Does the title of this post promise too much? Perhaps. But I can’t express how much it has improved my life to shrink my closet to the essentials. I think my fall capsule wardrobe is the best capsule wardrobe I’ve but together yet, and I’ll tell you why.
The trick to creating a successful capsule wardrobe is finding enough versatile pieces that you love and that make you feel amazing. As though that’s not tricky enough, the next step is to make sure those pieces go well together. And finally, we have to think about limiting factors such as the local weather and what we need to be dressed for.
Currently, my fall capsule wardrobe consists of 33 items, not including shoes.
- 3 dresses
- 3 pants
- 2 shorts
- 3 skirts
- 1 jacket
- 2 cardigans
- 20 tops
When I list it like that, it already looks like a lot of clothes. 20 tops?! Is this even a small wardrobe?
Yes, technically it is. But the most important thing is that pretty much everything goes with everything else. I do have an orange blouse and burgundy skirt that I will not be wearing together, but for the most part, most of my wardrobe items go well together.
So, once you’ve put together the best capsule wardrobe possible, what’s next?
[Tweet “Got a capsule wardrobe to streamline your morning? Here’s what to do next! #capsulewardrobe via @daisylinshih”]
How to actually get dressed quickly (and still look decent)
Someone once wisely observed that too many choices is a prison. But for those of us who can hum and ha over anything, any choice can be a prison. It doesn’t matter whether we have 3 outfit choices, 33 choices, or 333 choices– we can easily get caught in that puzzled discontentment in the morning.
So here’s my formula for getting dressed super fast without looking like I rolled through a flea market.
Step 1: Employ a rotating closet.
In my closet, all the tops are lined up. All the bottoms are lined up next. Then dresses. During any typical week, I’ll go down the line– I pick up the first top, the first bottom, and wear them together. Then the next day, I pick up the second top and the second bottom. I do this all the way until I’m back to the first of one category, and I rotate through them again.
This might sound really boring, but it actually keeps me from gravitating towards the same outfit combination over and over. I come up with new combinations that I fall in love with– and it’s all effortless.
Step 2: Build a capsule accessory collection.
I believe that, if used well, an accessory can go much further in elevating an outfit than a piece of clothing can.
Why should you build an accessory arsenal? Think about it: most accessories are season-free, size-free, small in size and generally appropriate for most occasions. We can hardly say that about clothing. So if you can find a few accessories that declare your style, then you have an easy way to elevate practically any outfit.
Looking for accessories that are made with love, fair trade, and changing the world? Check out my pieces from Noonday Collection listed below!
Once you’ve put together your outfit, grab an accessory and you’re ready to go out the door. Whether it’s a pair of statement earrings, a long rope necklace, or a few bracelets, your outfit goes immediately from basic to polished.
Step 3: Choose stylish necessities.
I’m still an advocate of keeping frivolous items to a minimum, but I also believe that true personal style can be achieved with a smaller wardrobe. This is when it becomes important to find the right necessities– ones that work for you and count for style.
Every woman needs one bag; with the size of most phones nowadays, our back pockets just won’t cut it. But no woman needs multiple bags for one singular purpose, so find one that ties together your personal style and use it until it falls to pieces.
In the same vein, choose one high-quality watch that works with everything you wear and all occasions. Own just one watch– but make it count! Choose something that will elevate your outfit that much more.
The bottom line: begin at the beginning
To get dressed in less than 3 minutes and still look stylish, you have to start with the right arsenal. I put together a seasonal capsule wardrobe once every 3 months. This takes time, but it’s the only time that I spend shopping for the entire quarter year.
So go through your clothes, accessories, and jewelry, and give away or sell the items you know you don’t need. Starting fresh can be exciting, but be prepared to commit to what you buy next. Say goodbye to impulse buys, and hello to long-term, unique, and versatile items that you’ll be proud to wear season after season. You can’t go much wrong with that.
[Tweet “How to actually get dressed quickly (and not look ridiculous) #capsulewardrobe via @daisylinshih”]
Featured clothes & accessories:
- Capsule wardrobe top: Vince shirt
- Capsule wardrobe bottom: LOFT shorts
- Cow horn hoop earrings, Minted necklace, Paper Dreams necklace, & Safari Stack bracelets from Uganda
- Bethe Rope necklace from Ethiopia
- Glimmer bracelet and Rustic Leather Tote from India
I think I’m doing pretty well with my closet by now. I do the rotating system already and I love it, because it stops me from wearing the same things over and over and forgetting about some others. Plus, it stops me from buying things I’m not convinced about, because I know I will HAVE to wear it 😀
THis is such an interesting idea! I’ve definitely streamlined my closet in the last few years since college (had to say goodbye to some high school pieces…it was just time, you know?). I’ve never heard of that idea about rotating through your closet. That’s so smart! It would also make it obvious if you didn’t really like something because you might be hesitant to actually wear it when that rotation came. Such smart tips, Daisy!
I always love your capsule collections! And these tips are really helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Wishes & Reality
Hi Grace! Rather than thinking about buying neutrals that feel blah, you could try thinking about what your favourite colours are to wear and build your wardrobe around those!
I’m still working towards a solid capsule (getting there!) and am admittedly wearing more neutrals than I used to, but I also love colour. My solution has been to wear all cool tones (which are more flattering on me) so everything fits together in outfits. I have several pieces in strong cobalt blue because it makes me feel bright and happy, and I have a few items with yellow or murky green that I love to wear as a contrast with my blues and greys.
All my neutrals are pieces that feel great and work well alone or with my colour splash items. This way I never feel deprived of colour 🙂
Such a great way to wear a capsule! I’m much closer to my ideal capsule than I’ve ever been before, I had 37 items (including shoes) but a couple more seem to have slipped in. But I still find myself wondering what to wear some days.
I didn’t realise until reading your post that this is because even though they all seem to go together, I’m not quite satisfied with the outfits some of the pairings make. I now plan to clear out a few pieces I like very much but don’t seem to choose to wear as much as I’d like. From now on I will only buy things that go with everything I already adore wearing so that every item is wearable with anything else.
I have a firm goal to work towards instead of wondering what’s not right with my wardrobe, thanks!
I think rotating is such a great idea! Love this look and black is always a great go to piece…
I definitely need to start rotating, I’ve only been wearing simple t-shirts during the past weeks, even though I have so many other cute tops…
I hear you, Grace! It can be hard to have tastes that tend toward the colorful, but still feel inspired to create lots of different outfits, especially with a small wardrobe. I have a few brighter pieces in my fall capsule wardrobe, but a lot of them are more jewel-toned, or simply black, white, or grey.
I do find that it’s easy to add a pop of color with your accessories– a statement earring, long necklace or even infinity scarves (now that it’s cold!) can make a huge, huge difference. My outfit in this post would definitely look kind of somber, even strange, without some accessories to break things up a bit. Let me now if you’d like more specific tips! I love it when people are able to find pieces for their small wardrobe that are inspiring and fun to wear! 🙂
Look at Daisy’s outfit. The top and bottom would be blah without the accessories. Pile on the necklaces, bracelets and earrings and watch out world; here she comes! You can do this with belts and scarves, too. Also note that those accessories are all in her color scheme so she can mix and match them, too. And she does.
Wow! I recently starting researching capsule wardrobes and how to make one because I’m so frustrated with my closet. I absolutely love your idea of rotating through the closet. I would be so happy to be able to do that! I’ve never had a lot of clothes, but the few clothes I do have just don’t go together – I like colours and patterns. I’ve been trying to buy neutrals and basics now that will mix better, but when I’m trying them on in the stores I just feel so sad and “blah” in them.
This is fantastic-I love the idea of doing this!
These are all amazing tips and I love the idea of a capsule wardrobe. What really resonated with me though is to just buy less but what you really love and will wear often. You look great in this outfit! Hope you’re doing well!! xx
lovejoanna.com
Ooh I like the idea of the rotating wardrobe. i’d love to see what combos you come up with that way! I like dresses because then you don’t even need to find matching top/bottom!
I like dresses way too much to do the mix-and-match wardrobe. My technique for speed is to take two minutes to grab my clothes for the next day and put them in the bathroom before I go to sleep–I’ve never been one to stress about matching or worry that I’m not wearing the right thing. I love all my clothes, and that makes decision-making easy, for sure!
Ugh, your posts keep inching me closer and closer towards trying a capsule wardrobe. It sounds so simple and appealing! Also, your outfit photos in this post are adorable!
xoxo
Kat
This will make my getting dressed life a better one!! Loved your tips! Thanks for sharing! You should do a post about shoes too! 🙂
Yes! Since starting my first capsule this Fall, I’ve felt so much more free and quick with my “getting ready routine”. It’s amazing how limiting your options really opens up so many more doors. I love how you use a rotating closet- someday when I get a big enough closet I’ll do that too 😉
I keep hearing about capsule wardrobes and keep fighting against doing one. I think that means I need to. 😉
A great read Daisy with some super useful tips! A capsule wardrobe is definitely on my to-do list, but I’m still petrified of moving forward with it, so we shall see if it ever gets marked off!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
I love your tips, I try to do step one a lot. I think that step one will be a porject for me this weekend!
I need to work on accessorizing. Jewelry always gets forgotten as I rush out the door. LOL
To imagine being able to reach in and grab the first top or first pair of pants is amazing. Like wow would that make my life easier! By no means do I consider my wardrobe capsule, but I have pretty awesome mix and match properties going on. Almost everything in my wardrobe is interchangeable in some sense, and I have recently been on a buy ban in attempts to focus on what I have. My closet is shrinking, but in a good way! I’ve also been sticking to solid colors!
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
I really love your tips about rotating wardrobe, never even came across my mind to do something like that. Honestly I don’t spend too much time dressing up anymore, these days I pretty much wear only jeans when I go out, easy to run after my little one. Another great post with brilliant tips, Daisy!
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Thanks for the tips! I really want to do a capsule wardrobe especially when I read your posts but I never get round to it cus I’m so busy. I think I better start planning a winter capsule wardrobe now so that I’m actually prepared for it!
A rotating closet has helped me so much! I have a horrible memory and can’t remember what I wore yesterday, let alone last week! Knowing what options you have makes the whole process so much easier and faster 🙂 Love this post!
Amanda
http://anchoredtosunshine.com/
That first tip is EFFING GENIUS. I don’t do accessories so the other stuff doesn’t apply to me, but that one is A BRIGHT LIGHTBUlB OF POSSIBILITY. Such a simple perspective, but one that I’ve never had before.
I need to revise how I have my clothes arranged just a bit (it’s very similar to yours, but not all the way) and then I’m totally trying this out. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love your tip for rotating through the tops and bottoms parts of your wardrobe to come up with new combinations! 🙂
As someone with a handbag habit I definitely see the need for more than one bag though, haha! I’m always changing the bag I carry, sometimes daily! 😛
Away From The Blue Blog