Womenswear is an incredibly busy space. There are trillion of options out there and it’s very hard to cut through the noise. That’s why we often end up with too much stuff in our closets and…nothing to wear.
A “capsule wardrobe” is a set number of pieces that we wear each season and that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits for different occasions. A capsule helps you edit your style, and spend less time, money and energy stressing out about what to wear.
More often than not, you buy because you like the overall styling rather than the individual piece that is presented to you. This styling isn’t accidental, it’s been thought through by a team of stylists and editors behind the scenes. It’s time to take back this power and use it to reclaim your style and wardrobe. So how can you build your capsule? Here’s my step by step guide.
Find your personal style
I wrote a mini guide to help you figure it out. I think this is an essential first step to know what should go into your capsule(s). It will help you downsize and reconnect with your wardrobe.
Make space
I prefer to have several capsules and wear them on rotation rather than having one big capsule wardrobe to wear all-year round. This is a personal preference, mainly due to seasonal weather changes and available space in my closet.
I store away the clothes I’m not wearing in clear plastic containers and not too far from reach in case I need them for a surprise trip. I like these very sturdy IKEA bags and pack my clothes with cedar shapes in between layers to avoid moth attack.
Define a number of pieces
It needs to feel comfortable and realistic for you and your lifestyle. If you browse the web you’ll find suggestions such as ‘hit the 33 mark’ or ‘keep it under 50’, which can help. Aim to include enough versatile basics and timeless classics to pair with your more intricate pieces and prints. I find it can get quite frustrating if you limit yourself too much. Don’t forget that you’re also going to wash your clothes and it’s important to have enough pieces to wear in between loads instead of doing small (wasteful) washes every other day.
Choose a colour palette
If you pick 4-5 colours that work harmoniously together, you’ll be able to create an infinite number of looks with the same pieces. You can help yourself using an artists’ colour wheel to figure out your favourites. I personally love the combo red and pink and always go back to these shades, and always enjoy a touch of silver or gold as well.
Plan your outfits
Think ahead based on the type of events and activities you’ll need clothes for. I tried the app Save Your Wardrobe, which helps you digitise and organise your closet virtually and plan what you’re going to wear in advance. Your capsule should include outfits that bring you from (work) day to (downtime) evening and that fit your own personal style no matter the circumstances.
Shopping ban for one month
Once you’ve defined your seasonal capsule, try to wear it without adding anything new for a few weeks or months. This will tell you whether or not you’ve got enough clothes and what’s missing in your wardrobe.
Shop with sustainability in mind
Before purchasing any new item, make sure it can be paired with at least 3 to 5 other clothes you own in your capsule without having to buy any additional piece of clothing to complete the look. Don’t buy anything that isn’t exactly the colour, size or shape you’re looking for. You may find that coveted piece one day and it may cost a bit more than your usual budget.
Having this mindset helps you accumulate less and spend your money more wisely on pieces you really love and will wear a lot. Investing in high quality pieces that you know you will wear again and again is the key to building a capsule wardrobe successfully.
