According to Wikipedia, a capsule wardrobe is “a minimalist collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways to [create] a variety of outfits [suitable for any] occasion … without owning an excessive amount of clothes.”
Capsule wardrobes can be created by anyone, and are a good idea for saving money on fashion and living more sustainably. Once you’ve created your capsule wardrobe, you’ll be able to own an impressive collection of different looks suitable for every occasion, without breaking the bank.
How many clothes should be in a capsule wardrobe?
House of Fraser says you can “expect to find 30-50 pieces [of clothing] in a capsule wardrobe collection,” and that there should be enough clothing items so you can “create a huge variety of different looks”.
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Basics are a must in any wardrobe. The Vogue article on capsule wardrobessuggests that the following garments are a good place to start:
Shirts
Jeans
Tailored trousers
White t-shirt
Black leggings
Vest tops
Blazers
Knit jumper
Hoop earrings
Sporty trainers
Smart shoes
What is not included in a capsule wardrobe?
Items that are not typically included in a capsule wardrobe are:
Socks
Underwear
Workout clothing
Jewellery
Accessories
Pyjamas
Loungewear
Swimwear
Practical clothing (used for decorating or gardening, etc.)
Occasionwear
What are the pros and cons of a capsule wardrobe?
Pros
Potential for saving money: Reducing clothing purchases per year can be good for your budget and selling pre-loved clothing can help cover the costs of additional items.
Fewer options: Having fewer clothing options can help to save time when deciding what to wear, especially if you create set outfits.
High-quality clothing: With fewer clothing pieces, your budget can stretch to investing in higher-quality garments.
More space: A capsule wardrobe means no more cluttered cupboards and more space.
Sustainable: This can help reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion.
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Cons
Potential for spending money: Investing in high-quality pieces, while worthwhile, can easily add up.
Seasonality: A minimal wardrobe may cause challenges during changing seasons. You may have to purchase more clothes than you would like.
Potential boredom: With only a small collection of clothing, there is potential for boredom or frustration when trying to create outfits.
Tiring & limited: It can be tiring to plan outfits using your minimalist wardrobe, and it might not be suitable for all occasions.
Time-consuming: It may be time-consuming to organise your wardrobe and find pieces that work well in a capsule wardrobe.
How much should I budget for a capsule wardrobe?
How much you spend will depend on the brands you choose to include in your capsule wardrobe.
If you’ve got a fully stocked wardrobe and hope to cut down on a few items, you might not need to spend a single penny. If you only need to purchase a few staple pieces, then your budget might be able to stretch to some more high-quality garments that are sure to last.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to transform your entire wardrobe, opt for more affordable clothing retailers to help you achieve a minimalist wardrobe.
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We also have a range of articles dedicated to ways you can save on clothing:
Look at your current wardrobe and pick out the items that you wear the most frequently. Decide which items you’d like to keep and which garments to sell or donate using apps like Vinted, Depop, and eBay.
According to Vogue’s article on how to build a capsule wardrobe, the top tip is to “turn all your coat hangers to face the same way, then every time you wear something, turn it around. By the end of the month, you’ll have a good sense of the wardrobe heroes that you can’t live without … these are the pieces you should be basing your capsule around.”
Choose your capsule wardrobe garments
Focus on each category (tops, bottoms, skirts, etc.) and choose which items you’d like to keep. Some tips include choosing items that are neutral as well as functional to make it easier to create multiple outfits that you feel good in.
Modern Minimalism suggests you ask yourself the following questions to help you decide when organising your closet:
Is this item comfortable and practical?
Is this item easy to wear and clean?
Will it pair easily with other items?
Can it be styled in different ways and dressed both up and down?
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Create some outfits with your capsule wardrobe
Now that you’ve created your capsule wardrobe, have a go at creating some outfits for yourself. Remember capsule wardrobes are all about having outfits that make you feel good and bring you joy, not about restricting your ability to express yourself.
Capsule Wardrobe FAQs
What is the rule of five in a capsule wardrobe?
According to Vogue, the rule of five when it comes to creating a capsule wardrobe means that you only purchase fashion items five times per year. This helps to prevent overconsumption as well as declutters your wardrobe and saves money.
What is the 3-3-3 method for a capsule wardrobe?
The 3-3-3 method involves choosing three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes and using them to create as many different outfits as you can. This is a fun way to create a smaller capsule wardrobe to reduce overspending on fashion in the future.
What are tips for creating a capsule wardrobe?
Some tips for creating a capsule wardrobe include choosing clothing pieces that make you happy and feel comfortable, are made from high-quality materials that will last, and are neutral and timeless so that they can be styled in many different ways for various occasions.
Do I need to purchase clothing to build a capsule wardrobe?
No, if you’ve got a wardrobe jam-packed with clothing that you love and wear, then you can use pieces from what you already have. Simply go through your current wardrobe and organise into piles of what you’d like to keep, donate, and chuck.
I’m Layla, the home and garden editor, and I started working at MyVoucherCodes in November 2022. I have always loved to write, especially after getting my degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and since getting my own place, I’ve gotten stuck into all things home and garden.
When I’m not writing about saving money on homely purchases, I’m either sitting with my head in a new book, painting a piece of art for my walls, or binge-watching an interior design programme on Netflix. I love to get inspiration and transform my space, usually with the help of a few Pinterest boards and a couple of tins of paint.
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