Don’t be alarmed, but I’m writing today on how to start a capsule wardrobe for kids as a back to school tip on my friend Rachel’s blog. If you’re like me, you might be shouting, “What?! Back to school already?” Or you may be perfectly ready to get your ducks in a row for back to school sales.
We personally just got out for summer break about a month ago for my oldest and only two weeks ago for my middle son. We’ve barely dipped our toes into our slow summer schedule or our summer bucket list. I know some families have been off for close to two months now and are ready to start preparing for a brand new school year.

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Back to School Tip: Start a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids
There are parts of getting ready for back to school that I love – like buying new school supplies always makes me happy. I love new notebooks, pencils, and fresh highlighters! There are also parts of getting ready for back to school that I dread – like packing school lunches and clothes shopping.
Shopping has always been low on my list of pleasures, for as long as I can remember. I tolerated trips to the mall with my sisters and friends but rarely enjoyed it. Now that I’m an adult and also aware of the negative environmental impact of fast fashion, I dread it even more. Trying to make responsible decisions as a global citizen and also getting the jeans that your son needs, takes time and careful decision making. That’s why I love the idea of a children’s capsule wardrobe.
A capsule wardrobe is a smaller intentional wardrobe of quality pieces that one loves and looks forward to wearing. It is generally a set number of pieces for each season. Project 333 by Courtney Carver is a well known one that encourages a seasonal capsule wardrobe of 33 items for 3 months.
Here’s the beginning of my guest post, How to Create a Children’s Capsule Wardrobe for Back to School:
If you’re looking to simplify going back to school this Fall, consider starting a capsule wardrobe for your children. A capsule wardrobe is an intentional number of pieces of clothing that your children already love and will wear with joy. Capsule wardrobes are usually for one season. Project 333 is a popular website that encourages people to pick 33 items to wear for 3 months, and then switch the 33 items for the next 3 months.
You may love or hate back to school shopping. I happen to fall into the “hate” category. I really don’t enjoy shopping for clothes – my own or for my children. I started a capsule wardrobe for myself this past year and it’s been freeing to have less clothes, not more. Regardless of whether you love or hate shopping, people who try capsule wardrobes usually love it!
Before we get into the five steps to create a capsule wardrobe for your child, let’s talk about the benefits of a capsule wardrobe:
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less overwhelm for your child and yourself. When you can see all of your clothing at once, it’s easier to decide what you want to wear that day
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less laundry – a definite perk for any parent! I don’t know about you, but when my boys are digging through their drawers for their “favorite” t-shirt, they end up dumping things on the floor and leaving it there. Then when they need to clean up their room, all the perfectly clean clothes get picked up and put in the dirty hamper (not back in their drawer!)
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the habit of decluttering. When you rotate your clothes seasonally, it becomes clear what you love to wear and what you don’t. It’s a built in opportunity to declutter your clothing 2-4 times a year.
Read the rest HERE
Let me know in the comments what you think of a capsule wardrobe for kids.
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This is an interesting idea. I had never heard of a capsule wardrobe before, but it definitely makes sense especially on school days.
It’s great Victoria! I hope you give it a try!
As a mom of 3, this would really come in handy except for the fact that our public schools here in Costa Rica require uniforms. Thankfully they’re relatively inexpensive, as many children couldn’t afford to attend if they had to pay $$$ for uniforms. Nevertheless, I’m a huge fan of the capsule wardrobe for me, and if Grandma would get on board, I’d do it for my kids play clothes too!
I love uniforms Jelli – I wish all my kids had them! Next year will be the first year in a while that all three of my kids won’t have uniforms!
This is a great idea! #DreamTeam
My mummy rotates my wardrobe seasonally and it’s really helpful for all of us! Great tips here and we’ll be replacing preschool clothes for BIG school uniform too after the summer! Popping over from #DreamTeam x
That’s exciting Baby Isabella! Your mummy is a smart lady! 🙂
If I could only pair down my teens wardrobe to a capsule wardrobe! Fashionista problems. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight Pinned & sharing.
Hi Theresa! I don’t have any fashionistas in my crew so it’s a bit easier!
This was interesting to read. Great tips! I’ve just had a massive clear out of my kids’ clothes last week! #KCACOLS
That’s great! Kids clothes can get out of hand quickly because they’re outgrowing them so fast!
I will check it out now! I have 4 kids and I’m currently shopping online for back to school clothes while reading blogs. Stopping by from Tuesday Talk! XOXO
I hope it helps you to buy less clothes for the new year!
My eldest starts school this September so this has been my first experience of buying school uniform. I may have gone slightly overboard, but I’m sure I’ll get better at it as the terms go by. The whole concept of having a uniform will help me trim down her wardrobe so that’s a blessing. I’ll be putting your tips to great use! Thanks for linking to #DreamTeam x
I love school uniforms – they do help with keeping a wardrobe “capsule”
I keep wanting to do this for my kids, but somehow their closets still end up out of control. Fingers crossed things will be better this year! Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Oh I was t really sure what a capsule wardrobe was so this was a really great explanation – thank you. It’s a brilliant idea for the return to school, or any season really, thank you for sharing it with us at #familyfun
Thanks Tammy – I’m glad the explanation helped. Give it a go – any trimming is better than none!
This is an interesting concept. But honestly I don’t even have 33 outfits in my closet right now for year round! I think this might be a cool idea for when my kids are a bit older and not outgrowing their clothes every five minutes.
Hi Sandy! It’s actually 33 items, not outfits. Sorry if that was confusing. I hear you about outgrowing clothes every 5 minutes! My oldest has finally stopped growing (I think).
I counted my clothes the other day and have less than 100 pieces. I hate having too many things and only like to have what I need. We don’t tend to go overboard with the childrens clothes as they grow so quickly! My daughter has school uniform so half her wardrobe is made up of this! I regularly sort out the clothes that they have grown out of. I’m a bit obsessed. I think I was born a capsule wardrober!
I think you’re right Victoria. You sound like a natural capsule wardrober!
I love this idea! My daughters have so many clothes in their closet and we’re in the process of donating clothes now to make room for more clothes. I’ll need to try out doing capsule wardrobe.
#ProductReviewParty
I’m glad you liked it Lou!
Makes lots of sense….I have so many pieces hanging up or in drawers that I rarely wear. I keep them there as a safety net, but I keep going back to the same old favorites.
We all do Barbara Ann! The capsule wardrobe makes it easier to see which ones are the same old favorites.
You know, I’d never actually thought about doing a capsule wardrobe for my children! It’s something I love the idea of for myself, but for some reason hadn’t considered for them. It would make life a lot easier though! x #KCACOLS
This is great, fortunately, my son who will be returning to college does his own shopping! Good luck with the next school year. #PRP
I’ve never thought about a wardrobe capsule for kids but I like the idea. It would save a lot of laundry loads!
This is such a neat concept. I’ve been trying to sew as many of my clothes as possible lately. This has helped me to limit buying items that I probably won’t like the next season.
What a great idea! I mean we do it for adults so why not for the children. Thanks so much for sharing your idea with us at #BloggersPitStop. Have a great week!
This is a great idea – especially due to the less laundry! #familyfunlinky
This is a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
I needed this and I didn’t even know it! I’ve just signed up for your 7 day declutter course too!
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time x
Great Jenny! I hope it’s helpful to you!
The timing of the school holidays is so interesting – in the UK the children have just started summer holidays a week ago. But it’s always good to be prepared, and I do see ‘back to school’ sales everywhere. Love the idea of an easy to wear, easy to maintain capsule wardrobe for kids. It would make it easier for both kids and parents. Sharing. Thank you so much for bringing this post to the Hearth and Soul Link Party, Angela. Hope to ‘see’ you at the party when we return from summer break this Monday, August 7th.
Such a great read! I’ve just finished the painstaking process of sorting through Eco’s outgrown clothes and seeing what he needs for the next two seasons please god. Thanks for sharing x #KCACOLS