The Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe Checklist

It all started with the sentence “I have nothing to wear!”. Admit it! You said it time and time again much to your partner’s despair.

“I have nothing to wear!” is often the perfect excuse to buy more clothes.

Unfortunately, the new clothes too will eventually become invisible.

And this doesn’t only harm your sense of style and wardrobe but also the environment. I will not get into statistics and specifics, but I believe it is enough to mention that one cotton T-shirt requires no less than 713 gallons of water to take its place in your closet, while 85% of the clothes Americans buy end up in landfills.

And here is where I stop with the numbers and get straight to one of the solutions: a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe will help you look incredible while saving the planet.

Sounds like a good idea, right?

What is a capsule wardrobe in the first place?

A capsule wardrobe is a selection of essential items that never go out of style.

Yes, you probably have your capsule wardrobe in your closet right now, or at least part of it, and you don’t know it. And that’s because it is buried under a pile of clothes that bring you no joy, are the result of fast fashion, or simply don't flatter your body type and/or complement your personality.

Basically, capsule wardrobes encapsulate basic pieces that can be mixed and matched and worn over and over again without you ever feeling the need to add them to the “nothing to wear” list.

They include only clothes you absolutely love to wear, make you feel good about yourself, and become the foundation of your ideal style.

I am talking now about that sweater you have worn ten times already and you seem to always find new occasions that justify its presence or about that jacket you love to wear every season.

Your capsule wardrobe should capture the quintessence of your fashion style and be a match made in heaven with your lifestyle. It should only include versatile pieces that allow you to tell your story without saying a word. The ultimate capsule wardrobe should be an authentic reflection of who you are! If you want to crush the prejudice that you need hundreds of outfits matched with hundreds of pairs of shoes to feel good about yourself, the time has come to start your own capsule wardrobe. Here is how:

Pause the shopping (I know!) and assess your lifestyle

Before you embark on the journey of creating the perfect capsule wardrobe, you need to assess your lifestyle and discover your personal style.

Stop buying clothes on a whim or simply because they are trending. My motto has always been quality over quantity and this has helped me make the right choices. You should have clothes appropriate for your workplace, but also items that make you feel wonderful when you go out.

There’s no use in having an extraordinary collection of evening gowns if the last special event you attended was your second cousin’s wedding… and now that cousin has two teenage kids. Or taking pride in a superb selection of heels when you only wear sneakers.

Evaluate your wardrobe and identify foundational pieces

Open your closet and critically assess everything you see in there.
Be honest!

How many of the clothes hanging sad and depressed on the hangers have you worn in the last year?

How many of them bring you no joy to look at?

An honest evaluation of your closet will help you understand your personal style and what you love to wear most. It will also give you a clue about what you should buy from now on and what to avoid.

Make a mental note (or write it down if you’re like me and love lists!) of everything you have worn in the last month. There you will find your foundational pieces of clothing, as well as your favorite color palette. And you will be able to identify the silhouette, necklines, and fabrics you prefer.

Declutter your wardrobe

I feel your pain! It is a tragic situation, but you need to do it for your sake. Be merciless and keep your eye on the prize: a bright and airy wardrobe filled with everything you love to wear!

Make a pile with clothes you love to wear daily and a pile with clothes you have not worn in a long time, but always have the perfect excuse to keep them.

Your first pile will be the start of your capsule wardrobe.

Now you have to deal with the second pile.

Divide the clothes from the “unfortunate” pile into categories: seasonal clothes, all-year basics, and donate/sell items. Only keep items of clothing you wear wholeheartedly and not out of guilt or for any other reason. Of course, you can keep your statement pieces, as well as items you wear at special events, and definitely your sportswear and sleepwear.

Define your color scheme

After you note the number of items in each category, you can choose to build an all-year capsule or seasonal capsules.

This is a personal preference based on your lifestyle.

A seasonal capsule wardrobe has the advantage of saving you a lot of time spent in front of the closet and allows you to reinvent your outfits fast and with ease.

Define the color scheme of your capsule wardrobe to find it easier to mix and match your clothes and shop for new clothes that blend in perfectly with the items you already have. Many prefer neutral colors due to their versatility.

Create a capsule wardrobe checklist and identify what is missing from your capsule wardrobe.

Invest in essential items

There is no fixed number of items for the perfect capsule wardrobe, but it usually includes between 30 and 50 items.

Shop strategically and invest in high-quality essential pieces that can be worn regularly and last longer.

A capsule wardrobe usually includes:

• Blazer
• Two cardigans
• Pair of straight-leg jeans and/or slim-fit jeans
• Basic white T-shirt
• Two knitwear pieces
• White button-down shirt
• Dress in a neutral color
• Pair of non-denim trousers
• Midi-skirt
• Trench coat

Coats are seasonal and usually have a place of their own in your overall wardrobe. Each of the essentials is a versatile piece that will inspire numerous outfit ideas over the year.

Of course, this is just a basic example of a capsule wardrobe. You can personalize it according to your lifestyle, personal style, and budget.

Ready to Make the Switch But Need a Little Help? 

If you're ready to embrace the capsule wardrobe but looking for a little help in putting it all together—call in your style team! Our stylists can help you curate a wardrobe personalized to your body shape, color palette, budget, and preferences! Check out our services to learn more about working with us, or schedule an intro call to get started today.