Build A Capsule Wardrobe To Streamline Your Style

It wasn’t that long ago that the fashion world was selling the idea of a capsule wardrobe. The kind of closet containing the bare minimum of clothing that matched perfectly and made life easy. The type of wardrobe that took the guesswork out of getting dressed and takes less than 5 minutes to look great. And if you’re a mom, that kind of closet is a godsend.

But it’s become even more prevalent in recent times as the focus shifts towards ending fast fashion to help the plant and workers who get taken advantage of by big business. Of course, if you’re low income or don’t have the means, shunning the fast fashion industry entirely is difficult. But we can all do a bit more to consume less. And in terms of fashion, the capsule wardrobe might be the perfect eco solution.

Here’s how you can make a cracking start on building the perfect capsule wardrobe. 

Clear Out

The first step for any good capsule wardrobe is to have a clear-out of your current closet. Anything you haven’t worn in a while that doesn’t fit or doesn’t bring you joy should be gotten rid of. You can donate to thrift stores or charities, so good clothes don’t go to waste. But if they’re past their best, it’s probable best to recycle. 

If you’re not ready to make the jump and commit to a capsule wardrobe fully, keep the clothes you’re thinking of getting rid of for a while. Road test your new closet first, and that way, you can be confident that you won’t be pining for clothes you’ve gotten rid of.

50 Or Fewer

There arent any hard and fast rules on an exact number of items you should have that make up the perfect capsule wardrobe. But you want to keep 50 as the maximum of clothes you have. Anything over that, and you’re back into the territory of having stuff you don’t wear. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid.

Be Honest

When it comes to curating a capsule closet, you’ll need to be shrewd. First, think about what you want and need from your clothing and rebuild your wardrobe accordingly. What colors work for you, what patterns, what shapes, and what situations you’ll need clothes for are all great places to start. 

Seasonal Switcheroo

Your capsule wardrobe needs to do a lot of heavy lifting. So you’ll need items that are interchangeable throughout the year and the seasons. Think dresses that can be layered up or worn on their own. Light weight cardigans that can be used in all weathers as extra layers. The same goes for your shoe collection. 

Get Shopping

Once you’ve got a solid idea about what you want, need, and what works for you, it’s time to start shopping. Remember, it’s all about being thoughtful with your purchases. If you’re unsure, think about what you already have and whether the new piece will fit in nicely. Because if you need 5 new items to make that one piece work, then it’s not a capsule wardrobe. 

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started shopping;

• Base Colour

You’ll want to decide between navy and black as your base color. Having one base color helps because you can choose items that all work with it. That way, you know what you’re buying will always work.

• Basics

Dont forget about your basics. You still need plain t-shirts and a great pair of jeans. They’ll likely make the base of all your outfits. Keep them simple and in a smaller color palette, so any bold colors or patterns will always work with them. 

• Accents

Here comes the fun! Pick a few accent colors that never fail you. Think about what works with your skin tone and hair color. And have some fun!

• Layers

Don’t forget about clothing that layers up – it’ll be your savior as the weather changes. Have a few key pieces that are a knockout. 

• Accessories and Shoes

You should stick within your base and accent colors for shoes. Because, you guessed it, they need to work with everything! The same goes with your accessories, but you can have a bit more fun here because these bits can add a lot of flavor to your wardrobe.