The Complete Guide: How to Build and Create a Capsule Wardrobe for Timeless Style
THE BASICS OF A CAPSULE WARDROBE
If you’re like me, you probably feel like you have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear. It’s officially become my biggest frustration in the day – deciding what to wear! Many people (myself included!) struggle with cluttered closets overflowing with articles of clothing they rarely wear. Yet, it can be difficult to know what to get rid of and what to keep.
That’s where a capsule wardrobe comes in. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.
The idea is to have a smaller collection of items you love and wear regularly rather than an overwhelming amount of clothes that never get worn. Typically, a capsule collection consists of 30-40 items, including tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, and accessories.
The Benefits of Having a Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe
There are many benefits to building a capsule wardrobe. For one thing, it can save you time and energy in the morning since you’ll have fewer decisions about what to wear.
With fewer items in your closet, you’ll also spend less money on clothes since you won’t constantly buy new things that don’t fit your current wardrobe. The biggest advantage of having a capsule wardrobe is that it allows you to focus on quality over quantity.
Instead of buying cheap clothing items that will fall apart after a few wears or washes, invest in high-quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Not only does this help reduce waste and consumerism, but it also creates healthier self-expression by allowing people space for creative freedom within their minimalist wardrobes.
Overall, if done correctly, creating an organisational system for your capsules uses more conscious decisions surrounding consumerism while allowing individuals to express themselves through fashion without feeling overwhelmed by too many choices or frequent shopping trips. In addition, creating such systems takes time up front but requires low maintenance after completion, resulting in both financial savings and increased mental clarity for daily dress habits.
So whether this is your first capsule wardrobe or you’re just looking for some wardrobe-refresh inspiration, let’s dive into the 6 steps to create a wardrobe that you love.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Wardrobe
Take Inventory of Your Current Clothing Items
Before creating your capsule wardrobe, it’s essential to take inventory of what you already own. Set aside some time to go through all your clothing items and list everything you own. This can be daunting, but having an accurate picture of what you have in your closet is worth the effort.
As you go through each item, consider whether or not you’ve worn it in the past year. If the answer is no, ask yourself why.
Is it because it doesn’t fit well? Is it out of style?
Or it’s not suited to your current lifestyle. Whatever the reason may be, make a note of each item that hasn’t been worn recently.
Determine Which Items You Wear Frequently and Which Ones You Don’t
Now that you’ve made a list of everything in your closet go back through and circle the items that you wear frequently. These are the pieces that are comfortable, versatile, and make you feel confident.
Next, identify the pieces that haven’t been worn in a while. Then, ask yourself if there are any reasons why these pieces aren’t being worn (and be honest!).
Can they be repurposed or altered to better suit your current style or lifestyle? By identifying which items have been neglected in your wardrobe and why they haven’t been worn recently, you’ll better understand what gaps need to be filled when creating your capsule wardrobe.
Identify Any Gaps in Your Wardrobe
Now that you know which clothing items are currently part of your wardrobe rotation and which ones aren’t being utilised as much as they should be, note any gaps in essential pieces needed for a well-rounded wardrobe. For example, maybe you realised that although you have plenty of dressy tops, you’re lacking in comfortable, casual tops to wear on a day-to-day basis. Or you’re missing a quality blazer that can be dressed up or down for different occasions.
By identifying these gaps in your current wardrobe, you’ll know what items to focus on when creating your capsule wardrobe. These essential pieces will form the foundation of your newly curated closet and allow you to maximise the versatility of each item.
Step 2: Define Your Personal Style
Consider your lifestyle, personality, and preferences
Your personal style should reflect who you are and what makes you feel comfortable. Consider your lifestyle – do you work in an office or stay at home?
Do you have a busy schedule that requires practical clothing? Your wardrobe should be versatile enough to accommodate your daily activities.
Do you work from home and can wear casual clothes daily and only need a professional outfit for the occasional work event?
Additionally, think about your personality – are you outgoing or more reserved? This should also be reflected in the type of clothing you wear.
Consider your preferences – do you like bold prints or stick to neutral colours? Understanding these aspects of yourself will help guide the types of pieces that belong in your capsule wardrobe.
Look for inspiration from fashion blogs, magazines, and social media
(Does anyone read paper magazines anymore?! Hit me up if you still do! I’d love to hear which ones)
While it’s important to define your own personal style, looking for inspiration from others is also helpful. (I’ll share my favourite style inspirations below!). Following accounts on social media (even if they aren’t fashion bloggers) or gathering inspiration on Pinterest is a great way to start.
However, don’t feel you need to copy everything exactly – pick and choose pieces that align with your style. Instagram and Pinterest are great resources for finding outfit ideas based on different styles or occasions (also because it’s easy to save these images directly in the apps).
Here are my current fashion inspos on Instagram:
Vivi et Margot – I follow Charlotte Reiss both for France inspiration and style! She often shares the brands of her clothing and even has her own Amazon shop where you can buy a lot of the items she wears.
Julia Lundin – Julia is the epitome of classic, minimalist style. I love how her wardrobe is basic colours (think black, white, creme, navy, dark green) and she is the Queen of classic minimalism but still clearly has a very versatile wardrobe.
Delphine Reynauld – (are we sensing a theme here with my love of French style?!) I love Delphine’s functional wardrobe and apparent complete coolness! I wish I could look so good in a pair of dungarees!
Meghan Hitchman Bustard – Meghan looks to be the ultimate guide in owning classic pieces that you can wear everyday, no matter the event! She is a West Coast girl and clearly loves being outside and comfy year round. She inspired me to start wearing my Converse high tops with my shorts!
The importance of incorporating sustainability into personal style
As we become more aware of our actions’ impact on the environment, incorporating sustainability into our personal styles has become increasingly important. Opting for timeless pieces instead of trendy items that quickly go out of style is one way to reduce waste in the fashion industry.
Additionally, checking labels and choosing brands that prioritise ethical production practices can significantly reduce the environmental harm caused by fast fashion. By being mindful of our personal style choices, we can contribute positively towards reducing the negative impact on the environment while still feeling stylish in our clothes.
Step 3: Choose Your Colour Palette
Select a few colours that complement each other
When creating a capsule wardrobe, choosing the right colour palette is key. You want to select colours that complement each other so that you can mix and match items easily. This means you’ll be able to create multiple outfits using fewer pieces of clothing.
A good rule of thumb for selecting colours is to stick with two or three base colours and then add a few accent colours for variety. When choosing your base colours, consider neutral shades like black, white, grey, navy, and beige.
These are timeless colours that never go out of style and can be paired with almost any other colour. If you prefer brighter or bolder colours, consider using them as accent pieces rather than as the main colour in your capsule wardrobe.
Stick to neutral colours like black, white, grey, navy, and beige
Neutral tones are versatile because they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. For example, black pants can be worn with a blazer for a business meeting or dressed down with sneakers for a casual weekend look. White t-shirts can be paired with jeans for a classic casual look or dressed up with accessories for an evening out.
By sticking to neutral shades like black, white, grey, navy and beige as your base colours, you’ll also find it easier when it comes time to replace an item in your closet because these staple pieces will always remain fashionable no matter what year it is. Overall when selecting your colour palette, keep in mind what suits you best.
It’s essential that you feel comfortable wearing these colours, too, so choose colours based on what looks good on your skin tone and hair colouring – not just what’s popular at the moment. Choose two or three base colours from neutrals such as black grey & beige, then add pops of colour as accent pieces.
It’s important to feel comfortable with your colour choices, so choose the ones that suit your skin tone and hair colouring. Also, think about the future when selecting colours – neutral shades are always in style!
Step 4: Select Your Core Pieces
Choose versatile items that can be dressed up or down
When building a capsule wardrobe, selecting versatile pieces that can easily transition from day to night is important. You want pieces that can be dressed up for a fancy event but also worn casually for a day out with friends. This means opting for clothing items with simple, classic designs that will always stay in style. Examples include a blazer, jeans, and a little black dress.
A blazer is an excellent choice for your capsule wardrobe because it’s timeless and versatile. You can wear it to work or pair it with jeans and heels for a night out. Choose a classic cut like straight leg or bootcut in a dark wash when selecting jeans.
These will look great dressed up with heels or kept casual with sneakers. But, of course, no capsule wardrobe is complete without the iconic little black dress (LBD).
It’s essential because it can be worn to almost any occasion and paired with any type of shoe or accessory. Choose one that fits your body type well and makes you feel confident.
Other core pieces:
- A white button-down shirt
- A trench coat
- Black pants
- Classic cut pair of jeans
- Comfortable flats
- Loafers
- A timeless cardigan
- A well-tailored trouser
Remember, your core pieces are the foundation of your capsule wardrobe.
Invest in quality pieces that fit well and make you feel good wearing them. These items will last years if taken care of properly, mixed, and matched with other pieces in your wardrobe!
Step 5: Add Some Trendy Pieces
By now, you have selected your core pieces and colour palette. Now, it’s time to add some trendy pieces to add interest to your capsule wardrobe.
While it can be tempting to go all out on the latest trends, remember that the purpose of a capsule wardrobe is to create a versatile and timeless collection of clothes that can last for years. When selecting trendy pieces, limit them to no more than 20% of your overall wardrobe.
That way, you can still have fun with fashion while maintaining the cohesive look of your capsule wardrobe. Look for trends that align with your personal style and complement your core pieces.
Trendy Pieces: Choose Wisely
When choosing trendy pieces, consider their versatility and longevity. Will they still be in style next year?
Can they be paired with multiple items in your wardrobe? One way to incorporate trends without breaking the bank is by investing in accessories or statement pieces that can elevate any outfit.
For example, if animal prints are trending this season, consider adding a scarf or pair of shoes in leopard print rather than a full-on leopard print dress or coat. This will allow you to showcase the trend without committing too heavily or going over budget.
Mixing Trendy with Classic
To build your capsule wardrobe successfully, it’s important to find the balance between trendy and classic items. Classic items serve as the foundation of your wardrobe, while trendy items offer some variety and spice things up.
Aim for one stand-out piece per outfit to mix trendy with classic items effectively and keep the rest subdued. For example, if you’re wearing a bold statement jacket, pair it with simple jeans and a neutral-coloured top rather than other bold patterns or colours.
Incorporating some trendy pieces into your capsule wardrobe can keep your style fresh and exciting without sacrificing cohesion. Remember to choose wisely, aim for versatility and longevity, and always prioritise your personal style.
Accessorise Wisely
Accessories play a crucial role in completing an outfit. They can transform any simple outfit into something stylish and chic.
However, choosing accessories that complement your outfits and personal style is important. Not every accessory will work with every outfit, so think carefully about what you’re pairing together.
A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple with classic jewellery pieces. For example, a pair of diamond studs or a delicate gold necklace can elevate any look without overpowering the outfit.
Always opt for quality over quantity when it comes to jewellery as well. A few well-made pieces will last longer and be more versatile than a pile of cheap costume jewellery.
When it comes to other accessories like bags or shoes, choose versatile items to be worn with multiple outfits. For example, a black leather tote or a nude pair of pumps will never go out of style and can be paired with almost anything in your capsule wardrobe.
Complement Your Outfits
Your accessories should complement your outfits, not overpower them. If you’re wearing a busy patterned dress, opt for simpler accessories like stud earrings and a dainty bracelet rather than large statement pieces that will compete with the pattern on your dress.
Similarly, if you’re wearing an all-black outfit, add some interest by incorporating bold accessories like a chunky necklace or colourful clutch purse. Again, the key is balance – don’t overwhelm your outfit with too many accessories.
Another way to complement your outfits is by choosing colours that coordinate well together. For example, if you’re wearing a navy blazer and white t-shirt combo, add some interest by pairing it with red flats or a belt for contrast while still keeping it classy.
The key here is to keep your accessories minimal but also versatile. You won’t exactly have a minimalist capsule wardrobe if you have 1000 accessories! Think timeless pieces, and consider investing in high-quality jewellery if you can.
Pick Accessories That Fit Your Style
Your personal style should be reflected in your accessories as well. If you’re more of a minimalist, stick to simple and understated accessories. If you love bold prints and patterns, don’t be afraid to incorporate statement jewellery or bright scarves into your look.
Think about what makes you feel confident and comfortable when it comes to accessorising. For example, do you prefer delicate or chunky pieces?
Are you drawn to certain colours or materials? Use those preferences as a guide when choosing accessories for your capsule wardrobe.
Remember, your capsule wardrobe should be tailored to fit your individual style and needs – the same goes for your accessories. Choose pieces that make you feel confident and enhance your outfits without overpowering them.
Step 6: Maintain Your Capsule Wardrobe
Regularly assess your clothing and closet
Creating a capsule wardrobe is an ongoing process. Once you’ve established your core pieces, trendy items, and accessories, it’s essential to routinely assess your clothing items.
Consider donating or selling anything that doesn’t fit properly, no longer works with your style, or hasn’t been worn in six months to a year. It’s also important to consider the changing seasons when maintaining your capsule wardrobe.
For example, you may need to swap out lighter fabrics for heavier ones as the weather gets colder or vice versa. Make sure that each item has a place in your seasonal rotation and is something that you genuinely enjoy wearing.
Another consideration when maintaining your capsule wardrobe is accommodating changes in weight or body shape. If an item no longer fits correctly but is still in good condition, consider having it tailored instead of getting rid of it altogether.
Creating a capsule wardrobe can be a rewarding experience that saves time, money, and closet space in the long run. Assessing your current wardrobe, defining your style, selecting versatile core pieces and trendy items wisely, accessorising properly, and maintaining it regularly by donating or selling any unwanted clothing items will help make dressing effortless while still looking fabulous every day!
Remember – less is more!
