Some people find the idea of a capsule wardrobe intimidating. A limited number of clothing pieces for a set amount of time? How do we even begin to choose which lucky pieces those will be?
I wrote a few weeks ago about wearing 40 pieces in 90 days (click here to see all what I selected) and I am LOVING it. It really comes down to choosing the pieces wisely, so I’ve put together a few tips on how to do that.
1) Balance your bolds and your neutrals. A capsule wardrobe does not have to be full of blacks and grays (though that could look awesome!). But a balance of bold colors and patterns with neutrals is a good tip for creating tons of outfits without looking like you’re always repeating. This goes especially for “statement pieces”: a red leather jacket might be sweet, but everyone will remember it. Just keep the balance in check!
2) Choose pieces with the fewest “conditions”. High-waisted pants and long tunics are tough to match. So are low-rise jeans and short tops. A sheer sweater might be cute but difficult to wear multiple ways. Avoid clothing that you can be worn “if and only if…”. Versatility is your friend.
3) Think “comfy chic”. Comfortable does not have to be sloppy. In fact, the right balance between comfortable and stylish has the ability to look the most natural. Select the pieces that are flattering, but don’t require perfect posture 12 hours a day.
4) Fit is everything. If you’ve held onto pieces that were too large or too small, thinking you just might need them one day, you’re not alone. But a capsule wardrobe does not have room for anything that doesn’t fit. Each piece should look and feel great whether you’re standing, sitting, eating, etc.
5) Look in your hamper. Which pieces do you wear most often? It might not be the piece that you snagged off the sale rack or the one that looks like it belongs to your style icon, but it’s clearly a tried-and-true piece. Don’t overlook it.
Since I don’t include accessories (jewelry, scarves, sunglasses and bags) in my 40 pieces, you can always play with those for even more variety!
A note about spending: I don’t think that you have to go out and purchase your entire capsule wardrobe. In fact, I’m against that idea. Unless you absolutely own no clothing that is appropriate for your daily routine, it’s best to choose from what you’ve got.
To round out my capsule wardrobe, I spent less than $40 on a long black skirt. I needed one to cover my legs for work, and didn’t have one. But other than that, everything in my current capsule wardrobe was already in my closet.
That said, a few classic pieces that work well for you can be excellent capsule wardrobe investments. Depending on your budget you can set a certain amount that you will use to buy that one staple you don’t already own.
And… here’s your chance to get it, free!
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$200 CASH Giveaway (details below)
Betsy from Heavens to Betsy | Mandy from Mandy Living Life | Mar from T.O. & fro
Nina from Flowers in My Hair | Daisy from Simplicity Relished | Katie from Hot Tea and the Empty Seat
Britt from My Little Sunshines | Becca from Becoming Adorrable | Helene from Helene in Between
Katie from Twin Stripe | Grace from Grace Cho | Susannah from Feast + West
Hayley from A Beautiful Exchange | Jenna from A Savory Feast | Madison from Wetherills Say I Do
Enter below to win! Giveaway ends March 12th at 11:59pm EST. Be honest and follow the requirements for each entry, they will be verified!
I’ve never heard of this concept, but it sounds really cool! I feel like this would have come in handy when I moved to Spain a year and a half ago with just one suitcase 🙂 Anyways, I really love that outfit. Your yellow sweater is so bright and cheery!
I can use all the capsule wardrobe tips I can get. I am really trying to create one in 2015!!
You are such a beauty in those bright colors and CA sunshine! Love it! Love your tips as well for capsule wardrobe, especially looking in your hamper. Ha! I feel like living in NYC for the first time is creating a capsule wardrobe for me. I really don’t have that many cold, cold winter weather pieces to begin with, so my selection is already small each morning. Makes it easy though! xo, Camille
The Lovely Theory
I would save it. Boring, I know. 😉
Awesome! I hope you try out a capsule wardrobe– and let me know how it goes 🙂
Awesome Danielle. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Thanks girl!! And oh goodness… I would go INSANE if I had an “if and only if” closet– I’d spend so much time staring at it! And I’m so glad to hear that you cleaned out and donated some clothing– that is totally awesome 🙂
Thank you Natalie! 🙂 I hope you win!!
Thank you Gina! And exactly– life really is too short for us to waste time on clothing that is anything less than what we need!
Thank you Marissa!! Yes, having a great work wardrobe is so important 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, friend!
Thanks so much Hannah, you’re so kind! And yes– I’m learning to choose pieces that are more comfortable rather than super form-fitting. And it’s been such a relief!!
Yes… me too. 😉
Thanks girl! That’s really sweet of you. And yeah, being able to purchase a piece or two that really works for you is a great way to kick off a capsule wardrobe. I ended up being able to pull my capsule out of what I already had, but I hope you win the giveaway! 😉
Haha, well it doesn’t have to be 40 pieces– make it work for you 😉 I’ve held on to a lot of my clothes that I’m just currently not wearing, so there are no hard-and-fast rules! It has definitely made it easier to get dressed in the morning though!
Thanks girl!! 🙂
Yes definitely. Any form of simplifying can incorporate the capsule wardrobe mindset! Thank you so much for reading this, Mica. It means so much to me 🙂
Thank you Chrissy!! Yes– I know exactly what you mean by “kinda dressy but not too dressy”… it’s a versatile piece that can look both casual and super chic! Good luck finding it, friend!
Thank you so much Lecy! I really appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Would love to start a capsule wardrobe. I’ve been thinking on it for awhile and your post is quite inspiring!
I’d use your tips and use the $200 to update my wardrobe!
I couldn’t agree with all these tips more than I do! I have a friend who literally has an “if and only if” closet. How ridiculous. It’s full of strange prints, shapes, and even a ton of too big or too small clothes. Thanks to you and my friend Mica, I’ve been more aware of what I’m looking at when I get dressed each day. Not to mention the two giant bags I donated last weekend after a nice clean out! (: Have a lovely weekend Daisy!
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
These are great suggestions! I think balancing bold with neutral is the best tip! Like you said, you don’t want to only have really bold things that everyone will remember, but you also don’t want to be wearing grey every day. I would definitely go out and buy some new statement pieces with the cash!
I love your suggestions. I just cleaned out my closet, and realized that I don’t really love what I’ve got left. My current goal is to build up my capsule wardrobe with some classic pieces. Life’s too short to wear things you don’t love, don’t fit right, or make you miserable uncomfortable.
I love this! I’ve been wanting to update my wardrobe since I graduated from college. If I won I would love spend the money on some more work jackets, shoes and accessories.
I loved reading this post, Daisy. (Your outfit in these pictures is also to die for!) You always have such great tips — I especially love the one about “comfy chic.” I think we always need to feel both stylish and comfortable in what we wear, and I think finding the balance between classy and comfortable could be confidence. If you’re confident in what you’re wearing, I believe it tends to be pretty, flattering, and comfortable.
What I would use the cash for… hmm, that’s hard. I might feel selfish spending it all on myself, so I could give some to my mom to use for herself and my little sister, and spend my portion on awesome clothes 😉
dance a real
If and only if! haha yes, I’ve been guilty of keeping items like that in my closet.
Loving these tips Daisy!! You also really know how to pull an outfit together, an area that I always tend to struggle in. I love the tips about looking in your hamper, such good advice! Although I’m on my clothes shopping ban this year, I’m still entering the giveaway! Heh. I know that by the time January 2016 rolls around, I’m going to be in desperate need of new clothes and will be ready and super excited to start my own (well planned out) capsule wardrobe…..and having a fund to use towards that would be so amazing! 🙂
Thanks for the tips Daisy! I really want to do this but I’m, sadly, so attached to my clothes I’m worried I’ll be cheating and reaching for more than just 40 pieces. But in all honesty, I’ve been wearing the same 10 or so sweaters to work but in rotation so my work clothes can be reduced to less than half the 40 piece wardrobe!
thesundaywardrobe@gmail.com
I love the yellow and pink together!
pinkandnavystripes.com
These are good tips! 🙂 I’m not building a capsulae wardrobe, but I am trying to have a ‘smarter’ wardrobe so I think a lot of the same things apply. Like fit and keeping the pieces that don’t have many ‘conditions’ and can be worn multiple ways. I want to open my wardrobe and be spoiled for choice, not feel like I have nothing to wear!
I’d love to win the $200, I’d probably end up spending it on accessories rather than clothes, as the weather cools I’ll be buying more scarves no doubt 😉
Away From The Blue
I love your tips! I think it’s definitely key to find pieces that you can mix and match to suit all occasions too! With my first capsule wardrobe I definitely saw that I didn’t have enough “kinda dressy, but not too dressy” outfits for going out for dinner. I’m definitely keeping this in mind for next season! Which I’m planning now…. so I would definitely use the $200 on that!
Oh and thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Chrissy x
http://www.chrissylilly.com
With $200, I’d probably pick up some spring pieces for my waredrobe. 🙂
Daisy, I love this! I’ve always believed you don’t have to stuff a closet full of clothes to be stylish and sometimes editing can be your best friend. Thanks for sharing!