How to Make a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids

How to Style a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids – Today I’m partnering with Kohl’s to share all my best tips for putting together a capsule wardrobe for kids. This is one of the BEST mom tricks I know!

ON MILO: Graphic Tee // Jeans // Grey Sneakers (also in navy/black)
ON SOPHIE: White Pom-Pom Trim Top // Floral Leggings // D’Orsay Flats

This post is written in partnership with Kohl’s. All opinions are my own.

Capsule wardrobes (curating a smaller set of clothing that you mix and match to create different outfits) aren’t all that new. They’ve seen a surge in popularity over the last few years and for good reason–they’re great for simplifying your mornings, maximizing your budget, and saving space, among other things. I’ve been dressing this way since college and love having a smaller collection of mix-and-match items I wear all the time instead of a bunch of tops that I don’t have anything to wear with or things that I like but don’t really fit well.

We started school on Monday (can you believe it!?) and it occurred to me that I’ve never shared how I do capsule wardrobes for my kids. Fresh from back-to-school shopping, I thought now was the perfect time!

As convenient as a capsule is for me, creating capsule wardrobes for kids has been even better. It’s one of the best tips I have for sanity, ease, and function. Here’s everything I know about styling a capsule wardrobe for kids…

ON MILO: Graphic Tee // Jeans // Grey Sneakers (also in navy/black)
ON ME: Chambray top // Lace Skirt // Flats
ON SOPHIE: Striped tee // Capri Leggings // D’Orsay Flats

Why Go with a Capsule for Kids? 

1. It’s empowering for kids. Especially those with opinions. 

Why? Everything goes together! It eliminates struggle over what they’re wearing. If the majority of your closet is the same color palette, almost anything (including different patterns) will go together.

For very little kids, you can say “pick two different colors” and just about anything will go together in their closet. Sophie can choose a pink polka dot shirt and an aqua and white striped skirt and–you know what? It’s fine! I can send Milo into his room and most of the time, what he’s chosen will work. Such a life saver on school mornings!

2. It’s easy to coordinate. 

This is silly, but I love how Milo and Sophie can easily look like they belong together when we’re out and about. They have very similar coloring–olive skin, dark eyes, brown hair–and the same colors look great on them. If your children are very different in coloring and you’ll be doing hand-me-downs, you can choose several basics (classic colors/patterns that translate well) and then mix in some colors specific to your child’s coloring or preferences as needed.

When the younger sibling gets the hand-me-downs, you’ll still have a decent set of clothing to work with, and may just need to mix in a few other colors here and there (without having to replace everything). We aren’t doing much in the way of hand-me-downs with a boy and a girl, but we pass lots of things over to cousins and I LOVE seeing how my sister re-works the capsules I’ve put together for my own kids with her little ones.

3. It simplifies laundry.

Raise your hand if you want help with laundry? Me too! A capsule won’t do the laundry for you, but it makes it INCREDIBLY easy to sort into loads. Milo and Sophie can even sort their own clothes now (glory, glory, hallelujah!) because it’s so easy to tell which colors go together.

So How Do I Create a Capsule? 

1. Pick a palette. 

Since before she could talk, Sophie had very strong opinions about what she would and would not wear. We’ve been through all kinds of clothing phases with Sophie, but a capsule has been a game changer for us.

Choose colors you like and build around those colors, adding in neutrals and basics (like jeans) to fill things out. We never had a formal discussion about a color palette, but I know which colors she likes and which look great on her. We work within a handful of colors–whites, greys, pinks, blues/aquas–and then have a few other pops of color–red, green, etc.–that she can toss in here and there.

2. Look for patterns and textures. 

To create interest and keep a capsule from being boring, I throw in a mix of different patterns and textures. For Milo, there are lots of stripes and plaid, along with some graphic tees (which he LOVES).

For Sophie, she loves small details–ruffled sleeves, a sequin or stripe pattern, a heart-shaped pocket, bows, embroidery, etc. All those details mean plenty of visual interest, even if you’re sticking with a relatively narrow range of colors.

3. Ask yourself some questions:

As I put together clothes for the next season or two, I usually ask myself a few questions:

• What do I need to accommodate the weather? Do I need a light jacket? How are their socks and shoes? Similarly–does that skirt or dress need some shorts to go underneath for the playground?
• Does every piece go with at least two other things? This helps when it comes to mixing and matching. The more options to mix and match, the better!
• How are their special occasion clothes? How is Milo’s church shirt holding up? Does Sophie need new shoes for gym class? Checking in with some of those things that aren’t used every day helps keep me up to date.

4. Think about shopping within a line of clothes.

We use a variety of brands when putting together a capsule, but it can help to stick within a line or brand of clothing, since kids’ brands often release a few colorways/palettes each season that go together.

We did a lot of our school shopping at Kohl’s this year, and I loved that I could sort through a line of clothes for Sophie, for instance, and pull together several tops and bottoms all in her favorite colors and pick up some things for Milo that match.

They have several different lines that carry great basics (I love Carter’s and Osh Kosh B’gosh), and there are always some more fun and trendy pieces to pull in, too.

I like that I don’t have to spend a fortune to get good quality clothes that last long enough to be passed down to cousins. Plus, with regular sales and specials, you can often get things for an even better price!

ON MILO: Button down top & Shorts set // Grey Sneakers (also in navy/black)
ON SOPHIE: Floral Tie-Front Blouse // Capri Leggings // D’Orsay Flats

However you’re doing your back to school shopping this year, I’m cheering for you!

Don’t miss out on Kohl’s special Friends and Family sale starting today and going through July 30th. Use code FAMFRIENDS for and extra 20% off savings on Kohl’s already awesome prices! 

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