Back-to-School Capsule Wardrobe
The Endless Laundry Struggle Every Mom Knows
We’ve all been there—as moms, the laundry piles seem never-ending. You finally wash and fold everything, only to find there’s nowhere to put it. Dressers, closets, and even nightstands are overflowing with clothes—some of which your kids may never even wear.
Not only do we spend hundreds of dollars on clothing and accessories each year, but we also waste time washing clean clothes that accidentally end up in the dirty pile. And let’s be honest: when a shirt gets a stain, finding a new outfit that actually matches can be a hassle.
The truth is, kids and laundry go hand-in-hand… but there’s a better way.
Why Our Family Uses a Capsule Wardrobe for Back-to-School
One of the best ways we’ve simplified our laundry routine—and our back-to-school shopping—is by creating a capsule wardrobe for each child. It reduces clutter, cuts down on decision fatigue, and keeps the laundry under control.
Instead of buying dozens of outfits, we stick to a thoughtfully curated selection of mix-and-match essentials. Here's what that looks like in our home:
Sample Capsule Wardrobe for Girls
3 pairs of shoes
3 pairs of leggings
1 pair of jeans or slacks
2 skirts
3 blouses
2 T-shirts
2 long-sleeve shirts
3 outer layers (cardigans, hoodies, or light jackets)
4 accessories (hairbands, scarves, jewelry, etc.)
1 dress
Sample Capsule Wardrobe for Boys
3 pairs of shoes
1 pair of khakis
1 pair of slacks
3 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of athletic pants
2 polo shirts
2 button-down shirts
2 T-shirts
1 long-sleeve shirt
3 sweaters or sweatshirts
4 accessories (belts, hats, watches, etc.)
Simplified Capsule Wardrobe Formula (for all kids)
3 pairs of shoes
7 bottoms
7 tops
3 outer layers or sweaters
4 accessories
Step 1: Take Inventory of What You Already Own
Before shopping, go through your kids’ closets and drawers. What still fits? What can be reused or passed down? This year, we started from scratch—which made planning even more important.
Step 2: Set a Budget Per Child
We know the cost of living is WAY up. After taking a look at what you already have, jot down where you want to shop (think: department stores, online, secondhand stores, etc.) and what feels like a realistic budget for each child.
Step 3: Choose Your Color Palette
This is the secret to making a capsule wardrobe work: stick to 3 neutrals and 3 colors for all your pieces. When everything matches, you can mix and match to create over 70 different outfit combinations from just 7 tops and 7 bottoms.
Tip: Choose your color palette based on current trends and what’s available in stores. Planning in advance helps avoid mismatched or random pieces that won’t get worn.
Why Capsule Wardrobes Work for Moms
Less clutter = less stress
Fewer clothing battles with kids
Laundry becomes more manageable
Kids learn budgeting and thoughtful shopping
You save money by buying what they’ll actually wear
printable checklist
Are you a paper planner-kinda mom? Snag our printable back-to-school wardrobe checklist here and be sure to tag @thepittsburghmoms when you share your haul. We can’t wait to see!