It’s easy to get caught up in collecting trendy pieces and building a wardrobe that includes just the right pieces for every occasion. Before long, however, all those garments can result in a closet overflowing with unworn items. There could even be some stragglers whose tags are never removed!
Enter the capsule wardrobe: your solution to all things chaotic in the closet. The idea is to pair your clothing down to just the essentials. Doing that not only makes it easier to decide what you want to wear on any given day, but also helps you find what you need a lot more efficiently. Here’s how to build a capsule wardrobe you’ll love.
Sort Through What You Have
The first step is to gain some clarity. You can’t do that effectively when everything is pressed together inside your closet, though, so you’ll want to break the clothing down into four distinct piles on the bed. The first pile includes items that you love and can’t imagine not wearing. They’re core parts of your everyday wardrobe, and they fit like a dream.
Then, create a “maybe” pile for anything you aren’t sure about at the moment. Next is a donate pile for garments that are in fine shape but no longer hold any value to you personally. Finally, create the truly get-real pile: the trash, or those unsalvageable pieces that are so old and questionable you couldn’t even give them away.
Take a Look at What’s Left
If you’ve ever wondered precisely what is a capsule wardrobe, then what remains in your first pile should provide you with some guidance. Ideally, it should consist of pieces that you can mix and match quickly and easily to create new outfits every day of the week. That means you’ll need to “shop” your first pile to whittle it down further in order to build your eventual capsule collection.
In general, you should think in terms of classic appeal. The essentials in any traditional, well-rounded wardrobe include a pair of blue jeans, a tailored blazer, a cardigan, a high-quality coat, a pair of black pants, a simple dress, several simple t-shirts and tank tops, a button-front shirt, and a skirt. Once you have these, you can start to build upward by adding more pieces that suit you and your lifestyle especially well. For example, leggings might be part of your off-duty uniform on weekends. If you wear them and swear by them, they belong in your capsule wardrobe! Don’t forget that your needs will change from season to season, so there will be items that you swap in the summer and winter.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
What’s a wardrobe without a few great accessories? A thoughtfully curated capsule wardrobe also includes a few extras that help complete your look: at least one classic bag, one pair of sunglasses, a scarf, and your favorite jewelry.
Shoes count too! Many are guilty of owning countless pairs of footwear that never see the light of day. If that’s you, this is a great excuse to cut through it all and bring it down to three or four pairs of most-worn items: one pair of practical ballet flats, one pair of slippers, one pair of comfortable heels or boots, one pair of “fun” shoes that you reserve for nights out, and one pair of athletic shoes.
Consider How Much You Need
Only you can determine how many pieces your capsule wardrobe should ultimately contain. Some people can easily cut their closets down to 25 pieces, while others might have an easier time with 40 pieces. It’s a personal endeavor that revolves around what you wear regularly, so this can have tremendous benefits if it’s done right.
What about that “maybe” pile you created? If you really can’t decide what to do with these items, place them apart from everything else and come back to them a few months later. At that point, consider whether they might be worthwhile additions to your capsule. If so, invite them back to the fold — but otherwise, donate or toss. There’s great freedom in narrowing down your wardrobe, and this is an effective way to make getting dressed in the morning a whole lot easier!
Zazzle’s Lifestyle Expert is here to help create life’s best & most important moments. Discover unique ideas and endless inspiration to create meaningful memories with family, friends and your community.
