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What is a capsule wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe, coined in the 70s, is a simplified wardrobe made only of versatile clothes you love. Caroline Rector from Unfancy blog describes it as “a mini wardrobe made up of really versatile pieces that you totally love to wear.”
I live in Utah, where we have a distinct summer, winter, fall and spring, so I have a different mini wardrobe for each season. Many pieces in my capsule collection work year-round. It’s always a score when I find those items.
I created my first capsule wardrobe with items I already had, and filled it in with a few quality staples. Click here for more details on how I created my first winter capsule.
Why I started a capsule wardrobe:
I felt like there was no method to the madness of my wardrobe. I was just buying whatever, whenever. I was simplifying other areas of my home and life and wanted to do the same in my wardrobe. Plus, I wanted to love my outfits instead of having so many I felt mediocre in. Lastly, I wanted to save some of the money I was spending on clothes for experiences, like traveling.
Why I love my capsule wardrobe:
-Getting ready and packing is easier and faster.
-I’m saving time and money because I’m not shopping nearly as much!
-I love and actually wear all of my outfits.
-I’m discovering my true style and feel more myself in the clothes I wear.
Creating a capsule wardrobe in five easy steps:
1. Write down your why. Why do you want to start a capsule wardrobe? As with any change, if you don’t have solid reasons for making it, it won’t be sustainable.
2. Write down your style words. What do you want your clothes to communicate about you? What key words will you keep in mind as you shop for your capsule items? Mine are Feminine, Classy, and fun. I like items that are simple and classic, yet have a little flair of detail that gives them some personality.
3. Pick a goal number. I decided to edit my wardrobe down to 30 items, including tops, pants, dresses, skirts and shoes. I didn’t include rain and snow boots, loungewear/pjs, activewear, swimwear, accessories, or outerwear in that number, because I don’t go crazy in those areas. If you hoard swimsuit cover-ups though, you may consider giving yourself a number to stick to at first. While you can definitely make adjustments to your capsule wardrobe number along the way, starting with a number will help you adjust to functioning with a more minimized wardrobe and realize you don’t need nearly as many things in your closet as you think you do.
4. Go through your closet, item by item. Start with one category, like shirts, then move on to the next. Make a discard/donation pile and a pile of items to save for future seasons. If you have things that are special occasion/sentimental, put them in another closet. If you’re unsure of some items, you might store them under your bed and revisit them later. The idea is to keep only the clothes you know you will wear (right now!) in your closet.
Discard guide:
Say goodbye to…
- Anything that needs fixing
- Anything high-maintenance (needs ironing every time you wear it, must wear an undershirt, must pin or use fashion tape with it.)
- Anything you just don’t wear. Even if you like it.
- Anything that doesn’t fit. No waiting to fit into smaller clothes or hanging onto bigger ones in case you gain weight. Aside from maternity clothes, only keep what fits you now.
- Anything not flattering. Everything in your closet should make you feel beautiful. Life is too short to wear ugly clothes.
Sell your discarded clothes at a local thrift store or eBay, hand them down, or donate them. Let someone else love and enjoy them! The clothes you’re discarding served their purpose, but it’s time to let go.
5. Write down what items you still need.
A few staples in my capsule collection: A denim jacket, dressy wool coat, blazer, white tee, white/cream blouse, chambray shirt, Black jeans, mid-wash jeans, dark wash jeans, distressed jeans, leggings, a well-fitting black dress.
It took me at least a month to get my first capsule wardrobe figured out, and I’m still learning and adjusting a long the way. The hardest part is getting started!
Shopping tips:
- Some of my favorite shops: JCrew, Madewell, Loft, Everlane, Hope Avenue, Piper & Scoot
- Only buy no-brainers. If you’re on the fence, skip it.
- Only buy if it really fits well (no alterations required, barring special occasion pieces).
- Only buy versatile items that you can pair with several things in your closet.
- Never buy just because it’s an amazing deal. You’ll save money in the long run by sticking to an intentional wardrobe!
- Be willing to invest in good-quality things you love.
Some concluding thoughts:
-Spending less on clothes frees up budget to invest in self-care instead. Get a pedicure, massage, or hairstyle without the guilt. The benefits of self-care last longer than a shopping binge.
-Accessorize with scarves, hats, jewelry, great makeup and hair. Don’t let your clothes do all the talking.
-How great do you feel when you’re in control of your diet? Minimizing and managing your wardrobe has the same feeling. It’s a liberating sense of control instead of just letting your wardrobe happen and go haywire.
-Clutter has a direct correlation to stress, and our closets often contain more clutter than anything else in our home.
An intentional wardrobe frees up mental space and allows you to you spend your time, money, and effort elsewhere. Some of the most brilliant minds, like Mark Zuckerburg, wear the same thing over and over, arguing that it does wonders for preserving their creative prowess and decision-making power for more important things.
Update: I’ve had a capsule wardrobe for three years, and I love it. I haven’t gotten sick of my clothes, and I don’t worry about people seeing me in the same thing again and again because I’m always wearing my favorite clothes! A capsule wardrobe helps banish the “save your best clothes for special occasions” thing. With that mindset, you never end up getting your money’s worth out of them or enjoyment from them.
Ready to start your own capsule wardrobe? Sign up for my audio course on creating a capsule wardrobe here. You’ll also get access to twenty three other mini courses from twelve organization and intentional living experts, emails breaking down the steps for you, and a private Facebook community to ask your questions and find support.
