My Take On A Capsule Wardrobe
I know what your thinking. Another blog post about capsule wardrobes? Yep. Another one. I’m sorry I know there are a lot of these on the internet. But everyone has a different take on it and if you’re apprehensive about trying a capsule wardrobe I’m here to help you rethink it and tailor it to your needs. I don’t believe you have to be strict when it comes to building a capsule wardrobe. In fact the simpler the better. That is why I created this guide with just four simple steps that anyone can follow. But feel free to change it up, there are no rules. When it comes to our closet it is never one size fits all. We all have different tastes and different lifestyles that dictate what we put on our bodies. A capsule wardrobe is a great tool to use to stay organized, consume less, save money, and live more simply.
Don’t Set Yourself Up to Fail
I’ll admit I tried building a capsule wardrobe a couple of years ago but I was not successful. I quickly recoiled back into my shopaholic tendencies. It can be an overwhelming process, but I urge you to not overthink it or complicate it.
It is no secret that I love shopping and I love sharing the cute things I find with you guys, that will never stop. Owning a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to stop shopping. But the idea is to become more intentional with your purchases. Only buying what you need and investing in
Stop Buying into Fast Trends
After starting this fashion blog and consuming clothing at an astounding rate I realized that I was filling my closet with fast trends, and clothing I hardly wore. I started to hate having so much clothing that just wasn’t right for me anymore. The styles I bought into were only cool for a second and I slowly started losing my personal style. Plus I wasted a lot of money for nothing. Do you find yourself doing this too? I know many women get caught up in this consumerist world. It is what we were raised on. Buying outfits for our barbies and dolls. But I am waking up to how destructive the fashion industry is and changing my impulsive habits into more thoughtful and mindful practices.
Try the Minimal Wardrobe Approach
For me, a more minimalistic wardrobe is what I would like to accomplish most. But since I have so much clothing it is going to take some time for me to determine what stays and what goes. I really am trying to consider if each piece is right for me. What if I was traveling in a camper (my long term goal) and only had space for a few select items, what would those items be? I started to pay close attention to the styles I embraced often. And I started getting rid of the clutter that served no purpose. It was also time to stop bringing so much clutter into my life. And find clothing alternatives that are built to last and that I love to wear regularly. While also putting more money towards things that matter to me like seeing the world. Looking cool should not come at the expense of your dreams. If you can relate to any of this I
Step one: Closet Clean Out and Organization
The first step is to go through your closet and comb out the junk that doesn’t serve you. A dress you wore once, a print that is unflattering on you, all the clothing that fits weird or no longer fits you, and stuff that is worn or stained. Pull all of that out, mend what you can, and donate/sell/swap the rest. Look at all your closet staples. And sort your closet based on item type tank tops, off the shoulder, t-shirts, blouses, long sleeves, shorts, skirts, dresses, pants, and jumpsuits. Then sort by color. That way you have a clear picture of what you have, what you need, and what your color palette is. This also helps you get a better idea of your personal style. Take note of your favorite items and styles and your not so favorites styles so you can have a clear picture of what to avoid when you are buying a new item.
Organize By Season
Personally, I organize my wardrobe for every season. I have a handful of items that I carry through every season. But I make sure to put away the unseasonal items to get them out of the way. That way my mind can focus on the items that are suited for the summer weather. After organizing my closet I have learned a lot about what my constant go-tos are. Like t-shirts, skirts, jumpsuits and comfy linen. And what I wish I was pulling out of my closet if I owned it.
Step Two: Identify Your Wardrobe Style Saviors
When you look at your closet what items give you the most joy? Which items do you wear most often? What colors do you see most? Be honest with yourself. It is important to stay realistic when identifying your personal style. As you go through your wardrobe identify your wardrobe saviors. And identify the items that you are giving away. It is important to know what you dont like too.
Identify What Defines Your Personal Style
Identifying your personal style can be a long process when you have to uncover it from all the clutter in your wardrobe. But it is best to stick to items that make you comfortable. Items that are versatile for many occasions are good to own too. A lot of the time you are buying styles you love but there was one minor detail that didn’t work for you. Like the length, size, or material. Often times the little variations in design makes a huge difference. That is why it helps to invest in clothing that is more tailored to your taste. And designed to last with nice fabric.
Once you clear your closet and take note of what doesn’t work for you. You can get a clearer idea of what does. Looking at your closet free of junk really relieves the stress of getting dressed every morning. Start laying out a few outfits for fun. Get creative with your new wardrobe.
Step Three: Build A Capsule Wardrobe
If you want to get a clearer image of your wardrobe you can write it down or take pictures of all your pieces and create a collage that you look at. Use your wardrobe visual to identify your color palette. Separate the colors in your closet into the three categories. Neutrals, complementary colors, and accent colors. I personally love owning a lot of different colors, especially in the summertime. This makes my capsule a little bigger than most. I use white, tan, and different shades of denim to match
Define Your Color Palette
I also find with owning a lot of colors that my color palette changes pretty often. Probably on a monthly or even weekly basis. That is why I create mini capsules with a clothing rack. I use it to set up outfits for my blog to help me stay organized. Then if I find myself needing an item I try to shop from my closet before I go shopping online. This has saved me from buying a lot of clothes that I thought I needed.
Create a Color Palette Visual
I created a color visual of my color palette and it has helped me see more clearly what colors look good together. I like keeping it matchy with my colors most of the time but it is fun to really mix colors and patterns for something completely different. It just depends on my mood and how creative I am feeling.
Having a visual has helped me see so many outfits that I have been missing out on. It makes me excited to get dressed and I feel less incined to get on the internet and scroll through the latest summer lines. I already have plenty of perfect outfits for the summer time. I just need a few items to really complete my go -to looks that are easiest to throw on and go for my lifestyle.
Create a Wardrobe Visual
After taking a little time organizing and creating a wardorbe visual I feel like my personal style is more defined and now I can build my capsule. For the summertime. I love long dresses, long skirts, t-shirts, denim shorts, lots of colors, white tops, and romantic prints. I would describe my style as
Step 4: Create a Wardrobe Wishlist
Sticking to a wish list whenever I buy a new item has helped control my impulsive shopping. I create a list based off of what I already own that way when I buy something new it is well thought out and planned to be worn many different ways. I will save my money for higher end quality items from sustainable brands and I try to find basic essentials when I have time to stop at a thrift store.
Reduce Your Impact
One of my biggest reasons I persued a capsule wardrobe was not for my benefit. What is most important to me is reducing my impact on our planet. I do this by buying clothing that was grown ethically out of natural materials. Or I buy second-hand items to prevent them from winding up in the landfill. And from companies that pay and treat their workers fairly. Fast fashion is no longer an option for me.
Watch the True Cost Documentary
I have watched the True Cost documentry and seen things on the internet that have opened my eyes to how wasteful the fashon industry is. The second most wasteful industry after oil. Just think about that and open your eyes to what these fast fashion companies are doing to humanity and the planet. There is a lot of ugly, disbelieving things that happen in this industry, and it is up to all of us to do better.
Have you tried building a capsule wardrobe? I would love to know if you found this blog post helpful whether you are a seasoned capsule wardrobe owner or brand new to the concept! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post!
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