This article is a beginners guide to a capsule wardrobe featuring all you need to know about what it is and why i's so popular. It also includes a step by step guide on how to get started and a checklist on what your wardrobe must include.
What is it?
A capsule wardrobe consists of a limited amount of clothes and is usually comprised down to 10-20 key pieces of clothing that you love and wear religiously every day. The key is to have versatile garments that can be easily combined with each other to create different looks.
Why implement this?
There are many reasons to why you should start building a capsule wardrobe, here are only a few:
You realize which pieces you actually love and use on a regular basis, hence you're more likely to find your personal style.
You won't buy as much new clothes and you'll begin to prioritize quality over quantity, allowing you to save more money and thereby afford more expensive things.
It will save you a lot of time since it will become much easier to get dressed in the morning.
Your closet will be considerably less cluttered and appear more tidy and organized.
It benefits the environment since you will no longer support the fast fashion industry in the same extent.
The checklist:
Your capsule wardrobe should include one perfect piece from each of the following categories:
A white button up shirt
A set of T-shirts in neutral colors
A set of tank tops in neutral colors
A pair of black jeans
A blazer
A black turtle neck
A pair of tailored trousers
How to get started:
Instead of picking out the pieces you no longer use from your closet you should start by emptying your entire wardrobe. Once everything is out on the floor, write a list of all the pieces you remember having worn in the previous week and which pieces you would not want to live without, try to do this without looking through the pile of clothes.
Take your list and return all the pieces you have on there, to your closet. Put all the things that you either forgot or chose not to include on your list, in a bag and put it away.
During the following weeks, try to only use the clothes that you have in your closet, if you catch yourself repeatedly missing a piece from the bag of clothes you put away, take it back. If you haven't reached for anything in your bag once four weeks have passed, you can sell the clothes or donate them to charity since there is probably someone who will get more use out of them than you.
Continue to be conscious of what you buy. Write down the things that you wish you had in your closet and if that thing remains on your wishlist for more than a month it is okay to invest in it but remember to focus on quality rather than quantity.
Good luck!