Can’t decide what to wear every day? Do outfit blues spoil your mood every morning before heading to work? Is your cupboard filled with clothes but nothing worth wearing? If your answer is yes to all these questions, you need to revamp your wardrobe.
The first rule of having a complete wardrobe is eliminating all the unnecessary pieces. The next step is adding what you need. This is the basic thumb rule while designing a capsule wardrobe.
If you think you may lose your favorite clothes in this process, that’s not true. You can still keep them and mix and match them with other garments to attain new looks every day. It’s as easy as it sounds!
This guide will tell you whether you need a capsule wardrobe or not and how you can build a capsule wardrobe quickly—after that, dressing up can’t get any more fun!
Do I Need a Capsule Wardrobe?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to fashion regimens. Instead, you can pick up one essential thing, use your creativity, and turn it into an entirely different product. This is what capsule wardrobe is all about. It allows you to mix and match other clothes and create your fashion statement.
For this reason, we consider capsule wardrobe a universal thing; everybody needs it!
The best thing about a capsule wardrobe is that it hardly consists of 10 essential items, with an additional 5-6 items depending on the season, such as coats and jackets for winters. But the basics stay timeless throughout the year.
So, if you are still confused about whether you need a capsule wardrobe, here are some signs that indicate you should.
- You have too many clothes, but nothing to wear.
- Your cupboard is overloaded with clothes.
- You don’t have any personal style statement.
- You have no idea what color or design suits you.
- The thought of getting dressed stresses you out.
- You spend much of your time in the morning getting dressed.
- You wear the same outfit again and again.
- You don’t have separate compartments for different clothes.
If you check all the points mentioned above, you need a capsule wardrobe without any second thought.
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe?
Building a capsule wardrobe is fun if you are fully invested in the plan. Believe us; it also relieves anxiety.
The part where most people get stuck is how to get started? Should I declutter my wardrobe first or make a list of the basics I need to buy? We break it down into manageable steps if you are on a similar bandwagon.
Here is what you should consider while building a year-round capsule wardrobe for yourself:
Step 1: Inspect Your Wardrobe
You may not realize it, but your wardrobe already has the essential pieces you need. Remember that white shirt you bought months ago or those blue boyfriend jeans? Yes, these are the staples that make a capsule wardrobe.
To find these gems from the piles of clothes, you need to do a thorough inspection.
Take out all of the clothes from your closet, and inspect each of them. Whether they fit you, need a minor repair, or are good to wear.
Keep the ones that look new and lose those that are useless. This way, you won’t buy any items you already have and will make more space for new ones.
Step 2: Finding the Ideal Wardrobe Essentials
Then comes the most important part; what is the perfect clothing item for you? To find out the accurate answer to this question, you need to assess your body and see what suits you. For example, if a turtleneck looks good on your favorite model, it doesn’t mean it will make you look exactly like her.
So, first of all, you need to find out your body type. Is it guava-shaped, banana-shaped, or hourglass?
Once you figure that out, feel confident about whatever body type you have. Then, consider the results as your guide for the next shopping spree.
Step 3: Buying the Perfect Design and Fabric
Now, make a list of designs and fabrics you think will look good on you. For instance, long skirts or short skirts, which one makes you look more attractive? Bell-bottom trousers or skin-fitted jeans, what makes your legs look smarter?
Apart from that, you can also buy some varieties and include them in your closet. This means if you already have boxy tops, you can go for more fitted ones.
You can also take help from your pictures. First, scroll through your camera roll and see which styles or designs you have the most. For example, if you already have V-necklines, you can go for boat-shaped ones.
Last but not least, your most suitable fabric. Determine what material makes you more comfortable; is it silk or cotton? If you feel easy in more than one type of fabric, you can buy one item in each of them. Who can stop a fashionista, right?
The Complete Capsule Wardrobe Checklist
Capsule wardrobes have no limits or restrictions; you can easily play with different colors, designs, and fabrics. However, it would help if you didn’t miss out on the wardrobe essentials when building your capsule wardrobe. If you do so, you won’t be able to mix and match and create new outfits every day.
So, here is the standard capsule wardrobe checklist:
A Plain White Button-Down Shirt
There is no doubt about the versatility of a white button-down shirt. It goes with every outfit to give you an elegant, composed appearance effortlessly. The best part about a plain white shirt is that it compliments all types of events and looks.
Whether you want to attain a casual look for a birthday party or a sophisticated appearance for the workplace, these timeless silhouette pieces know how to do the job. So wear your plain white shirt with jeans and sneakers for everyday events, and rock the party.
Pair it with dress pants and heels to attain the perfect boss-lady style for a more formal look.
You can also try a french tuck style with your oversized white shirt for an edgy look. Because, why not
Basic T-shirt
A basic t-shirt can neither go out of trend nor be needed. It is the most versatile wardrobe piece you need for your next grocery shopping or a casual day at the workplace. A basic t-shirt can be a heaven on earth for people who are not much into fashion.
They can easily be styled with a jacket and a trouser, simple jeans, or wide-legged pajamas. But, when it comes to styling it, the sky’s the limit!
Remember that a capsule wardrobe is not just about stealing attention and looking at eye candy all the time. It is more about feeling beautiful and looking good while staying in your comfort zone.
Alternatively, you can opt for a turtleneck or get both of them. Neutral hues, like black, grey, white, olive green, or navy blue, are most accessible for tones.
Straight-leg Jeans
The next step of any outfit is a well-fitted pair of jeans. As far as versatility is concerned, a classic straight leg wins overall. You can pair it easily with a shirt and create a sophisticated ensemble that goes with literally every theme. Or you can wear it with a tank top and create a more casual look perfect for all the fun events.
All in all, a straight-leg pair of jeans is a must in your wardrobe to create multiple looks. First, however, keep in mind to get your correct size.
Slim-fit Jeans
If straight-leg jeans don’t give you the desired appearance, you can switch to slim-fit jeans easily. Like straight-fit, slim-fit jeans also compliment every type of outfit and event. So if you are a person who loves to wear jeans every day, you can have two kinds of jeans as well.
But if you want to create different looks with jeans, you should go for different colors or washes. For example, you can go for a dark blue or light wash in your slim-fit jeans and a darker wash or black for straight-fit jeans. Alternatively, you can opt for some colors, like grey or olive green.
The choice of jeans depends on your preference. You can even buy any other jeans design, like loose-fit or high-waist ones. The key is to feel comfortable, no matter what you wear.
Blazer
Can you think of completing a wardrobe without outerwear? Never, right? A blazer makes the most versatile and timeless layering that goes with all seasons. They can be dressed up or down, fitted with a belt or any other accessory; they look good anyway.
Due to their popularity, blazers now come in a variety of styles. From single-breasted to double-breasted to notch-lapel or peak lapel, there is a whole list of different designs and styles out there.
So, which one to pick? If you want to pick one blazer, we suggest you go for the one that reminds you a little of the 90s but still has that modern touch in it. This way, you can attain a classic style and an excellent, funky appearance.
Another thing to consider is how long the blazer can stay on-trend. Typically, oversized blazers in neutral tones work for all. But if oversize is not your style, you can opt for a fitted one and rock it everywhere.
Coats
A trench coat is another option for layering that doesn’t go out of style. Like blazers, they also come in a wide variety of designs and colors, so you can choose the one you think will go with your every outfit. The buying guidelines remain the same as blazers; however, coats can be worn on more outfits than blazers.
For instance, a trench coat will look good on a long skirt, short skirt, tank top, loose jeans, dress shirt, literally everything.
Sweater
Sweaters and cardigans are great for attaining comfy yet adorable looks anytime, any day. If you are a person who likes to wear easy-going outfits without much effort, you can wear a sweater with jeans, and sneakers and go out.
Of course, like other capsule wardrobe essentials, sweaters also come in a wide range of designs and styles. Some prefer a crew-neck sweater with a scarf, while others like a V-neck one.
You can also go for nicely-knit cardigans instead of a sweater. Cardigans are an excellent pick for springs and summers, while sweaters are ideal for winters or falls. But you can mix and match them anytime!
Trouser
If denim is not your thing, trousers can be your lifesaver. Like other outfits, they also come in different sizes and styles, so choose the one that looks good on your body type. Material-wise, go for a woolen one if you live in colder climates. Similarly, cotton trousers are ideal for hotter or warmer temperatures.
Another thing you should keep in mind while choosing trousers is where you will wear them? For example, if you want a bottom for your workplace, you might want to look for the one that has a sophisticated yet formal vibe.
On a side note, you can still buy trousers if you already have denim jeans – there is no restriction!
Skirt
Skirts can be styled in a multitude of ways. For example, midi-length skirts with a shirt or a blouse work best for casual events and allow you to move quickly. On the other hand, pencil skirts are better for your workplace. So, choose one per your preferences, and it’s better to stay with the neutral color palette for more styling options.
Accessories and Footwear
Most people say that your footwear can make or break your personality. You also need to update your shoe inventory with some classy and timeless pieces, if that’s true.
You should include a pair of sneakers and lace-up boots for an everyday look. These two stylish pieces go with every outfit and season.
For accessories, you have a free hand. Just go for anything you like and accessorize them with your outfits for new looks every day!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, now you know all the capsule wardrobe-essentials. However, if you want to go a long way with these staples, you need to take care of a few things to increase their longevity. Believe us; nothing is more frustrating than seeing your newly-bought jeans looking faded within a few days.
The easiest way is to follow the care label on the clothes and wash them accordingly. Moreover, you should also put each item properly in your closet, in the right compartment, to avoid cluttering and wrinkle-formation.