School clothing.

[daytripper75]

School starts in 3 weeks and I am wondering if the clothing I have for my daughter is just right for preschool. It is all easily washable, it won't break my heart if it get stained, and comfortable. Leggings, jeans, cords, t-shirts, cardigans, some dresses.
How do children usually dress for preschool and how many outfits do you think they need? Five day school weeks have me second guessing myself! Also, if you have any other clothing advice, I would appreciate it!
Thanks!

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by daytripper75

it won't break my heart if it get stained,

This, in my experience, is key. In her two years of preschool, DD managed to stain just about every article of clothing she ever wore to school! They are so hands on and touch everything, so everything ends up on their clothes. It sounds like you have it under control.

[Mum2JocelynAngus]

The only thing that I would add is make sure that the clothes are easy on/off (or up/down?) for bathroom trips.

[nkm1968]

We usually have about 7 or 8 outfits per season (we have a pretty distinct summer/fall/winter/spring) and we have to send in 2 complete changes of clothes each season as well....thank goodness for the GW and StVdP! If you have winter and the kids play outside, invest $10 in a used largish one piece snowsuit--WAY easier than snowpantsssss and jacket.

[loriedna]

Oh, great thread. I was also thinking about this. My DD is starting 5 days a week and I have to put together some clothes for her. I need to buy most because she has grown out of everything. I was thinking of 5 outfits, but 7 sounds like the better thing to do. I didn't know they need 2 changes of clothes in school. Thank you for the useful information!

[KBecks]

I have a boy but it sounds like you are fine -- we do pants, shorts, long and short sleeve knit shirts, socks and shoes. Everything simple, no layering.

I like to have about 10-12 tops and bottoms to work with, we always end up with more than that. 2 pairs of athletic shoes, but I think we will increase that to 3 or 4 pairs of comfy shoes.

[spedteacher30]

our school also expects the kids to have slippers/indoor shoes. They want them to be rubber soled/treaded and easy on/off. We bought crocs, but they also suggested softstar.

I would suggest all elastic waisted items, and things that are easily mix and match. I think we will probably move all of M's school clothes into his bottom drawer (or two) so he can pick out the clothes and get dressed each morning...

[KBecks]

Having the child pick out his/her own clothes sounds like a great idea that we need to do -- I had wanted to do this but forgot about it. Our nearly year old isn't into dressing himself yet, he's still working on it, but I'd love to give him the opportunity.

Our school has indoor shoes too, so one of his pairs (they prefer athletic shoes) is going to stay at school and then we'll also have 2-3 pairs at home that he'll wear to/from.

[BCFD]

I have an almost 4 year old that, thank GOODNESS, could care less what she is wearing. She really has no preference. I try not to dress her in anything that she will have a hard time getting up and down in the bathroom. I actually made a lot of spring and fall pants for her with elastic waistbands and in the summer she wears a lot of skirts from Old Navy or clothes from Baby Gap and Naartjie. I always make sure that if it's a skirt you can't see her underwear (I can't STAND that!), so I always buy skirts with the built in shorts or get little cotton shorts from Target to put under them. We're in Sacramento, so it never gets blistery cold here. Usually a light jacket for outside play in the winter.

As for how many outfits, I'm a clothes-a-holic. She has way too many! : I would say we probably rotate about 25 different outfits.

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

Ditton on the easy on/off up/down -- many schools tell teachers they can't touch the child to help with clothing issues after the bathroom, so they can't do snaps and buttons that the kids can't do. Also, if this is a full day program with a nap component, nothing with closures that hurt when you lay down. We did lots of cotton leggings/yoga pants (elastic waist) and Ts, plus lots and lots of dresses -- but my DD preferred dresses over all else.

Absolutely things that you don't mind getting dirty/stained. I have a permanent soaking solution of oxi-clean in the garage for all of the paint and glue crusted clothing.

Jackets and outerwear needs to be easy on/off too. In So CA we never needed more than a sweater or sweatshirt, but she had to be able to do them herself.

Check with the school about how many changes you should have there. Our school really only wanted one (rotated by season) for space reasons.