I have wanted to create a capsule wardrobe for a while now. Each time I have started I got overwhelmed then stopped. One thing that I have learned from researching capsule wardrobes is that there are several different options. I found it’s more about finding something that works for you. I decided I was going to do a combination of different styles. For the longest time, I was so rigid in my thinking that it had to be one specific way. When creating a capsule wardrobe types of capsule wardrobe be flexible and find what works for you.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
Creating a capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing and accessories that can mix and match to make several different options. There are several different ways to create a capsule wardrobe. You can select a certain number of clothes and that’s it.
Creating a capsule wardrobe will take time and not something that will happen overnight. Even though I desperately want that to happen. It’s about slowly creating a wardrobe of quality pieces of clothes you love and finding into your current lifestyle. In the notes section of my phone, I have a list of clothes that I want. I’m either looking for when they are on sale, a good deal, find exactly what I’m looking for, or for a future purchase.
I’m trying to take my time and create a sustain capsule wardrobe that will last me years. Which is really hard because I just want to go purchase everything right now and be done with it. I am not very good with patience. I’m also taking my time because I really want to see what I wear out of my own closet. I want to be intentional about what I get rid of, because honestly I have gotten rid of things that I later regret.
I read something that really reasonated with me. It said creating a new wardrobe is a combination of who you are now plus the person you want to be. I know this is so obvious. One of the reasons I waited so long for to create a capsule wardrobe was because I was waiting until I got to my goal weight. That might never come, and I’m learning to love my body as is.
most extreme options
Personally, I think this is the most extreme capsule wardrobe. There is a 5-4-3-2-1 where there is 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 accessories, 2 shoes, and 1 swimsuit. I have seen a 333 where it’s 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes.
10×10
10 items wardrobe – It’s a combination of tops, bottoms, and layers. For the summer, it would be a combination of tops, bottoms, and shorts. In a way this is a very customizable depending on who you are. When I first saw this I didn’t think that this way very sustainable. I didn’t know if I could maintain this, but if I really needed to I think this could work. I think you have to be very focused and intentional. I saw this from classy yet trendy and was recommend to pick 3 colors. My 3 colors would be black, grey, navy, but think of the clothes I already have I would add pink. I would go with 4 colors.
Specific Number of Clothes
UnFancy talks about paring down to a certain number of items. I had thought about doing this and my number was going to be 40-50. I prefer to do ranges because having a one number can trigger my anxiety and ADHD. From therapy, I have learned having ranges is better for me.) I am all about finding what works for you and stick with it.
Each season you would wear only those clothes, and not plan or shop for the next season until 2 weeks before it started. Every other season you would pack those clothes away. The most common combination that I have seen is 10 tops, 10 bottoms, 5 dress and 5 pairs of shoes. I know there are so many combinations with this, but I feel like thats not enough.
Core + Capsule Wardrobe
Classyyettrendy and tasteofyum talk about this option for capsule wardrobe which is what I decided to do. You have your core or base items that are your basic and daily essentials. Things that you wear daily and in multiple season would be your core wardrobe. Its the core of your style and lifestyle.
Taste of Yum has 50 has her base. 10 layer, 10 outerwear, 10 shirts, 10 bottoms, 10 accessories. Then each season you’ll create a capsule wardrobe using 9tops, 5 bottoms, and 5 shoes. I like this one but I don’t feel constraint, but have slightly changed it to have a range. The same goes for the season capsule wardrobe
Out of all the different types of capsule wardrobe, I think this is the easiest way to break into creating a capsule wardrobe. From here you’ll be able to downsize when ready.
Capsule Wardrobe I Choose
The capsule wardrobe I feel works best for my lifestyle, my fashion (or lack of) style and where I live, I think having a base plus season capsule wardrobe will be most successful. But at times, I feel the end goal will be living on certain number of clothes.
I’m doing a combination of things because I am not in a huge rush to complete my capsule wardrobe. I want to see what clothes I already own and wear constantly before purchasing new clothes. At the end of each season, whatever clothes I don’t wear will be donated. I am doing a combination pre-capsule wardrobe plus creating a base.
I am creating a base which is clothes that I will wear throughout the year that will correlate with the season capsule wardrobe. I’m using Pinch of Yum’s worksheets to create my base + seasonal capsule wardrobe.I have 48-52 base items that I can pull from along with my 15-20 season capsule wardrobe.
Moving Forward
Next is sorting all my clothes and deciding if they are going to be my base or seasonal wardrobe capsule. I’m using the 2 worksheets from Pinch of Yum for my base & capsule wardrobe.
