Little MK is going into kindergarten this year, so that means back to school clothes shopping is in full swing for us. But first, can we just recognize what everyone says is true: time goes by fast! I can’t believe my baby is going into kindergarten! He also recently grew one inch in one month. So I really needed to overhaul his closet and buy many new pieces—so a massive back to school clothes shopping it was for me.
You may have read my previous post on my closet overhaul journey (here). Within the last year, I have been more mindful of curating a wardrobe that is functional and that has mix and match pieces. I wanted to start applying some of what I have learned to Little MK’s wardrobe. He has the biggest closet in the house and it is stuffed full of clothes. Going through my closet and then looking at his got me thinking…how can I think about back to school clothes differently? So I started applying what I have learned to his back to school clothes wardrobe.
Balancing Bottoms
First things first: balancing bottoms. Before rethinking wardrobes, I felt like I needed to have countless pairs of jeans…you know one for each day of the week. However, I now know that various colored/types of bottoms vastly improves your ability to mix and match your wardrobe. So, while shopping for Little MK I bought a light wash jean, a dark wash jean, and other various pant colors. Here is what I got:
Joggers
Because what little boy doesn’t want to wear sweatpants?! Little MK loves to wear sweatpants so I wanted to get some nicer looking ones that he can wear to school without looking like he rolled out of bed (dinosaur joggers; gray joggers).
More options from other stores/brands: (Option 1, Option 2, Option 3)
Corduroys
I wanted some navy pants that weren’t jeans and fell in love with the extra patterned detail on the leg of these pants (corduroys).
More options from other stores/brands: (Option 1)
Jeans
While I no longer feel a wardrobe needs to be built with jeans only, jeans are still very important. Little MK got two pairs, one light wash, one dark wash. Admittedly, the jean options aren’t perfect. Because, boy…did I have a hard time finding jeans that fit Little MK! Everything that fit in the length was huge in the waist. I will be keeping my eyes out for a jean that is a darker wash. For now, these are good options. Also, let me say for Little MK, jeans are not something I splurge on. I have bought “cheap” jeans and I have bought designer jeans and they all last about the same time — aka about two weeks and there are holes in the knees. In fact, I’m often patching his jeans in the knee are. See my post here on out to patch jeans. (Light Wash, Dark Wash). 
More options from other stores/brands: (Option 1, Options 2, Option 3).
Colored Pants
Little MK picked red pants as his colored pants. Colored pants are a great way to add variety to your wardrobe! (Red Pants)
More options from other stores/brands: (Option 1, Options 2).
Variety of Tops That Coordinate with your Bottoms
Tops coordinating with your bottoms is very important when creating a mix and match wardrobe. This is what gives you flexibility and multiple options with less clothing pieces.
Sweatshirts
Sweatshirts are a must in Wisconsin. I bought Little MK a variety of options (Graphic sweatshirt 1, Graphic sweatshirt 2, Striped Hoodie).
More options from other stores: (Option 1, Options 2, Option 3, Option 4).
T-Shirts
While re-doing my wardrobe another essential thing I learned was the importance of the art of layering. We live in Wisconsin, so it gets pretty cold by us in the winter. Before the wardrobe re-do, I would rarely wear a t-shirt in any way shape or form in winter. Now I have learned how layering can allow you to do this more often. Here are the new tees I picked up for Little MK (Striped Tee 1, Striped Tee 2, Graphic Tee).
More options from other stores: (Option 1, Options 2, Option 3, Option 4)
Completer Pieces
The last major thing I have learned from my wardrobe overhaul is the importance of completer pieces. Completer pieces make layer possible and also finish off your outfit. I started with some more neutral completer pieces for Little MK (Chambray Top, Jean Jacket, Similar Vest 1, Similar Vest 2, Similar Utility Jacket, Similar Blazer/Cardigan).
This top looks like a dress shirt in the picture and I took a chance on ordering it. But once it came in the mail and Little MK tried it on, it can definitely be used as a completer piece. Added bonus that it can also be used as a dress shirt with this super cute tie, which Little MK loves by the way.
More options from other stores: (Option 1, Option 2, Option 3)
Full Disclosure–We will not be keeping the jean jacket. Little MK refuses to wear it. He says it’s “too cold.” I am guessing he means it’s itchy/abrasive on the inside. I am on the hunt for either a fuzzy lined jean jacket or one that has sweatshirt-like sleeves.
More options from other stores: (Option 1, Option 2, Option 3)
More options from other stores: (Option 1, Option 2, Option 3)
More options from other stores: (Option 1, Options 2, Option 3).
More options from other stores: (Option 1, Options 2, Option 3).
That is everything I bought or that is already in Little MK’s closet for back to school clothes. I will use these pieces to create a mix and match wardrobe. When more cold weather clothes come out in the stores, I will add a couple more long-sleeve shirts. Stay tuned for my post on styling these pieces!
