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Why are we Simplifying?
Let’s first jump right into why we are trying to simplify your baby or toddler’s wardrobe!
A simplified wardrobe makes managing clothing easier in every aspect. Clothing is involved in many areas of the day and household.
By simplifying you may make laundry an easier process. From washing to folding to putting away.
When you go to do laundry and it is all gray socks or 5 t-shirts that are basically all the same it makes the process quick and easy.
You may be impacting the morning routine. A simplified wardrobe can mean less time choosing an outfit each morning. It could also mean more independence in the toddler phase.
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The fewer options they have the more likely they will pick an appropriate outfit.
Simplifying is also nice when it comes to rotating clothes for seasons or removing clothing that is getting outgrown. It is much easier to take out a handful of shirts and replace them versus removing outgrown shirts from a group of 50 shirts.
Closets and dressers are going to stay tidier and more organized with a simplified wardrobe. You are going to spend less time on clothing management overall.
Beyond this, you may find even more benefits once you simplify your child’s clothing.
How to Simplify?
The goal is to have more “like” or similar items. We are also looking to have fewer items overall.
An example of a random item would be something like a poncho. Where does this go? Do we ever remember to wear it?
Maybe it is one random skirt. For my daughter I like to have basic pants/shorts that go with shirts, and then a few dresses. I don’t like skirts literally because it is what I find to be a random item.
With my baby in the 6-12 month age, I prefer onesies with pants/shorts. I am not yet ready to have regular-styled shirts. They always ride up and expose their belly, so my preference is still onesies.
I would prefer one basic top style rather than having both.
Some tangible steps to take. We are not going to completely start fresh. First, we are going to do a basic closet/dresser clean-out. What clothing never seems to get worn?
Which outfits or styles do you never gravitate towards?
Time to donate those!
Over time we are going to make better purchasing choices. When your child starts to outgrow or wear through most of their socks consider purchasing a large package of the same color socks.
Example, all white, gray, or black socks. You do not have to nail it down to only one color. The point is you can have stacks of socks rather than individually matching every pair.
Over time the closet and dresser will get better organized and minimized.
It is all about making good choices about what comes into your home in the first place.
What Types of Clothing do you Need?
Before we get too far into the cleaning out process you need to think about your life specifically. What type of clothing does your child need and how frequently do you plan to do the laundry?
Does your child stay home or go to daycare?
Do they need clothing for specific sports or activities?
Do you regularly need them well-dressed for social events, church, or other activities?
We break down our children’s wardrobe into weekday clothes and weekend clothes.
Weekday clothes are outfits that are basic shirts and pants for daycare. These are clothes that can be well-loved and played hard in. They are not clothes that we will even slightly worry about getting paint on.
Our child’s basic attire each weekday is a shirt and pants. These are tailored to the season of course on shorts versus pants and long or short sleeve shirts.
Then they need socks and tennis shoes. We always got to daycare in tennis shoes.
I think most daycare providers prefer this.
Weekend outfits can be play-clothes if we are just hanging out at home.
We also keep a section in the closet with nicer outfits like dresses and rompers.
Typically for weekend outfits we have one nice pair of sandals for in the summer and one nice pair of boots for in the winter.
It is amazing how much a couple of pair of shoes work and really dress up a look.
What Clothing to Purchase?
Everyone is going to have a unique style and also unique needs based on their living situation. Your daily life could be very different from mine.
Here are some general tips though that you may be able to use in simplifying your child’s wardrobe:
Jeans/Jeggings
I love a basic pair of pants. I prefer a comfortable jegging style over stiff jeans, but I still like the look of jeans. What I love most is that they will match 99% of the shirts in the closet. I avoid pants with patterns for sure. My girls will have the occasional pair of pink pants, which is fine. I just prefer the bulk to be simple jeggings.
Another benefit to jeggings or other comfortable pants and shorts is that they are easier to manage during potty training. During potty training, you want pants and shorts that are quick and easy to pull down.
Shoes
I touched on shoes a bit earlier. I like a basic pair of tennis shoes for playtime at home and wearing to daycare.
Then in the summer, we have a nice pair of sandals that look good for church, holiday events, and whatever else some out way. I try for a very basic style, typically a simple brown sandal.
In the winter, I like simple but stylish boots. A cute boot can easily dress up an outfit. I will not get both brown and black boots. I will only pick one and try to make sure all the nice outfits for that season will work with the color.
Socks
Quit getting patterned socks.
Get one or two basic colors and get all matching . For example, get a large package of socks that are only black and gray. You can make piles of socks in the dresser. No more matching individual pairs of socks.
Another benefit is if a single sock gets lost you can still make plenty of matching sets.
Shirts
I don’t put too much thought into play or weekday shirts.
I do prefer basic shirts overall though. I try to avoid shorts that have large branding words or goofy sayings. I am not about my kids wearing clothing that says, “I am the princess blah blah blah” It is just not my vibe.
I prefer a shirt that has a floral pattern on it or something like that. It could be covered in pineapples or flamingos. I don’t mind things like that.
I also don’t worry too much about what is on the shirt because it is likely going to be paired with basic jeggings so anything should match.
Accessories
I think accessories are where clothing and closet management can get quickly out of control.
Try to avoid getting large numbers of multiples when it comes to hats, sunglasses, gloves, scarves, swimsuits, and anything else.
I realize there are expectations for every rule. If you live on a beach, lake, or have a pool you may have 5-10 swimsuits for your child.
If you don’t, try to only have 2 options.
One hat at a time should be good for your child. Keep track of it and get lots of use out of it.
If you only have one of an item, you are more likely to keep better track of it.
Conclusion: Benefits of Minimizing Your Child’s Wardrobe
I cannot express enough how much minimizing your child’s wardrobe will benefit your life and home.
You will stay much better organized in your child’s closet, dresser, and overall bedroom.
You will have less overall clutter.
Laundry will be much easier to manage.
Finding appropriate clothing will be easy for your toddler.
This is a very easy way to simplify life.
I am so curious how you enjoy a simplified wardrobe for your children. What benefits do you see from it?
Check Out My Articles
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