A capsule wardrobe, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is a wardrobe is meant to be a limited number of pieces that can be worn a variety of different ways. While many places are still being hit with winter weather, some clothiers have already pulled out some spring pieces from the warehouses and put them on display. There’s no better time than now to get your wardrobe in gear and save some valuable space in your closet.
With minimalism on the rise, people are weeding out what has just been adding needless clutter and stress into their life. While they purge anything and everything, including their wardrobe. The problem is that they’ve gotten rid of so much that they end up with nothing to wear. None of their pieces match or a style of a top doesn’t match the fit of the pants. It can cause a little bit of chaos when it comes to getting ready, and they have to resist the urge to go out and buy whatever they can find. Instead, the best thing that they can do is to create a capsule wardrobe to help keep their clutter down but their style on point.
What pieces do you want?
Most capsule wardrobes have between 14 and 20 pieces, maybe a few extra pieces that include jackets and coats. The point is to get different pieces that can become interchangeable, so knowing your styles and what looks best on your body type is the best place to start. Do you like pants, shorts, dresses or skirts? Go with what you gravitate toward naturally. I love sweaters and pants, so there’s no use for me to look into too many dresses or skirts. Maybe one beautiful dress for special occasions and a cute sweater to layer over the top to make it look like a skirt if I’m looking for a little variation. The most important thing to remember is that this wardrobe is meant to reflect you, not what you think you should be wearing.
What colors will be your accent colors?
For a capsule wardrobe, you’ll want to stick to having a swatch of neutral colored items, with accent colors sprinkled in between. I love navy, greys, and blacks, not too many browns. As far as accompanying colors, it’s up to you. Pantone’s color of the year for 2019 is Living Coral, a beautiful orange-pink color. You might find many pieces incorporating this color in stores in the near future. But if pink isn’t your color, you can still find pieces in whatever pattern or color you desire. You can make this as colorful and personalized as you’d like. It may take some imagination, and you may want to keep a few swatches with you of your desired color palette so you can find everything true to color.
Do you have a budget?
Like everything that you’re going to invest in, it’s beneficial for you to have a budget, as overspending can lead to problems down the road. Make a budget and stick to it. Don’t spend your money on anything unless you can’t live without it. Follow the Kon Mari method and if it brings you no joy or doesn’t fit you quite right, pass it up. When you do find something that you absolutely love, make sure to take good care of it. Follow all washing instructions and make sure that it’s stored properly. Because of the limited number of pieces, you’ll be getting a lot of use out of them. If there’s anything that you find you’re using less than the others, it’s a sign you might want to return it or switch it out for something that you love more. Take that item to a consignment store and see if you can get some money out of it.
What about accessories or shoes?
These aren’t usually included in the wardrobe count, so there’s that. Find shoes that are versatile and can be worn with a few different style outfits. Maybe splurge on one pair of shoes that will make an outfit or two pop. Accessories are another story. I personally keep away from most jewelry, but there are plenty of charts out there that can show you what length and shape of pendant work best with different necklines. Consult a few if you don’t know if what you already have will go with your new capsule wardrobe. Try to keep these extras within your budget as well.
Creating a capsule wardrobe will likely take time — a few weeks even if you need to stop by a few different places to fill out the roster. While you’re trying to keep your life minimal, it doesn’t mean you have to forgo your desire to present yourself beautifully. After all, you can’t make a second first impression. Your capsule wardrobe can be a real investment toward helping you create a budget-friendly wardrobe, whether you work in an office or from home or for just a night on the town. Create a wardrobe that is remarkably unique and just your style.
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