How To Start A Capsule Wardrobe

Developing your own capsule wardrobe is one of the easiest ways to simplify your wardrobe and end the “but I have nothing to wear” drama once and for all. The idea is simple, you have a smaller collection of clothes that all suit your lifestyle and personal style perfectly but also work together to give you more outfit combinations from fewer clothes. If you’re a fan of a more minimal approach or just want to have a wardrobe sort out with a bit of structure then starting to build a capsule wardrobe could be the perfect approach.

Another big plus I’ve found has been the impact it’s had on both my consumerism and spending. A key part of having a capsule wardrobe is keeping the number of items to a minimum and making sure any new purchases are really well considered. Even though it was tricky at first (and I still do have quite a few clothes) my spending habits have definitely changed since I started this process and now impulse purchases are a thing of the past.

A side note, if you’re a capsule wardrobe purist then you’ll notice that some of these steps are not in line with the usual strict rules or Anuschka Rees’ approach. This is very much my interpretation, the steps I took and how I found a way to make it work for me. This is by no means the ‘official’ way to build a capsule wardrobe but as someone who a few years back had more clothes than they had room for but never anything to wear, this process has been really helpful.

Step 1: The Clearout

If the goal is to have fewer items then you need to start by clearing out the things you no longer wear, that no longer fit you or you simply don’t love. Donate or recycle everything you no longer want and you’ll be amazed at some of the things that you re-discover in the process.

Step 2: Get Organised

You’ve cleared out the clutter and now you need to organise what you’re keeping so you can get the most out of it. I find splitting my wardrobe seasonally by spring/summer and autumn/winter and packing the clothes for the other season away in air-tight bags to be the easiest approach. Make sure that you can see everything you own in the space you have, hang similar items together (jeans, shirts, jumpers) and if it’s you’re kind of thing then arranging them in some kind of colour order also helps you spot things easily and highlight any gaps. Thin hangers, drawer dividers and some IKEA wardrobe storage hacks will be your best friends here.

Step 3: With What You’ve Got

I know it’s tempting to go on a spending spree after a clear-out but that isn’t the point here. If you start by working with what you’ve got you’ll be able to identify any gaps more easily and stick to buying only what you need. It will help you get to know what you have better, curb impulse spending stop you buying things out of season. All things that are great for your wallet and the planet! And once you’ve found something you love, make sure you take care of it so it lasts for as long as possible.

Step 4: Find Your Colour Palette

If you want your clothes to be more versatile then developing a colour palette will be key. It might become really obvious after you clear out your wardrobe which tones you naturally gravitate towards and make you feel great. If it isn’t then don’t worry, have a think about which colours you often feel best in and will work with the majority of what you already have. For me it’s all about neutral tones with the occasional bit of brown and possible a bit of navy. Maybe bright colours are your thing or maybe it’s all about patterns. Whatever it is, knowing roughly what colours to stick to will help to coordinate everything.

Step 5: Up Your Accessories

Accessories are your best friend when it comes to building a capsule wardrobe, especially if you’re a fan of neutral tones. They can keep outfits from looking too same-y and can instantly transform the feel of an outfit. Think jewellery, bags, scarves, shoes, anything that can add a bit of something else to your outfit. Still make sure that the colours are versatile and that it’s actually something you’ll get the wear out of before you buy them, this isn’t an outlet for mass impulse buying, but adding in different tones and textures often gives the perfect finishing touch.

Taking a capsule wardrobe approach has really helped me to refine my personal style, get a better idea of what works for me and also cut my clothing consumption. Once you have the things you love put in the time to take good care of them, removing any pilling and repairing any holes in knitwear in particular. You might like the idea of only have 35 pieces like the original concept or maybe for you it’s more about having great, interchangable items that are perfect for that season. It doesn’t need to be an overnight transfrmation, it certainly doesn’t have to be perfect, but if you’re looking to streamline what you have and get more wear out of what you already own then this is definitely a more conscious way to approach your wardrobe.