How to Create a Minimalist Kids Wardrobe
Do you have clothing piles hiding in your closet, basement, or overfilled drawers that you haven’t gotten to yet? Are you tired of fighting with your kids about what they are going to wear? This trick helped me, and it didn’t cost me a lot of time.
Creating a minimalist wardrobe for your kids is more attainable than you think, and I’m going to share with you my best tips on how to create this, how to maintain it, and how to reset it.
I have learned that removing smaller piles a little at a time regularly is a lot easier than removing huge piles that have outgrown your storage.
Embrace a capsule wardrobe
Tip number one is embracing a capsule wardrobe. Embracing a capsule wardrobe means less laundry for you, and it also means fewer decluttering sessions or even shorter decluttering sessions. See, a capsule wardrobe is just a collection of mix-and-match outfits that create your entire wardrobe that can serve for multiple occasions.
Years ago as a single mom, I had a small apartment which meant I had no storage and it taught me the art of having a capsule wardrobe.
When I shop for my kids, I avoid buying too many items that cannot be dressed up or dressed down.
I seek out outfits that are similar in material and colors to create an entire wardrobe from just a few items.
Embracing this practice has reduced my laundry loads, I have much fewer decluttering sessions, and stuffed closets and drawers.
Honestly, I would rather clean than declutter. But having to declutter, while it’s not a huge deal, I just don’t enjoy the going through part as much. This is why I love the reverse engineer part of not having a lot to begin with and tackling it that way first.
But even if you are living in untouched piles, I encourage you to know that it’s still doable.
Treat the small piles of backlogged stuff last. Create a minimalist wardrobe system as your first goal and get rid of stuff.
Because this progress will help you get the system up and running.
Then, take thirty minutes to an hour when you can tackle loads or be a weekend warrior. Choose your adventure, but get rid of the old stuff.
I declutter at least minimally twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. This is typically around the time when my kids have outgrown a specific size, and then that’s when it’s the trigger for me to go ahead and declutter their closet.
Now, when I go through my decluttering sessions, I am a ruthless declutterer. At the stage now that I’m with my kids, I don’t have very many items that I want to hold on to.
But when they are younger, it could be a little bit harder because you’re going to go through the baby phase and the toddler phase, and things like that, you’re going to want to keep things.
But we’ll talk a little bit more about that towards the end of this post in dealing with sentimental clutter.
As I go through my decluttering process, I will take one item out at a time, and I’m typically just looking for the sizes. So now that my daughter is moving into the next size, that’s all I’m doing. I’m just looking for the next size. We’re going into 14, 16 clothing, so 10, 12s, gotta go.
To see me doing the full process. Watch my YouTube video. I get straight to the tips but show you in action how I do my system.
Let go of the trends
The trend of having the latest clothes and outfits is not one I follow. I don’t follow any clothing trends except for clothes that mix and match to make as many outfits as I can with the least amount of clothes. That costs the least amount of money.
I am a Walmart shopping mom and clearance rack kinda gal. Though my son loves Under Armor, I shop for clearance and sales when I happen to see it.
I will also buy hand-me-downs from Facebook. Recently, I was able to score six Under Armor shorts for $30 from a local mom. The shorts were practically new.
One of my mom friends calls garage-r-us our other store, lol. It’s just shopping for clothing through Facebook marketplace lots.
Create a regular decluttering schedule
I can’t stress this enough. There is nothing worse than finally convincing your brain that you are gonna due a huge declutter.
For some people, it works but for me, I need decluttering projects. So I break it down into smaller tasks on a regular monthly basis.
Also, the dreaded feeling of undoing a whole closet only to lose motivation or get distracted by the things you find is so hard sometimes.
But I do two huge decluttering sessions in Spring and Fall for my kids’ closets.
Minimize your shopping
In the spring, I shop for my kids’ spring/summer clothes, and then in the fall, I shop for fall/winter.
I don’t shop any more than that unless the kids change sizes. Or on a rare special occasion. I can count on my hand how many times that has happened.
Live by the in-and-out rule
If my kids get clothes as gifts or for some other reason outside of my normal shopping.
I will immediately remove an old item and replace it with a new item.
Remember, I said I don’t enjoy huge decluttering sessions.
My goal is to be kind to my future self by setting myself up for success.
Use the basket system
Keep an empty box, bin, or basket near your closet or laundry area. When a clothing item no longer works just toss it in.
I have been using this method for years.
Doesn’t have to be fancy. I used to use an old diaper box for years and then a basket.
Take inventory of your wardrobe
Know the pieces inside your kids closet. This helps you know if there are too many items of maybe a certain color or too many of on kind of item.
It also helps you take a look at any gaps of clothing you may need to get.
Avoid the maybe they will need this
There are those times where our kids will have an outfit or a few pieces that actually fit them but they haven’t worn it yet. Chances are if it’s been six months or so they won’t and will outgrow it.
So tell the tiny voice in your head to avoid the possibility that we will use it.
Sell it and get money for an outfit you will actually use.
Use the rainbow color closet organizing method
I left this as the last tip because it’s a personal preference. Maybe you don’t hang everything and use more drawers.
But I putting your kids clothes in rainbow order is a visually appealing and practical way to organize your wardrobe.
Start by sorting your clothes by color, beginning with neutrals like whites, creams, and grays, and then gradually transitioning to the spectrum, from reds to purples. Within each color category, you can further organize by garment type or shade to create a cohesive look.
It’s easier to find specific items but also adds a touch of aesthetic charm to the kiddos closet.
Especially on those school days or holidays where they need to wear a certain colors.
It also brings order to your routine. Less time searching for items and a simplified laundry routine of putting things back in order.
Creating a minimalist wardrobe is not just about decluttering your kids closet; it’s a journey towards simplicity, intentionality, and personal lifestyle.
By focusing on quality over quantity, versatility over excess, and mindful consumption, you can curate a wardrobe that reflects your values and simplifies your daily choices when you kids wanna pick out their clothes.
My dear mama friend embrace the freedom of owning less, and let your minimalist wardrobe inspire confidence, creativity, and a deeper connection to what truly matters. I truly believe this transformative power of living with less.