Do you ever wake up feeling like you have nothing to wear? Do you have a difficult time curating outfits because you’re missing pieces that would tie it all together? If you said yes to either of those questions, then creating a capsule wardrobe is the solution for you!
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of interchangeable clothing items that allow you to design a variety of looks using the same, minimal number of clothing pieces. This type of wardrobe typically consists of clothing with coordinating colors so you can more easily mix and match.
Moreover, a capsule wardrobe is a sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternative to buying into fast-fashion. More specifically, the pieces that make up your capsule wardrobe should outlive the fall out of trends as they are inherently classic and, therefore, timeless.
The typical capsule wardrobe consists of 20-50 clothing items, including staples like jeans, tank tops, t-shirts, sweaters, and layering items, like button-ups, jackets, and blazers. These pieces should easily match well with one another, giving you a variety of combinations to choose from that look good and align with your aesthetic.
Adriana Simancas, junior marine and environmental biology and policy student, added, “I prefer wearing neutral colors because it allows me to mix and match my outfits more easily while still maintaining my sense of style.”
While most capsule wardrobes are composed of neutrals, you can also tailor them to your individual style and preferred color scheme. Whether you’re a fan of neutrals or are partial to a pop of color, capsule wardrobes are all about creating a closet that you love. Even though neutrals are easier to rearrange, it’s perfectly acceptable to incorporate some bolder pieces that you know you could style in various ways.
An easy way to spice up the color scheme of your wardrobe is to arrange your clothes according to seasons. For example, stick with neutrals and earth-tones during fall and winter and consider bolder colors and patterns in the spring and summer.
Abercrombie & Fitch rebranded within the last three years to feature classic, good quality basics. Their common capsule-style pieces include bodysuits, jeans, blazers, and coats. They sell their items in a variety of colors and washes to fit any style wardrobe. While their clothing is a tad on the pricier side, Abercrombie has tons of sales and a great rewards program. Plus, the quality of their products is likely to last.
Megan Zennario, sophomore marketing student, said, “All I wear are basics. It helps me get ready faster and decide what I want to wear.”
Zara, H&M, and Mango are also great places to shop at for less expensive basics. They each feature a wide range of clothes for all styles— from the coastal grandmother to urban streetwear. Likewise, their selections will provide you with trendier pieces to choose from as well.
Aritzia is another go-to store to acquire some staple pieces. They sell all the basics you’ll ever need, including high quality trousers, skirts, and tank tops. Their products are simple and classic, yet not too minimalistic or plain. Although it is on the more expensive side compared to the aforementioned stores, their products are better quality in comparison.
If you want to start creating your own capsule wardrobe but don’t know where to begin, it’s best to take inventory of what clothes you already own. Clean out your closet and donate the items you no longer wear to narrow down what clothes you need to complete the undertaking. Note down which pieces you want to add to your closet, keeping in mind things that will compliment what you already own.
Another important aspect to think about is your sense of style and whether you’ll want to change it up in the future. Your sense of style is one of the best ways to express yourself, so have fun with it; remember to buy clothing you feel your best in and fits into your daily life. Creating the perfect capsule wardrobe takes some time and changes to accommodate the different pieces you’ll need.
With spring break just around the corner, get to cleaning and start your capsule wardrobe!
