What comes to your mind when you hear the words "capsule wardrobe"? Maybe it's a peaceful, single rack of neutral-colored clothing, or maybe you picture a brightly colored wardrobe fading from beige to black.
Here is what I have discovered about capsule wardrobes – there is so much more to them than the stereotypical rack of 10 earth-toned pieces that you would find on Pinterest.
Whether you're fully on board with a capsule wardrobe approach, undecided, or a bit skeptical on the whole concept, I invite you to come along with me as we explore what a capsule wardrobe is and how to build one you truly love.
WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?
A capsule wardrobe can be defined in several ways. In it's most basic sense, I would say it is a working wardrobe filled with timeless pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. A capsule wardrobe is filled with quality clothing that you love and want to wear often.
So, why would you choose to shift to a capsule wardrobe?
I have discovered that there are at least four key benefits when you choose a capsule closet:
- I could say goodbye to decision fatigue. Decision fatigue happens when our brains become overwhelmed by needing to make too many decisions in one day. I love that a capsule wardrobe cuts down the number of decisions I need to make in my busy schedule since most of the pieces in my closet already work together.
- I end up saving money on clothes. Establishing a capsule wardrobe makes me intentional about finding pieces that I not only like, but that I would want to wear often. The foundation I build my wardrobe on is quality, timeless pieces that won't go out of fashion next year or wear out after a few washes. This means I won't need to constantly buy new pieces, saving me money in the long run.
- I can be more intentional about sustainable clothing. Since building a capsule wardrobe, I have become less tempted by fast fashion. I have quality, timeless pieces that I really love and won't just toss away with the season comes to an end.
- I save time. A capsule closet saves me time when I am not only choosing what to wear, but when I am shopping as well. It has helped me be more intentional about the pieces I purchase and I am never left with feeling like I have nothing to wear (despite having a full closet).
Let's be honest – I want to take some time to acknowledge that a capsule wardrobe may not be for everyone. However, there are a lot of myths about this approach that I have seen turn people away from doing it that I want to address.
4 COMMON CAPSULE WARDROBE MYTHS
Myth 1: Capsule wardrobes are just for extreme minimalists.
Honestly, this was a myth that I had believed for awhile, and this is the number one point people will believe if they don't consider themselves to be minimalists. However, it simply isn't true.
While you can definitely take the more strict approach and bring you closet down to ten neutral-colored pieces, it is not a requirement of a capsule wardrobe. I've discovered that there isn't a golden number of necessary pieces, but rather a set number of pieces that can mix well and be ones that you'll wear often. For some people, that may be ten pieces. For others, it could be 30 or more. For me, it has all depended on my lifestyle, personal style, and goals.
Myth 2: Capsule closets are boring.
Capsule wardrobes often contain a lot of neutral-colored clothing because they are easier to mix and match, but that doesn't mean your closet has to be boring. I love to choose patterns and colors that work well together and also express my own personality and style. If you are like me and love mixing patterns and colors, go for it! There's no strict rules here.
Myth 3: You need to start your closet over from scratch.
What I found actually works a lot better is to start building the closet with the clothes I already have and love. I strongly recommend not getting rid of your clothes right away when you start your capsule wardrobe, because this will give you time to mix, match, and fill in pieces as needed. This has helped me shop sustainably and keep me from spending too much.
Myth 4: You need to buy expensive clothing.
I understand where this myth comes from when we talk about capsule wardrobes carrying quality pieces. However, I have definitely been able to build a capsule wardrobe on a budget, and you can as well. There is no need to purchase a $200 handmade linen dress if that is out of your budget. Instead, I would recommend looking for natural fibers and other high-quality pieces when you're out shopping. I particularly love to find these pieces in clearance sections and thrift stores!
Now that we’ve defined capsule wardrobes and addressed some of the myths, let’s move on to building one of your own!
BUILDING YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE
Building a capsule wardrobe requires intentionality and creativity. The best place I recommend starting to by defining your goals!
Lifestyle
When building my wardrobe, I am always selecting pieces that fit my lifestyle. Here are some questions that helped me when defining what my lifestyle was:
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What is your occupation? Are you a full-time mom? Do you work in a professional environment? Do you work outdoors?
- What recreational activities do you regularly participate in?
- Do you work out regularly?
- What do you need your clothing to do for you? (e.g., comfort, movement, professionalism)
Personal Style
Then, it was important for me to figure out my own personal style. What helped me out with this step was knowing the difference between style and fashion. Style is personal and unique to your lifestyle and taste. Fashion, on the other and, is passing trends. The goal of a capsule wardrobe is to develop a style that genuinely reflects what you like, who you are, and that fits your current lifestyle. This doesn't mean you can never purchase trendy pieces again. Instead, it means that you will focus on pieces that are your style and incorporates trends intentionally.
CHOOSE YOUR APPROACH
After you have defined goals, you'll want to choose your approach. I've discovered there are three common approaches when creating a capsule wardrobe.
The Universal Capsule
When most people think of capsule wardrobes, this is what they imagine. The Universal Capsule involves curating your closet to fit all the seasons, occasions, and activities that you are likely to participate in. It is the most challenging approach, as it requires you to mix and match across seasons and occasions. If you're ready for a creative challenge, this approach is for you!
Occasion Capsules
Answer these questions: What keeps you busy? What events do you regularly attend? The occasion capsule approach focuses on various occasions, events, or life roles you fill – then you curate a wardrobe for each of these. For example, a Sunday capsule for attending church, a work-from-home capsule, or an athletic capsule. I found that this approach best suits those who have various roles or responsibilities that require distinctly different wardrobes. This approach can also be used as an organizing framework within a universal capsule.
Seasonal Capsules
This is my personal favorite, as it gives the most flexibility. Creating seasonal capsules is probably the most popular approach, especially with those who are just experimenting with the concept. What I love about this approach is the ability to store my out-of-season items, so I can ensure an uncluttered, beautifully functional closet.
BUILDING YOUR WARDROBE: A TEMPLATE
As I've established, there are many ways to create a capsule wardrobe. I have created the following guide to give you an idea of what the process could look like for you.
Choose Your Colors
Start by choosing the colors of your capsule wardrobe. This includes a base color and accent colors. For me, choosing a neutral color for my base increased the flexibility of my wardrobe. (Ex: black, navy, beige, gray, and white)
After you've chosen your base colors, choose 1-3 accent colors. If you want to increase your ability to mix and match your pieces, choose colors that accent or complement each other.
A pro tip I have for you is to get color analyzed. Color analysis is where a professional chooses the most flattering colors for an individual based on their skin tone, hair color, and eye color. This process can be done in person or online, but for the best results, I would recommend doing an in-person consultation.
Start with the Basics
Start by choosing a few essentials to create the foundation of your wardrobe. These should be in your base color(s) and pieces that you'll want to wear often. I love denim as an option for this category, as it wears well and doesn't go out of style. Essential items include tops, skirts, and dresses.
Add in Color and Texture
After you've chosen your foundational pieces, add items that have color and texture to your wardrobe. These can fit into any clothing category, including the wardrobe staples we've just discussed.
Outerwear
Choose sweaters and coats in your base colors for maximum versatility. Outerwear is an excellent category for adding color and texture to your closet. (Ex: chunky knit sweater, a colored vest, or a houndstooth blazer)
Shoes
Next, add some shoes! Most people, including myself, gravitate toward the same 3-5 pairs of shoes regularly. Choose shoes that you love, fit your lifestyle, and are comfortable. My essential shoes include sneakers, some lightweight boots, and comfortable sandals.
Accessories
And finally, add your accessories. This category includes bags, watches, belts, hats, and scarves.
Switching to a capsule wardrobe streamlines your daily choices and cultivates a mindful and sustainable approach to fashion. We hope you found this blog helpful as you explore this option and if it is right for you!
We’d love to have you visit us in-store at our Lancaster location or online. We hope to see you soon!
