How To Build A Capsual Wardrobe
Now that we are slipping back into 'normal life' again, the idea of getting out of our PJs and back into outdoor clothing can be a slightly chaotic thought. If you're finding it hard to make this transition a capsule wardrobe might be just what you need.
A capsule wardrobe is a limited collection of clothing that coordinate well together and can be worn for multiple occasions. The idea is that you create a wardrobe that is universal to the weather and can be worn in multiple ways. This concept has become bigger over the years, With overconsumption and sustainability being a huge issue within the fashion industry, a capsule wardrobe is not only good for the environment but also a great way to build your style and have confidence within your wardrobe.
Step one- Getting Started
Start by looking in your wardrobe and seeing what you already have, remember whatever you choose to keep should be something that's either useful like a basic t-shirt or something that you love to wear. Keep in mind that if you haven't worn it in the last 6 months then you probably won't wear it and could be replaced with something more valuable.
Step two- The basics
Now you have cut down your wardrobe, gathering the basics will help you understand what you have and where there are holes to fill. This part of your wardrobe should be at most 50 pieces, You can cut up your base wardrobe into different sections, you should have around 10 pieces per section. Depending on your lifestyle the sections you create will be different, this is just an example of mine.
Loungewear (PJs, comfortable house clothing)
Buildable clothing (basic t-shirts, long sleeve tops for the winter to layer)
Outdoor wear (jackets, winter hats, scarfs)
Assessors (necklaces, earrings, bracelets)
Workout wear (leggings and tops)
This part of your capsule wardrobe is all about what you need, this isn't about what you want or the clothing you will wear day to day its the just the foundation and basics of your wardrobe.
Step Three- Build your 'Capsule'
Now is the time to put your Capsule together. First, create categories of the type of clothing you will be wearing from one day to another, this will help make sure you have clothing for every part of your lifestyle. I like to also think about the kind of look I want for each occasion, for example when I go to uni I like to have a more street style feel. Remember this is just an example, your capsule wardrobe should reflect your lifestyle.
Uni- on the go, active (street style)
Active- gym, running errands (simple, easy and comfortable)
Nights out- dresses, formal wear, clubbing outfits (fun, dressy)
A little bit of fun- date nights, restaurants ( casual yet nice)
loungewear- uni work at home, chilling with friends (comfortable)
Day to day- meeting friends for lunch, going shopping (basic, comfortable)
Step Four- Filling your Capsule
Now you have the categories, you need to select the clothing to go in them. Remember to choose these items based on how useful they are, how easy it is to create an outfit and how well they fit, for example, if something is in the loungewear categories think about how comfortable the clothing is, if it has lots of straps, it may be annoying and would fit better in another category.
At this point you will start to notice where you need to add clothing to categories and can think about what you want to add to make your wardrobe a little more exciting. This will all depend on what you already have however here are some examples of versatile products that could fit in perfectly.
Just have fun with it, your wardrobe should be an exiting and enjoyable part of your life so although its lovely to be organised and it makes life a lot easier, enjoy your clothing, don’t take it too seriously and have fun creating many different outfits.
