The first crisp mornings of fall always take me back to when my children were small. Those days were busy—some mornings smooth, some a bit of a scramble. But one thing always made life easier: having all the clothing ready to go the night before. That’s how the Mama-Approved Capsule was born—a small, reliable collection of clothing that keeps mornings simple, cozy, and calm.
At the heart of this capsule are two dear friends: Engel and Hocosa. Both made from soft, breathable organic merino wool or merino/silk. Both beautiful and each with their own personality.
Hocosa is a dependable one—leggings with cuffs at the ankle that stay put under socks and boots, wool or wool/silk that is just a touch thicker that holds its shape. And on the coldest mornings? Hocosa’s 100% Merino wool base layers are ready for children (and adults).
Engel is the easygoing friend—leggings with a clean hem for a bit more legging style, a slightly lighter wool that feels almost like another skin, perfect for layering.
Hocosa’s colours include bright and bold—green, ruby, fuchsia, ocean, and natural—like a happy splash on a grey day. Engel’s are earthy and calm—olive, copper, walnut, navy, and grey—perfect for days in the forest or quiet mornings at home. Hocosa also makes leggings with knee patches for those little ones who seem determined to wear through the knees of every pair they own!
Both brands come in styles for changing weather. Early in the fall, sleeveless layered under clothes are perfect, and some children prefer a t-shirt style. As the season deepens, you can add long sleeves, leggings, or turtlenecks, adding layers to increase warmth as needed.
Remember—young children before the age of ten or twelve don’t yet fully know what it means to be warm. This sense for warmth is still developing. If you want to find out if they are warm enough, feel their hands and feet—the extremities. If they’re warm, your child is warm enough. If not, add a layer or two. As a rule, children in the first seven years of life need one more layer than adults to support their still developing warmth body.
We don’t see it as choosing between them. Some days call for the structure of Hocosa; others need the relaxed comfort of Engel. Having both means I could dress my children for whatever the day brought, without overthinking it.
And here’s the little secret that ties it all together—the heart of the Mama-Approved Capsule: I laid out the next day’s clothes the night before. No morning decisions. No searching for socks. Just a smooth, gentle start to the day.
(If I’m honest, my children are now grown with families of their own… and my husband and I still put our clothes out the night before!)
So as you build your own Mama-Approved Capsule this fall, ask yourself:
What matters most in your child’s base layers—warmth, softness, fit, or colour?
Because with Engel and Hocosa, you can have it all.