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HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE
Are you struggling every day to figure out what outfit to wear? Or worse, you constantly shop but still find it hard to put together stylish looks?
You are not alone!
I don't know about you, but choosing an outfit should be one of the easiest decisions you make each day. Feeling good about what we put on daily should allow us to convey our style and help to elevate our overall mood. I think everyone can agree that when you look good, you feel good.
A simple solution to solve these problems is to build a capsule wardrobe! Building a modern capsule wardrobe will allow you to create endless outfits that will keep your closet filled with classic styles and your looks on-trend.
Here's my complete guide on a modern capsule wardrobe, why you need one, and how to start building yours today!
WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?
A traditional capsule wardrobe is a limited collection of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks. These pieces usually are neutral in color and classic in style. My version of what I like to call a "Modern Capsule Wardrobe" allows someone to create various looks while staying on trend. Styling classic pieces based on contemporary fashion trends will make you look good while staying on budget.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE A MODERN CAPSULE WARDROBE?
There are several reasons why you may want a modern capsule wardrobe.
STAYING ON TREND
Have you ever found yourself standing in your closet for too long, hoping the perfect outfit jumps out? Or do you try fifteen different looks before finding the right one? Having go-to staple pieces in your wardrobe makes decision-making much easier to build your perfect look. Closet basics can create causal to dressy outfits without you feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY
Believe me; you will save money. A capsule wardrobe incorporated with modern trends allows you to do minimal shopping at the top of each season. Add a few pops of colors or prints to your sustainable pieces that already live in your closet. When shopping, you should spend most of your clothing budget on classic styles that are durable that can last season to season. You can wear the same pieces multiple times and shop less, all while creating versatility within your wardrobe.
SAVE TIME
A modern capsule wardrobe will save you time! Shopping will be intentional. You won't have to run aimlessly through the mall to find what you need. You can forget feeling anxious waiting for your last-minute online order to arrive before heading out. Best of all, you will always have styles in your closet that you love to wear.
EASY DECISION MAKING
Stay on trend without being too trendy. After researching multiple capsule wardrobes, I noticed that most styles seemed outdated and didn't allow as much versatility when trying to express my style. I loved including each season's color trends and a couple of prints which is a game changer. But be careful. Stay away from super trendy patterns or colors that won't complement the pieces that already exist in your closet. Having some more modern options will help keep things affordable while being able to showcase the variety in your style.
MORE SUSTAINABLE
Capsule wardrobes are known for their sustainability. Buying styles that are timeless and less trendy will give your clothes longevity. As stated earlier, your closet will have fewer clothes, but most of these styles won't go out of style. Capsule wardrobes will replace your wasteful fast fashion with more sustainable quality pieces.
Now that you have a few good reasons to build your modern capsule wardrobe let's get started!
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
OUT WITH THE OLD
The very first thing you should do is go through your entire wardrobe. I mean, assess every piece of clothing that you own. Decide what can stay as a part of your new collection and what has to go. As you're doing this, keep in mind a few of these questions.
Does this style go with my current lifestyle and daily activities?
Does this piece showcase my present or future personal style?
Can I even fit these clothes anymore?
Now that you have the clothing you want to keep, you will be more equipped to stay focused when shopping for your new collection. This first step is crucial because it gives you a clear direction for what's coming next.
MAKE A LIST AND PLAN OUT WHAT YOU NEED
Next, you will want to plan what you need before shopping. Keep in mind the current colors and style trends of the upcoming seasons. For example, I always like to google the Pantone colors each season to see what's trending. It also helps to scroll through apps like Pinterest or follow fashion bloggers for inspiration on the latest trends.
It's entirely up to you on how many pieces of each category you want. To keep things budget-friendly, starting with two to three styles for each type will be fine. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Purchasing more neutral colors will only maximize your ability to create more looks. Spend most of your budget on black, white, cream, brown, navy, and grey items.
When it comes to the hottest prints or pops of colors, choose one to two of your favorites for each.
Consider all fabrics before making a purchase. You want everything to flow together but also be comfortable to wear at the same time. Fibers like cotton and linen work best for comfort but also are long-lasting.
Pick necklines and clothing that are flattering for your shape. Remember that not every style or trend complements every body type.
NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE FUN PART!
Grab your budget, list of items needed to complete your new collection, and any inspiration to help make your shopping experience easier.
If possible, create a large enough wardrobe list and budget to allow you to shop for two seasons at once. Break it down into a Fall / Winter and a Spring / Summer modern capsule wardrobe each year. Remember, there aren't any specific rules to this, so you shop entirely season by season if necessary.
It will also be in your best interest to always go shopping, in-store or online, at the top of each season. Getting first dibs on the newest styles improves your chance of finding your sizes without having to pick through the leftovers.
C A P S U L E W A R D R O B E G U I D E
