I have a big secret for you… Right now, hidden in your closet is a capsule wardrobe you rely on daily. How can that be? Think about it.
The Capsule Wardrobe You Already Wear
If you’re in a pinch for a great go-to outfit on short notice what do you always choose? It’s that certain top, or great fitting denim skirt, maybe it’s a certain cardigan that seems to go with everything… Do you find yourself pulling these hard-working items out of the hamper before wash day? These very pieces form the core of your capsule wardrobe.
Have you felt overwhelmed by the vast number of capsule wardrobe options? Project 333, The 10 Item Wardrobe, SAHM (stay at home mom) capsule, career capsule, lounge capsule, travel capsule… Which capsule will fit you and your life style best? Today I’m sharing how to uncover the capsule already in your closet.
- Set aside your favorites!
- Purge worn, old, ill-fitting, off-color, off season clothing
- Evaluate what’s left (you may discover your color palette here!)
- Make a shopping list ~ fun part!
Here is where I found my best capsule wardrobe and where you can find yours!
Where I Started: Closet Chaos
So… this is the closet chaos I started with in October of 2017. Ugh. If this is similar to where you are starting ~ be encouraged, a capsule wardrobe is possible! In fact, you may have a higher quality, more cohesive capsule hidden in the chaos. Let’s dive in and discover the capsule that’s already yours. No more overstuffed closet, missing pieces to an outfit, terrible fit, ~ and not feeling cute in your clothes!
Step 1: Cull the Noise
You already know what you wear the most often. Pick these first, set them aside, and be ruthless with the rest! I scanned this capsule critically. If it didn’t fit, looked worn, was too much trouble to repair, or not my color palette it went. I was surprised how much there was ~ I pulled 102 items!
My focus for this purge was to create a capsule of pieces I absolutely loved and that truly worked for me. Not pieces I wanted to work, or might work one day…
Step 2: Evaluate What’s Left
Sigh… five pairs of gorgeously painful shoes… They’ll never be comfortable so I decided to sell them along with my nicer clothing. Tops, cardigans, and skirts that didn’t make the capsule cut ~ I wonder what I can make selling them?! On second look I spotted two dresses that didn’t fit quite right… a pair of heels too worn to sell (or wear)… tops with a poor fit or wrong color for the palette… and two blazers better suited for cooler weather went into storage.
What do I really love in my closet? This simple question made the whole process easier!
The Payoff: A Calm, Unified Capsule Wardrobe
And payoff, these are the favorites! The space between hangers is calm, and orderly. Everything is easily seen. The unified color palette increases the usefulness of the capsule. I adore patterns & prints, so intentionally buying solid colors has expanded my capsule even more!
Nine Dresses
Nine lovely dresses. Three for church, the rest I wear weekly. Dresses are the simplest way to look chic and stay cool in the summer heat ~ I’ve always got my eye out for a good dress! Six of these dresses were thrifted.
Tops & a Blazer
I have thirteen tops (can you tell I love ivory?) and one ¾ sleeve blazer.
Cardigans
I adore cardigans. I have too many cardigans… Time to be ruthless! By only keeping my favorites I cut my collection in half! These seven cardigans remain for my spring/summer capsule. I don’t miss the others and I enjoy these more!
Cardigans are ideal for completing an outfit. They are perfect for meeting a girlfriend for tea, for wearing with pencil skirts, or over dresses for church.
Skirts
These seven skirts (eight, counting the one at the dry-cleaners) complete the outfit “formula” that is my go-to for nearly everything.
Ballet Flats & Shoes
Here are the beloved ballet flats I wear every day… So far I’ve removed three pairs of well worn flats with two more soon to follow. I’ve included sandals and boat shoes for casual occasions.
Shoes take longer to replace since they can cost a bit more… Patience is good here since my goal is to upgrade to real leather well-made shoes I can wear for up to ten years. My plan is to use the money from selling my excess clothes to replace worn shoes. Stay posted for a post on how to buy quality shoes!
Three Capsules, Side by Side
For fun here are three side-by-side photographs of my capsule wardrobe journey. Obviously, the difference from where I started to the second iteration is dramatic, but I find it amazing how much more streamlined the third capsule is. And I still didn’t miss the pieces that were purged!
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a small, thoughtful collection of clothes that work well together. Most of your tops pair with most of your bottoms. Layers suit several outfits, and your shoes finish more than one look. Each piece has a purpose, giving your lovely little wardrobe so many possibilities!
The reward is getting dressed easily and feeling good in what you wear. Pieces that fit well, suit your color palette & feel like you make mornings much simpler. You won’t have to sort past clothes that pinch or need repairs, along with those pieces that don’t seem to go with anything.
Build your capsule around the life you really live. Think about where you go each week and what you reach for most often. Perhaps you need comfortable everyday clothes and a few pretty dresses. Maybe office outfits are important too. Your wardrobe should work for you.
A simple color palette helps the pieces get along. Start with a favorite neutral, then bring in a few colors or prints that make you feel lovely. You’ll still have variety & plenty of personality. You’re simply choosing clothes that are friendly with one another!
Seasonal capsules can make things even easier. You might keep one collection for spring & summer, then another for fall & winter. Some useful pieces can move between seasons, while others rest until the weather changes. Your closet will feel calmer, more useful, and completely your own.
The 3-3-3 Rule and Other Simple Formulas
If you aren’t sure where to begin, a simple capsule formula can make the process feel less overwhelming. Think of it as a little experiment ~ you can always make changes along the way!
The 3-3-3 rule uses three tops, three bottoms & three pairs of shoes for a set amount of time. Since the pieces coordinate, those nine choices can make several different outfits. It’s a helpful way to see how few clothes you may need for everyday life.
It can also show you what’s missing. Perhaps you need a warmer layer. Maybe a dressier shoe or a top in a more useful color would make the whole collection work better.
Project 333 is another well-known formula. It includes thirty-three items of clothing, shoes, and accessories worn for three months. This option gives you more variety while still helping you choose carefully.
The ten item wardrobe centers around ten core outer pieces for one season. You can add everyday basics to support them. This approach works especially well if you have a few favorite dresses or separates that form the heart of your style.
You can make the idea more specific too. An eight-piece travel capsule keeps packing simple. A work capsule gives you dependable office outfits without filling your closet with clothes you won’t wear anywhere else.
Which formula sounds most useful to you? Try that one first, then adjust it! A mother at home will naturally need different clothing from a woman working in an office. Climate matters, and so do your daily activities & personal style.
Treat these formulas as starting points, rather than strict rulebooks. If three pairs of shoes feel like too many, keep two. If ten core pieces aren’t quite enough, add what you genuinely use. Choose the formula that makes life easier and helps you feel confident in your clothes.
How Many Pieces Does a Capsule Wardrobe Need?
You probably need fewer pieces than the average closet holds, but there isn’t one perfect number for everyone. Pay attention to what you reach for during a normal month. Those dependable dresses, tops, cardigans & shoes will tell you far more than an arbitrary number ever could.
It also helps to count outfits instead of individual pieces. One top that looks lovely with three different bottoms is more useful than three tops that work with only one. A cardigan earns its place when you can wear it over a dress, pair it with a skirt, or add it to a casual outfit. This is where a coordinated color palette becomes so helpful.
For one season, your capsule might include a few dresses if you enjoy wearing them. Add a handful of tops, two or three bottoms, a layer or two, and shoes you can comfortably walk in. Your mix may look different, and that’s perfectly fine! Someone who loves dresses won’t need as many separates as someone who prefers tops & skirts.
As you choose, ask yourself a few simple questions. Does it fit today? Is it comfortable? Can I make more than one outfit with it? Would I be happy to wear it this week? Honest answers make these decisions much easier.
Leave a little room for something useful or lovely too. A capsule isn’t a cage! Your wardrobe can change as the seasons shift and your needs or tastes change. Choose a collection that serves you well, without chasing a tiny number that makes getting dressed harder.
Building Your Capsule Wardrobe on a Budget
You don’t need to build a beautiful capsule wardrobe all at once. Going slowly gives you time to notice what you truly need, and it keeps extra closet noise from creeping back in.
Begin with the clothing you’ve culled. Donate the useful pieces and sell nicer items you no longer wear. That money can help fill the true gaps in your capsule as you build a slow fashion wardrobe. Excess clothing might become a comfortable pair of shoes or a classic layer you’ll wear again & again.
Thrift stores are wonderful places to shop for good fabric or a classic cut for much less. You may even discover a piece with a little unexpected charm. Six of my nine dresses were thrifted! Still, it helps to be selective. A bargain won’t help if the color is wrong, the fit is poor, or the piece doesn’t suit your life.
Start with one neutral you already own and love. Ivory, gray, navy, brown, or black gives each new piece something to work with from the beginning. Then bring in colors and patterns that coordinate with that foundation.
Keep a shopping list of the gaps you discover, and carry it with you. Instead of searching for “something cute,” look for the ivory top or comfortable flats your outfits actually need. Perhaps a lightweight cardigan is the missing piece. A specific list makes both thrift shopping and regular shopping much more focused.
Buy slowly & think about cost per wear. A dress worn every week for two years becomes inexpensive at almost any original price. A cheaper dress that stays on the hanger isn’t a bargain at all.
Most importantly, buy clothes for the life you have now. Choose pieces for your regular days, rather than an imaginary calendar. When everything has a purpose, your capsule will feel practical & pretty.
Build a Capsule Wardrobe You Love Wearing
A streamlined closet with fresh, pretty pieces that I love ~ this brings peace and efficiency to the day! Getting dressed from a capsule of clothes reflecting the best version of me is fun, less stressful, and gives confidence! Your appearance matters! Getting dressed for the day is simple, and inspiring!
- We wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time (this is your true capsule!).
- You already wear your favorites.
- Consider putting excess clothing in a “time will tell” area.
- Try the capsule for two weeks.
- The gaps in your capsule will appear. Your shopping list will gain clarity.
