I fell in love with Capsule Wardrobes while studying a Fashion Styling e-course at the London College of Style. I love mixing and matching various pieces together. It’s always so exciting to see how different clothing items fit together. I discovered some of my favourite outfits just by playing dress up. But what I love the most about putting outfits together is the fact that it constantly challenges me to discover new ways of pairing my pieces and still maintain my signature personal style. I like my outfits to reflect who I am, fun, alive and young at heart!
Since I love being creative with pieces and accessories, what better way to do this than by having a capsule wardrobe!
A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of clothes made up of essential but versatile items of clothing that can be paired in different ways to form different outfits. A capsule wardrobe is usually made of about 24-37 items of clothing. There’s really no fixed number of items but the trend seems to hover around those figures. I like to have a capsule wardrobe for each season. I sort out my wardrobe every season, storing pieces and shoes that are for other seasons, so I can have room for what I can wear. This helps me see every piece, every accessory, easily.
Aside from being able see all I have, optimizing my closet space, and being creative with my outfits, a capsule wardrobe helps me save time and money on clothes. I don’t have to spend time thinking of which clothes to wear from my large collection of fashionable pieces.
Loving the sound of it? Here are 3 steps to get you started.
1. Empty your closet
Start by taking all your clothes and shoes out of your closet and laying them on your bed. This will give you a chance to take a good look at all the clothes you do have.
2. Sort your clothes into piles
You’ll be working with 3 piles:
• The ‘Love it’ Pile: In this pile, put in all the clothes you love and would wear any time, any day. These are the clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. These are the ones that are worthy of going back into your closet.
• The ‘No way’ Pile: In this pile, put in the clothes that you don’t want to wear again. These are the clothes that you can donate, give away to a friend or family member, or sell.
• The ‘Maybe’ Pile: The rest of the clothes fall into this pile. They are usually the clothes that you may go back to, keep for sentimental reasons or are too expensive to let go of. You can keep these clothes in a box and stash them away in storage.
3. Assess The Love it Pile
Here, you’re going to apply a simple rule called the “3 of each” rule. Depending on the season, pick 9 pairs of shoes (that is, 3 pairs of flats, 3 pairs of heels and 3 pairs of boots), 9 bottoms (that is, 3 pairs of jeans, 3 pairs of shorts and 3 pairs of skirts) and 9 tops (that is, 3 tops, 3 sweaters, 3 t-shirts, 3 button-up shirts, 3 tank tops or 3 vests). Next, you can have 3 gamble items where you can do a mix of jackets or dresses (eg. 2 jackets and 1 dress, or 2 dresses and 1 jacket). Keep the remaining items from your Love it pile in a box in a nearby storage, so that it’s close by yet out of sight to keep you from being tempted to go through it.
Your capsule wardrobe is ready! Maintain your capsule wardrobe then change it every season so you have a fresh wardrobe every 3 months and dress weather appropriate as well.
Do you have a capsule wardrobe? What are your thoughts?
Great post S.
X
Thanks Moji.
I don’t have a capsule wardrobe and I’m not sure I have anything that I would be able to mix and match as a capsule wardrobe. That being said I think I will use your tips to just organise my wardrobe anyway and see what I have left afterwards
Ah great stuff xo
I would love to have that kind of wardrobe. I don’t have many clothing but that may be because I am one of those mums who just hate spending £7 on a pair of leggings haha!
I know what you mean. I sometimes struggle to buy stuff.
I am such a hoarder with my clothes, I don’t even wear half of them!
Lol..I know. I have made a decision to stop buying clothes for now.
I followed these tips last year and every 6 weeks I update my wardrobe. It nices having a capsule wardrobe
Yea it is. I like to see my wardrobe organised.
This is such a great idea, I really need to re-organise my wardrobe so will try and keep this in mind when i do xxx
Ah nice.
I do it time by time and I love the fulfilling feeling after I’ve sorted them. You have great mix and match outfits. 🙂
Thanks Jessica xo
I don’t actually have a capsule wardrobe collection, but I seem to wear the same clothes over and over again… I do however clear out my wardrobe twice a year and I can be really hard with myself, chucking out things I really like but haven’t worn in ages… and yes… sometimes it is really hard to throw away clothes (as you say : sentimental reasons or it was indeed very expensive). Now I have been wanting to chuck out a little blazer so many times and everytime I think… better not… I haven’t worn it for years I swear… but somehow it always ended up back in my cupboard. Last week I was going to this opening of a fashion exhibit and I was wearing a very nice dress but had no jacket to wear with it… until I remembered that one little blazer that luckily has always remained on the ‘maybe’ pile 😀 it was perfect on my fancy black dress!!! Love, Kathleen
Ah good it remained in the ‘maybe’ pile then. Thanks Kathleen xo
I’d never heard of a capsule wardrobe before now, but it seems like a really great idea. I should do this!
Yea you should..
I really need to this, my wardrobe and drawers just has everything stuffed in it – I don’t even remember what is at the back! When I make the time to sort it (which is on the cards) I’ll follow your formula and let you know how I get on 🙂
Great Sarah…
A wardrobe capsule is a great idea I should do it myself too.
Yea you should x
Great post! I’d never heard of a capsule wardrobe before, so this was an interesting read.
Thanks Danny.
I have regular clear outs of my wardrobe but I don’t have anything which I would consider as capsule sadly x
Good to have regular clear outs.
I love the idea of having a capsule wardrobe, though most of the clothes would be black ha x
Black never cracks xo
Great advice! I was looking through my wardrobe today and I have so much clothes but can never bring myself to clear it out…now I know how to do it!
Thanks for reading xo
I’m planning to do this at some point this week. I really ought to because i have thousands of items of clothing – 90% I don’t like, doesn’t fit me or is damaged in some way!
You should. I have just done mine and will do another at the end of summer.
This is a beautiful idea. I don’t have a capsule wardrobe but will like to have one. With your tips I will surely be more organised. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for stopping by.
I am definitely going to sort my wardrobe out! I have so much stuff and end up wearing the same few things. I think a big clear out is in order. Love the idea of a capsule wardrobe. xx
Glad you do. Thanks for reading xo
My work wardrobe needs a refresh when I go back to work from Mat leave so I will be applying these principals
Ah nice one xo
Pingback: 5 Fashion Hacks for Shoes « fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: OOTD: Casual Day Wear Look « fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: OOTD: A Fashion Blogger Cheshire « fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: OOTD: Something Blue « fashionandstylepolice
Having a capsule wardrobe has literally changed my life and de stressed me xx
Pingback: OOTD: Casual Spring Look « fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: OOTD: Spring Fashion « fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: Summer Designer Dresses I Want « fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: Outfit Post - Catching the Golden Sun - fashionandstylepolice fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: 3 Quick Ways to Dress More Feminine - fashionandstylepolice fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: 3 ways to be more stylish this year - fashionandstylepolice fashionandstylepolice
Pingback: The Best Time of Year to Restock Your Closet - fashionandstylepolice fashionandstylepolice