How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe

Co-authored by Natalie Kay Smith

A capsule wardrobe is a relatively small collection of clothes that coordinate well. By carefully selecting around 30 items for your capsule wardrobe, you can assemble an outfit that you love for any occasion. A good capsule wardrobe will save you money, time, and closet space, and make getting dressed a breeze!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making Your Wardrobe Small and Useful

1
Clear out your closet. An important part of the capsule wardrobe is to have a clutter free closet filled only with items you love and use regularly. Lay out all of your clothes, shoes, and accessories. Set aside any items that you no longer love, never wear, don’t fit you, or are no longer in good condition. Immediately donate or throw away these items so that you can’t change your mind and decide to keep them.^{[1]
X
Research source}Box up and put away out of season clothing.
- You can build your entire wardrobe from scratch if you have the time, money, and desire, but in most cases, it will be more practical to start with pieces you already own and love, and build your wardrobe up from there.
2
Personalize your capsule wardrobe. The capsule is all about what will work for you. There are generally somewhere around 30 items. These items include clothing, shoes, and accessories that all coordinate. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Don’t create the “perfect” wardrobe for a life you don’t lead.
- If you never dress up then don’t put pumps or skirts in your capsule.
- If you use activewear as everyday clothing then activewear should be part of your capsule wardrobe.
Advertisement
3
Invest in the basics. It’s better to get a good quality basic that will last through many washes and wears than to buy fast fashion items that may be cheap but won’t last through the use they will get.^{[3]
X
Research source}The basic, essential items should all be coordinating styles, fabrics, and colors like white, black, gray, blue that can be mixed and matched.^{[4]
X
Research source}
4
Ensure that each item in your capsule wardrobe is flattering. Learn about which clothes look good with your specific body shape and undertones. Since you will only have a few of each type of clothing, ensuring that you absolutely love and feel confident in each piece is crucial.

EXPERT TIP

Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer
Natalie Kay Smith is a sustainable fashion writer and the owner of Sustainably Chic, a sustainability-focused blog. Natalie has over 5 years of sustainable fashion and green living writing and has worked with over 400 conscious brands all over the world to show readers fashion can exist responsibly and sustainably.

Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer

The first motivation for creating a capsule wardrobe is balance. Often, the more clothing you have, the less you feel like you have to wear and the more stressful your mornings are. Having a capsule wardrobe simplifies your life. You also start purchasing things of more value and you're not impulse buying.
5
Update before the start of a new season. Evaluate if your capsule wardrobe is ready for the change in weather and if there are any items that need to be replaced. If you build your capsule wardrobe well then the start of a new season should be the only time you will need to shop for new clothes.^{[5]
X
Research source} New items must replace an existing item. For example, make the following changes to transition from summer to fall:
- Change out pumps or sandals for boots.
- Replace tank tops with sweaters.
- Consider replacing short sleeve shirts with long sleeve.
- Store out of season clothes so they don’t take up room in your closet or mind.
EXPERT TIP

Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer
Natalie Kay Smith is a sustainable fashion writer and the owner of Sustainably Chic, a sustainability-focused blog. Natalie has over 5 years of sustainable fashion and green living writing and has worked with over 400 conscious brands all over the world to show readers fashion can exist responsibly and sustainably.

Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer

Pro Tip: Only shop at the beginning of the season if you feel like something can add more value to your wardrobe than what you already have. It makes your wardrobe more special and thoughtful.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing the Essential Clothes

1
Find the perfect white tee. This will match everything and can be dressed up or down, so it is a must have in any capsule wardrobe. A good quality white tee that is not see through can actually be hard to find and is worth spending extra money on.
2
Stock your wardrobe with a few classic tees of any neutral color. Choose the style that flatters you best.^{[6]
X
Research source} You can pair it with a skirt or jeans and layer it under your blazer or jacket.
3
Add 1 to 3 tank tops. Wear it alone on a warm day, layer under a sheer blouse, or with your blazer or cardigan.
4
Include at least one nice blouse. This can be any style that looks good on you. Some examples are button up, wrap style, printed, and chambray.^{[7]
X
Research source} It can be dressed up with a skirt or trousers or casual with jeans.

EXPERT TIP

Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer
Natalie Kay Smith is a sustainable fashion writer and the owner of Sustainably Chic, a sustainability-focused blog. Natalie has over 5 years of sustainable fashion and green living writing and has worked with over 400 conscious brands all over the world to show readers fashion can exist responsibly and sustainably.

Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer

Pro Tip: Pick neutral colors with an accent here or there and maybe a print, so you don’t get tired of what you’re wearing.
5
Add one or two long sleeved tees or light sweaters. This will be great a slightly cooler day. For even more warmth you can layer with a blazer or jacket.^{[8]
X
Research source}
6
Include a blazer. This instantly dresses up your outfit.^{[9]
X
Research source} It can be worn with skirt, trousers, or jeans. Blazers are great staples for women and men.
7
Add 1 to 2 cardigans. Layer one with blouses, tank tops, and tees. Wear it with skirt, trousers, or jeans.
8
Include a black dress. The quintessential “little black dress” doesn’t have to be little, but it should be black.^{[10]
X
Research source} Every woman should own one. Black works with many occasions and is slimming. You can layer with a cardigan, blazer, or scarf to mix up the look.
9
Stock your closet with 1 to 4 pairs of jeans. Jeans go with everything and can be worn almost anywhere. This is a staple in any closets. When buying jeans, don't look for trends (e.g. rips and tears) but for quality and comfort and for what flatters your shape.
10
Include a pair of trousers or ankle pants. For men, choose chinos. These can be worn to work or for a nice evening out. Ankle pants are a great alternative to slacks. A tailored pair of trousers can be worn for multiple occasions depending on what you pair it with.
11
Add at least one skirt. A black skirt will match everything similar to how blue jeans match everything.^{[11]
X
Research source} A gray or white skirt could work as well. Choose something not too short or frilly. A well chosen skirt will be appropriate for work or going out in the evenings.
12
Include a couple each of polos, casual patterned button ups, and oxford button downs for men.^{[12]
X
Research source}These are a little nicer than tees and a staple in any man’s wardrobe.
13
Add at a least one dress shirt for men. Depending on what you do for work, you may need more of these or none at all.
14
Consider a charcoal suit for men. If you wear a suit every day then include a couple suits in your capsule wardrobe. If you rarely wear them then you don't need to count them.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Choosing Shoes and Accessories

1
Include a couple pairs of black or neutral colored patent pumps. This will dress up any outfit. Don’t forget to try wearing them with jeans for a dressy casual look!
2
Add 1 to 3 pairs of neutral colored sandals or ballet flats. Nude shoes will match with just about everything. You will want some flats that are dressy.
3
Include some good quality walking shoes. Choose a pair of shoes that you could walk all day in. These could be anything from tennis shoes to sandals with great support depending on personal preference and lifestyle.
4
Consider at least one scarf. Just add a scarf and change your shoes, and it’s a whole new outfit.
5
Include a versatile coat. A trench coat is a classic and never goes out of style. It will add sophistication to any look. If beige is your color, get it in beige.
6
Include casual leather shoes for men. There will be times when dress shoes aren’t necessary but sneakers aren’t dressy enough. These could be loafers, boat shoes, or trail oxfords.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I change my body type?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Well, yes and no. You can't alter your body type, as that's genetic, but you can control what you eat and how much you exercise. Pushup bras, extra padded bras, padded underwear, and inserts are some temporary options for the chest and butt, and a corset is a temporary alternative for the midsection.

Warnings

Don’t use “needing” an item to create your perfect wardrobe as an excuse to shop more. That defeats the purpose of a capsule wardrobe.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1