Creating a Capsule Wardrobe
I’m down to just under 100 items of clothing for all seasons. AND I LOVE IT. I know that what I take out of my closet is my favorite, it fits, and, most importantly, I save so much time on choosing my outfits as well as on laundry!
I have about 30 items that are just for warm weather, about 30 items for cold weathers, and then I have about 30 items that are cross over items – meaning they can be worn for both cold and hot.
I never counted how many I had pre-capsule wardrobe, but I took out about 5 larger garbage bags of clothes in the process. Here is how I did it:
First, in this blog post, I wrote about how I started to downsize my closet. The basic steps were:
Donate clothes that I knew I didn’t want.
Box up clothes I might want. I kept them under my bed for 3 months. After I didn’t remember them, I just gave them away.
Turned around my hangers. Any hanger I didn’t turn back around in 3 months were also donated.
Second, I did some research on capsule wardrobes. I used Pinterest to search for a bunch of guides that would be helpful. The best guide I came across was this one because it outlined exact steps for how to set it up. I can also completely vouch for this mom. I didn’t know it when I ran into this blog, but she is always one of the fabulously dressed moms on my local playgroup. ;)
As you will see below, I didn’t follow her guide exactly. But it was a really great starting point for me. She made me realize the value of neutral colors as a base, and bold colors that add a pop.
Basically, I realize there were two things I needed to do.
STEP 1. Create a base layer of clothes for myself. I like black and grays. I made sure I had a base layer of black and grey tank tops and leggings. I have two pairs of shorts, two pairs of jeans, a two skirts, and several dresses that can be worn without tights in hotter weather, and without All of these can be worn over multiple seasons.
STEP 2. Decided on a seasonal color pallet and add those colors into the mix.
For the summer I stuck with neons and bright colors. I also love summer dresses, so I added a few of those.
For the fall, I plan to add in some more subtle colors and throw jackets, cardigans, and light sweaters over them. I will put thick tights under my skirts, and switch from shorts to pants.
For winter I pan to do some blues and purples with heavier sweaters and jackets.
I have a section of tee shirts in various colors that can be worn in just about any season.
I am a huge fan of solids, so I try to include one or two patterns just too keep my wardrobe fun.
STEP 3. Add in some accessories that are manageable for you and your space. I don’t keep more jewelry or shoes that I can display. This might be a helpful guide for you. If you can display them, then it is probably enough.
ORGANIZATION TIP. Be sure that you can see everything you are wearing for that season. I use an open closet — basically I just attached a shelf and with a clothing rod to the wall. This is where I keep the clothes that are in my current season. I keep out of season clothes in the actual closet space I have behind a door. When the seasons change, I will move the old seasons stuff into the closet, and the new seasons stuff on to the rack for display.
Click here to get a free worksheet that will help you create your own capsule wardrobe.
