Back-to-School Shopping: How Many Outfits Do My Kids Really Need?
Every year, parents are faced with making sure their kids are totally prepared for their return to school. Getting them registered for classes, signing them up for extracurricular activities, gathering their school supplies, and of course, making sure they have all the right back-to-school attire. So, just how many outfits does your son or daughter really need this school year? Is there a way to do back-to-school shopping with a minimalist approach? Of course, there is! In this post, we'll show you how it’s done.
One Solid Winter Outfit Fit For a Blizzard
Because many months of school occur during the winter, you kids most certainly need a warm winter outfit. Ensure your children have at least one sturdy outfit fit for a snowstorm. This includes a thick pair of pants; a long-sleeved first layer; a second layer like a hoodie, sweatshirt, or girls' cardigan; and a big winter coat. Finish the outfit off with a pair of waterproof snow boots they can use to trek through the snow, as well as all the practical winter accessories such as gloves, hats, and scarves.
One to Three Athletic Outfits
Whether your child is an all-star track athlete or is simply going to gym class every day, at least one solid athletic outfit is a must. For children participating in a school sports team or two, having at least three athletic outfits is a wise idea. No parent wants to deal with doing laundry every day to clean their kids’ sweaty, dirty sports clothes. So give yourself a day off laundry duty by having a few athletic outfits on hand for your particularly active kids.
As far as what pieces should make up an athletic outfit, have one option for the warmer months, like athletic shorts or leggings with a short-sleeved top or athletic tank, and one option for the colder months sweatpants and an athletic hoodie or sports jacket. Remember a pair of sneakers that offer lots of support and comfort, as well as athletic socks.
A Small Handful of Tops and Bottoms to Mix and Match
The key to minimalism is having a handful of high-quality, versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. For example, a flowy white top can be worn with a pair of blue jeans, black leggings, or a colorful midi skirt. A pair of durable, stylish, high-quality jeans can be worn with an endless assortment of tops for fall, winter, and spring. Have three tops like sweaters for boys and tops for girls and three bottoms that can be mixed and matched to make several outfits. If your child feels the need to switch up the look, even more, add dimension with a handful of accessories such as a watch, jewelry, or sunglasses.
A Dressier Outfit
Whether your son or daughter feels like showing up to school with a little extra pizzazz or needs something slightly more formal for a school event like a recital, have one great go-to dressy outfit. For girls, this might be a beautiful floral sundress or a dressy pair of pants with a flattering blouse. For boys, this might be khaki pants or other dressy boys' pants with a pastel-colored button-up shirt. For shoes, a ballet flat and sandal with a small heel are both stylish and comfortable options, as well as Oxfords or a sharp pair of sneakers for boys.
A Go-To Summer Outfit
With school extending well into June, kids are accustomed to heading to class on days when the temperatures can be scorching. This is especially true for anyone living in a warmer climate. Just as it’s important to have a winter outfit for kids that will keep them safe and warm, they also need something for those unbearably hot final days of school just before summer. Nothing beats a classic T-shirt-and-shorts combination. Have one more casual option like denim cutoffs with their favorite graphic tee and one dressier option like khaki or linen shorts with a crisp polo shirt or print blouse. Finish the look with a pair of sandals or flip-flops and a pair of sunglasses.
The Rush Outfit
The whole point of downsizing a wardrobe is to cut down on the amount of time it takes to put together an outfit, and the amount of room clothing takes up. Have one outfit that your kids can easily throw together when they are short on time and will allow them to still look polished and stylish. The rush outfit could be one of the mix-and-match choices. Sometimes all it needs to be is a T-shirt and jeans.
With these outfit ideas, you can start a more minimalist approach with your kids’ wardrobe and ensure they look great at school.