Capsule Wardrobe – What Is That And How To Build It?

Posted on 20 January 2022

You’ve probably heard about capsule wardrobe, haven’t you? How good it is to have one, how convenient and time-saving it is, how everyone should aim to have it. It’s all correct and true but how exactly do you achieve that? Do you just go and buy some more clothes (probably not the most bank account-friendly way) or do you try and make it work with whatever you already have? Well, it’s not all that complicated. A successful capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be difficult to put together. You don’t have to be a fashion insider to be able to create one. However, you might need some guidance and this is exactly what it is. Consider this a friendly suggestion of what to do if you always want to be on top of your game.

What is capsule wardrobe?

First things first, let’s quickly revisit the meaning behind this little term. A capsule wardrobe is just simply a set of a few pieces of clothing that are timeless, look great with pretty much anything you own or will own, and are easy to mix-and-match with the rest of the items. These are classic, fail-safe clothes that just never go out of style. They don’t necessarily have to be expensive, however, in most cases you would also be paying for the better quality, so ultimately, it’s your decision what you go for. If you are looking for an example, it’s something as simple as your favourite pair of jeans, a nice blazer, your go-to sweater and a mix of your beloved shirts. To put it simply – those are the clothes you can wear all year round with a few seasonal pieces mixed in – like a winter coat, or a bathing suit.

Why is it such a good idea?

There are many reasons why it’s useful to have a capsule wardrobe but let’s look at a couple of them just to make sure we’ve got it right. First of all, it’s going to save you some money in the long run. You will have pieces of clothes that are timeless, that will look good with quite literally anything. You won’t have to stress over what to wear to this event you’re going to, because you’re already going to have something that will suit the occasion. And on top of that, you will notice that it saves you some time. Not only when it comes to shopping (which you won’t need to do as often) but you also won’t struggle in the morning thinking about what to wear, because all of your pieces are going to be easy to style and you’ll be able to re-wear them multiple times. It’s a win-win situation, both for your wallet as well as your precious time.

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.”

- Yves Saint Laurent

Let’s build a capsule wardrobe together

The most difficult task here is to actually start, but do not worry, we’ll be with you throughout the entire journey. What you want to do first is to declutter your wardrobe. We know it can be daunting, going through all the clothes you own is not an easy task, but this honestly is the best starting point. Make sure you get rid of everything that you don’t wear anymore, that doesn’t spark joy, that doesn’t fit you. Surely, you’ll find quite a few pieces that you haven’t worn for over a year but that you wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to. Be strict with yourself and don’t let the nostalgia get to you. Remember, you’re making this decision for the suture self.

After you have decluttered, you’ll be left with the pieces that you wear on a regular basis. This is going to be your start. Assess everything you own and think of outfit ideas you can put together. If it’s working, congrats, you’ve got the basis of your capsule wardrobe right! If not, maybe you need to consider buying a few extra pieces. Think of it as an investment. You’ll be able to wear these new clothes more than once, and they will be staying in your wardrobe for a long time. Here’s a few things you should have: a little black dress, a winter coat, boots, knitwear, shirt, bottoms, and a blazer. Of course, you also need accessories, so a neutral-coloured handbag will do the job. Remember, you want to be able to mix-and-match the clothes you own, so looking for something in a neutral colours might be a good idea.

There are no set rules how many items of clothing you need to have in your capsule wardrobe. What works for one person, might not work for another, so here we’re going to leave you with your own judgement. Take your time with it, there’s no rush or pressure to get it right on the first try. Chances are, you’re going to be revisiting your wardrobe over and over again until you’re finally happy with what you have created.

Capsule wardrobe is a great alternative if you want some more organisation in your life. As mentioned above, it’s going to help you to save some time and money. You’ll find yourself stressing less about what to wear and you’ll always look classy and put-together.

Stay tuned for more useful and varied Gear Geek resources in the coming weeks and months, including guides on our new and exciting products.

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