Last week, I told you to quit whining and get rid of the laundry and Badger Mom wanted to know how many items her kids actually needed, anyway.

Instead of just replying to her comment, I thought it would be best to write a post with my answer.   Now, please understand that everyone’s needs are different, but this should be the bare bones of each person’s wardrobe.

You need to sit down and plan how many outfits each member of your family needs. Most families wash the laundry once a week or more.  I wash laundry every single day.  No one needs 15 pair of jeans. You don’t need 15 pairs of jeans for each child. Three or four pairs will work just fine. A newborn may need 10 pairs of pajamas since the newborn lives in them and spits up on them, but a 10 year old only needs three or four pairs.

What Everyone Needs:

• 5-7 everyday outfits
• 1-3 dressy church outfits
• 1-3 casual dressy outfits
• 4-5 pajamas
• 8-10 pair of socks
• 8-10 pair of underwear
• 2 pairs play shoes
• 1 pair dress shoes
• 1 pair casual nice shoes

Obviously, if you work outside the home, then you will need to add about 5 outfits to your wardrobe for work (be sure to include pantyhose if needed)

School Kids need about 5 uniforms/school outfits.

That is kind of crazy when you look at it, isn’t it?  We go to the cabin for a week and we take way less than the above.  No one feels like they don’t have enough clothes.  Plus, it is much easier to do laundry if you HAVE to do laundry. LOL!

*photo courtesy of FlickR*

Kelli writes tips and tricks to being a fit, stay at home blogger who parents (or parent who blogs? LOL!)  at 3 Boys and a Dog.  She also has a weekly “Blogging Basics” series that everyone should check out.