Capsule Wardrobe: These are the only pieces you need in your wardrobe - plus: the perfect step-by-step instructions
The idea of minimalism has already made us tidy up our homes (thanks) and now also brings us to ourWardrobesto clear out. The goal: to concentrate on just one basic set of items of clothing and to combine them again and again. The name of this fashion lifestyle:Capsule Wardrobe. Not only does it free up space for us in the wardrobe, it saves us time and nerves when choosing our clothes in the morning, but it also protects the environment and our wallet. Win win at its best!
What exactly is a capsule wardrobe?
When it comes to theCapsule Wardrobe37 seems to be the magic number. In plain language this means: You should not wear more than 37 items of clothing per seasonhave hanging in the closet. This minimalism idea was created in the wardrobe by boutique owner Susie Faux.
Back in the 1970s, she only offered high-quality fashion in her London store that could be perfectly combined with each other, because combination compatibility is another very important criterion for the items in such a minimal wardrobe.
In the 80s, this wardrobe principle also became known in the USA: Designer Donna Karan showed the “7 Easy Pieces” collection, which consisted of just seven items of clothing that could all be combined well with each other. In the wake of the minimalism movement, which has already decluttered our lifestyle, the idea of the capsule wardrobe is now more modern and popular than ever.
But how exactly does a capsule wardrobe work? Which items actually belong in a capsule wardrobe? And how do I create my own? Questions upon questions that we clarify with our step-by-step instructions:
1. Take inventory and clean out your closet
As with every big step, starting a capsule wardrobe starts with saying goodbye. More precisely with thisCleaning out the closet. To do this, put all of your clothes (!) from the closet on the bed or the floor and go through it part by part.and don't forget accessories! Fashion that you wear regularly can be hung straight back in the closet. But only when it's in season. Otherwise, it's best to store them well until the right season comes.
As a rule of thumb for sorting things out, you can remember: You probably won't wear anything that you haven't worn in the last three months (take note of the seasons here too!). For the capsule wardrobe, it is also important that the pieces can be easily combined with each other - that's why basics are ideal for them. For wobbly candidates, it helps to make a decision by checking how many of your absolute favorite items of clothing, which form the core of your new wardrobe, can be styled well - at least five different onesshould be possible with this.
A detailed oneInstructionsFor this first step of your capsule wardrobe you can also find it here:
You can sell everything you have sorted out at Vinted and Co. and thus immediately build up a budget for new purchases.
2. Find the colors that are best for you – and your fashion style
This step, of course, partly happens in parallel with the first, becausedefining your absolute favorite piecesYour personal style has already crystallized - and with it your color world. The latter should be generalexist that are more neutral. This increases the combination possibilities and thus the variety of your wardrobe. Colors such as black, white, beige and gray are ideal. If you're a color fan, you should limit yourself to a few accessories, so you can quickly add a splash of color to your outfit - without creating new wardrobe corpses.
3. Buy the right new clothes for your capsule wardrobe
Before you add new clothes to your sorted wardrobe, you should first take some time and think about it.Which of your old things make you feel most comfortable?. This will help you get a feel for your style: Do you prefer to wear dresses or pants? Do you like the casual-chic blazer-shirt combination or do you prefer a more sporty combination? What fashion piece are you always missing when you get dressed to create new combination options?
This step is important becauseThe fashion you buy new should be of high quality- so it's always a small investment, and making bad purchases is of course annoying. The steps mentioned above also give you the time to save time for the new fashion: Then pay attention to quality and, if it is important to you, also to quality. At first you may gulp at the prices of the high-quality pieces, but never forget: by eliminating all the small fast fashion purchases, you save a lot of money. In addition, you will now wear the new clothes much more often and for longer. In the end, you will even be more likely to save money, because our grandmothers already knew: “If you buy cheap, you buy twice!”
4. Change the seasons of your capsule wardrobe every three months
Every three months the season changes in your wardrobe and you canRevisit your wardrobe and add any missing clothing if necessary. Always keep the upper limit of 37 items of clothing for your wardrobe in mind - if you become a minimalism pro at some point, you can of course reduce this number even further.
Extra tip: If it helps, you can also regularly test all the outfit options with your wardrobe and take photos of them. This will help you if you have an uncreative moment in the morning.
The 10 basics you should buy now for your capsule wardrobe
But which pieces make up the perfect core of your capsule wardrobe? These 10 basics!
1. The basic white t-shirt
It's simply THE basic piece of clothing that really shouldn't be missing from any capsule wardrobe, as it's a true combination miracle. For a timeless style, it's best to choose a crew neck and a cut that's not too figure-hugging but not extremely wide either.
2. The perfect blue jeans
No capsule wardrobe without jeans! Take your time here and see which style you like best and which is timeless-The cut that suits you best.
3. The white shirt
The white shirt doesn't have to be completely classic: even a slightly looser cut white shirt is suitable for the office - but can also be easily integrated into a casual look.
Oversized cotton shirt “Sammy” with soft cuffs
4. White sneakers
Whether with a jeans-T-shirt combination or in the office with a suit:When it comes to our shoes, they are no longer a trend, but classics!
"Caven 2.0" sneakers in white
5. Black ankle boots
Ankle boots are just as good an all-rounder as sneakers and should therefore definitely not be missing from your new wardrobe.
Leather ankle boots “Leandra” with wide heels
6. A classic coat
When it comes to a coat, choose a classic, simple model - it will go with all your other items of clothing and will be as timeless as the rest of your capsule wardrobe.
7. A well-fitting suit
Oversized-Blazer von The Frankie Shop
Wide, high-rise trousers from The Frankie Shop
We're doing a bit of the 2-in-1 basic cheat here and listing the suit as one point: This gives us a great office look that can be varied with a few simple steps. Wear the blazer sometimes open, sometimes closed. Roll up your sleeves or even try thisto put in your pants. For your free time, you can combine both individually: for example, trousers with a basic T-shirt or a blazer with jeans.
8. A (black) classic handbag
"Jacket 1961" shoulder bag
Another perfect all-rounder in our list! Be careful with the sizeMake sure it is big enough for your everyday essentials, your wallet, a mini umbrella and make-up kit as well as your cell phone. But not too spacious either, so you can also take it in the evening. It's also worth keeping your eyes open at vintage shops and investing in a timeless designer piece.
9. A (or two…) knit sweater
A casual sweater is an indispensable piece of clothing for your capsule wardrobe in spring, autumn and winter. But also make sure you have one or two tight turtlenecks in your wardrobe, as these are truein your outfits.
Merino wool turtleneck sweater
10. A black slip dress
Dresses are real combination wonders that can be transformed into any season and are therefore perfect for the capsule lifestyle - especially slip dresses. They look great on bare skin in summer. But also with a white shirt underneath or with sneakers. In winter you can put a (turtleneck) sweater underneath or over it and wear boots with it.
Here you can find inspiration for your capsule wardrobe outfits
The inexhaustible source of ideas, Instagram, can help you with fashion inspo in the first few months to find versatile outfit ideas for your new clothing style. Because more and more fashion influencers are living this type of minimalist wardrobe: For example, Carola Pojer, who lives in Vienna, shows with her posts how exciting minimalist clothing items can be. The same goes for stylist Sylvie Mus, who proves with her feed that you don't need a lot of items in your wardrobe to create eye-catching outfits.
Or the Dutch Stephanie Broek. She shows outfit ideas with repeating fashion in her feed and also gives tips in her Instagram stories on how to combine a capsule wardrobe so that the outfits look new and great.
Our tip:So not only sort out your wardrobe, but also your Instagram feed and create a “Fashion Inspo” folder in which you can save good capsule wardrobe looks. Seasonal additions to your capsule wardrobe
With these ten pieces you definitely have the perfect foundation in your wardrobe for a wardrobe that can be easily combined with each other. It is also a good idea to have a few seasonal pieces, i.e. for spring/summer and autumn/winter. We'll tell you which ones are suitable for this here:
From trench coats to tank tops: you should own these pieces for your perfect spring capsule wardrobe
And this is what the perfect winter capsule wardrobe looks like:
These are the advantages of a capsule wardrobe
The advantages of a capsule wardrobe are as varied as the possible combinations of the minimalist pieces: On the one hand, there is of course the time saved in the morning, which can be a real relief, especially in stressful times. If you have an overview of your wardrobe, you can plan looks more easily. If you want to be extra exemplary, you can have a distinctive styling session, try out the various possible combinations and capture everything with photos. It's best to collect these in a separate folder on your cell phone so that you can always have them quickly to hand on “I have nothing to wear” days.
The far greater advantage is of course this. Our grandmothers used to preach the credo “It’s better to buy little and buy well” and rightly so. Especially the textile waste and the short oneof garments is one of the fashion industry's current major problems that urgently needs to be solved. Quality over quantity is one of the best approaches - and also the cornerstone of every capsule wardrobe.
