Whittling down your closet to a select number of items either sounds like a minimalist’s dream or a fashion-lover’s worst nightmare. This often comes down to a key misconception about capsule dressing: that it’s all about restricting your options.
The reality is that a capsule wardrobe can be anything you want it to be, containing as few or as many items as you wish. The main point of creating one is to make the process of picking an outfit easier while creating extra space.
Creating a Foundation
A key element to any capsule wardrobe involves purchasing some good quality basics. The beauty of this is that you can either wear them alone for a more pared-back look or dress them up. Some examples can include:
- A few basic tee-shirts in your favorite fit
- A white button-down (a slightly loose fit provides a more modern feel)
- Sweaters in varying thicknesses and colors to brighten up your look
- A durable, quality winter coat in a wool fabric (these can be dressed up or down)
- A blazer (slightly oversized tends to look better than the fitted versions)
- A pair of ankle boots in neutral tones
- A little black dress
You can add more extravagant-looking accessories to your basic items to dress them up, but accessories can also be basic: a pair of good quality sunglasses, a stylish-yet-functional bag or a warm scarf can all be included as part of your capsule closet.
Choose Your Color Pallette
Another key concept in capsule dressing is interchangeability: the idea that you can combine one of your basic items with any of the others in your collection. Understanding concepts such as knowing what your seasonal color palette is can help narrow down your preferences.
If you love a color that isn’t recommended for your “type”, you can still wear it: after all, fashion is all about breaking a few rules here and there. You may also find recommendations for neutral colors you might not feel are suitable for you: if you don’t enjoy wearing black, white or gray, other options such as camel or taupe can be used instead.
Wear What Makes You Comfortable
Advice on capsule dressing is typically full of rules about what to wear, but if you don’t feel good in high heels, you don’t have to buy them. Instead, see this as an opportunity to seek out and identify the items in your closet that you love, and where you can make a few additions.
The advice given for capsule dressing is typically a guideline only. If you feel more confident and happy wearing jeans, then your own version of a capsule closet might include a range of tailored and relaxed-fit pants in various fabrics. Each person’s taste is different, so it’s likely their take on capsule dressing will be too.
Another key function of capsule dressing is that the items in it are timeless: meaning they can be adapted to any era but if you enjoy clothes inspired by the seventies, there’s no reason why your capsule items can’t lean towards a more retro look. The main point is to wear what feels and looks good for you.