Your wardrobe isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair! Your taste, shape, and personality are all one-of-a-kind!
Before you go on the capsule wardrobe bandwagon, make sure you read this first!
I don’t want you to trim down your clothing to the bare essentials just to follow the latest Pinterest template.
I’ll explain what a capsule wardrobe is, why you might or might not need one, and how to put one together that reflects your true self.
Don’t be concerned! You’ve already built one if you’ve ever gone on vacation.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe was first developed in the 1970s. It was a collection of timeless things that could be used to enrich your wardrobe.
When Donna Karan launched Seven Easy Pieces in the 1980s, she took this concept and ran with it. It was a set of interchangeable work clothing, almost all black and very sleek.
There was also:
- a bodysuit
- a tailored jacket
- a sweater made of cashmere
- a dress
- something made of leather
- a white shirt
- a skirt
Are you familiar with the bodysuit? They’re hardly the most comfy item in the world, but they’ve improved significantly in recent years.
Any way you combined them, you’d have a lovely outfit that could take you from the office to date night.
And that’s essentially what a capsule wardrobe is: a small assortment of items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of looks.
As I previously stated, if you’ve ever taken a vacation, you’ve already done so. You had to bring a variety of products that were suited for the activities you planned to participate in.
Because you only had so much room in your suitcase, you had to put together a collection of items that could be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.
So, how do you translate what you’ll need for a week’s vacation into what you’ll need for your wardrobe for years to come?
Problem With Building a Capsule Wardrobe
You must proceed with caution. The capsule wardrobe concept has gone viral on social media sites like Pinterest, and it’s become a fad.
And, like with all trends, you must walk carefully! You don’t want to be seen wearing the same chambray shirt or striped t-shirt and denim jacket as the rest of the group.
That’s a fantastic appearance. That’s a terrific look! However, it is not everyone’s style. What if you want huge, fluffy ruffles or girly, bohemian prints?
Or perhaps you exude large, strong, bright colors? A conventional outfit, on the other hand, will suffocate a personality like yours.
That’s what we’re seeing a lot of right now on Pinterest. Capsule wardrobe templates consisting primarily of staples such as khaki pants, striped t-shirts, chambray shirts, and denim jackets.
It’s a beautiful style for someone who is classic, but it’s not for you if you aren’t.
We need to find something for you that reflects your personality and interests.
Why Build a Capsule Wardrobe?
So, why would anyone want a capsule wardrobe in the first place? It’s fantastic for making mini-wardrobes, to be sure. For example, whether you’re traveling on vacation or doing job that requires you to travel.
It’s possible that you’ll only need a capsule wardrobe for one season. It’s ideal for quick spurts of activity.
However, I’m thinking you were drawn to the capsule wardrobe because you felt it could be applied to your complete wardrobe.
Its simplicity is appealing, and it would be wonderful to be able to simplify things that effortlessly.
I can’t say I blame you! It has the ability to save you time, money, and closet space while being environmentally friendly. The capsule wardrobe concept is a terrific tool for someone who is just starting to develop a wardrobe if done correctly. Or for someone who is cutting down their wardrobe from everything they own to only what they wear.
It pushes you to make the most of what you already have while also identifying what you’re missing so you can put together more outfits.
How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe
So, here’s how to go about doing it!
A small wardrobe needs a lot of forethought. You want it to be big enough so you don’t grow bored with fewer options and don’t have to do laundry all the time, especially if one shirt is part of every outfit!
If that’s the case, you should get multiple shirts. You’ll need roughly 30 items in total, not including accessories, in your wardrobe. Additionally, if you require extra clothing for work, you will require additional outfits.
Each piece should be adaptable, attractive to your figure, and make you feel amazing. Another thing to keep an eye out for in those Pinterest designs is that you can be following something that isn’t appropriate for your body type, so use them only as inspiration.
Choose a striped shirt with a neckline that flatters your shape if you prefer the striped shirt in the template.
Lifestyle
First and foremost, think about your way of life. What are your plans? So, what exactly do you do? What are you doing and where are you going?! You’d be shocked how many of us have purchased wonderful items for fabulous parties that we’ve never worn or attended!
If this is the case, wear it or get rid of it! You don’t want anything making you feel bad in your closet.
How’s the weather where you’re from? If you live in an area with four seasons, you’ll want to have one core outfit that you can augment with sweaters or swimwear depending on the season.
Shape and Style
After that, think about your personal style and body type. The goal is to start with what you like and what looks good on you, and then work your way up from there. You might even begin by putting together your first outfit with that one piece that you adore.
All of the essentials are required, including tops and bottoms, but they must be interchangeable with at least three other items.
Your tops may be anything from turtlenecks to t-shirts, and your bottoms could be simply skirts or only jeans, depending on what you like, what you need, and what looks well on you.
The trick is that they must all be interchangeable.
Use the Pinterest templates for capsule wardrobes as a starting point. You’ve been given artistic license. I give you permission to wear a bright orange overcoat instead of the traditional trench!
It’s all up to you. All you have to do now is make sure you have additional items that will go with it.