I love how adventurous kids are, but their clothes definitely take a beating. My children all enjoy climbing trees, fences—you name it. But it’s somehow always the boys’ clothes that end up with holes and stains. When we transitioned to capsule wardrobes, finding durable clothes for the boys was the biggest challenge.
The upside? Less stress for everyone involved! Here’s why it works for us:
Now, my sons can choose their outfits without much deliberation. There’s a reason why influential people like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg prefer wearing the same type of outfit regularly—it reduces decision fatigue and allows them to focus on more important things.
While my kids don’t literally wear the same thing every day, we have simplified their wardrobes. Each has under 30 pieces of clothing (excluding socks and underwear), and surprisingly, they take better care of their clothes.
Laundry is so much simpler now. We wash the boys’ clothes weekly, and often they do it themselves. They keep a basket in their room for dirty clothes and handle the washing and putting away. A capsule wardrobe provides enough clothing for a week, making it easy to manage laundry once a week.
With fewer clothes, organizing is much easier! They fold and store clothes neatly using the Marie Kondo method, which allows them to see everything at a glance. With fewer than 30 items, folding takes less than 10 minutes and everything fits into one drawer. Simplicity at its best!
After I found tough, durable clothes for my boys, creating their capsule wardrobes was straightforward. They’ve always preferred simple clothing like shirts, jeans, and shorts in blues, reds, and neutrals. Boys’ clothes naturally lend themselves to a minimalist wardrobe since many items pair easily with basics like jeans and khaki shorts.
To put the capsule together, I started by clearing out all their clothes. I listed what they’d need for the season. Anything that fit the list was kept; the rest was sorted for donation or reuse. Off-season clothes went into storage.
We only needed a few more pieces to complete their wardrobes. Many shirts are durable enough to transition into fall and winter.
The boys’ capsule wardrobe includes different items that we find by checking consignment shops first, where we often score jeans, dress shirts, and shoes. I shop online for other favorites that I know will fit well and last. It’s definitely possible to create a capsule using hand-me-downs and thrift store finds.
Each child’s wardrobe is unique to their personality and color preferences. They have items like classic t-shirts in various colors, polos, jeans, shorts, and versatile clothing that can double as swimwear. Their wardrobe also includes a few specialty items like wetsuits and sports gear.
This system works well for us and can be adapted based on each child’s preferences. If you’re considering a capsule wardrobe, involve your kids in the process, especially older ones. Let them choose their colors and favorite items while guiding them to select quality pieces. Ideally, my kids will one day be able to create their own wardrobes they love. I’ll keep you posted on how that goes once I have teenagers!
What do your kids enjoy wearing? How do you keep their clothes organized? Feel free to share your tips!
