that. But having less really does decrease stress for the kids. And I hate laundry a lot less.

By: Annie

Annie — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 12:20:25 +0000

amazing blog The minimalist idea is great. Tia Cibani kids collection is also a good choice to buy for our kids,

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 19:19:31 +0000

I only use cold water and good detergent to wash clothes so there’s no need to separate the laundry. Used clothing has been washed and so the colors won’t bleed.

By: marion

marion — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 19:42:22 +0000

I’m with Jennifer. Please do an adult capsule wardrobe!

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 15:30:35 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. We really like ThredUp for adult clothes, too!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 17:26:17 +0000

Katie, where do you shop for clothes for yourself? I’m having a hard time finding the happy medium between teeny bopper and “mom clothes.”

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 13:24:48 +0000

In reply to Rachel. I list my favorites here :-)

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 20:49:58 +0000

What are your favorite shoes for your kids, across seasons?

By: Kristen Walton

Kristen Walton — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 22:22:30 +0000

This is brilliant! I have been fighting the laundry monster for YEARS, and I am so excited to do laundry and start building capsule wardrobes for my family of seven this weekend! THANK YOU!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 23:04:31 +0000

This is a great idea and I really appreciate how you explained the process. I think we are doing this now. Like you, I have looked past the capsule wardrobe idea for years but what you said really resonated. Thanks for sharing yet another truly useful idea.

By: Dani

Dani — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 13:07:51 +0000

Wow. Thought it was a bit selfish for u to toss their shirt just cause for u it’s an eye sore or forcing your clothing choices for the mixed matches items
If it makes them happy. Let them!!! Everyone has a style. It doesn’t have to be plain and boring
My kiddo isnt yet two. I give her two or three choices. Sometimes she says no and points at something else she sees. She can wear it and if her top n bottom don’t match??? All well. She chose it and it made her happy choosing it. Shoes don’t match??? All well. She chose them and put them on herself
Only thing she don’t normally choose is her cloth diaper cause I just grab the first one I can. And usually she don’t care. We’re potty training and we’re house trained so usually they just get tossed off unless going out