How To Create A Capsule Wardrobe From Scratch

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll have noticed that capsule wardrobes are all the rage. But this isn't a passing trend or a momentary fad; the capsule wardrobe has always been around and it's not going anywhere.

The great thing about a capsule wardrobe is that it makes getting dressed so much easier and it's something I wish I had started much sooner than I did. 

If you're totally new to the idea of a capsule wardrobe, I'll bet you feel a little intimidated. But there's no need to feel that way. In this in depth guide, I'll start with the basics and help you build the capsule wardrobe of your dreams. 

The Truth About Capsule Wardrobes - What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

If there's one thing that people ask me all the time it's 'is a capsule wardrobe worth it?' Truth be told, many women are scared to make the leap because they think it'll mean throwing out everything they own in favour of a pair of tailored trousers and a white T-shirt. 

That's not true!

Starting a capsule wardrobe isn't about throwing out all of your favourite items. It's about narrowing down your choices using pieces that can be easily combined. 

The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to make getting dressed less of a chore while still looking stylish and well put-together. 

A capsule wardrobe generally makes use of basic pieces which you can then dress up with accessories like bags, shoes and jewellery. It's these accessories that complete the outfit and make it look different every time you wear it (even though with a capsule wardrobe, you'll be wearing the same pieces day after day.)

What Are The Benefits Of A Capsule Wardrobe?

One of the most obvious benefits of having a capsule wardrobe is that you'll never have to worry about what to wear again. 

I used to spend what felt like an eternity staring at my closet, wondering what on earth I should wear. I was confronted with a plethora of clothes but nothing that matched. When you narrow things down and have a capsule wardrobe, all of your items can be mixed and matched so getting dressed feels like much less of a challenge. 

What's more, you'll likely find that you spend far less on clothing because you won't end up buying random items that don't fit the theme of your wardrobe. I can't tell you the number of times I'd buy a piece that I'd wear once, or even not at all. 

But when you're buying for a capsule wardrobe, you find yourself carefully considering each item before you put it it your cart. 

Getting Started With A Capsule Wardrobe

It can feel a little overwhelming when you make the decision to clear out your closet. But I also think it's a very stress-relieving, therapeutic activity (maybe that's just me!)

In any case, I'd advise finding an afternoon where you have no distractions to make the initial cut into your clothing. 

One of the first things you're going to have to do is remove pieces that no longer serve you or your style. The traditional capsule wardrobe focuses on elegant, chic and timeless style but because I realise that everyone is different, I'll say that you can create a capsule based around any style. 

The important thing is that you narrow down your choices to pieces that can be combined in any way to create an outfit. 

What Colours Should A Capsule Wardrobe Be?

For me, I stick to neutral colours like black, white, tan and gray so when I started my capsule wardrobe, I got rid of anything outside of this colour palette. 

However, you might like pinks and purples, blues, yellows or any other colour. As long as each item can be easily paired with anything else in the closet, you're well on your way.

What About Patterns?

There's nothing that allows you to express your style more clearly than a striking pattern or print. However, in the capsule wardrobe, these pieces should be kept to a minimum. 

The problem with patterns is that, when you have too many, it can be difficult to match them with other items. For example, I used to have many heavily patterned shirts and blouses. While they were beautiful, I struggled to wear them as they were just too much. 

That's not to say that you can't have any detailed pieces in your closet at all. But I would recommend just choosing two or three of your favourite patterned items that easily match your basics. 

I have four patterned shirts in my wardrobe now but they're all in the same neutral colour palette as the rest of my clothes. This way, I'm easily able to pair them without them looking over the top. 

Things like statement jackets may have a place but when you're just getting started, it's best to keep things as minimal as possible to avoid confusion. 

What Items Should I Include In A Capsule Wardrobe?

OK, so, it's time to open up that closet and clear out the things you don't need. I would recommend taking each item and assessing its use over the last 12 months. 

• Have you worn the item at all?
• Does it fit your chosen colour palette?
• Can the item be easily matched with other things?
• Is the item in good condition?
• Do you have several other similar items?
• Does the item fit you well?
• Can you see yourself wearing this item on repeat?

Once you have asked yourself these questions, it should quickly become apparent as to whether or not this item is worth keeping. You have to be brutal when creating your capsule wardrobe otherwise you'll just end up cluttering your closet once again. 

Generally speaking, you're trying to reduce the number of items in your closet to a series of basics that can be recycled over and over, no matter what look you're going for. To start with, I would recommend keeping the following items:

• 1 pair of blue jeans
• 1 pair of black jeans
• 1 pair of white trousers
• 1 pair of black trousers
• 1 pair of brown/tan trousers
• 1 skirt (I prefer black but go with your favourite colour)
• 1 pair of tailored white shorts
• 1 pair of tailored black shorts
• 1 black t-shirt
• 1 white t shirt
• 1 striped t shirt
• 1 black cami
• 1 white cami
• 1 gray cami
• 1 black sweater
• 1 white sweater
• 1 grey sweater
• 1 black rollneck
• 1 white rollneck
• 1 white shirt
• 1 pastel blue shirt
• 1 black cardigan
• 1 white cardigan
• 1 tan cardigan
• 1 wool coat
• 1 leather jacket
• 1 denim jacket
• 1 black blazer
• 1 statement blazer
• 1 black belt
• 1 brown belt
• 1 pair of leather boots
• 1 pair of white basic sneakers
• 1 pair of ballet flats
• 1 pair of heels
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 pair of loafers
• 1 LBD
• 1 day dress
• 1 jumpsuit

Planning Your Next Shopping Trip

The items I have listed above form a basic, neutral capsule wardrobe and this should be seen as a guide. Everyone is different and will have varying needs. For example, some women don't like to wear jeans while others wouldn't be caught dead in a skirt. So, it's about modifying the capsule wardrobe to your own needs and taste. 

However, once you have done this, you may find that you don't have all of your required items already in your closet. That's OK. Building a capsule wardrobe can take some time. 

The next thing you'll need to do is create a shopping list of all the things you need to complete your wardrobe. Try not to be frivolous and only list the things you actually need. If you've had a habit of being a compulsive shopper in the past, this can be hard but I promise, it will get easier. 

Now, you don't have to go out and buy everything at once; let's face it, we're all in a financial pit these days. So, plan out your shopping schedule and start with the things that are most essential. If it's winter then getting your hands on that wool coat will be more important than investing in a new pair of sandals. 

Buying Quality Over Quantity

When it comes to a capsule wardrobe, the idea is to buy high quality pieces that will last much longer. I'll be realistic here, when you're just starting out, you might not have the funds to buy a super expensive cashmere sweater and that's OK. 

If you need to spend a little less then so be it. If I'm honest, I'm quite tired of seeing fashion blogs and social media accounts that tell us we have to invest.

Yes, buying high quality is worth it in the long run but if you desperately need a new pair of boots and only have £100 to spend, you have to work within your budget. 

One thing I will say is that when shopping with fast fashion brands, sustainability isn't always something you'll benefit from. So, do your research and find brands that value being eco-friendly at the same time as offering a wallet-friendly price. 

On the flip side, if you can afford to invest in more expensive pieces, this will mean that you have to make fewer purchases in the future. What's more, you can always save for that special piece. 

What To Do With Your Discarded Clothes

Whether you've had to start with cheaper items and are now in the market for something more expensive or are wondering what to do with the bags of clothes you've chucked out to start your capsule wardrobe, one thing you don't want to do is be wasteful. 

While you may no longer need or want those items, someone out there could benefit from them. I find that offering unwanted clothing on local Facebook groups is a great way to shift them. I always offer them for free and state that I'd like them to go to someone who perhaps can't afford to buy clothing for themselves. 

Alternatively, if you want to make a little cash, you can use apps like Vinted or Depop to sell your old clothing.

There are lots of clothing recycling banks and charity shops that would also be grateful for a donation. What I love about giving to charity shops is the opportunity to browse before I leave. There have been a few times that I've stumbled on a high-end piece for a few pounds that perfectly fits in with my capsule wardrobe!