Complete Guide To A Capsule Wardrobe – Outfit Ideas And Advice
How To Start A Capsule Wardrobe A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist approach to fashion that can significantly impact your life. By intentionally simplifying your
If you are looking for professional help in creating a capsule wardrobe, then you have come to the right place. I have been working as a stylist dressing celebrities and private clients, for over twenty years. During that time, I have found ways to look stylish, but also save money by purchasing quality over quantity. If you do not know what colours or styles suit you, I suggest you get some professional guidance, so you do not make further mistakes. I offer both Skype consultations and colour analysis for private clients. If you want to know more, you can book a free consultation me. If you are confident you know what suits you, then that is great! You can move onto the next stage and try out my capsule wardrobe planner.
The general aim of a capsule wardrobe planner is to have a selection of clothes that cover all of your professional and private needs. Every piece you own gives you confidence when you wear it, is of good quality, feels comfortable to wear and fits perfectly. Whether you are looking to create a French-inspired capsule wardrobe or something simple and practical, it can work for you if you think about it carefully.
Every one of you reading this will end up with a different wardrobe to the next. There is no right or wrong in terms of what ends up in your capsule wardrobe; it is very much down to the individual.
Before you even start, many factors will affect how you choose what goes into your capsule wardrobe. The climate you live in, where you work, what you do on a day to day basis and your budget all heavily influence your decisions.
Write down all of the factors that influence the clothing you need. What do you need to work? Do you need multiples of one garment? Are you environmentally concious? Do you have an official uniform or an obligatory one? Do you work outside? Do you work in an environment where presentation is essential? Do you work in a situation where you need any form or protection? Consider all the clothing you need for work.
Secondly, look at where you live. What is the climate like? Is it cold, hot or seasonal? Do you have a distinct four seasons? Think about how much clothing you need for each season.
Finally, what do you do regularly? Do you have to attend functions at work? Do you visit the gym? If so, how frequently? Are you in a club that requires a specific type of sportswear or clothing to attend? Have a look at your average week. Where do you go, and what do you need to go there? Even if you go out for a coffee with a friend, include that in your considerations. If your schedule changes from week to week, monitor four weeks and take an average from that to get an idea of what clothing you need.
Before you go out to buy more, you should first start with what you already have. The chances are that you already own at least half of what you need. I strongly advise you do not try to buy a capsule wardrobe anywhere until you’ve considered what you already own. The point of planning your capsule closet is not about you buying a collection of new clothes; it is about you creating a minimal wardrobe from what you already have. Only then should you add anything if you do not already have it.
The first items you need to eliminate are the ones that are either so heavily stained or ripped that you cannot do anything to repair them. If you are not confident on a sewing machine or are not willing to pay for someone else to mend or repurpose that item, then I suggerst you take it to a textile recyclimg bank. Look online for yone in your local area.
Start by looking at what suits you best. Whether you have sort professional help, or through experience, you know what suits you, put aside anything that you have purchased that maybe looked good on the hanger, but if you’re honest with yourself, never suited you. Are those trousers too short or too long? Have you lost or gained weight, so half of your wardrobe no longer fits? Does that dress make your legs look too short or too long?
Ask yourself some serious and brutal questions about what suits you. You can often answer this by simply asking yourself if you feel comfortable in it. If you can not or will not get those pieces altered to fit you, then they need to go.
What you will find if you are honest with yourself is that you would have already acquired a rejection pile.
Put simply, what in your current wardrobe do you love? What pieces of clothing do you consistently go to? What do you wear regularly? Is there a theme here? Do you go for specific fabrics or styles? You might love those heels, but how often have you actually worn them?
There is no point in keeping things that you love, but never wear. Unless you are displaying that item on a wall as a decoration, put it in the reject pile. Although you like to look at it, it will also be reminding you of why you can’t wear it; it is too small, uncomfortable etc.
For the time being, keep all the things that you love and wear, even if they are a little worn.
Depending on how you answered my first question on the environment you live in, where you work and what you do on a day to day basis, you’ll know what you wear regularly and what you don’t.
At this stage, you need to look seriously at what you have never worn, or what you are very unlikely to wear in the future. That dress you wore on that evening out because you loved that style, but have never worn since because it rode up your leg, dragged on the floor or showed too much flesh need to go in the reject pile.
Be brutal in your decisions. If anything you may need a friend to help you let go of some of the things you are still holding onto.
If you have not worn it for over a year, you have gone through all four seasons, say goodbye to it.
Almost everybody has certain brands that they regularly purchase from. What are your go-to brands? Ask yourself what you like about them? Is it the style? Maybe it is the fit? Or possibly it is the price. I like to look at brands that are environmentally conscious like People Tree.
Keep in mind your favourite brands for later on in this guide.
If you have had a colour analysis done, or you know from experience what suits you, this section should be relatively straight forward.
I would advise you to choose five or six colours that you not only love wearing but that you know complement your skin and hair tone.
It is often useful to choose predominantly muted tones such as black, navy, white, grey, beige and cream for your base tones. Once you have selected your base colours, choose a couple of brighter colours to accentuate the base palette.
Similarly, choose a primary selection of block colours with a few complimentary patterns. For example, you might select a couple of plain block colour trousers and skirts for work, then add a few striped tops, bright coloured blouses to compliment them.
If you have gone to all of the trouble of implementing this capsule wardrobe planner, the last thing you want to do is ruin it by buying a ton of clothing that you don’t need, or you’ll never wear.
If you need to go out to buy an item of clothing in future, consider the following questions before you take it home;
Will it compliment my colour palette?
Does it fit well?
Will it go with the rest of my capsule wardrobe?
Is the material comfortable?
Is there something else I already own that will serve the same purpose?
What will it be used for and how often?
Is it hardwearing and will it last?
Is it a reasonable price for the quality?
Is the company environmentally conscious?
If the item passes all of these questions, then take it home.
Consider all of these aspects, and you can create the perfect capsule wardrobe. Whether you are petite, over 40, an apple, hourglass or pear shape and capsule wardrobe can work for you.
The information given in the post is the best of my knowledge at the time of writing. If you are embarking on anything new get professional advice if required.
If you enjoyed this post and wish to create a capsule wardrobe, I can help you create one quickly and easily. Get started immediately with one of my personal styling services or book in for a complimentary consultation
The Capsule Closet Stylist Colour Analysis looks at the natural colouring in your hair, eyes and skin tone and shows how you can complement your natural colouring in your clothes. The Body Shape Style Guide teaches you how to make the most of your best assets, hide what you do not like, find clothes that complement your shape, and choose the perfect fit.
Book a discovery call with me where we can discuss colour, style, decluttering, body shapes and much, much more. I can identify where you most need help and point you in the right direction.
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