What Is a Capsule Wardrobe and How to Create One

How great does a closet purge feel? When you go out with the old and in with the new, it creates an invigorating sense of accomplishment.

Even better, when you simply pare down (and don’t re-clutter), your entire living space can feel lighter. All this can be achieved with a smaller wardrobe full of quality materials and little to no excess.

So, what is a capsule wardrobe? In a way, every time you pack for a trip, you’ve probably created something akin to one. Let’s open the door to this wise new way of living and learn how to create a fantastic rotation of outfits.

What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a limited collection of clothing that serves multiple purposes. Ideally, each item can be paired in different ways to create new outfits throughout the week.

Typically, capsule wardrobes adhere to a similar color palette. Often, you’ll find neutral tones, whether they be whites and creams or blacks and grays. The main goal, however, is that all the pieces coordinate with each other.

Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe

The benefits of a capsule wardrobe extend well beyond the freedoms of a minimalist lifestyle. Those ideals certainly align as there’s a nonexistence of clutter and waste, and each item has a purpose.

When people with a capsule wardrobe open their closets, they can see each item clearly, instead of a cluttered barrage that has to be sifted through. It’s far quicker and easier to select an outfit and go about the day.

Here are more of the benefits of a streamlined wardrobe.

Reduced Waste

Have you ever pulled an item out of your wardrobe and realized the tags are still on it? Did you ever feel a sheepish amount of shame? We often buy things that look lovely in the moment, but then forget about them over time.

With a capsule wardrobe, each item has a designated role. The same long sleeve shirt can be paired with a pair of khakis or a pair of dark wash skinny jeans. It can also be paired with brown tweed trousers or black skinny jeans.

Essentially, each item moves through a rotation and there’s nothing within the capsule wardrobe that can’t be paired together.

Easier Outfit Selection

With fewer options, the morning selection process becomes a breeze. Basic items in a basic color palette can be mixed and matched without any thought of, “Does this clash?” or, “Are these patterns too busy?”

Imagine being able to blindly reach into your closet, pull out an item from the shirt section, the bottoms section, and go. That would be quite an accomplishment!

More Free Time

When considering how to build a capsule wardrobe, this is a small but mighty benefit.

Hopefully, we’re only talking a matter of minutes here. But, with an easier selection process, you will also be limiting your time spent pulling an outfit together.

Whichever pair of pants you select should pair with any shirt you aim for. The same can be said for shorts, tees, and every pair of shoes. A capsule wardrobe creates an easy carousel of options that can all mix and match together in varying ways.

This extension of free time doesn’t just buy you an extra moment or two in the morning. It also makes laundry day a little bit easier. With a much smaller range of clothing, the number of loads of laundry should also diminish over time.

Better Budget

This ties back into the perks of minimalism. A capsule wardrobe eliminates excess articles of clothing that will either never be used, or worn only once or twice. There’s a certain level of satisfaction that the only items in the closet are of good quality and will be well-used.

Although that gorgeous plaid skirt or rainbow-colored sweater is certainly eye-catching, it’s not likely it’ll pair with every other item – and that’s the name of the game. So, if you’re serious about crafting such a wardrobe and paring down your lifestyle, your bank account is likely to thank you, too.

How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe

With all these benefits in mind, let’s get down to planning. Most capsule wardrobes contain about 30-37 items.

A good rule of thumb is to have about three to five neutral colors. These include whites, creams, chocolates, tans, denims, and even forest greens. Then, you can rotate in one to three accent colors of your choice, whether that be a shade of red, pink, purple or yellow.

In a way, you can expand upon the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method. When traveling for about a week or so, it’s wise to pack five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two shoes, and one accessory – such as a hat or decorative headband.

Here’s how to start a capsule wardrobe and start winning at life.

Tops

If you aim for about 30 items, the best way to plan out your tops is to aim for about ten tops of varying lengths. Within this number, you can include your camis, short sleeve shirts, and long sleeve shirts.

Since these will generally go on to become your base layers, you don’t want to venture out too far into the color palate here. Rather, this is your opportunity to lean into those whites, creams, and other neutral tones.

Sweaters

As for sweaters, that number should be cut in half. Aim for five sweaters, knits, and cardigans.

This is your opportunity to consider one of those accent colors, whether you gravitate toward a bold red or boisterous orange.

Jackets

As with sweaters, you can aim for about five jackets, as well.

This includes heavy outerwear like trench coats and pea coats, as well as comfortable blazers and jackets that can be mixed and matched with both dress pants and jeans.

Bottoms

Seven is a good number for bottoms – one for every day of the week.

While it’s generally safe to opt for wrinkle-free alternatives, you can include a little bit of everything here, from jeans, to dress pants, to shorts, and skirts.

Dresses

Here you have to be careful. Dresses can’t be paired with every item, which is essential to this manner of living. It’s best to max out at no more than three dresses.

They can, of course, be paired with jackets, blazers, and cardigans. But, it’s slightly more limited than most pants. Still, it’ll be a nice way to round things out with a colorful summer dress, a little black dress, and something else to spice up the weekly rotation.

Shoes

The number of shoes you maintain can vary a little. As a rule of thumb, five is a safe number. Here, too, you’ll want to stick to a fairly neutral color palette, like black, brown, and camel colors.

One must-have is your classic black ballerina flat. Overall, you’ll want to include flats, boots, sneakers, and sandals.

If your neutral palate is more along the lines of camels and beiges, then you might invest in a quality pair of brown leather boots. On the contrary, if your neutral palate is more along the lines of blacks and grays, then you might like to stick to black leather boots and sandals.

Accessories

Of course, we can’t forget our accessories. In truth, accessories are quite important in a capsule wardrobe because simply swapping out a thin silk scarf with the same top completely changes the outfit.

Purses

As for purses, you’ll want to aim for two – three at most. You can include one large tote bag for travel, one medium size purse for everyday use, and one small clutch or evening bag for evening events.

Scarves

Scarves are a really nice accessory to include in a capsule wardrobe. Again, they can really change an outfit and this is your space to branch out and splurge on a few wild patterns and prints.

Thin scarves, as accessories, are optimal because a small stack of silk scarves won’t take up much space at all. You can also incorporate one or two thicker wool scarves when you’re entering into winter weather season with your pea coat and blazers.

All in all, scarves are a prime accent to a pared down wardrobe, easily incorporating a splash of color to an otherwise neutral and balanced set of clothes.

Belts

This, too, depends on which way you skewed in terms of neutrals. If you prefer whites, creams, and beiges, then a nice brown leather belt will serve you well.

Alternatively, you can invest in a matte black belt that can wrap around the waist of your favorite a-line dress, jeans, and dress pants.

Hats

Hate can be a bit bulky. So, unless you’re really committed to them, you may be able to eliminate them from your capsule wardrobe.

If you’re thinking something along the lines of a fedora, Panama mat, or cloche, that’s going to take up a bit of real estate in your pared down closet.

Still, a capsule wardrobe isn’t meant to be restrictive but, rather, liberating. So, if hats are your thing, enjoy the process of selecting one that will pair well with your neutral-based capsule wardrobe.

What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? It’s the Key to Your Success

In answer to the ever-present question, “What is a capsule wardrobe?” the answers are plentiful. It’s a smart, intuitive, freeing way of living that creates well-curated, classic, and chic looks that can be worn to any occasion.

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