Simple Sustainability: Minimalist wardrobe for boys
by Sky Trombly –
A new school year quickly approaches. This year, I have two children attending school and I’m a little wiser than when I first started working with a minimalist template for my sons’ closets. Here, I will share some of my insights and my template so that other parents will find this process easier.
Last year, my elder son didn’t seem to have strong clothing preferences, he like my younger son this year, pretty much wore what you could get on him. Questioning your children about their clothing preferences will reveal their level of interest and give you ideas about what to look for. I now begin my process with this.
This year, I have the added challenge that my eldest has been influenced strongly by what the other kids are wearing and wants to fit in. He now has a strong desire to wear more jeans (even if the closures were too finicky last year) and likes graphic t-shirts with his current interests on them. Jeans are fairly easy to find used, up-to-date graphic t-shirts are harder. Some parents develop a policy of keeping shirts neutral or plain, which is definitely something to consider.
A capsule wardrobe has specific benefits for school-aged children:
1) Tops and bottoms are bought with the entire collection in mind. Therefore, any combination a kid comes up with won’t garner outfits of questionable taste. This provides a chance for young children to have greater autonomy when it comes to getting dressed each morning. I tend to stick to plain bottoms and printed tops in order to make outfit creation easier.
2) Designing a wardrobe can reassure the parents that their child has enough clothing for the season. The planning stage also lets parents know where the gaps are. This makes for smarter shopping lists. I take note of what sizes are needed because I can never remember while at the store.
3) When parents consider what makes a good wardrobe, they also become aware of what they’re looking for in a garment. For example, I learned that elastic waist bands (without any finicky parts) are an excellent feature for pants when it comes to small children. For older children, you can have them weigh in on their own preferences.
4) Culling the closet keeps kids from arriving at school wearing clothes that are too small or too damaged.
“Rules” for a Successful Capsule Wardrobe:
• Any top should be able to be worn with any bottom. As tops tend to have more patterns and designs, I like to have plain bottoms. Two bottoms can clash with each other as they’ll never be worn at the same time.
• Consider layering options: a button-down or cardigan over a t-shirt, a long-sleeved t-shirt under a short-sleeve. This allows for greater variety. A younger kid might need help when it comes to making more complicated combinations.
• Unlike an adult’s capsule, a kid’s will require at least the number that will get them through the week or between washes because they can seldom re-wear clothes. You know what I mean. These clothes look dirty by the end of the day.
Final Thoughts
Clothing your kid for back-to-school does not have to be the hit and miss minefield that I’ve experienced in the past. With a little forethought, the shopping and dressing stress of the new school year can be drastically decreased.
Happy Minimalist Parenting!
Blog – talkwalking.org