When we KonMari-ed our entire house and I switched to a Capsule Wardrobe, it only made sense for me to do the same for the kids’ clothes. This is where my love for a minimalist child’s wardrobe was born.
Please raise your hand if your kids have too many clothes. Oh me! Pick me! Pick me!
It’s really easy to buy clothes for your kids, especially if you shop consignment sales like I do….especially for Annie because I could not resist buying “one more cute dress!” It’s only $3!!
I found that Annie might only wear an outfit two times because she had so much! Confession time – half my attic is full of Annie clothes. From birth to size 5T winter. If I was to show you, you wouldn’t believe it. Would. Not. Believe. It. But, I felt like it was okay because I didn’t pay much of anything for those clothes.
But why should we spend money on something we might only wear one or two times? Isn’t it a better use of our money to buy a few things and get the wear out of them? I think so.
(Note: When the weather cools down, I will be getting in the attic to de-clutter all the clothing I have up there. For 3 children, I probably have at least 50 totes.)
So, what is a mama to do?! Should I keep all these clothes? Should I sell them all or just donate the lot of them? Ahhhhhhhhh! The pressure!
I asked a friend. A friend with a large family. A friend with experience. “Stephanie, what am I going to do with all these clothes?! I can’t keep saving them all or they are going to TAKE OVER OUR HOUSE!” She gave me some very wise advice. And it was like she relieved me of 15 pounds of worry (I wish).
For her children she said she bought minimally, but would keep and store: church clothes in good condition, shoes in very good condition, belts, and her favorite items in a reliable shoe cabinet. That’s it. No t-shirts. No knit dresses. Not shoes that have a “little bit of wear left.”
When it’s so easy to donate what you don’t need or outgrow and so easy to replace with consignment or yard sale clothing, it doesn’t make sense to store clothing items for 6+ years…which is what I have done for Annie.
So, instead of keeping it all, now I’m following those same guidelines and it’s made a huge difference here as far as storing out-grown clothing.
I absolutely cannot wait to clean out the attic now! Wow – I just said that. #lamemomalert
You might be wondering, what did I keep for my kids to wear and what did I get for them this winter? I’ll tell you, because I’m boring like that.
For a minimalist child’s wardrobe for Annie (age 6)
Enough clothing for 2 weeks. Because I wanted the peace of mind to know that if something went wrong with anyone’s health, I had two full weeks before I had to worry about clothes. Nice, huh?
- 6-7 day-wear dresses with leggings
- 7 shirts
- 7 pairs of pants
- 2 coats (one for every day wear and one for church)
- 4 pairs of winter shoes + one pair of snow boots
- 4 church dresses
- 2 Christmas outfits
- 3 pairs of pajamas
- 14 pairs of panties
- 10 pairs of socks + 3 tights
For a minimalist child’s wardrobe for boys (ages 3 and almost 1)
Enough clothing for 2 weeks. Which wouldn’t last two weeks because my kids are dirty. Like, “Holy cow! Have you been rolling around with the pigs?!”
- 10 pairs of pants
- 14 shirts
- 2 coats (one for every day wear and one for church)
- 3 pairs of winter shoes + one pair of snow boots
- 4 church outfits: 4 pairs of nice pants and 4 button up shirts
- 2 Christmas outfits
- 3 pairs of pajamas
- 14 pairs of BBs (boy’s bloomers) + cloth diapers
- Miscellaneous socks because my kids are always misplacing socks
For Eli, this easily fits in one drawer. Annie is able to hang her dresses and have the rest of hers in drawers.
This still may seem like a lot, but it’s what works for us. It has really cut down on space issues in their bedrooms.
I purchased all of their clothing used from Wee-Cycle It and some of their items were from Mamaw or The Children’s Place…which runs FANTASTIC sales.
Do your children have a minimalist wardrobe?
Jessica says
I might have to adjust for myself. I dunno how you only have one coat for everyday
My 5 year old is always getting dirt all over his jackets and coats. I wash his jackets often. (We don’t use coats too much, because we live in GA and most of the time a jacket will do.) Thanks for your post.
Julie Chittock says
Every one has different needs – that’s the beauty of creating your own minimalist wardrobe! You can access your current situation and make a minimalist wardrobe that works for you and your kids. I wish you lots of luck.
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Linde says
Thank you! This seems so much more realistic than limiting kids clothes to an arbitrary number. I just watched a video where a mom only gave her kids 5 sets of clothes, and that included church clothes!! I packed like that for a week-long trip with my kids and regretted it. They had nothing to wear by day 4 because (wouldn’t you know it) they got dirtier than usual and had to change clothes halfway through the day!
Julie Chittock says
Thanks for commenting! And I agree limiting to an arbitrary number like you said just creates stress – and an unnecessary washing of clothes! LOL.
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Kelly says
So I am inspired. I went through my 2 year old closet , hand me downs from 5 yr old brother and new both gifts and purchased…he had 60 short sleeve shirts. I went through and gave 30 away. For me, that’s a win! Although I realize still excessive. I hesitate to give more away because there may be a third coming down the line eventually
Julie Chittock says
Yeah for you! I know decluttering a kids closet can be a huge project – keep up the good work 🙂
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Jeanetta says
I have recently been going through my five youngest children’s clothing. I have decided to wash their clothes only ONCE per week-which amounts to about two loads of laundry. My four older children do their own laundry separately on their own. I am leaving them 2-3 pair of pants or culottes, 2-3 t-shirts (we live in Florida), 2 church outfits, 2 school outfits, and 1-2 go out outfits. 1 pair each of Church shoes, yard shoes, and go-out shoes. Most of the clothes they had out before just ended up all over the house anyway, and I was constantly washing mostly clean clothes that they threw in the hamper when they cleaned up their room-ugh! If I need to, I can throw some of their clothes into my laundry, or in another load of laundry (like towels and sheets, for instance). I work on the weekends, so basically, I do 2 loads of younger children’s clothes, 1 load of my husband and my clothes, 1 load of my husband and my sheets/towels, 1 load of children’s sheets/towels, plus whatever towels/rags/kitchen laundry and blankets/comforters need to be washed. If I could figure out how to do it, I would cut down on all the extra towels/kitchen laundry/rags I have to wash-it seems like I do 2-3loads a week, because we have a lot of spills/messes/cleanup and lots of kitchen laundry gets used daily, because someone gets out another towel, or drops a dish towel on the floor (don’t want to use it after that!). Or too many bath cloths get used. I did buy each child their own special bath towel so that they can tell them apart, and that works pretty well. I am considering wash bed linens and bath towels only twice a month, instead once per week, as my children usually get a daily bath. There are so many ways we can cut down on the constant workload by not worrying if we are doing things like “everyone else is”, or how our Mama did things. I have had eleven children, and let me tell you, you learn to be a minimalist by default!
Julie Chittock says
Loved this comment! Thanks so much for sharing all the details of your life. And I completely agree – I can’t imagine how you could have 11 kids and not have a minimalist approach. I wish I had tips on the kitchen laundry, but I am in the same boat – there always seem to be messes to clean up and yes, inevitably, towels fall on the floor! Appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Sonia says
I’m working on our clothes now and was wondering how much to keep. Thanks for the ideas!!
Julie Chittock says
When in doubt, throw it out! JK but I agree – Stacy’s ideas are the best! It’s so much easier to manage our kids’ wardrobes when they aren’t busting out of the closets and drawers.
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Amanda says
I’m going to work on this today. Thank you for this information. I’m so innedated with clothes (dirty & clean) that I often feel overwhelmed just by thinking about the amount of work it takes to keep it all up.
Julie Chittock says
I hope you make some progress today! Cutting back on kids’ clothes takes time up front, but I know you will have less stress later! Good luck, Amanda!
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Joy says
Love this!! I just filled two contractor bags with clothes yesterday and made minimalist wardrobes for my whole family (husband, me, 2 year old and 7 month old). For each of my girls we kept:
6 dresses(probably too many)
4 short sleeved shirts
4 long sleeved shirts
4 leggings
4 thicker pants
2 shorts/skirts
2 sweaters
2 jackets
1 coat
5 sets of jammies
For now everything fits in one drawer per girl. I procrastinated doing it for so long for all the reasons you mentioned, but once I did it, it was liberating! So nice to not have so much “stuff”.
Julie Chittock says
Awesome job, Joy – it really is liberating isn’t it?!
— Julie, HH Team
Samantha says
Ok, we have too many clothes, all of us (4 kids ages 7 months – 6 years), I know they do, I get it, I just can’t bring myself to the point of getting rid of some of them! My youngest 3 are girls and so I keep the older girls’ clothes for my youngest. Admittedly, I don’t particularly like a lot of them by the time they’ve gotten to my baby to wear. They seem outdated, worn or just ruined, yet I feel the need to keep them. I don’t know that I’d have as big of an issue if I had kids more spread out and if all the younger ones weren’t all girls. Any suggestions on letting go? Ways to allow myself to get rid of SO many clothes (SO SO much “money”)? I keep avoiding their rooms in hopes it’ll take care of itself ?
Stacy says
Too many clothes is a real problem – could you bless someone with them who doesn’t have enough?
Ila says
I have boys, & we homeschool. I don’t create “capsule” wardrobes, exactly. I just keep a small amount of clothing year-round. Replacing items as necessary.
age 5.5
3 pants (gray, navy, black sweats) I’d like to add a pair of more dressier/normal pants. But he wouldn’t wear them without a battle.
He chooses comfort. His black sweatpants “disguise” as dress pants
3 athletic shorts (blue/navy, gray, black)
2 tank tops (he goes shirtless most summer)
Tshirts- 9 graphic tees (a lot more than needed)
Long sleeve tees- 1 graphic, 1 thermal
2 polos- 1 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve
Button ups- 1 short sleeve, (usually have a long sleeve but not needed this year)
3 casual/dressy sweaters
2 fleece zip jackets
1 hooded cotton jacket
1 winter coat
1 swimming trunks
1 pr tennis shoes
1 pr snow boots
1 pr of dress shoes he won’t wear
1 pr fleece pjs he also won’t wear, likes to sleep in his underwear lol
Underwear & socks
Age: Baby 10months,
5 pants (brown, navy, 2 black, gray)
3 shorts (gray, navy, brown)
3 graphic tees
4 plain tees (white, navy, gray, lt blue)
2 graphic slongsleeve tees
1 long sleeve polo
1 long sleeve button up
2 hooded jackets (1 cotton, 1 fleece)
1 winter coat
2 shoes, 1 tennis shoe/1 dressier
3 pajamas- 1 fleece sleeper, 2 cotton set with top/bottom
*a full stock of cloth diapers*
and swim diapers
Socks
+hats/mittens/gloves for both in several because they get lost and wet frequently.
Stacy says
Great list! Thank you for sharing!
Jeaneeta says
I sewed my kid’s mittens and hats to their coats this year-saved my sanity!
Julie Chittock says
Great tip, Jeaneeta! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Kelly Warner says
Great post! My 3 year old daughter used to have an entire dresser FULL of clothes. This fall she has has a 24 item capsule wardrobe (clothes + shoes).
I even just launched a blog all about kids capsules. I’m so enthusiastic about this topic! 🙂
If you’re interested, check it out mykidscapsule.com.
Katrina says
I was just wondering about toilet training? (We dont use pull ups as my kids just use them like nappies) but in tye beginning have multiple accidents a day.
Stacy says
I have a stash of training pants.
Kimberly says
This post was exactly what I was looking for when I googled “minimalist baby wardrobe” as I try to figure out what to keep (hand-me-downs) and what to get for my 1 year old son’s winter wardrobe. I can’t wait to check out the rest of your blog!
Stacy says
Let me know if I can help you find anything!
Beek says
After reading this i feel like i use a minimalism wardrobe. At least for my son.. Just bought new stuff, becouse they grow so darn fast and well, sales. 😉
Roughly i got for authum till spring:
6 y/o
5 jeans
1 jogging pants
6 longsleeves
2 thin sweaters
3 y/o got more since she’s like your boys ( oh the mess she makes) haha
6 dresses
4 longsleeves
4 vests
4 skirts
8 leggings
And more is one the way ( 2nd hand package filled with dresses and longsleeves)
They only use 1 pair of shoes and jacket.
And ifit turns out to be a cold winter, i can always buy more sweaters. But last year we just had a looooong authum so this should be enough 😉
Stacy says
That sounds perfect!
Beek says
Thanks. Hope next year i don’t need the extra box of clothes for my youngest. I love to buy them new clothes, but if they only wear it a few times is just a waste of money really.. I read a lot of mothers buying over 20 shirts and ditto dresses because they dont want them to wear the same clothes every 2 weeks… My children grow so fast atm, with so many cloths they would wear an item only like what, 4 times, maybe..
Beek says
Oh and for people focussing on the numbers.. Just go with what works for you and your child. My olders is very picky about his clothes and hardly ever gets (really) dirty. So im already happy that he got 8 shirts that he likes. 6 pants/ 8 shirts is like 12 days of wearing clothes for him. My youngest is the opposite. She looooves clothes. And is so messy, some days i have to change her 3! times a day.. Just look what your child needs for a week ( or longer) and buy the amount you need. 🙂
Stacy says
They do grow SO fast.
Nikki says
So thankful for this! I just wrote it up and will review our fall/winter clothing to see what gaps need to be filled in. Yay!
Stacy says
Oh, I’m so glad it was helpful!!! 🙂
Nena says
thanks I needed this!
Stacy says
So did I! 🙂
Hollie Dermer says
I love the advice on what to store! I feel free to seriously downsize my totes now!! Yippeeee!!
Stacy says
I know!!! I can’t wait to get up in that attic and knock those babies out!
Lisa Tanner says
I needed this, thank you! We are stuffed to the brim with clothes for our seven, and I didn’t even know where to start. I’ve hung onto basically everything, since my oldest was born almost 14 years ago…our poor basement!
Thank you for this post–gives me a place to start.
Stacy says
Oh, I am so happy! I was starting to doubt myself based on all the comments about this not being minimalist! If it only helped a few people, then maybe I’m not as nuts as I feel. 🙂 But, all the people I’ve been surrounded with have always had excessive amounts of clothes. So, yay for you! Keep me posted.
Katie says
Though I have approximately the amount of clothes you described (perhaps less dressy clothes for each, and few less pairs of shoes) I’ve never thought of it as minimalist. It feels like enough without being excessive and without leaving me in a bind if someone’s sick or we’re just back from vacation and I’m a step behind on laundry or what have you. I think “minimalist” maybe would be less…but who really cares about what exactly is “minimalist.” If having half the amount of clothes you listed stresses you out or becomes a burden, then it’s not for you…even if it works for other mamas. The point is, you recognized something you wanted to change and you’re doing it. Good for you!
That can be trouble with broad words like “minimalist” …or “feminist” or “conservative” or “natural.” etc. etc. etc. People get drawn into defining the term when that’s not really the point here. I am amazed at mamas on this post who have described having barely a week’s worth of clothes! That’s crazy talk to me. 🙂 But I’m not a laundry every day sort of girl.
Regarding storage, I find shopping stressful. Unless it’s perusing Target with a latte in hand and time to kill and no “helpers,” I just don’t enjoy it. So, storing clothes that are in good shape (especially now that I have 4 boys) just makes sense to me. Barely a year goes by before the next brother needs them. When I make my spring and fall shopping lists, I love looking through what I have and realizing I only need a few more things. The idea of getting rid of serviceable clothes just to turn around and buy them again in 12-18 months does not “bring me joy,” to use your phrase. 🙂 Lol. For that matter, cleaning supplies also do not bring me joy!
I’m so glad you’re writing about this. I like getting a peak into your kid’s closets…and the closets of everyone who has commented. Lot’s of food for thought.
Stacy says
I hate shopping too. 🙂 That’s why I just do it in bulk twice a year at our local consignment sale. Saves me a lot of time, energy, and tears. Praise the Lord! LOL
Becky says
Wow! Maybe I should be embarrassed! I must be… a SUPER minimalist in regards to kids clothing, haha! A bazillion years ago I gave up on multiple church outfits and went to one apiece. : ) No more Sunday morning decisions! Now my boys are older and I try to talk them into having more options, but they are having none of it. We must be some really lazy dressers here! : ) Now my girls do have a couple of options, but once again, Sunday morning stress over which to choose! They are doing better about choosing on Saturday, but…
I guess you have proven that it’s OK for my boys to own more than 2-3 pairs of jeans at a time too. I had no idea the sun would not fall to earth should they own 4 or more pairs! Since all the kids have issue with KEEPING clothes in a drawer (not on the floor), I usually feel like we have WAY TOO MUCH!!! I guess we qualify somewhere between barely-enough and minimalist. It works. : )
Stacy says
Well, this post has made me feel like they still have too many. But, this is minimal for us. I guess others just already knew this. 🙂
clr says
Excellent list, very helpful! Thank you!
Stacy says
I’m glad! 🙂
Lindsey Whitney says
These are similar to my tactic — I keep 7 of each thing.. seven shirts, seven shorts, seven dresses, etc. — for each kid. And when I go to put things away as they outgrow them, I’m hoping to cut it down even more. We’re on child #3 now, and I’m finding I can get by with even less since I’m usually doing at least one load of laundry a day. And I hear you — I love cleaning out the basement (my version of the attic).
Stacy says
I loooooooooooooooove basements!
Angelique Shara says
My daughter did not. When she was born she was the first child, grandchild, great grandchild etc in a big family, so she was spoiled ROTTEN. Plus I was given boxes of clothing in sizes 0 to something like preschool age, from someone who’s child had outgrown them and *of course* I had to buy all the cute things I saw – right? When she was a toddler we moved and I gave away 3 moving size boxes of the things she had outgrown to a Downtown Eastside Mom’s centre. Most of the stuff was essentially brand new and designer. Some of the mom’s actually ran outside to thank me as we were leaving. She’s always had an excess of stuff, although I think she’s getting better at it now she is on her own – maybe? (probably not – she’s just poor and spends her money on gig tickets and hipster beer :/ )
Stacy says
The first child and grandchild?! That’s a double whammy! 🙂
Rebecca says
My oldest daughter has always been sort of a minimalist, she purges her things regularly, some times she goes too far and gets rid of things and misses them later. She is married and still does this, even in her own home. My middle daughter—–clothes hog!! She is 17 and just loves clothes. I was really proud of her last week, she purged really good (for her) and contributed a big stack of things to our yard sale. She wears very nice clothes (she buys a lot of her own clothes but it has to be off the clearance racks or at yard sales, she has never paid much more than $5-$10 for anything, and that’s only for mall-type brands) so her clothes sold really fast at our sale. I don’t purge her clothes anymore, she’s big enough to take care of it, although I don’t think she purges them out enough. My little one (she’s 8), oh my stars, I have 3 totes full of clothes for this fall/winter in our attic. And I purged them out last month….I got rid of about 3 tote fulls then, not counting everything she’s outgrown.. I yard sale and clearance shop so I never pay much for anything she has. About the only thing I will go to the store and get her is boots because at this age, I can’t find anything used that isn’t already scruffy. I get her boots on sale though. I can usually even buy her cleats for softball off of a Facebook yard sale site, I did that this past spring and paid $10 for a practically new pair. I need to do better at purging, I have a love of sweaters and girls’ tights so we have a lot of those. She hates jeans so I have quit buying them. I’m learning to just STOP buying things she hates or won’t wear just because it’s a good deal. I’m with the other commenter on pjs though……too many of those!! And Christmas or Fall/Halloween fun type long sleeved tshirts…too many. I get her the cute Halloween shirts, like with a cute cat or something, nothing witchy or skeletal. 🙂 I can purge my clothes easier than hers cause hers are just so…..cute. I will probably be purging more as we bring down totes though. It’s a little ridiculous.
Stacy says
I hate jeans too!
Michelle says
I can’t imagine even having that many clothes. In this season of my life, I have a 5 year old girl and boy/girl twin 2.5 year olds. I would LOVE for them to have church clothes. Or dresses AND pants/shirts. If yours is “minimalist” then my kids might be more akin to “zero.” Really makes me wonder if I’m “frugal” or just plain cheap.
Interestingly, I have 3 older children (grown now) from my first marriage, and they never had that many clothes, either. I cannot fathom having that many clothes for each child. Not because they shouldn’t, but because I guess I’m weird. I have one bra ($3 clearance) and have worn it every single day for 2 years… LOL. But honestly? We keep an honest budget, and clothing doesn’t even get a category. I just fit it in as I can. Now, with autumn/winter looming, the twins have almost nothing and we’re going to be in hot water.
I need to become more frugal and less cheap, I guess? With my first kids, I had a Kohl’s card, so they were always well-dressed, even without a large quantity of items. With this younger set, I don’t shop there anymore (by choice) and wish I were in an area where I could find better second-hand clothing (our Once Upon A Child here is DREADFUL).
Stacy says
This is minimal for us. 🙂
Yolanda says
No… but my husband does! The kids are grown and gone now. When we did the tidying, we got rid of lots of stuff. Now, I have just what I need and so does he. It’s lovely! After clearing out my dresser, it now doubles as my linen “closet” because there were two big empty drawers!
Stacy says
I looooooooooooooooooooove me some empty drawers! 🙂
Becky W says
I haven’t much of anything for our almost 3-month old. We got so many clothes from hand me downs and the baby shower and things my mother in law snagged from people who were getting rid of things that we’ve got a stuffed wardrobe for until he’s at least 2! But even though we’ve already packed away a lot of things he outgrew before he could wear them (wrong season), I’m reluctant to get rid of them since we are hoping/planning to have at least one more kid. And then there’s days like yesterday, where he went through six onesies. Yikes.
Stacy says
Yeah – there are those days. Poop again!? It’s poop city here. LOL
Katie says
This is always about where we’ve been. I figure they need “about” two weeks worth of clothes, I agree with your estimation. Seems like they need more tops than bottoms because shorts/pants can often be re-worn. We have boys. About 14 every day tops and bottoms (appropriate for the season), two or three button down or polo shirts (again for the season), in the winter two or three sweaters and two or three sweatshirts, one or two pairs of shorts/pants that work for church/weddings/funerals, one pair of tennis shoes in winter, one pair of boots in winter, one pair of sandals for summer, one pair of flip flops for summer, 5-10 pjs (appropriate for the season), two swimsuits for summer, at least 14 socks/undies though I prefer to get that one closer to 20, one jacket, one winter coat. And oodles and oodles of knit gloves, scarves, and hats because nothing makes a mama crazy like trying to get out the door and nobody can find two gloves (I no longer care if they match!). 🙂
Sometimes we receive a big gift of hand-me-downs and if they are good quality I will keep them, even if it brings my totals above what I listed above. That’s my preference and we have plenty of space. But that’s all I will put upstairs in their drawers. The rest stays in storage for the next brother.
Maybe because I only have boys this has never been a temptation for me, their clothes just aren’t as cute! 🙂 Or maybe it’s just me. I’ll never know. 🙂 I loved this post…really practical and helpful. I find this is something I often discuss with friends.
Stacy says
I like having fun with boys clothes…but it seems just a whole lot easier to buy lots of girls clothes! 🙂
Meg says
my kids have similar amounts of clothes, a little less I guess…7-10 outfits for my toddler boy, probably about 7 dresses and tops for my daughter but way less pants/leggings-maybe 3 of each. Plus no special occasion clothes (church or Christmas) and half the shoes. It totally feels like too much! I think maybe because I do laundry every day, so it’s not like they ever run out of clothes, usually they have all but maybe 1 of their outfits to choose from every day. I totally didn’t realize I was minimilist though. I am awful at shopping used/sales (ok honestly I don’t even try- I dont have the patience for it) so when. A pair of pants is or a cute dress is closer to $20 than $5, it’s easier not to over buy.
Stacy says
You’re a minimalist! 🙂
Hannah G. says
Same here! All my kids clothes are from consignment sales, hand me downs from family, or Childrens Place because they run awesome deals especially on staples for boys like jeans, khakis, & button up shirts. I bought minimally for my kids this season too because they had waaayy too many summer clothes. My only not minimal thing is pajamas. Why I think my kids need 20 pairs of PJs each I don’t know, but I really need to weed some out! Haha
Stacy says
That’s because pjs are so much fun!!!! I have to really throttle myself with Christmas clothes. I felt my face twitching when I only got two outfits each. LOL
Hannah G. says
I’m the same way with holiday themed clothes too! Natalie wore at least 3 different 4th of July outfits this year during that week lol!
Stacy says
I think we are allowed to do that when they are little…till they decide it’s lame. LOL