Most of us have found ourselves in a situation where we have nothing to wear, yet we have many clothes. You may also feel like you want to declutter your wardrobe and eliminate all the clothes you haven’t worn in the last year. You may also come across clothes in the back of your closet that still have their price tags on, or you like to buy clothes just because they are on sale only to reach home and realize you actually don’t like them or they are too big for you. If this is you, the best solution for you is to create a capsule wardrobe.
A capsule wardrobe is a selection of a few clothes you wear more frequently and love. You can also style the clothes interchangeably so that you only need as few clothes as possible to create numerous outfits.
There are many benefits of creating a capsule wardrobe for yourself, including;
- Saves time
- Saves money
- Reduces stress
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Helps you define your style
- More environmentally-friendly
A capsule wardrobe can have between 20 and 50 items depending on an individual’s taste. You need to include several classic items in your capsule, including two or three dresses, pairs of shoes, skirts, blouses, trousers, handbags, blazers, jackets, and accessories. Here is how to create such a wardrobe:
- Evaluate your style
To create a great capsule wardrobe, you must know your style. To know your style, you need to ask yourself what your daily routine is and what activity you usually engage in most days? Think of your hobbies and what clothes are more than the others in your closet. Do you have too many pieces of one specific garment in your wardrobe? Additionally, it would be best if you decided which of these six categories define you best; Active, daily, lounge, fun, dressy, and work. If you are an office person, your clothes are mostly work clothes, and if you work from home, you will not have to worry about buying work clothes, but your capsule will reflect all the other five categories.
- Monitor what you enjoy wearing for four weeks
This is an easy task. For one, you can use an app like Cladwell, subscribe and pay the subscription fee or manually monitor what you wear daily in a notebook.
- Declutter the closet
When you are done tracking down what you usually wear in a month, you will have insight into what your capsule closet looks like. There is no specific number of items that your capsule wardrobe needs to have. Just ensure you choose the clothes you are wearing to minimize the chances of having clothes stay in the closet for months without being worn. Besides having a capsule wardrobe, remember to set aside sleepwear, gym clothes, and a unique dress for attending weddings or any other official occasion. When decluttering, separate the clothes you love to wear from those you hate or never wear. Subdivide your clothes into four categories; clothes you can wear throughout the year, spring and summer clothes, winter and fall, and the pile for donating or selling. You can create a capsule for different seasons or wear it all year round.
- Decide on the colors and patterns you want
Having a color palette you prefer is not mandatory, but it can help you know the kind of clothes to buy when shopping. Most of us have a favorite color, especially when it comes to clothes. Our preferences in colors make us unique from everybody else. Knowing this color is fantastic because you will use it as a point of reference when buying something. You can buy clothes that match well with the clothes you already wear. Luckily, there are so many vibrant colors available in the market that you can find clothes in any color regardless of the color you love.
Another way to approach the color equation is by choosing a base color between navy blue and black. If you don’t like either of these colors, you can also choose brown. Once you have settled on your base color, choose an accent color.
You can also choose the patterns, whether plaid, polka dots, stripes, floral, snake, leopard, or gingham. The colors for patterned clothes should match your base color of choice.
- Draft your capsule and write down missing items that you need to buy
After removing the extra clothes you don’t wear often, you will be left with your capsule. Take a pen and a notebook and create a list of the things you want to have in your ideal capsule. You can also visualize it mentally instead of writing it down. Use the most convenient and effective method for you. However, some things might be missing in this capsule, such as skirts, blouses, dresses, shoes, or belts. Note down the specific item you need to buy at a later day to avoid forgetting.
- Select shoes and accessories
A capsule is not complete without these two essential items. When it comes to shoes, select one or two pairs in the same base color, then throw in a pair of heels that is nude neutral in color or flats, plus casual shoes like sandals, boots, or sneakers. Your lifestyle will determine the types and number of shoes you choose. When it comes to accessories, a maximum of two handbags will do. A beige or black one will be great for your capsule because it matches well with your clothes. Add not more than two scarfs and necklaces to the mix, and your capsule will be complete.
Conclusion
Creating a capsule wardrobe is an excellent way to lower your fashion footprint by wearing clothes repeatedly. When you want to buy something new, choose sustainable and ethical brands which use recycled materials or buy secondhand clothes. Also, ensure that the fabrics are organic and natural. Sustainable brands tend to be more expensive than regular brands, but there is a good reason for the high price. The brands use recycled, natural, or premium materials and pay their workers fairly, so your money will be put to good use.