What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
If you’re looking for a way to refresh your wardrobe, buying new clothes isn’t always the answer. Instead, try simplifying your closet, with a capsule wardrobe. One entry from Merriam-Webster defines a capsule as “a compact, often sealed and detachable container or compartment.” In the same vein, a capsule wardrobe is a compact, simplified collection of clothing, usually made up of basic pieces that are easy to mix and match. Capsule wardrobes are usually minimal, and by using interchangeable basics as a foundation, you can create a wide variety of outfits without having an excessive amount of clothing. Instead, with a capsule wardrobe, your closet is created with intention and only contains pieces that you love and wear regularly.
Benefits of Creating a Capsule Wardrobe
It’s easy to assume that owning less clothing would limit the amount of outfits you would be able to create. After all, more articles of clothing equals more outfits, right? Actually, it’s usually the opposite, especially when your closet isn’t curated with intention. Because fast fashion creates such high demand, we find ourselves with a closet full of clothes that we will only wear a few times and then discard when the trend is over. With this model, we accumulate clothing at a high speed, but often get rid of it just as fast.
With a capsule wardrobe, on the other hand, you end up with a more carefully curated collection of items. Because it doesn’t rely solely on changing trends, your closet is composed of items that won’t go out of style and that you can continue to wear over and over.
In addition, other benefits of starting a capsule wardrobe include:
- Saving money by eliminating the need to constantly shop for new clothes
- Helping you develop and embrace your own unique personal style
- Reducing clothing waste that causes detrimental damage to the environment (source)
- Encouraging you to invest in better quality, longer-lasting clothing
- Simplifying the process of getting dressed each day with a smaller collection of clothes
How to Start a Capsule Wardrobe in 3 Steps
1. Start with Your Own Clothes
You don’t have to go on a huge shopping spree and splurge on new items to refresh your wardrobe. Instead, start with what you already have on hand. The easiest and most cost efficient way to start a capsule wardrobe is to build around the pieces you already own. First, assess your own wardrobe. Once you know what you’re already working with, you’ll be able to decide what you need, if anything.
2. Declutter & Organize
Decluttering is an essential step to a wardrobe refresh, and this one is no different. And because you’re starting your capsule wardrobe from your own closet, you’ll need to decide what stays and what goes. As you go through each piece in your wardrobe, divide up the items into three categories: one for items you want to keep, one for items you don’t, and one category for the “maybes.” If you have a hard time deciding what to keep and what to part with, ask yourself:
- Does it fit? Is it stained or damaged beyond repair?
- Do you like it? Does it fit your current style?
- When was the last time you wore it?
- How often will you wear it in the future?
- Can you easily mix and match it with other pieces in your closet?
- Can you wear it for different seasons and events?
3. Choose Your Capsule Pieces & Identify What’s Missing
Once you’ve purged your closet, you will build your capsule wardrobe from what’s left. Organize the remaining items into categories: 1) denim, 2) tops, 3) bottoms, 4) sweaters, 5) jackets and coats, 6) dresses and skirts.
Remember that your capsule wardrobe will be unique to your taste and lifestyle, meaning it will look different to everyone. But to help you get started, we’ve provided a list of recommended pieces in each category. Feel free to adjust this guide so that it works for you!
Your Capsule Wardrobe Starter Guide
Bottoms
Start with bottoms that are neutral colored so that they will be easy to match with other pieces in your closet, such as:
- Black linen or cotton pants / trousers
- Light linen or cotton pants / trousers
- Cotton shorts for summer & spring
- Work pants or trousers (if necessary)
Denim
If you can, we recommend thrifting or investing in premium, high-quality denim that will last longer in your closet. Denim jeans will be a staple in most capsule closets and you’ll want to make sure that you take time to figure out what style of denim fits your body best, whether it’s a flare, wide leg, skinny, straight, a baggy mom jean, etc. But having different washes will give you the most outfit variations:
- Black jeans
- White jeans
- Light wash jeans
- Medium wash jeans
- Dark wash jeans
- 1-2 pairs of denim shorts
Tops
Since we started with bottoms, you’ll want to have capsule tops that will match the capsule bottoms you’ve chosen. Start with neutrals for versatility and then add prints and colors. Consider tops that can be dressed up or dressed down, and that you can layer under sweaters and jackets to create even more outfit combinations.
- Black short-sleeved t-shirt
- White short-sleeved t-shirt
- Grey short-sleeved t-shirt
- Black long-sleeved t-shirt
- White long-sleeved t-shirt
- Grey long-sleeved t-shirt
- Fitted button-up shirt
- Oversized button-up shirt
- Cotton tank tops or camisoles for layering
- Dressy blouses (if necessary)
- Neutral bodysuits
Sweaters
For capsule sweaters, consider the weather where you live. If you live in a climate with more defined seasons, look for neutral colors in different weights for each season: light and flowy fabrics for spring and summer and thicker fabrics for fall and winter.
- Turtleneck or cowl neck sweater
- Oversized sweater
- Cable knit sweater
- Fitted crewneck sweater
- Everyday cardigan
Jackets and Coats
Again, consider the weather where you live: lighter jackets for spring and summer and heavier coats for fall and winter. To avoid over-purchasing, choose 1 or 2 jackets per season in different weights. Also, consider how you can layer tops and sweaters underneath to add extra warmth and mix up your outfits.
- Versatile blazer
- Denim jacket
- Leather jacket
- Midweight coat
- Heavier winter coat
Dresses & Skirts
Choose capsule dresses and skirts that can be dressed up or worn more casually to create different looks. You can also layer dresses with t-shirts, cardigans, jackets, and sweaters to get more use out of them throughout the seasons.
- Silk or satin midi skirt
- Mini dress
- Light linen dress
- Sweater dress
- Black sleeveless dress
More Tips for Starting a Capsule Wardrobe
1. Start Simple
Start with neutral colors and solid fabrics, because they’re easiest to match and interchange. Once you have a solid foundation of basic pieces, then mix in colors and patterns to add some variety to your wardrobe. But remember to choose colors and patterns that will be easy to match with the other items in your closet.
2. Take it Slow
This wardrobe is designed to stand the test of time, so it’s okay if it doesn’t get done in one day. In fact, it’s probably better if you don’t try to get it all done at once. Taking on your entire closet will undoubtedly get overwhelming. So work on your wardrobe one season at a time, starting with the current one. So if it’s spring or summer when you start, you can push your heavy coats and sweaters to the side and come back to them when fall and winter arrive.
3. Buy with Intention
When you’re going through this process, you might identify capsule pieces that are missing from your current wardrobe. Maybe you have two similar-looking pairs of dark wash jeans, but you realize you don’t have any in a light wash. Maybe you have lots of colorful pieces, but notice you’re lacking in neutrals.
Make note of gaps in your capsule wardrobe. By taking the time to figure out what you have, you’ll also be identifying what you don’t have. That way, you’ll be able to shop with intention and an idea of what you need to buy so that you can avoid buying what you don’t need and avoid buying clothes just for the sake of buying them. Remember the goal of a capsule wardrobe is minimalism and only filling your closet with the necessities.
4. Don’t Rule out Trends
Rapidly changing fast fashion trends are a major contributor to the clothing waste crisis and the damage it causes to the environment. While a capsule wardrobe is usually made up of timeless basics, you don’t necessarily have to purge all of the trendier pieces from your closet, just because they’re trendy. Instead, take some time to reevaluate. Why did you buy into the trend in the first place? Is it just because you saw a celebrity wearing it? Or because it fits your personal style? Will you wear it in a year from now? Will it still be “in?” Or will you want to discard it once the trend passes?
While it’s not realistic to completely avoid buying into trends, remember we are buying with intention and creating a long-lasting, sustainable wardrobe. While some trends are just here for the moment, others stand the test of time and will never go out of style. Take the “little black dress,” for example. If a current trend feels like you, hold onto it and make it part of your personal style.
5. Make It Yours
In the same vein, your capsule wardrobe is for you and only you. It should speak to who you are. For example, an influencer’s capsule wardrobe might be composed of neutral and solid pieces. But you don’t have to discard all of your colorful patterns, if that’s what you like and wear most often. If you’re a college student or someone who works from home, your capsule wardrobe will have different pieces than someone who works in an office with a business-formal dress code. Your capsule wardrobe should be a reflection of who you are and it should fit your lifestyle, including where you live, where you work, and what you need.
The purpose of a capsule wardrobe is not only to end up with items that you love, but to curate a collection that’s practical. That way, when each piece in your closet was purchased with intention and feels like you, you’ll never find yourself with nothing to wear.
What are some of your favorite capsule pieces? What are some of your favorite places to shop capsule pieces? Share in the comments below!
Check out our Ethical Brand Directory for a list of ethical places to shop for your capsule.
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