How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe and Streamline Your Way of Life!
Why is it called a capsule wardrobe?
Because it is small and compact! The idea is to reduce your large and unruly collection of (mainly) unworn clothes down to the bare minimum of clothing, leaving those that you actually wear – key classic pieces that are truly versatile and making sure anything you add to complete this capsule collection really works. These are the essentials that you regularly reach for and find work with almost everything.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe or capsule collection should contain classic, but appealing pieces of clothing, that make you feel elegant, are comfortable and ideally high quality garments. Once a capsule clothing collection has been achieved, you will spend less time worrying which items work well with others as in a minimalist wardrobe, most items will work with other key pieces due to a few simple wardrobe rules. In fact, you will easily gain a minimum of ten minutes a day when getting dressed!
What’s it like having a capsule wardrobe?
Above all it should reduce the stress levels regarding ‘what to wear’. In addition, your capsule collection will change each season; a winter seasonal wardrobe and a spring, summer capsule wardrobe. Making your clothes work harder for their wardrobe space is much more economical in the long term and certainly more environmentally friendly as you do not need to keep buying the classic, core pieces as they will last! It can also help solve all your storage solutions, you have less and what you need to store can be vacuum packed away until the correct season.
Creating a capsule wardrobe avoids ‘fast fashion’.
It’s time to pay a little bit more for each basic piece, (although many high street stores now also do a great basics range at an economical price), but you will keep these for far longer as the higher quality fabrics, with flattering cuts, will LAST! You will probably end up spending a similar amount of money and achieve a far more minimalist wardrobe, simpler to co-ordinate and mix and match AND one that you really enjoy wearing and feel confident in.
How do I build a capsule wardrobe?
When did you last spring clean your closet? How many pieces sit in your cupboard with you thinking ‘well I paid lots for it and am sure to wear it at some point’? If you have not worn it for two years it must go! Before you can build your capsule wardrobe you must clear out your existing cupboards, you don’t need to bin everything in your closet just yet, but get them out of your sorting space if they don’t pass the wardrobe rules below.
1.) Make sure you only keep things that actually fit! It is no good keeping something you think you might fit into in 6 months, or something that drowns you just because you love it – move it on.
2.)Don’t be a slave to sentimentality – if something is old, past its best or totally unwearable then donate it to charity – let it go …
3.)Refresh your underwear drawer – again, with anything that does not fit or flatter your shape, bin it or donate to a specialist charity. Invest in some good basic underwear in neutral, white and black.
4.)Observe the 80/20 rule – 80% or your wardrobe should be pieces that don’t date – no ‘look at me’ detailing and will probably be investment pieces that will last for years. 20% of your new capsule collection will be seasonal or more on-trend fashion pieces that you can have fun with.
5.)Your wardrobe essentials should include building blocks that make all your looks work seamlessly, including; jeans in at least 2 or your chosen colour palette (see below), white/cream/beige tops (to work across seasons and occasions), neutral footwear – so that you always have shoes or boots that will go with everything, blazers/jackets, cardies and coats – that all important finishing layer.
6.)Accessorising is key – work at it and we’re not just talking footwear and bags, but also scarves and your jewellery – it can tie a whole look together.
7.)Work out your colour palette, this should include 3 neutral colours which make-up your base for each outfit and will include all your staple investment items. You MUST include white, cream or beige as one of your 3 base colours – the other base colours will not mix and match together without one of these tones.
8.)Buddy up! Each of the items in your wardrobe needs a friend – it will make things work, e.g. if you have a hot pink top during a season, make sure you have some accessories that will work with it.
Your underwear, gym kit and special occasion wear, plus accessories do not count within this collection. So, to start, pick the three different clothing areas that relate most to YOUR lifestyle and can help you create your wardrobe rules.
- Work, smart formal wear
- Active, practical ‘children-friendly’ kit
- Social, casual nights out
- Day to day casual wear / working from home
What are the essentials of a capsule wardrobe?
As this relatively new way of managing women’s wardrobes has evolved, advice varies from approximately 30-50 key pieces in your capsule wardrobe, but keeping it to the bare minimum clothing is best when you are embracing this concept. Your capsule wardrobe will not change much throughout the year (apart from the seasonal changes), and should include;
- Coats/jackets: overcoat, leather jacket, puffa jacket, bomber jacket, blazer
- Jeans/trousers: blue jean, black jean, wide leg pant, work pant, leather pant, lounge pant
- Shirts/t-shirts: oversized shirt, silk shirt, short-sleeve tee/long-sleeve tee, cami top, slogan/logo tee
- Sweaters/knitwear: turtleneck, knit jumper – fitted and oversized, hoodie/sweater
- Dresses/skirts: seasonal dress, skirt, denim short/skirt
The basis of every capsule wardrobe are classic pieces that work across the seasons. The only thing you need to do is add a couple of fashionable clothing items and accessories for the current season, by buying on-trend and must-have pieces. These simple additions massively reduce your clothing consumption and inject some seasonal wardrobe highlights into your look!
The basis of every capsule wardrobe are classic pieces that work across the seasons. The only thing you need to do is add a couple of fashionable clothing items and accessories for the current season, by buying on-trend and must-have pieces. These simple additions massively reduce your clothing consumption and inject some seasonal wardrobe highlights into your look!
Accessories are the clever way to maximise your newly simplified capsule collection and do not underestimate the importance of adding a statement accessory, whether this might be a hat, scarf, belt or bag. Never under-estimate the power of accessories – in particular belts – here are some top tips for selecting belts for your new capsule project…
Belts are a brilliant and under-rated accessory! If you wear jeans, you MUST wear a belt – that is what those loops are for. There are a few different widths of belt available – from the 20mm wide skinny belt that will fit through any skirt or trouser loops, to the 30mm belts and 40mm width belts which are great for more casual trousers and jeans. These have detachable buckles so you can change the buckle depending on the look you want to create.
A dress can be transformed with a belt to create more shape, and you can use either a contrast colour to stand out, or a more neutral colour to blend in with the outfit, it rather depends on how busy the dress pattern is. If it is completely plain, go for a python or animal print belt that will add texture and interest and really enhance the look – textured leathers work really well with the basic neutral colours in your capsule collection.
A belt will also stop the trouser slippage, meaning you are endlessly hitching them up and smart black trousers are hugely improved with a contrast coloured belt. Above all choose good quality belts, ideally Italian leather and lined and stitched so that they keep their shape so they last forever. Go for classic colours to coordinate with your capsule wardrobe and which will work across all outfits and seasons.
Which colours work in a minimalist wardrobe?
Your capsule wardrobe should consist of 3-4 colours maximum to keep co-ordinating simple. The most workable is usually a classic colour palette with calm colours or neutrals, camel, grey, black, chocolate or navy, plus white/cream/beige (choose one of these that you find the most useful), these tie all outfits together. Also one brighter accent colour works well, particularly with accessories. Hugely contrasting colours are not advised as they can have limited use in a capsule wardrobe.
How do I learn to combine my new capsule wardrobe?
A capsule collection will help you clarify your personal style, something many of us are a little unsure about … and there are various stylists who are keen to help you find your personal style but if you follow the simple rules as outlined here you can take control and make it happen!
Styling hacks …. those little tips that the professional stylists have in their DNA are worth remembering and using daily. For the totally polished look that adds layers of confidence, pay attention to your nails and add your favourite lipstick daily. Also, little things like making sure the cuffs of your shirt are showing as a feature, or pushing up your blazer sleeves (using cuff retainers) to expose a statement bracelet or cuff is a great way of softening a structured look.
Above all, simplifying your life and creating your personalised capsule wardrobe should be fun and set you free of that ‘I have nothing to wear’ occurrence. Not to mention the extra ten minutes in bed in the morning!
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