If you have plenty of clothes tucked in their closet but nothing to wear, then maybe you should consider doing a capsule wardrobe. While this is popular nowadays thanks to the push to buy fewer clothes, this is also a good decision overall.
You can count on looking good overall when you know exactly what you have. Plus, it’s going to make it a lot easier to make everything pair up together. So, before you start going through your clothes, here are some things you may want to keep in mind before building your capsule wardrobe!
Understand your style- getting to the basics
Once you know your style, building a capsule wardrobe that fits your lifestyle and goals is much easier. You’ll be able to create outfits out of fewer pieces and feel confident in what you wear.
To get started, take an inventory of all the clothing you own. When you last wore it, think about your activities and lifestyle. Then, separate out the items that don’t fit or suit your style goals.
These could include formal pieces or items that have sentimental value. If you don’t think you will reach for or wear it in 6-12 months, donate, sell, or upcycle it.
Once you’ve done a closet audit, pick out the core clothing items you want in your capsule wardrobe and create ten everyday outfits with them. This will help you get used to wearing a smaller wardrobe and save you time and energy when getting dressed in the morning. It will also save you money in the long run!
Donate everything that doesn’t bring you joy
After going through your clothes and deciding what you have worn often, the challenging part comes. What sparks joy for you?
The key to building a capsule wardrobe is keeping only pieces you love and wear frequently. This allows you to save time, money, and the earth — without having to shop often! If an item doesn’t spark joy (shoutout to Marie Kondo), it’s not worth keeping, even if you think you might use it in the future.
KonMari’s method is incredibly simple: Thank the object for its service and then let it go. It can be tough to let go of sentimental items but don’t be afraid to do it. It’s easier than you think!
Get organized
Once you’ve created your capsule, it’s time to organize the items so they’re easily accessible. To get started, look at what you have left in your closet and eliminate the ones that don’t fit you well or don’t coordinate with the rest of the capsule.
It’s very simple, such as putting all your tops on one side, which are meant for special occasions. You could even pair up colors together, too, as that could give you ideas!
Go with simplicity
When it comes to building the capsule wardrobe, simplicity is going to be key. You’re going to want to choose several colors that all go well together, such as neutrals and some small pops of colors.
The idea is to have several pieces, such as short-sleeved tops, bottoms, dresses, etc.. So make sure you’re not choosing to make items and make sure all of these can match. Remember, when it comes to capsule wardrobes, you’re going to want to have a simplistic approach.
Don’t buy everything in one go
A capsule wardrobe consists of a limited number of interchangeable clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched together (as mentioned above). They are often classic pieces that do not go out of style and are primarily composed of neutral colors.
However, it is important to avoid buying everything in one go. Buying too much can lead to clutter in your closet and can cause you to buy items that don’t match your aesthetic or aren’t versatile enough. Just slowly add more items to it, especially if you’re starting from scratch.
Don’t forget about accessories
From stunning custom pendants to soft charm bracelets, accessories will help add personality! Accessories are an essential part of any capsule wardrobe. They can add interest, variety, and unique flair to your look while helping you keep things simple and clutter-free.
So, when it comes to accessories, you’re already going to want to pick out all your outfits. This way, it will be easier to visualize what the accessories will look like when paired up with the outfits. Remember, it’s not just about pendants but this is shoes, scarves, and even hair accessories too that count.
Don’t skip shoes
Typing in with accessories, you’re not going to want to skip out on this, either. Shoes are one of the most important components of your capsule wardrobe. They don’t need to be big or elaborate, just simple and easy to wear.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your shoe collection to around ten pairs. Aim for a balanced mix of professional, casual, and leisure footwear. For winter, a pair of smart boots are essential for workwear, or a lace-up heeled boot to pair with skirts and dresses at night.
Bring in the outerwear
As James Bond might say, “you need a wardrobe that can cover all bases.” That means outerwear should be part of your capsule collection. It’s an important part of your closet because outerwear can make a huge impact on how you look and feel every day.
Even when it comes to your outwear, you will want to choose timeless and relatively neutral pieces. These should also be high-quality so that they will last for a long time. Outerwear can be an easy way to add personality and flair to your capsule wardrobe, especially if you have a love for color or prints.
For example, add bright pinks or pretty hues like millennial pink to your collection if you’re a fan of bright pinks or pretty hues like millennial pink.
