creating a children's capsule wardrobe | the simple folk
seeking simplicity, heirloom pieces, quality fabrics, and design that is reflective of an outdoor lifestyle led us to this women and mother-run brand; their timeless approach to children’s essentials has yet to disappoint.
here is how I have learned, created, and continued capsule wardrobes for our children, starting with one of the first ethical and sustainable brands i was introduced to as a mother, the simple folk. the capsule wardrobes that our daughters share, are pass downed and loved on. they focus on simplicity, on fabric, and on creating a collection that is thoughtful and mixes together with ease.
for us the values associated with our children’s capsules are:
simplistic
sustainable
practical
comfortable
ethical
non-toxic
quality
gender neutral
longevity
it was so important for us to understand our why when choosing a capsule for our little ones, because we knew it was a choice that others might not fully appreciate or understand. or that may be scrutinized for lacking in things that society has long ingrained as important (such as quantity, for example).
understanding the core values that we were seeking helped us to gently explain our choices for less, but more, to our family and friends, and helped keep us on a path to a simple and sustainable wardrobe for the girls, that also bears the planet in mind. the simple folk embodied our core values as a company and allowed for a natural jumping off point for us to fully embrace choosing quality pieces that can be passed down, mended, and adored for many years.
one of the most influential changes we have made as a family is intentionally choosing to incorporate conscious consumerism and slow fashion into our way of living. for us, this change is rooted in minimalism, an appreciation for ethical and sustainable practices, as well as a natural extension in our search of slow.
the two most important steps to creating a capsule wardrobe for our girls were:
01 | emphasizing basics
02 | choosing gender neutral
emphasizing basics for us meant pieces that could:
- be played in
- transition through the seasons
- incorporate a timeless design
- grow with our girls
- be layered
choosing gender neutral for us meant pieces that could:
- offer a neutral palate that our girls could explore on their own
- reject societal expectations that pinks are for girls and blues, for boys; by choosing pieces that instead focus on letting the girls lead with their own personalities.
and finally, perhaps the question I get asked the most frequently, is how many pieces we have in each capsule. and the only real answer is there is no right answer. this should be a number you arrive at organically, through pairing down and being mindful of what truly gets used versus what spends most of its time hanging in the back of the closet or tucked away in the bottom of the drawer. the exact number of pieces is less important than noticing the pieces that get loved on and played in. focusing on these pieces will help build a capsule that is mindful of your child’s preferences and that will be loved on for years.
as a jumping off point, we aim to have 3-4 pieces of each item and build or pare down from there.
for example, my oldest prefers dresses and leggings she can move in.
For each season she has:
2-3 dresses
4-5 tops
4-5 pairs of pants
2-3 outerwear pieces
2-3 pairs of pajamas (these are often worn as layers in the wintertime, when camping, or on slow weekend mornings that end up lasting most the day).
2-3 pairs of footwear (for example, rubber boots, sneakers, sandals).
at first re-imagining your child’s wardrobe may seem like a daunting task, but doing this with your little one can uncover a wardrobe that is more authentic to who they are, while also creating space for them to choose without being overburdened. ultimately (overtime), it is better for the earth, your pocketbook, and significantly decreases those never-ending piles of laundry that seem to constantly appear out of nowhere. for our family, we have found that it has also taught our girls about caring for what we have and building their independence through emphasizing their own choice.
finally, remember that building a capsule wardrobe does not happen overnight. it takes time to sink into what this transition means for your own family; your own child. a capsule wardrobe for your little should be unique to them, and will grow with your child as they do. It is a journey of building values, creating memories, and collecting heirlooms. a true testament of slowing down, simplifying and choosing a way forward that embodies your own conscious and sustainable core values.
