A Beginners Guide to Building a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids

The sheer amount of kids' clothing being circulated can be incredibly overwhelming, both for our wallets and the environment. The world produces over 100 billion garments per year - 33% of which end up in the landfill within the first year of purchase. And when our children grow 9 sizes in their first 3 years, the amount of clothing we have on hand quickly piles up – not to mention constantly having to be on the lookout for new items that will fit those growing legs.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way! Parents can support green living through sustainable kids fashion and ensure thrifty solutions without jeopardising any of that cuteness. You picking up what we’re putting down?!

What is a kids capsule wardrobe? 

Make no mistake, a brilliant way to combat kids' clothes worries is by a kids capsule wardrobe. It’s a growing trend for adults revered for its simplicity and translates easily to kids clothes. It’ll keep your kiddos well dressed and is the sustainable solution you’ve been looking for that saves your pennies and time. Here’s what you need to know.

Capsule wardrobes involve a minimal amount of carefully selected clothing items that are easy to mix and match. 

What are the benefits of a kids capsule wardrobe?

There are countless benefits to slimming down the amount of clothing your child has. From saving money to decluttering busy drawers to paving the way towards more sustainable living, kids capsule wardrobes are the parenting hack you need for simpler living. 

Here’s what parents love about it.

• It makes getting ready a breeze – no more decision fatigue!

• You can actually see what you have!

• Takes up minimal space in your wardrobe

• Prevents overbuying and buying duplicates

• Reduces clothing clutter and the mental load of having too much stuff

• It helps you save your money on more important things that matter

• It reduces clothing consumption and promotes the circular economy 

No one wants their kiddo’s t-shirt that they’ve only worn twice to end up in a landfill. By migrating towards a kids capsule wardrobe, you’re taking an active stand against the detrimental impact of overconsumption – all while reducing clutter and unnecessary purchases at the same time.

How to build a kids capsule wardrobe

1. Decide the items you need

While kids capsule wardrobes will vary depending on the climate you live in and the season, we’ve prepared a general list of clothing items you can expect to find in a capsule wardrobe below.

• 10 comfortable tops

• 8 pants

• 2 jumpers

• 3 pyjamas

• 5 bottoms

• 1 formal outfit (for occasions)

• 5 onesies

• 7 underwear

• 6 pairs of socks

• 1 pair of weather-resistant boots

• 1 pair of casual shoes

• 1 pair of sneakers

• 2 jackets/ coats

2. Choose quality over quantity

• Invest in good-quality, durable fabrics that can withstand multiple washes

• Choose well made basics that serve as a solid foundation for various outfits

• Source quality preloved kids clothes from secondhand marketplaces 

3. Select a cohesive colour palette

While some people avoid patterns to make it easier, we recommend starting with a “base colour” such as navy, like mum of 2 and Mum’s Who content creator Rachael who did this when she first embarked on her kids capsule clothes adventure. This makes pairing other items easy and straightforward. Try these combinations:

• White, grey, navy, beige, khaki green 

• Soft pastels such as light blue, mint green, blush pink and soft yellow with neutral accents

• Primary colours such as red, blue, yellow with bold accents such as green, orange and purple for a fun vibe

4. Frequently assess and update

Review your child's wardrobe 3 times a year or whichever frequency works best for you and resist all temptation to buy in between! We promise you’ll need less than you think (thanks to  a lot of mistakes and waste made from my first child!).

• Donate or pass on items that are heavily worn, don’t fit or don’t need any longer

• Swap kids clothes for new-to-you items on Sassybae’s mobile swapping app

Give yourself, your wallet and the environment a break by making the switch to a kids capsule wardrobe. Freeing up your time and space, you won’t believe how much easier getting ready is in the morning when you’ve got less to choose from. There’s a reason why the parents who choose this method don’t look back! To help build your kids capsule wardrobe, check out our mobile app where you can easily donate or swap kids clothes. Helping ensure that you’ve only got what you need instead of piles and piles of clutter, creating a kids capsule wardrobe with Sassybae has never been easier.