The illusive capsule wardrobe. A fashion tool meant to destress, declutter and style-up your life the crème de la crème of clothes to suit you.
We hear the term thrown around a lot, but what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? And how do we even begin going about creating one for ourselves?
What is a capsule wardrobe?
The definition of a capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothes and accessories that only include items considered essential, with quality over quantity being of upmost importance.
While the number of items in a capsule wardrobe varies, it’s normally around 24 to 36 pieces, spanning across clothing, jewellery, accessories and shoes. Seemingly simple, this deceptively small number can be hard to achieve, and deciding what makes the cut is an important process.
What are the benefits of a capsule wardrobe?
The benefits to creating a capsule wardrobe is to make your life easier and more streamlined, stylist Lauren Teff told Prima.co.uk. ‘It also helps you from over-consuming clothes you’re never going to wear, this being a bit more sustainable. Having a capsule wardrobe means your style isn’t just seasonal, it’s timeless.
The first place to start when creating a capsule wardrobe is conducting a mass clear out. Donate any items that can be reused to charity, and recycle pieces that are too worn or used.
Firstly, I did a wardrobe edit, explains Lauren on how she started her own capsule wardrobe. This involved me getting rid of all the pieces that didn’t make me feel good and I hardly wore.
I then was able to actually see my wardrobe and the pieces I wore regularly, like jeans, T-shirts, denim etc… once you remove the pieces you don’t wear, you can see your wardrobe more clearly.
The maximum amount of items to be included in a capsule wardrobe is 36, advises Lauren, It’s hard, but it’s definitely doable. This should include shoes and coats.
Along with these items, a satin midi skirt is another ultimate wardrobe staple, advises the stylist. I have a leopard print one and I love it!
The other 23 items are tailored to each individual, and can be made up of timeless, classic and your favourite pieces ones that make you feel and look great.
Think about your lifestyle, what makes you comfortable but still feel good, Lauren explains. How can you incorporate accessorises and jewellery to your look to jazz it up.
Think about colours, what shades lift your complexion. Try to avoid colours that wash you out. Go for pieces that are timeless and don’t go out of fashion, like jeans.
Capsule wardrobe concept. Clothes, laptop and color palette on wooden desk. Flat lay
Her sentiment is echoed by Procoal’s style and fashion expert, Jessica Constanti, who advises, If you wear jeans around 80% of the time, I’d suggest buying a light wash and dark wash for diversity.
While Jessica also advocates the need for timeless cuts and lots of neutrals, she also suggests throwing in a fun, vibrant fashion top, which embodies current trends.
If you want to dip a toe into a current trend, such as colour or pattern, go for a top, be it, blouse, shirt or jumper, explains the fashion expert. If you limit yourself to one top you won’t get carried away and end up with tops that are no longer worn!
As an on-trend and more modern take on the classic capsule wardrobe, Jessica also advises investing in a stylish pair of white trainers, explaining: ‘Be it a pair or Vans, Stan Smiths or Converse, a good pair of trainers works for everyone and are a dressed-down option for your capsule wardrobe.’
Building the perfect capsule wardrobe takes time, and once created should see you through many years, but will need to be adapted and changed to suit the changing seasons.
Lauren advises creating two of them a year, one for Spring/Summer and one for Autumn/Winter. ‘You can add subtle pieces in throughout each season like a heavier knit for mid-winter and more linen for high-summer,’ she explains.
Clothing hanging on a clothing rack in a shop or home closet.
Helen Venables, managing director of personal stylist specialist House of Colour, also advocates the need for a capsule wardrobe, explaining: We are mistaken in thinking that we need hundreds of items of clothes to create a variety of different outfits.
Like Lauren, she advises a number in the early thirties, going onto explain that ‘a fabulous capsule wardrobe of 35 amazing items all in your right colours and style will create hundreds of outfit combinations!’
With the items you need acquired and out of the way, organising it with the same thought and care can be difficult, and finding a clear, visible way to organise 35 pieces of clothing can be a challenge. Try a pyramid structured approach to building a complete wardrobe, begins Helen.
A well-organized closet. All things in their places, in boxes. Capsule wardrobe. Storage system.
Your everyday, go-to clothes in your best neutrals are at the base such as denim, shirts or blouses, winter coat and smart jackets or jumpers and expensive boots and bags.
‘The middle level contains bolder patterns and textures that suit your style and colour palette. These are probably your “wow” colours perhaps a smart mustard cardigan for autumns, or a deep burgundy for winters.
The top level are your statement items and accessories which people will notice immediately. For women, this could be an amazing hat, a bold necklace or fashion statement shoes or bag.