How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe Part 1: Clearing Out and The Basics
style & fashion
Believe it or not, the idea of having a capsule wardrobe dates back to the seventies.
It came from a London boutique owner called Susie Faux, who made it her mission to assist women in identifying their personal style. How? Well, you guessed it, by re-focusing their wardrobes and utilising a limited amount of pieces to make getting dressed easier.
If you read our previous blog post, you’ll know that there are several benefits to creating a capsule wardrobe.
Whether you’re ready to give a capsule wardrobe a go or you’re not entirely convinced, we’ve created this series to help you find your way to capsule wardrobe success.
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
The Basics of a Capsule Wardrobe
Firstly, a capsule wardrobe generally consists of 25 to 50 pieces that serve as your entire wardrobe for a certain period of time. It includes clothing, shoes and accessories.
Do underwear, loungewear and activewear count towards the total amount, you ask? Good news - they don’t! But swimwear and outerwear do.
Most fashion experts recommend using 33 pieces for each “capsule” lasting around three months. Alternatively, some women live by the 10x10 rule, which involves mixing and matching up to 10 items for 10 days. Then they pick another 10 pieces for the next 10 days, and so on.
However, it’s completely up to you how much wiggle room you give yourself based on the size of your wardrobe - and how strict you want to be!
Clearing Out
Before you can start building a capsule wardrobe (the fun part), you have to prepare your wardrobe (the boring part).
The first step is to have a clear out so that you can make the elimination process easier. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Figuring Out What Needs to Go
Follow these golden rules when you’re deciding which pieces need to scram - and fast!
● If you haven’t worn it in six months
● If you haven’t worn it ever and you’ve had it over six months (oops)
● If it’s falling apart and you can’t fix it
● If your weight has changed and it no longer fits
● If it doesn’t make you feel good when you wear it
What to Do With Pieces You Clear Out
Even though it’s tempting, don’t just throw away all the pieces that you’ve cleared out.
Why? Well, they can always be used for other purposes, like the following, which are a lot kinder to the environment.
● Take them to a charity shop
● Sell them on eBay
● Find your local clothing bin
● Give them away to friends and family
Finding Space for a Seasonal Capsule Wardrobe
Next, analyse the items that you’re left with post-clear out that you always wear and love.
Ask yourself: How are the upcoming three months looking? What’s the weather going to be like? Immediately eliminate items that won’t work due to the season.
Then, once you’ve put pointless items aside, be sure to make some room for the capsule wardrobe that you’re about to create. Whether this is an end section of your wardrobe or a completely separate wardrobe, you need a dedicated space for your capsule wardrobe that you can easily get to and is differentiated from everything else.
Continuing with Capsule Wardrobe Creation
Even though the idea of clearing out and creating a capsule wardrobe can be overwhelming at first, avid fashionistas claim that it ultimately changes your life!
After all, there’s a reason why people say that “less is more.”
Once you’ve followed the above steps - congratulations! You’re now ready to proceed with the next steps in creating a capsule wardrobe. “Part 2: Picking Out Key Pieces”. Let us know when you finish part 1!
Have a great day!
