Constantly standing haphazardly in front of the wardrobe and feeling like we don't have anything suitable to wear - does this scenario sound familiar to you? If you have clothes that have been hanging in your closet untouched for a few seasons or are currently very trendy, but you can't combine them with anything, then it's time for a little change! The Konmari method forTidying up according to Marie Kondois clear proof that minimalism is popular and is moving into our wardrobes. A manageable and simple selection of favorite pieces that reflect your style and can be perfectly combined with each other - all of this can be easily achieved with a capsule wardrobe. Never heard of it? Then you've come to the right place! What exactly that is, how to create your own capsule wardrobe, as well as the main principles and much more, we will explain to you in our article!
Even though our closets are literally full most of the time, 80% of the time we only wear about 20% of our clothes. Because the more options we have, the more complicated and confusing it can sometimes be to put together the perfect outfit. The idea behind the capsule wardrobe is that we focus on the essentials and reduce our clothes to a certain number for 3-4 months. These should ideally be clothes that we enjoy wearing and love and that reflect our taste and character. Although a minimalist wardrobe can save us a lot of time and stress, implementing it is actually easier said than done.
Capsule Wardrobe: What exactly is it and where does the minimalist wardrobe trend come from?
If you prefer minimalist and simple styling or simply don't have the time or desire for complicated outfits in the morning, then a capsule wardrobe would be just the thing for you! The principle was invented in the 1970s by the British Susie Faux, who owned a fashion store in London. The owner noticed that many people would rather impulsively buy cheaply produced mass-produced goods instead of placing more value on quality. To counteract this tendency, she sold only basic classics in her boutique, such as trousers, skirts and shirts in basic colors that will never go out of style and can be easily styled with many accessories and seasonal pieces. The capsule wardrobe didn't really become popular until 2014, when fashion influencer Caroiline Rector had enough of the chaos in her closet and reduced her wardrobe to just 37 pieces. She even made a documentary about it called “Unfancy.” Since then, numerous stars and celebrities have sworn by the minimalist wardrobe.
So that you have multiple outfit options to choose from and don't feel like you're living in a "uniform," all pieces for your capsule wardrobe should be very well thought out and easy to combine with each other. Although the number 35 has proven itself in recent times, you can decide for yourself how many items of clothing you actually want to keep. Generally, around 20 to 40 pieces is fine. You would probably say that 35 sounds like a lot. Well, not really, because this number includes everything from earrings and necklaces to shoes and jackets. A capsule wardrobe should teach us to live more sustainably and consciously. Therefore, it is very important that you do not go shopping during these 3-4 months. Instead, try to get creative by constantly experimenting with your looks and outfits.
Create your capsule wardrobe for your actual life, not your ideal life
While it may be tempting to fill our closet with gorgeous, glamorous dresses, skirts and high heels, you need to think realistically and practically when creating your capsule wardrobe. You should be able to pull out something perfect for your everyday life at any time and without looking inside. It's that simple. Do you work in a company where there is a specific dress code or do you want to demonstrate professionalism and reliability with your business outfit? Then opt for tailored blazers, elegant blouses and trousers in classic prints and muted colors. Elegant heels and classic accessories such as a pearl necklace, earrings and high-quality leather bags are also a must. Or are you a mother and housewife by profession? Then you'll want to incorporate more comfortable pieces like jeans, leggings, t-shirts, and sneakers into your capsule wardrobe. In case you have an official event or a wedding coming up, you should definitely have something more elegant that is suitable for the occasion. Once you've created the structure, select the items you want in each category. For example, a list could look like this:
- 2 pairs of jeans, one dark and one lighter
- 2-3 skirts of different lengths
- 3 shirt blouses in different colors and patterns
- 2-3 Blazer
- 1 pair of high heels and boots
Be realistic about the weather of the region where you live
Not taking the weather into account is one of the worst mistakes you can make when creating a capsule wardrobe. And trust us – making the mistake is much easier than you think! When we think of spring, we usually imagine wonderful weather and beautiful, sunny days. But unfortunately the reality is different and the spring season in Germany usually brings a lot of rain and thunderstorms. Therefore, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have clothes that are suitable for aOutfit in the rainsuitable to include in your capsule wardrobe.
Choose only your favorites for your capsule wardrobe
And nowit's okayto clearing out! To have everything, you don't have to own everything - that's the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Take everything out of your closet and put it on the bed. Trust us – you will be shocked at how many items of clothing you actually own! Now look at the whole pile and ask yourself, which of them have you not worn in a long time or would you not wear in the near future? Or maybe you're missing something essential for the perfect minimalist wardrobe? Here's a little tip from us - hang all the clothes hangers backwards and if some of them are still hanging like that after 2 months, then you don't need these parts. The jeans that no longer fit or that official dress that you thought was beautiful at some point and bought spontaneously but can't wear anywhere have no place in a capsule wardrobe. But instead of just throwing everything away, do something good and donate the items to a charitable organization or give them as gifts to your friends. Planning and sustainable thinking are the key to a successful capsule wardrobe.
Write a list of the types and number of items you really need but don't own and go shopping. However, some caution is advised here - the purpose of a capsule wardrobe is not to rush into the next shopping trip, but rather to make us shop more consciously and less often. Ideally, you already own most of the parts you need and could save a few euros or spend them on something else. It is advisable to buy frequently worn items in several pattern and color variations - this will ensure more variety and always keep your looks interesting. So get creative and try to work with what you already have.
Make sure all parts can be combined with each other
For a capsule wardrobe to work, it should consist of cleverly selected items of clothing. You should always be able to combine anything with almost anything and make the parts work together. One of the biggest advantages of the capsule wardrobe is that we can put together our outfits without much effort and in a very short time. Once you think you've successfully executed the idea, try creating a few looks for the coming days or even weeks. This way you will see whether and how you actually managed it. For example, you don't know how to do thisStyle checked pantscould use it to create more interesting outfits? Be inspired by the many fashion influencers and social media. You'll be surprised at how creative you can get with a limited number of clothes!
Stay true to your style and taste
Although there are a few basic rules for creating a capsule wardrobe, it's important to stay true to yourself and adapt it to your own needs. It's your closet after all! If you for examplelayered looks for fall and winterlove, you will need more parts than someone who prefers to keep it plain and simple. Fashion trends are a beautiful thing - there's nothing wrong with that. But the reality is that they disappear as quickly as they came. So instead of wasting your money on something that will end up in the back of your closet after a few months, invest in high-quality, timeless classics that you can wear for several seasons.
Go for classic colors for the basic pieces
Neutral, classic colors such as white, gray, black or dark fashion will never go out of style and are therefore ideal for a capsule wardrobe. They go with pretty much every other color and always look elegant and classy. Another advantage is that no one in the office will notice if you've worn the same black shirt twice in a week. To liven up your outfits a bit, you can opt for one or two accent colors. Whether red, gold, yellow, pastel or neon shades - the choice depends on your own taste and preferences.
