What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

Hello, Darlings! What is a Capsule Wardrobe? A capsule wardrobe is a “smaller” wardrobe of strategically selected pieces that look good on your body type, fit your style, and LOVE to wear. These pieces need to be in colors that work with your skin tone/hair color and are your favorites. But these clothes also need to work with your current lifestyle.

A capsule wardrobe will have small variations as we change seasons, but many of the pieces will work year-round, especially in warmer climates.

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

Why Put Together A Casule Wardrobe?

Statics have shown that women wear only 20% of the clothes in their closets. 80% of the wardrobe goes unworn! But at the same time, the phrase ” I have nothing to wear!” is a common theme. I spent too much time crying in my closet because I truly did not have something appropriate to wear to a function that looked good on me.

The goal of a capsule wardrobe is to have clothes in your closet that you LOVE and will wear, and look good on your body. Picking out clothes each day should be a no-brainer. Your only questions should be “What is the weather going to be like today?” or “What color am I feeling today?”.

Some people define capsule wardrobe with a number, such as you need limit it to say, 30 items. The limiting factor will come as you start to really see what you truly wear and what is taking up space. It is a process.

Stop Chasing Trends!

I want to look updated and stylish. But at the same time, many of the fashion trends would NEVER look good on me. I have stopped chasing trends and instead”fill the wholes” in my closet. This is easier since I have a good understanding of my body type, my best colors, and my own personal style.

There are times of the year where I don’t buy anything because it will not work in my wardrobe (wrong color, wrong styles). Other years I will stock up on items in my colors, styles of pants, and dresses.

Accessories are a great way to create updated looks without spending a lot of money. I will add new accessory styles but only if they truly work with what I have in my current wardrobe.

Stop Buying Just Because It Is On Sale

This is one of the most wasteful habits. You need to invest in quality pieces that will work with your body. If they happen to be on sale -winning! The goal is to have fewer clothes, but quality, that will get worn constantly.

Now when I shop I am very strategic. I have a list of items I need. Anything I add to my closet needs to be able to mix and match with other items. No orphans!

Due to supply chain issues, many brick-and-mortar stores have poor selections. The US is flooded with cheap, poorly made clothing. You need to embrace online shopping and be very picky. Take your time trying clothes on evaluating them on your body and deciding if they will go with your wardrobe. If not, send them back! Be brutal.

Think of your closet as valuable real estate. Whatever you put in there must be able to work with the other pieces. That is the only way a capsule wardrobe will work successfully.

Analysize Influencer Marketing With A Stragetic Eye

It use to be catalogs and magazines, now it is Influencer Marketing. Companies partner with “influencers” who are women with a large number of followers on social media, to present their product to the influencer’s audience. It is actually a great thing because you get to see the items on real women of various sizes. Get product recommendations and reviews on things such as sizing.

Now before I get “influenced” to buy I go thru an analyzing process. Do I need it? Will it work with my current wardrobe? Does it work with my style, body type, coloring, and lifestyle? Many times I have said, “That looks great on her, but would never work in my closet”. But also said, “Those are the exact shoes I need to fill the hole in my wardrobe”, let’s go check out the website. Buying now becomes very strategic, limiting impulse buying.

Before You Start Building Your Capsule Wardrobe

Know Your Body Type

I can not preach this enough. It is simple to figure out with a Body Type Calculator. Then start learning what clothing items/styles/details look best on your body. This is called Body Type Rules. One of the best courses I took to learn about fashion/clothing is Adore Your Wardrobe. Not cheap, but an investment to learn about your body and why “fashion is broke” and how to fill your closet with clothes you will love.

Don’t even start without knowing your body type. The foundation of a capsule wardrobe is pants/jeans/skirts/shorts. If you don’t get this correct, you will not achieve your goal.

Know Your BEST Colors

This can be a little more tricky. I was analyzed by House Of Colour. But as this company is new in the US, there are not many consultants. As a matter of fact, I had to go to Georgia to do my consultation. There are other color analysis companies, some even online but I don’t know how accurate an online consultation would be.

If you don’t have the ability or money, this simple quiz from Kettlewell Colours can give you a general idea. It will not tell you your WOW colors or your BESt colors but tell you what season you probably fall in.

Know Your Personal Style

This too can be tricky because style evolves. Style can also be affected by lifestyle and life stage. But most of your personal style comes from your body- height, facial feature, body shape. Other aspects of personal style come from your “energy”.

Not sure about the concept of personal style? Check out this FREE course, Dressing Your Truth. It will start you thinking about style. For me, most of it was “spot on”.

Do A Lifestyle Audit

You do not want to have a closet full of clothes for a life you do not live! This is a HUGE mistake that many people do. I realized that I live a quiet simple life, and because of that, I do not need as many clothes. Not only that, many of the activities and events I go to have gone more “casual”, even church.

No need for silk shirts, blazers, dressy pants, or suits. Even my dress selection is paired down. The clothes that I wear to church are the same I wear for a date night. The biggest change for me is the need for more athletic and everyday casual pieces. This is where I am really stepping up my “wardrobe game” and actively searching for better pieces in my BEST colors.

Even if you are a stay-at-home mom, or retired, you still want to look and feel good. By doing a lifestyle audit you can now only focus on pieces that work with your TRUE lifestyle and save money.

A Lifestyle Audit is simple, write down what you wear for different activities for 2 weeks. Then look ahead on your calendar and write down outfits you will need in the future. Be very detailed. The next step will be to go thru your closet and see how many clothing options you really have for your daily wardrobe needs. You might be shocked to find you have so few casual/comfy clothes for everyday use.

Start With A Closet Clean Out

You are ready to downsize and get control over your wardrobe. The “mental” part is sometimes the hardest. Now it is time to take action. While you are excited and motivated, let’s tackle your current closet. It is time to do a Closet Clean Out. This will be a process and you evaluate your clothing and how it fits your current lifestyle. Check out my post Time For Closet Clean Out for tips and tricks, as well as some closet organizing solutions to help you get this first step finished.

The Rewards Are Worth It

This is an investment in YOU!!! You are worth it. Having a capsule wardrobe that works will save you time, money, and frustration. You will be able to easily pack for a trip, pick out an outfit for an event, and find great pieces even if you are just staying at home for the day.