WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?

Even the eyes that are the most well-trained can take years to understand personal style and curate a closet that resembles it. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for feeling confident in your style, one approach to wardrobe building can help you get there faster: creating a capsule wardrobe. 

When you shop with a capsule wardrobe in mind, you'll be less likely to buy items you'll never wear, and you'll be able to ensure that everything in your closet is a key element of your wardrobe rotation.

Are you ready to embark on your capsule wardrobe adventure? You've come to the right place. Here is a list of everything that you need to know about starting your own business and never saying, "I don't have anything to wear today." 

What is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories that may be dressed up, down, or just anywhere in between. It means your closet has fewer trendy items that will only be worn for a season and more high-quality items that will last for years to come.

A beginner capsule wardrobe can be curated and swapped from season to season once you've mastered it. It's simple to pack and take out garments for the right season because they're just as fashionable as they were when you got them. 

All too often, we buy delightful new clothes for the season, only to revert to old tried-and-true favorites later. It got us thinking: why would you retain a closet full of stuff you don't like?

We've been conditioned as shoppers to want more and to keep shopping when the weather changes. However, quality and variety, not quantity, is the key to a diverse wardrobe. The idea is to prevent reaching for a part of your closet full of clothing that is ill-fitting or out of style. 

A capsule wardrobe saves your hard-earned cash for items that will give you the most bang for your buck and last as long as you want them to. A super-trendy piece that you'll wear to one event and then never wear again has no place in this collection. Instead, you want something that reflects your personal taste and something you know you'll reach for in two years.

You'll have fewer clothes than before, but you'll feel as if you have a lot more. 

Why capsule wardrobe? 

It's more sustainable

A capsule wardrobe is a long-term solution for your closet. You generally have classic clothes that you'll wear for years, and that won't go out of style.

Because you don't have many clothes, you wear every one of them, so nothing goes to waste. People who opt for a capsule wardrobe tend to spend on high-quality, long-lasting pieces rather than quick fashion, which is a very wasteful industry. 

Save money

You can also save a significant amount of money! Because your clothing items are interchangeable and versatile, you won't need to go shopping as often if you have a capsule wardrobe. This means you wear them several times and don't buy items you won't wear on a frequent basis. 

Less stress

A compact wardrobe reduces overall stress in your life. You don't have to be concerned about the clothing items not fitting you. Because there are fewer garments, there is also less maintenance and repair. When you travel or move places, you're more inclined to choose easy-to-care-for apparel that's also easier to pack. 

Less decision fatigue

Have you ever heard of the term "decision fatigue"? During the day, our brain is only wired to make a specific amount of decisions. After that, it becomes exhausting, and we find it difficult to make new decisions. You have fewer items, they go well together, and you adore them if you have a capsule wardrobe.

Consequently, it is easier for you to get ready in the morning.

So it'll be easier for you to decide what to wear for the day when you're getting dressed in the morning, and it won't add to your decision fatigue! 

More time

Having a well-curated wardrobe also saves you time! You know exactly what you need to acquire because you know your style and what works well for you.

You don't waste time shopping idly when you go to the store or get an item online. And, as I previously stated, you do not waste time rummaging through heaps upon piles of clothing because you believe you have nothing to wear. 

How to build a capsule wardrobe? 

Make an inventory of your current clothes

The first step in developing a fantastic capsule wardrobe is to conduct a closet audit. Examine every item you own and determine what you wear frequently and what you never wear.

Ask this one question to yourself, "When was the last time I wore this?" for each piece of clothing. It won't be a terrific piece to add to your capsule wardrobe if you haven't worn it in a few months. 

Consider your activities and way of life as well. This will provide you with valuable information on the types of clothes you wear on a daily basis.

Are you a mother who stays at home with her children? Do you work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.? Do you go to the gym on a regular basis? You won't need the same clothing every day, depending on what you're doing with your time. 

Plan your capsule wardrobe

You may start preparing your capsule wardrobe now that you know what you like the most! Choose a number for each type of clothing item that you want to try on. These figures will vary depending on where you live, your lifestyle, and how frequently you wash laundry.

You do not adhere to any regulations; instead, do what works best for you. Choose a color palette that includes white, black, grey, navy, or cream, as well as other neutrals. These colors compliment each other just as effectively as any other color.

Having the majority of your garments in neutral hues will allow you to mix and match them easily! After that, depending on your skin tone, you can add a few accent color's that you like.

You will be able to mix and match the clothing with your other neutral-colored outfits! Select the clothing style you want to include. Keep in mind that your clothing should flatter your body type. 

Consider what type of neckline you desire. Do you prefer to wear slim jeans? Which is better: high-waisted or low-rise jeans? Cropped or large sweaters make you feel better? Consider every possible style of clothing and choose the most flattering for you.

I also advise you to choose your clothing fibers carefully. Natural fibers, like linen and organic cotton, are, for example, more sustainable and breathable. 

Time to get to work!

After you've considered this, gather all of your favorite clothing items and consider why you like them. This will help you figure out your personal style, what colors you prefer, what cut flatters you, and what materials you prefer.

Let go of all the clothes you don't want to include in your capsule wardrobe now that you've planned it. Declutter everything you don't like that doesn't fit right, isn't in your color scheme, or isn't your style.

However, please do it in a sustainable manner by selling and donating the items so that they do not end up in a landfill. 

Make sure the items you have left relate to what you want in your capsule wardrobe and then start adding to it!

We just can't stress enough how critical it is to start with what you currently have rather than decluttering everything and starting again. It would not be sustainable nor cost-effective to do so. 

Choose essential wardrobe staples that are adaptable and go well together, keeping in mind your color scheme and favorite designs. Avoid trendy things since they will go out of style shortly.

Neutral-colored t-shirts, a pair of black slacks, one or two pairs of jeans, a cardigan for layering, and a little black dress that can be dressed up or down are some nice basic apparel pieces to consider having in your capsule wardrobe. 

I also suggest investing in high-quality pieces, preferably secondhand or from sustainable labels, because you'll be wearing them more frequently, and they'll need to last longer.

If you want to go all out, throw in a few patterned pieces. Make sure, however, that these patterns are timeless and won't go out of style in a few months. Stripes are an excellent illustration!

Don't forget your coats, shoes, and accessories once you've gotten all of your outfits! So there you have it! Now is the time to finish up your capsule outfit!

If you live in a four-season climate, I propose keeping only the garments that are in season in your closet and storing the rest in a hidden box. You should have four separate capsule outfits a year as a result of this, with some clothing items that you will store and wear all year.