The Capsule Wardrobe Blueprint: Create Your Minimalist Wardrobe

Do you wake up every morning unsure of what to wear? Or feeling overwhelmed because you have a closet full of clothes, yet nothing to wear?

We have the solution for you, and it is called a ‘capsule wardrobe’.

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of specially curated articles of clothing, which can then be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. 

Although this may be the first time you've heard about this, the concept of a capsule wardrobe has been around for a long time. And now it has risen back in popularity.

In fact, Susie Faux, owner of a London boutique called 'Wardrobe', coined the term way back in the 1970s!

Later, the term made its way back into the fashion world when Donna Karan released her capsule collection called 'Seven Easy Pieces'. The fashion collection included a small range of interchangeable workwear.

You've heard the saying 'fashion repeats itself'- and this is precisely what we are witnessing with the capsule wardrobe. Luckily, the concept has not changed. It still refers to a small collection of clothes that can be mixed and matched with certain seasonal pieces.

Why Should You Consider A Capsule Wardrobe?

1. It Saves Time

With a capsule wardrobe, you have fewer items to choose from, and more importantly, you already have an idea of what matches with what, making your morning dressing routines easier and speedier!

2. It Saves Money

Of course, having fewer clothes means money saved! The mindset behind a capsule wardrobe is all about using what you have to the fullest. Consequently, you are encouraged to buy less.
And, what's important is that the focus will be on quality as opposed to quantity meaning that you will be able to afford better quality items.

3. It Saves Space

Gone are the days of squishing a bunch of pants and t-shirts onto one shelf! With a capsule wardrobe, the key is reducing the number of clothes you have, getting rid of things you don't wear and trying your best to keep things that you know look good and match a bunch of different outfits.

4. It Saves Stress

A capsule wardrobe offers great decluttering and time-saving opportunities, meaning less stress for you! Especially during those mornings when you are feeling rushed.

There is also something called decision fatigue. Never heard of it? Well, consider those days when you had a lot of decisions to make such as choosing an outfit, figuring out what to eat, and a bunch of work decisions. How did you feel at the end of the day? Most likely exhausted, and maybe even lacking the ability to make more decisions by the end of the day.

Thankfully, with a capsule wardrobe, you would eliminate one less decision from that list.

How To Build Your Capsule Wardrobe

1. Begin With What You Have

Building a capsule wardrobe is not about buying a whole new closet and getting rid of everything you already own. This would be a complete waste, not to mention ridiculously expensive!
Take the weekend to go through your closet and pick out the items you wear frequently and which complement you. Use these items as the base for your capsule wardrobe. Declutter any items you never use by selling them or donating them to an organisation.

2. Pick Versatile & Statement Pieces

The staple items in your wardrobe consist of pants, a jacket of some sort and footwear – the rest tends to be a mixture of clothing that will help elevate the look. This is why you want to ensure that your staple items are in a neutral and versatile colour so that it is easy to mix and match.

3. Pick A Palette & Style

The thing about a capsule wardrobe is that everyone's collection will be different. Your capsule wardrobe should capture your unique style and work with your day-to-day life.

For example, if your schedule consists of a lot of physical activity, then perhaps your wardrobe would take on a sportier tone with items such as tights, cycling shorts, and two pairs of Merrell footwear that you can mix and match.

On the other hand, maybe you prefer a business look. Then we recommend a colour palette including more greys, black, beige, or cream tones. And your style will consist of our G.H.BASS Weejuns, tapered slacks, blouses to mix and match, and a staple blazer.

4. Store Out Of Season Items Away

If you live in a climate where the season change is drastic, then odds are you don't want to store your chunky winter jackets and sweaters in your closet during summertime. Instead, pack away your out-of-season items and only pack them out when necessary. Ensure that your wardrobe only has season-specific items at a time to assist with organisation and overall neatness.

If you like the sound of a capsule wardrobe, then take the first step in creating your collection with high-quality, durable and stylish footwear from Cable & Co. When you visit your nearest Cable & Co. store, you will be greeted by friendly staff who are always eager to help you select the perfect footwear for your lifestyle. Whether your closet requires sporty footwear, industrial footwear, high-fashion sneakers, or a classy pair of penny loafers – we can help you find what you didn't even realise you were looking for!