Streamlining your style by creating a capsule wardrobe is a great sustainable fashion choice but it’s also perfect for releasing your creative side (if you want it to), opting for sleek, timeless looks and saving you money too! (more on that later)
We want to share our top seven tips on how you can create a capsule wardrobe that works for you.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe
If, like us, you have loved watching TV shows where stylists wax lyrical about capsules and how everyone needs one, we want to break down what they actually mean by this.
A capsule wardrobe is simply a versatile selection of clothing and accessories that you can wear on high rotation whilst mix and matching with each other to create lots of different outfits.
There is no magic formula for putting together a compact closet and you don’t have to stick to any ‘fashion rules’
Capsule Wardrobes are for anyone
If the idea of a ‘capsule wardrobe’ low key terrifies you and makes you think that they are only for super stylish Vogue editors and models then think again!
A capsule wardrobe is for anyone but they don’t all have to look the same.
The key is to think about the items you wear the most and go from there.
For those who work in an office, smart workwear may be a priority but if your job is more physically demanding or outdoors…well not so much. Tailor your capsule wardrobe to your lifestyle.
When you are creating a capsule wardrobe, looking for inspiration on pinterest, fashion magazines and blogs can be a great place to start but just remember that this is your wardrobe!
Something that works for one person doesn’t mean that it has to work for you too.
After all, wearing turtleneck jumpers and trench coats on high rotation is not for everyone.
Declutter your closet
We can all hang on to clothes for a bit longer than we need to but when it comes to creating a capsule wardrobe it’s not so much ‘out with the old and in with the new’ but rather ‘out with things you never wear.’
Whether selling second hand, donating or recycling, make room in your wardrobe by getting rid of old unloved pieces.
A good tip for this is that if it hasn’t been worn for 6 months or doesn’t fit anymore then it needs to go.
You might also want to think about getting rid of:
- Clothes that you don’t actually like anymore
- Worn out, stained items or anything that is damaged beyond repair
- Pieces that are virtually the same as something else you already own
This can also be a great way of checking in on the styles of clothes that you do wear a lot of the time as well as picking up on the colours and patterns that work for you.
Take a step back
For your capsule closet you don’t have to throw everything out and start again. Instead take a look at the items that you already have and see what’s missing.
The aim of the game is all about mix and matching versatile items, whether that’s a pair of ankle boots, tailored pants or a button down shirt, so use this time to create potential looks, seeing what works together and what doesn't.
Pinterest is perfect for this.
Make a list
After a lifetime of mindlessly shopping for items that we might only ever wear once (or for a lot of us, buying things just because they actually fit when nothing else would) creating a capsule wardrobe feels like a much more considered way of shopping.
If you look back at the meaning of the phrase ‘capsule collection’ it’s about versatile pieces that you can wear again and again. So for this next tip we want to make a list of all the things that you like about the clothes that you buy and everything you don’t.
For me, (Danielle) I know that I only want natural fabrics next to my skin so any t-shirts, dresses, pants etc should ideally be made of cotton or linen. No polyester please and thank you.
Another must, is nothing with a restrictive waistband.
Call it emotional damage but after too many years of trying to squeeze into waistbands that simply weren’t going to fit, I now choose to prioritise non-restrictive clothing.
Do a trial-run
Deciding that you want to create a capsule wardrobe and actually committing to it can feel like two totally different things. So before fully committing to it, we suggest that you take your capsule collection for a trial-run.
Like Frocktober (other Instagram photo challenges are also available) take a few items from your wardrobe and try remixing them and creating new outfits for a week. Don’t forget to take pictures!
This is also a perfect way of seeing if there are any pieces missing from your collection such as a plain white t-shirt or a pair of sneakers.
Invest in quality pieces
For timeless pieces that you can wear again and again and will still look good after a good couple of years of wear, it’s worth investing in great quality items that are well made.
Of course, we know that this doesn’t come cheap but spending the money on a quality shirt dress now will save you money in the long run as you won’t need to keep buying a new one when it gets worn out after a couple of wears.
Take care of your clothes
Another great money saving tip is to take good care of your clothes. Not only will this increase their lifespan but keep them looking better for longer too.
We recommend always checking the care label before washing your clothes and actually paying attention to them.
If you have shrugged off a ‘hand wash only’ label and just stuck that jumper in the washing machine only to find that it shrunk multiple sizes as a result, you’ll know what we mean.
Air dry your clothes instead of using the tumble dryer wherever possible, your clothes will thank you and so will your pockets.
Get to know your way around a sewing machine or simple needle and thread so that you can fix small snags in your clothes before they become more of a problem, extending their life span for little to no cost.
Have you created your own capsule wardrobe? We'd love to hear what things worked for you and what didn't.