Children's wardrobes: How many clothes do kids really need?
Children's clothing today combines both functionality and style, making it a challenge for many parents to limit what they buy for their children's wardrobe. The clothes are so adorable, it's hard to pick just a few favorites. As a result, children’s wardrobes are often filled to capacity, with many items never getting worn even once.The children's wardrobe can be divided into the following stages:
Newborn
This is the period up to 1 year old. During this time, babies spend most of their time lying down, so you don't need to have a large amount of clothes. Since newborns grow and gain weight rapidly, it's best to break this time into three-month periods. At this age, your baby wears diapers constantly, so their pants rarely get dirty, and since they’re not walking, socks stay clean as well. Frequent changes aren't necessary. Be sure to consider the season and local weather when preparing their wardrobe.
Necessary clothing:
- Baby sleeping bag – 2 pcs. (It's fine to buy ones for 6 or even 12 months old)
- Fleece crawl suit – 2 pcs.
- Cotton crawl suit – 5-6 pcs.
- Long-sleeve bodysuit – 3-4 pcs.
- Short-sleeve bodysuit (for warm weather) – 3-4 pcs.
- Cotton tights – 3-4 pcs.
- Cotton socks – 7 pairs
- One cotton cap and one warm cap for walks
- Demi-season overalls – 1 pc. (consider buying for 1 year old)
- Winter overalls – 1 pc. (for 1 year olds is usually enough)
First steps
As soon as your child starts standing and walking, it's better to choose clothes with open feet. This helps them get more wear before outgrowing them, and the toes are less likely to develop holes. The main wardrobe stays the same, adjusted for size. Swap out the sleeping bag for a cotton crawl suit for sleep, and add mittens for winter.
Kindergarten
When your child starts preschool, their clothes should look neat and presentable, so you'll need more variety. Have outfits for home, kindergarten, and special occasions. This is also when they stop wearing diapers, so opt for separates at the waist for easier bathroom access.
Important! Only buy new clothes when the old ones are outgrown or worn out. There's no need to stock up on larger sizes, as these often end up unworn in the wardrobe.
What do you need for kindergarten? Clothes should be functional and comfortable.
You only need a maximum of three full sets for each daily shift:
- Pajamas – 1 pc.
- T-shirt – 3 pcs.
- Tights – 3 pcs.
- Cotton jumper or long-sleeve top – 3 pcs.
- Dress or skirt (for girls) – 2 pcs.
- Leggings, shorts or overalls (for girls) – 3 pcs.
- Shorts, pants or overalls (for boys) – 3 pcs.
- Panties – 3 pcs.
- T-shirts – 5-6 pcs.
- Long sleeves – 3-4 pcs.
- Leggings or pants – 6-7 pcs.
- Panties – 10 pcs.
- Shorts – 3-4 pcs.
- Socks – 10 pairs
- Winter jacket and warm pants, or a winter overall – 1 pc.
- Demi-season jacket – 1 pc.
- Cap – 1 pc.
- Mittens or gloves – 2 pairs (for replacement as they may get wet during play)
- Scarf – 1 pc.
Advice:
To make clothing choices easier and avoid conflict about preferences, try our unique Parenting Mentor Test. The tips provided will help you communicate better and resolve issues about your child's wardrobe.
School
As children get older, they become more selective about what they wear. Girls often develop preferences early, wanting dresses in specific colors or styles, or insisting on new clothes. Boys usually start caring about clothing in adolescence, especially as they become interested in peers.
Clothing for girls aged 8-16:
- School uniform, if required
- T-shirts, tops – 3-4 pcs.
- Shorts, overalls – 2-3 pcs.
- Jeans – 2 pairs
- Dress, sundress, skirt – 3-4 pcs.
- Tracksuit – 1 pc.
- Leggings, joggers – 2-3 pairs
- Underwear and socks – as needed
- Pantyhose – as needed
- Jacket, hoodie, or jumper – 4-6 pcs.
- Winter clothes: warm jacket, pants, winter hat, scarf, gloves or mittens
- Demi-season clothes: coat or jacket
Clothing for boys aged 8-16:
- School uniform (if needed)
- T-shirts, polos – 5-7 pcs.
- Shirts – 3-5 pcs.
- Sweatshirt, jumper, or hoodie – 5-6 pcs.
- Jeans – 3-4 pairs
- Pants – 1-2 pairs
- Joggers – 2-3 pairs
- Winter clothes: warm jacket, winter hat, scarf, gloves
- Demi-season outdoor clothes – 1 set
When it comes to shoes, buy for the season and the current size—1-2 pairs per season should be enough. Always prioritize quality and comfort, since kids' feet grow quickly and extras will often go unworn.