Capsule Wardrobe for Littles: S|S 2021
The clothing and accessory options for little one’s are abundant and incredibly overwhelming. I’ve spent many (MANY!) evenings browsing. It seems a new store with the cutest dang stuff pops up every day! I haven’t perfected the art of the capsule wardrobe for Marin, but I can say that it’s been incredibly helpful in limiting my purchases and ensuring what I do buy is versatile, durable, and fits our needs.
I shared my first attempt at a capsule wardrobe for littles ones in September - F|W 2020. I learned a lot and was pleasantly surprised that we had to make very few additional purchases. I’m hopeful we have the same luck this time around.
Some top of mind considerations this time around include (for reference, Marin is 21 months - she’ll be two in July):
Easy on/off options. Marin needs to be able to get the majority of her clothes on and off with minimal help for ease at using the potty, so that means limiting the cute rompers, overalls, and onesies (all the items with lots of buttons and snaps), and opting for more dresses, shorts, bloomers, and easy tops.
Good shoes! We’re outside all the time playing in the dirt and grass. Shoes have to be able to stand up to lots of wear and tear.
Age appropriate. This seems like such an odd thing to consider when talking about an almost two year old, but Marin is quite small for her age. Many toddler clothes are just too big yet the baby clothes don’t make a lot of sense for our stage of the game. Finding pieces that are small enough yet functional is top of mind. Knowing someone that can sew (like my Mom!) is incredibly handy.
8 - 10 TOPS | 4 - 6 BOTTOMS | 3 - 5 DRESSES / ROMPERS | 1 - 2 OUTERWEAR / SWEATERS | 2 - 3 SLEEPWEAR | 2 - 3 SHOES | ACCESSORIES
T O P S
Woven Tank - I saw this top on Instagram and immediately purchased. It screams summertime and is perfect for running around all day long.
Ribbed Tanks - These bodysuits are SO NICE! The colors are beautiful and they are a really nice durable weight for repeated wear. We had the same fabric long sleeve onesies this fall/winter and they saw a ton of use.
Ribbed Tanks - Same tanks but in another color.
Dot Tee - A simple tee that goes with anything.
Gauze Blouse - You can’t go wrong with anything from Go Gently Nation. This gauze top in fennel immediately caught my eye, and I thought it would be great even through fall.
Top & Pants - I bought this set back in 2019 thinking it would fit last summer. It was enormous, so I’m hopeful this summer it can see some nice wear. Similar option.
Dot Set - My Mom made this set for Marin last summer and I think it should still fit for a few months more.
Peplum Top - I was telling my Mom about a fun top I’d seen that would be cute for Marin, and I show up at home on Easter to find she has almost finished making it. Ha! It’s SO DANG CUTE and can be easily dressed up or down.
B O T T O M S
B&W Bloomer - My Mom made these cute bloomers that will go with anything.
Floral Bloomer - Cute, simple, and easy to throw on. Marin is pretty small for her age, so bloomers tend to be much easier than shorts.
Flutter Bloomer - These were an end of season clearance purchase, but any of the bloomers from Rylee & Cru are great. If you cloth diaper, however, I’d definitely recommend sizing up. These can be worn alone or under dresses.
Ribbed Shorts - Simple shorts to pull on and play all day. These are more form fitting which works well for us. Other shorts tend to overpower Marin.
Ribbed Leggings - These leggings are incredibly soft and affordable. I also like the adjustable waist since Marin is on the small side. I purchased these this winter and they’re still going strong.
Side Note: We also own several super cheap pairs of cotton leggings that are great for potty training, playing outside, and just general “dirty” days. They’re the pants I throw on her when I don’t care what happens to them. I like these.
D R E S S E S | J U M S U I T S | R O M P E R S
Bubble Romper - This was a clearance purchase at Christmas to get free shipping with some bedding I was ordering. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and fabric, and I think this is going to see a lot of wear this year. Similar option.
Gauze Romper - This was a late summer 2020 purchase, and it still fits well. The gauze fabric is great for the warmer months and it is SO dang cute.
Ribbed Dress - Soft and easy to throw on, dresses are a favorite in our household. Marin loves them. She’s been wearing this since winter and it still fits well.
Ruffle Dress - Marin picked this out during a trip to Target. It’s super cute and a great lightweight cotton fabric for the warmer months.
Linen Dress - My Mom made this beautiful linen set for Marin.
Overalls - I bought these on clearance well over a year ago in hopes these would be worn last summer, but they just now fit. Either way, the linen material is great and we can easily layer a bodysuit underneath while it’s chilly. Similar option.
O U T E R W E A R | S W E A T E R S
Cotton Cardigan - I bought this for Marin last fall but it was enormous so I saved it for spring which is probably more ideal for the cotton fabric anyway.
Nano Puff Jacket - Patagonia coats are the BEST for little ones. We have a snow suit, puffer coat, and this jacket. They have held up beautifully and will be worn as long as possible.
S L E E P W E A R
Tiny Bloom - These are the softest pajamas! We switched to these from zip-ups and footies to accommodate for potty training, and I can see us buying from this brand for many years to come.
Spotted Taupe - Same pajamas, just a different print. We love them!
Shorts Set - TBD. Marin is a hot sleeper, so I’m currently on the hunt for a shorts & t-shirt set for summer.
S H O E S
Water Shoes - I’ve heard rave reviews for these shoes, so I decided to give them a shot this summer. They’re odor resistant, hand washable, and can be worn for water activities.
Sneakers - I bought these this winter but we’re just now fitting into them. The fleece lining is a little overkill for the warmer months, but Marin really likes them and they’ve held up well so far. I’ll likely buy another pair of sneakers for summer that don’t have lining so she’s not sweating to death. :)
Converse - Saw these and immediately purchased. I’m a sucker for gingham and these will go with anything. I was on the hunt for a nice versatile option without the fleece lining, and these are it this season.
Leather Sandals - This is our third pair of Donsje baby shoes. They hold up extremely well, the leather is super soft, and I love the classic styles. Although based in Amsterdam, I buy from one of our favorite shops, Shop Bitte.
A C C E S S O R I E S
Sunglasses - Super cute! I just need to figure out how to get her to keep them on…
Swimsuit - Swimsuits are always cute when they’re tiny.
Brimmed Bonnet - These are my favorite hats for little ones. We’re on our third since Marin was born. This brimmed option is great for keeping the sun out of eyes and off the face.
Underwear - Simple, cute, and goes all the way down to 12 months in size.
Lace Socks - We love these simple socks paired with sneakers.
Lace Socks - Same socks, different color.
Knee Socks - Collegien socks are pricey but the quality is top notch. These are super cute when paired with bloomers or a dress.
B R A N D S
I often get asked for clothing brand recommendations for little ones. These are some of my favorites right now in alphabetical order.
Ebay - You can find any of the brands shown below at resale shops. Don’t be afraid to shop second hand!
Go Gently Nation - This is a favorite of ours. Everything is beautiful and holds up extremely well.
Patagonia - Worth the investment for outerwear. Consider checking out Worn Wear for gently used Patagonia items at reduced prices.
Shop Plain Jane - Great pj’s!
This post is not sponsored or in partnership with any of the aforementioned brands but the article contains affiliate links. When you shop via the links above I may make commission on a sale at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.