Okay, this for sure would have been even more helpful about a month ago — but I just thought about this post now, so here you go. Hopefully it’s still helpful, or maybe you can use it to buy a size bigger (and probably on sale) now, and save for next summer. When I shop for my kids, I often shop for the basics that we need to have, and then just add on a few fun things as we fall in love with them along the season. When building the kids’ basics/capsule collection, I make sure they have enough clothes to make it through an entire week, make sure the clothes are all easily mix and matchable, and that they can either be worn again the next year or passed down. Basically the basics should be well made.
This is the summer collection I put together for the little lady in your life. More often than not you can pull out items from past years or use items from past seasons — no way should you be buying everything from scratch each season, unless the growth spurts dictates it that way.
MIX AND MATCHABLE TOPS
tank tops: 2-3 tank tops; often we find one good style and buy the whole palette. (pink tank)
special tees: 3 tees that have a little something extra to them because I know my little one loves a bit of flounce and floral. (floral tee – striped tee – peplum tee)
GO WITH ANYTHING BOTTOMS
summer jeans: 1-2 pairs of comfy and light jeans. Because not every day is a hot summer day. (mint skinny jeans)
shorts and skirt: 3-4 of whatever style she prefers. I tend to buy more denim shorts then anything else because they match with any top and makes dressing super easy. (rolled denim shorts – circle chambray skirt – denim jogger short)
leggings: 1-2 pairs of leggings or another style of everyday comfy pants. (butterfly leggings)
EVERYDAY DRESSES
dresses: 2-3 dresses (or rompers), unless this is all she wears; if that’s the case swap out some bottoms and tees for more dresses. I always find my daughter gets hooked on 2 or 3 dresses and only wants to wear those, so the capsule idea works really well. (pattern blocked dress – smocked dress)
SUMMER JACKET
sweatshirt: 1 hoodie that will match with every outfit will do, mostly for those few cool summer nights — hopefully this is all she needs! (grey hoodie)
SHOES AND HAT
sandals and shoes: 1 pair of everyday sandals and 1 pair of sneaker/water shoe/cross-over will have her covered the entire summer. (coral natives – pink birks)
sun hat: 1 hat she will wear everyday, meaning one you won’t have to fight with her to wear — because sun protection is so important. (floppy straw hat)
What do you think? Capsule collection for little ones, yay or nay?
*I have a mini capsule collection for him coming soon.
grapefruit / 4584 posts
Yes! I’ve been shopping sales for DD1’s wardrobe for next summer and have been thinking in (several) capsules. I bought a few tops, scooter skirts, and yoga shorts/capris in coordinating colors/patterns so she can mix and match herself for playtime (and since they were bargains, I don’t care what happens to them).
I then picked a few nicer/statement outfits that could be mixed and matched (print joggers with one graphic and one solid top and a neutral hoodie that also works with the 2-3 dresses I bought).
I’m hoping this forethought helps me control my shopping a bit, and makes letting DD dress herself easy and fun!