A capsule wardrobe is perfect when you want to maximize a few items of clothing by using them interchangeably to broaden your outfit choices. Just think about getting more for less! By taking the time to choose a few select, high-quality pieces, your wardrobe can have endless possibilities without you having to spend an arm and a leg. Not only does it save you money, but it also saves you time and simplifies your style to achieve that pristine minimalist look.
Get Organized
Before you build your capsule wardrobe, the first step is to get organized, which means taking stock of your current wardrobe. While it might feel a bit daunting, it’s worth it when you get rid of things that no longer serve you! As a result, you will be left with your best, most flattering pieces, allowing you to focus on the clothing items, accessories, and jewelry that will build your exciting new capsule wardrobe.
Afterward, divide your clothing into the essential categories. We suggest separating clothes into bottoms, which include trousers, non-denim pants, shorts, and skirts. Other categories include denim, t-shirts and tank tops, blouses and tops, dresses, jumpsuits, sweaters, and coats and jackets.
Build Your Foundation
Once you’ve taken inventory of everything, you can start having fun: choose the essential pieces to build the foundation of your capsule wardrobe. Keep an eye out for versatile pieces that are functional and meet your needs and your lifestyle. You want to think about how each article will go with the others to create harmonious outfits. Check out the fabric, styles, colors, and patterns of each piece to give you a good idea of how your final selections will mix and match.
Start from the Bottom
Starting with bottoms only makes sense since they are the foundation of most outfits. Comfort is of the utmost importance, of course, so choose wisely. From there, focus on trousers and pants that can be worn with a multitude of tops and blouses. Do the same for skirts and shorts. While you might be drawn to funky retro patterns and bold colors, it’s usually best to stick with neutrals and the classics like black and white to ensure they go with the rest of your pieces.
Add on the Denim
No outfit is complete without denim, so now is the time to choose your favorite jeans. Consider adding different washes from light to the darkest blue or black to ensure your denim will accentuate any outfit. Besides the color, choosing your style is critical for your refreshed wardrobe. Skinny, wide-leg, boyfriend, mom, and more, include all the ones that you can use with a multitude of tops and accessories!
Time for Tops and Sweaters
With all the great bottoms and denim you’ve lined up, it’s time for the right tops, blouses, tees, and tanks to complement your outfit. You’ll want a mix of casual, formal, and fun that comes in a range of materials from cotton to silk to linen. Keep in mind everything from the classic white button-down to the silk camisole to the soft and comfy black and white tees. It’s important to choose pieces for different times of year to ensure you’re stylish, comfortable, and temperature-regulated!
Don’t forget those sweaters. Not only are they great for when the weather gets cooler, but they’re great for achieving that layered look. Cardigans are always a great idea since they can go well with virtually any outfit in your capsule wardrobe. Throw in light, mid, and heavyweight sweaters to give you more versatility.
Dress It Up
No wardrobe is complete without a staple little black dress. Find one that you can wear time and again that makes you feel and look good. When it comes to your other dresses, consider the sleeve length since short-sleeved and strapless dresses will look perfect with those cardigans you’ve set aside. Also, choose dresses of varying lengths from minis to maxis.
The same principle holds for jumpsuits, which are already versatile on their own. When you choose simple, sleeveless ones, you can add not only cardigans and sweaters, but even your favorite blouse to give an updated look. You can’t go wrong with a solid color jumpsuit, but you can also choose a pattern like a polka dot or plaid to add a little pizazz to your style!
Outerwear
Even if cold weather is far away, no capsule wardrobe is complete without the right jackets and coats. Just like with all the other pieces, you need to consider versatility, including weight, color, and style. Leather, denim, and a classic blazer should all be included. You’ll also want staple colors that will complement any of your outfits.
Add Accessories
You need shoes to go with all your outfits. A good mix of sneakers, heels, sandals, and boots in classic and neutral colors should do the trick. To make even a minimalist wardrobe stand out, add accompaniments like minimalist handbags. These bags fit right into your capsule wardrobe aesthetic.
Now, you’re ready to take your minimalistic look up a notch and incorporate some one-of-a-kind jewelry. If you want to maximize your new wardrobe with incredible statement pieces consider bold statement necklaces or even custom women’s grillz. A gold or diamond smile will add some variety, plus a big serving of luxury!
Evaluate Your Outfit Combinations
Once you have all your pieces, shoes, and accessories gathered, it’s time to start making complete outfits. You should be able to use your keen eye and imagination to come up with dozens of different combinations.
When you’re first getting started, you might want to start with one of your favorite pieces like a pair of pants or a blouse, and start building around it. From there, the rest of the outfit should fall into place. This is the time you should also re-evaluate. If you notice that an item isn’t as versatile as you initially imagined, you might want to swap it out for something else.
If you happen to notice that your minimalist wardrobe is lacking some key items, don’t be afraid to shop for a few basic pieces. At the end of the day, a capsule wardrobe is all about saving time and money, so embrace your newfound freedom with incredibly versatile pieces.