Is a Capsule Wardrobe Right for You?
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In yesterday’s post, we touched upon how to keep from accumulating too many possessions with the one out, one in rule. This rule works well for clothing, as it’s easy to find yourself buying fun, trendy apparel pieces that catch your eye. Before long, your closet is overflowing, and you can’t find anything. Cue the capsule wardrobe.
This concept places a limit on the number of clothing items, shoes, and accessories you can have in your seasonal wardrobe, but it offers a number of advantages as well.
Take a look at the information below to learn about this concept, its benefits, and how to pare down your closet with a minimalist wardrobe.
About Capsule Wardrobes
The term “capsule wardrobe” was first seen in the 1970’s and has gone through various cycles of popularity. The concept is simple. A capsule wardrobe limits your seasonal clothing and accessories to between 30 and 40 pieces, with the purpose of making it easier to find and make choices each day. The items should coordinate and be easy to mix and match, making it fairly effortless to put together outfits that work and make you feel comfortable.
There are many benefits to having a capsule wardrobe. First, it can help curb your spending by limiting the amount of clothes you buy. Second, it can help you stay organized and efficient in your dresser because each piece of clothing has a specific role. And lastly, it can help you feel more confident and stylish. If these sound like reasons why you might want to consider a capsule wardrobe, here are some tips on how to get started.
Capsule Wardrobe Benefits
When you have fewer items to choose from and they all go together, it’s far easier to scan your closet to find the outfit you want. You also have less waste and clutter with a capsule wardrobe. We tend to go for our favorite pieces when we have a closet full of clothes. Much goes unworn. When you have fewer choices to make, you’ll feel less stress and have more brainpower to expend on more important decisions.
How to Get Started
First, figure out what type of wardrobe you want. Do you want a basic wardrobe with versatile pieces that will work for all occasions, or do you want something more specialized? Once you have determined your style, start culling your closet down to just the essentials. This means only keeping clothes that fit the following criteria: they should be both comfortable and stylish (no jeans or sweatpants!), they should be versatile (you can wear them at home and out), and they should go with everything (no dark colors for summer! ).
To make sure everything fits into this style guide, start by creating separate sections for each category of clothing- home clothes, work clothes, eveningwear, etc.
Paring your closet down to 40 items or less can be a challenge. As with other aspects of minimalism, you’ll gain more confidence once you get started. Begin by choosing your ten favorite pieces. These are the ones you love and always wear. You can build the rest around those.
Ditch any items you don’t wear or that don’t fit well. A capsule wardrobe should contain only pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident. Make sure to include a balance of tops, pants, dresses, shoes, and accessories for various settings. Remember that you can have a different capsule wardrobe for each season, and your choices can evolve over time. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Have fun experimenting with your capsule wardrobe. Find the pieces that work well for your personal aesthetic and lifestyle. You’ll soon get the hang of it and will see how this concept can really simplify your life.
