It’s that time of year again. Kids are heading back to school. Leaves are starting to change color. The days are getting shorter. The weather is growing cooler.

With all this change, we find ourselves needing to make changes as well. Our schedules may have to adjust. Our rhythms might be modified. And what we and our families wear must slowly alter.

Cardigans, jeans, coats, and socks must begin to make an appearance.

While we used to be fine running out of the house in shorts, t-shirt, and sandals, we will start to dress differently.

Our kids will need rain coats, long pants, and sweaters. We will need warmer shoes and then even boots.

The change can feel overwhelming. We wonder if we need to buy anything new. We question if we have what we need for the season ahead, and we’re unsure if our growing kids will actually fit into last year’s pants and parkas.

We can feel stressed.

But we don’t have to be.

Changing out wardrobes for the upcoming season doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, I believe it can be fun!

And today I want to give you a framework to help it be just that!

No more guessing and stressing. No more dreading going through bins and boxes. No more buying clothes we don’t need, because we don’t know what we already have.

Instead, we’re going to make things simple.

So here are 9 steps for organizing your toddler’s seasonal clothes.

Let’s dive in.

Organizing Toddler Seasonal Clothes

1. Assess what you have.

Pull out your bins. Empty your drawers. Unhang your outfits. Get it all out in front of you.

Before you buy, plan, or organize, you need to know what you already have. Does your toddler have a warm winter coat that was passed down to you? Does he have a plethora of collared shirts that are perfect for church? Is there a good pair of sneakers that will fit him this fall?

Ascertain what you have. Get familiar with your inventory.

2. Create categories.

Put your toddler clothes into piles. Group all the shirts together. Gather all the pants.

By categorizing what you have, you’ll be able to see what you need.

3. See what fits.

Have your toddler try on clothes if necessary. Figure out what fits and what doesn’t.

Are his jacket sleeves too short? Did he actually lose some toddler pudge? Kids grow and change all the time, and so their clothing needs to be assessed often.

4. Brainstorm outfits.

Ask yourself, “Do these items go together? Do I have multiple outfit options here?”

If you find yourself struggling to put pieces together, take note of any gaps that may need to be filled.

While we don’t need everything to go with everything, the more versatile the clothing the better. Getting some neutrals and limiting patterns create a more flexible closet.

5. Know what you need.

Make a mental (or physical) list. Decide how many shirts, pants, socks, and sweaters are needed. What feels comfortable for you? Make a plan for what seems reasonable to you.

Here is a printable that may be helpful to you.

6. Keep things minimal.

Limit your toddler’s wardrobe size. That exact size will look different for everyone, but I believe that by keeping things simple, you’ll be able to stay more organized and intentional with what you DO have.

7. Make a shopping list.

Now it’s time to make a shopping list. What gaps need to be filled. Make a list, so that when you’re ready to buy, you’ll know what you need. A list is also helpful if someone else wants to gift your child with clothing. You’ll know what they need at a moment’s notice.

8. Keep “in-season” items close.

Keep all the currently used toddler clothes accessible. This might be a closet, a basket, or a drawer.

9. Stow away “out-of-season” clothing.

Put everything your toddler is not using (whether it doesn’t fit them or fit the season) in 1-2 bins. Perhaps you have one tote for every year or two. Store these bins where you know you can find them again.

Transitioning your toddler clothes to a new season can be a fun, rewarding task. Happy sorting!

FAQ About Toddler Fall Clothes

1. Does my toddler need a “capsule wardrobe?”

No.

While I love the idea of a toddler capsule wardrobe, to me it doesn’t feel practical. So much of what we have has been given to us – something for which I’m incredibly thankful. I don’t see myself ditching a lot of perfectly good pieces in order to create a “capsule.”

I simply try to keep things simple and minimal and have items that coordinate with each other.

2. Is it possible to dress my kids nicely while sticking to a budget?

Totally!

We have received SO many kids’ clothes over the years. People are often getting rid of baby/toddler clothes and are eager to bless someone else with them.

You can also buy a lot of kids’ clothes at thrift stores or on Facebook Marketplace.

I have seen God provide clothes for my kids over and over again. I know that He cares about even this. Tell Him your worries, and ask Him for what you need. He is a good Father who loves His children. He is your Provider.

Matthew 6:28-30 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

3. How do I include my kids in the sorting process?

Make it an activity!

Tell them you’re going to sort together. Limit the mess size (i.e. do one child’s wardrobe at a time). Get them to hand you clothes out of the bin or take items to certain piles. Have them try on items when necessary, and be firm about what’s expected.