Capsule Wardrobe for a Newborn Baby

Have you heard of a capsule wardrobe?  The basic idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to minimize the amount of clothing in a wardrobe, but make each piece intensely wearable by coordinating it with everything else in the wardrobe.  The “what do I wear” question is solved because everything is wearable.

A perfect application of the capsule wardrobe is for someone who is expected to outgrow all their clothes in a few months time.  (Like a baby…)

Newborn Capsule Wardrobe Color Choices

Since I’ve had 7 babies, I’ve pretty much nailed down exactly what is and isn’t needed in the first 6 weeks.  I know this next baby will be dressed by many eager siblings, so I want it to always look coordinated.  Even on days when the oldest sister called dibs on dressing the baby but the youngest sister had a fit until her favorite pair of pants were used and the middle brothers slipped on a cardigan later when the sisters weren’t looking!

The perfect solution is a white onesie wardrobe.  This means all the onesies can be paired with any other piece in the newborn capsule wardrobe and match perfectly!

Next I chose solid grays as the layering pieces because once again they will coordinate with everything.  Also because we don’t know if we’re having a boy or a girl, and gray is a neutral that works for both.

Finally, since it would be a shame to dress a baby in all white and gray, I used wild explosions of patterns that couldn’t possibly be worn together (like pants and one piece outfits) in shades of mint and gray.  Result?  Baby looks boutique and not clownish!

Newborn Capsule Wardrobe Suggested Clothing List

Now that I’ve gone over my thoughts on color choices for a newborn capsule wardrobe, I’ll share what I’ve discovered to be the perfect clothing components.

4 baby gowns:  These are all I put my newborn in for the first few weeks, and definitely until the umbilical cord stump comes off.  They make for easy diaper changes…in fact sometimes the baby can sleep right through when they’re wearing a baby gown.

3 indoor hats:  The baby has been used to being in a 98.6 degree environment, and your home is probably cooler than that.  So a little knit hat helps it maintain it’s heat.

4 footed pants: The other place the baby can loose body heat is through the soles of it’s feet.  Footed pants work great to keep baby warm and also have the added benefit of helping keep their socks on!  (I have yet to have a baby whose socks stay on all by themselves…)

6 onesies: After the baby is out of it’s exclusive baby gown days, you will need onesies.  Because a baby can go through several in a day, I’ve found 6 to be a good number.  And because they’re white, those pesky poo stains can be bleached right out!  (Give them an extra rinse though for baby’s delicate skin.)

2 sweaters: Sometimes you will need to give the baby an extra layer of warmth, perhaps when you’re going out, and a baby sweater fills the need perfectly.

1 coat and 1 outdoor hat: If your baby is born in colder months, you will definitely need a warm coat and an outdoor hat.  Even over the sweater.

8 receiving/swaddle blankets: From the very 1st baby, we discovered the many benefits of swaddling.  I consider swaddling blankets to be a part of their wardrobe, and have found 8 to be a good number.  I made 4 gauze swaddle blankets, 2 knit swaddle blankets, and 2 flannel swaddle blankets.  You will may find you prefer one type over another in different situations.  This newborn capsule wardrobe is in neutral colors, but the next capsules in larger sizes will lean toward boy or girl in theme, and the white gauze swaddle blankets will continue to coordinate either way.

6 pairs of socks: Although your baby will rarely get these dirty, somehow one will disappear several times a day!

1 special occasion dress/romper/outfit:  Since you’ve kept so rigidly tight on the colors and amounts of clothing in this newborn capsule wardrobe, you’ve got extra resources to get something for a special occasion for your new baby.  Go ahead and splurge…you’ve deserved it with your discretion and control so far.

So here’s that list for you all together:

4 gowns

3 indoor hats

1 outdoor hat

4 footed pants

6 onesies

8 receiving/swaddle blankets

2 sweaters

1 coat

6 pairs of socks

1 special occasion dress/romper/one piece

Now get busy creating a newborn capsule wardrobe for you’re expected bundle of joy!  If there’s anything else you consider essential to a newborn’s wardrobe, please let me know in the comments below.