Are you having problems matching your clothing items? Do you always feel stressed when choosing your wardrobe? There isn’t an inch of free space available in your closet, but you still feel there’s nothing to wear.
If the above paragraph describes you, it’s time to change your approach. Building a capsule wardrobe can simplify things while ensuring you always look chic. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use this technique to organize your closet and clothing items!
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
The simple explanation is that it’s a carefully chosen selection of clothing pieces that you can combine easily. Most individuals design a capsule wardrobe that will last an entire season. So, before the spring starts, you organize your closet to fit all your needs during that season.
Thanks to the capsule wardrobe approach, you get the following benefits:
- ● Choosing clothes becomes simple. Forget about standing in front of your closet and getting a headache because you don’t know what to wear. A capsule wardrobe minimizes the number of items while making their matching easier.
- Save time. It can be critical in the morning when you are in a rush for work.
- Save money. By organizing the clothes better, you’ll realize how versatile each piece is. That means you won’t end up spending money on new items without absolute necessity.
- It’s eco-friendly. Sustainable fashion has become an important matter. You contribute to reducing the fashion industry’s carbon footprint by buying fewer low-quality clothing pieces.
How to Start a Capsule Wardrobe as a Beginner
The great thing about capsule wardrobes is they don’t have exact rules. Some pick 50 clothing pieces, with 25 used for work and the rest for formal and leisure activities. Others select five top and five bottom clothing pieces but choose three shoe options. You can decide on the quantity later. First, get to know the steps of creating a capsule wardrobe!
Pull Everything Out of Your Closet
The first big move is to remove all items from your closet. You need it to be entirely empty to start organizing it from scratch. While removing clothing pieces, consider which you don’t want to wear anymore. Set a rule to keep only items you will use at least five times in the coming month. Give away all clothes that don’t meet those criteria.
Define Your Color Palette
Before you start building your capsule wardrobe, it’s vital to define your style. Now, begin with your primary activities. The usual primary category is work. If you are a fitness enthusiast, add workout clothing pieces. You should also have an option for formal occasions, but also the time when you relax at home.
The Base Color Should Always Be Black or Navy
These are the foundational colors for a beginner capsule wardrobe. The experts limit your choice to these two options since navy and black are the easiest to combine with other items. Of course, it’s possible to go with two base picks or choose a different color. But for now, you should stick to navy or black. The general rule is that black goes well with all other colors. But if you have enough navy items, go ahead and choose it for the base.
Go with Essentials in Neutral Colors
Your essential clothing pieces range from pants to shirts and sweaters. The majority should be in neutral shades to ensure maximum versatility. Pick solid colors like white, black, beige, or gray. You don’t want all essentials in the same color. It ensures you can combine a navy jacket with a white shirt today but move to a gray sweater tomorrow.
Pick an Accent Color and a Few Patterns
Don’t hesitate to pick accent colors and patterns if you want to spice things up and leave the minimalistic approach. The experts recommend sticking to one or two accent colors. They can vary from different shades of red to canary or lime. You are welcome to go with Polka Dots, plaid or floral patterns. Make sure not to have too many patterned items since they are tricky to mix.
Establish Your Base Wardrobe
Get a pen and paper and write down the clothing pieces to be in your capsule wardrobe. Here are several tips:
- What can you use from current clothing? You surely have items from your closet that would work for the capsule wardrobe.
- Analyze each item carefully. Can you use a clothing piece for meetings and at formal events? Do they match well with the majority of other items from the closet?
- List the items you need to buy. Don’t forget to consider all activities from work to active and formal.
- Pick shoes and accessories. Men must have at least one pair of casual sneakers and boots. Make sure to match them with other items included in the wardrobe.
It’s now time to organize your capsule wardrobe. The ultimate number of items is your call. However, try to have 2-3 options in every category. For example, pick three shirts and two sweaters. If you make a wise color selection, you can mix and match all of them as you see fit.
Conclusion
Once you finish your capsule wardrobe, you’ll feel like you have gained control of your closet. You’ll have peace of mind for at least an entire season. Make sure to repeat the process before the next season and add new items as necessary. If you stick to these rules, you ensure that choosing your clothes will always stay simple. And the best part is you’ll look great regardless of the occasion!
Bio: Mariam Simmons is a fashion trendsetter and the Content Manager of Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful business fashion and lifestyle guides.
