Capsule Autumn/Winter wardrobe for Year 5 or 6 girls - non uniform

[Earlybird]

Inspired by another thread, would love to compile a list of clothing necessary for older primary school girls.

Specifically - weekend and outside-of-school clothing is what I'm after.

What do they need, in what quantities, and what are best sources to search?

To get us started

Jeans, cords
Tracksuit bottoms
skirts
dresses
fleece/sweatshirt
jumper/cardigan
casual winter coat
vests
socks
t-shirts
wellies
walking shoes
boots
hat, gloves, scarf
tights
???

TIA.

Would add some sort of party top and shoes in case of discos

waterproof anorak/ski jacket

pyjamas and dressing gown

I buy more than necessary so have no clue on reasonable quantities I'm afraid.

We get stuff from Johnnie B, Mini Boden, Hollister, Jack Wills, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, FatFace.

Abercrombie and Joules ok too (Joules possibly because DD is into horses and likes their wellies and polo shirts, not so keen on the other stuff).

Here are my top picks for this age:

Waterproof jacket / ski jacket - PolaRN o pYRET

Casual jacket - Boden or Gap do some cool ones - these don't get much wear in our house so an optional item

Wellies - Tesco or Joules, plus welly socks from Joules

Gloves _ H&M multi pack of 3 pairs for about £2.99

Tights - Next or Boden, worth not buying el cheapo ones

Tshirts/tops - Primark/ Zara /H&M

Socks - M&S & Gap - get some funky knee highs

Cardigan - M&S

Fleece - Joules or Boden

Leggings,trackies, jeans - Gap

Skirts - Zara / Boden / Next

Walking boots - Mountain shop

Boots - independent shop for euro brands - Geox etc - but my dd doesn't seem to want boots any more which saves me £££

Scarf - let them make their own in thick wool garter stitch on big needles

PJs - PRimark cotton ones

Dressing gown - Boden mega fluffy one

The most important thing is to let them chose their own stuff or it won't get worn!

Stripes are popular in our house.

TBH, they don't really need that much. I have a 9 year old and she is in school uniform most of the week so only really needs a couple of weekend outfits.

I have bought her 2 dresses from Boden with 20% off - a floral one and a knitted one. One skirt and long-sleeved top. She has a couple of tops left from last year and plenty of t-shirts from the summer. And she has a couple of pairs of leggings from the summer. Couple of cardigans too.

One pair of school shoes and one pair for weekends. We have wellies too for wet weather.

Thanks for feedback so far.

It is the dress/party clothes and shoes that are tricky, ime. They can be some of the most expensive, least versatile and least worn.

I am fairly rubbish at the capsule wardrobe thing, so it is great in thoery but I don't ever put it into practice.

I buy clothes for dd when I see something I know she will like and wear.

I bought biker boots from H&M at the weekend.

I like H&M footless tights for her too.

I would like to get her a warm comfortable loose fitting cardigan type thing, not a fleece, something a little smarter, but not too fitted so it is easy for her to wear but still looks weekend casual/smart. (I would like one for me too.

I really struggle with the party outfit, trying to get the right balalnce between party and wearable (my dd does not like dresses or anything flowery or pink).

My dd doesn't go to parties requiring "party outfits".

Birthdays are mainly activity or sports based. A funky outfit from her usual wardrobe is generally fine. What parties does your dd go to that need real party outfits?

gap, zara, H&M, some plainer boden for my yr6 dd. Leggings essential and very versatile. They grow so fast and so suddenly I only buy a couple of outfits at a time. I have also decided to not buy smart stuff eg for family party until we know we need it to avoid it not being worn. And I will try not to buy 'party' shoes - she had a pair of ballet pumps last yr that got worn twice before she grew out of them. She has boots that go with most things and they tend to take their shoes off when they arrive at a place anyway.

School discos/Christmas party/Christmas day/Hogmany are all times where I would like dd to have a party type outfit that is easy to wear - that she won't feel self-conscious in it.

Mmmm - what about Next for that kind of thing?

TK Maxx is fab for party clothes. Avoid the high street or else risk your dd wearing the same dress as several other girls. Mine refuses to wear clothes if her friends have the same dress/skirt etc.

I gave up on Next when dd grew out of the 5yr old stuff, it was all too teeny bopper for my liking, haven't looked since so maybe I will. Dd wouldn't mind if someone had the same outfit on, she cares so little about clothes, except when it comes to knowing exactly what she won't wear!