Overwhelmed with your closet situation when it comes to picking an outfit for the day? Over the years I’ve come to learn that the most effective wardrobe is definitely the capsule wardrobe. Countless times I have looked upon racks and racks of clothes and found nothing to wear. If this sounds familiar, you should definitely have a think about embracing the capsule wardrobe!

The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to simplify your wardrobe into your favourite, classic pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a number of different outfits. Every piece in your capsule wardrobe should be one that you love to wear. It’s minimal and (very) practical. The capsule wardrobe isn’t filled with trend pieces that you’ll only wear for a season, but instead timeless clothing items that will see you through the years.

Not only will a simplified capsule wardrobe create more space so your favourite piece aren’t all crammed together (I have literally broken clothing hangers before trying to fit more pieces into my wardrobe, no joke!), it will significantly reduce your time in the morning deciding what to wear. Because let’s be real, the chances that you end up reaching for the same pieces over and over again anyway is pretty high. Having your decision making time less than halved when picking an outfit for the day means you get to put more time and energy towards other things that really matter. You’ll also save some some money on all the one-wear pieces you won’t be buying.

The first step in creating a capsule wardrobe is to take a long, hard look at all the pieces you own. Taking everything out of your closet at once will make sure you finish the job and no pieces get accidentally ‘missed’ in the purge! Start by getting rid of anything you haven’t worn in the last 1-2 years (you’ll be surprised at how many things you forgot you owed!). If you haven’t worn it recently and you don’t see yourself wearing it in the next 3 months, the chances of you wearing it in the near future are slim, and these items will be better off going to new homes.

Next take a look at the items left. They should all be a mix of items you love and a ‘maybe pile’, so you’ll need to keep culling! Below are some of the categories of pieces you will want to hang on to for a basic capsule wardrobe (keep it to a max of 3-4 pieces per category). This list of items will change over time as your work/life situations change and as the seasons change, but they’re all timeless wardrobe staples that can be mixed and matched for countless looks. If you find you need a separate capsule wardrobe for workwear or for different seasons, this is definitely something you can add down the track.

 

 

The White Shirt

Button down shirts are great because they can be dressed up with a midi skirt for work, or dressed down with denim for a casual look, so they’re perfect for both work and weekend attire. Check out some of my favourite classic styles here, and some white shirts with a twist here.

 

A Classic LBD

You can’t beat a classic LBD! Look for a Little Black Dress in both a simple and classic style that can be dressed up with heels for a night out, and a style that can be pared back with sneakers or flats for the daytime. Check out some Weekend LBDs I love here.

 

A good Pair of Jeans

Invest in a pair of jeans that fit perfectly and find a style that you love, whether this be boyfriend, straight, flared, skinny or otherwise.

 

T-Shirt

Good basics are the foundations of any capsule wardrobe. Invest in high quality fabrics in neutral colours like grey, black or white. T-Shirts are great as they’re not just for the weekend; when paired with a skirt and blazer they can be dressed up, whilst still giving off a relaxed vibe.

 

Blouse

Whether you’re off to the office or heading out for brunch, a good blouse will never let you down. Pair it with pants or a skirt for work, and dress it down with denim for the weekend.

 

Skirt

Opt for a simple and practical skirt in a neutral colour that can be dressed up or down. I personally love midi skirts because they’re very transeasonal, and can also be worn in between seasons and not just in the warmer months. I also love to have a leather skirt on hand (check out some of my favourite leather skirts here) and a statement skirt (read Why Your Wardrobe Needs a Statement skirt for some styles I love).

 

Blazer

Does it get more classic than a quality blazer? This is definitely an essential in my wardrobe, both for the office and the evenings and weekends. All week, basically! A blazer can be paired with almost anything, from jeans and white sneakers to a cute LBD. If you’re after a more casual style, check out 30+ Ways to Style an Oversized Blazer and 25+ Plaid Blazers to Shop Now.

 

Knit

To get more wear out of a knit all year round, look for a lightweight style that you can wear in between seasons, not just in winter. Lightweight styles are also great for layering in the cooler months too.

 

Leather Jacket

One of my all-time favourite pieces in my wardrobe, a leather jacket has a way of always bringing a look together. Invest in a classic, quality style that you can wear for years.

 

Winter Coat

A good winter coat is a must for the colder months. Look for a neutral colour, like black, grey or beige, that can be paired with anything.

 

Black and Nude Heels

Choosing which shoes to purge is definitely one of my struggles! Hanging onto a pair (or two!) of both black and nude heels is a must. Invest in a beautiful pair of stilettos for the evenings and a pair of block heels for any daytime events or when you want a bit more of a practical and comfortable shoe choice.

 

Summer Sandals

Whether you’re into lace up sandals, slides or just something simple, some flat sandals will be your best friend in the warmer months.

 

Black Boots

You really can’t go wrong with a pair of black boots, and they’re a must for the winter months. Look for a flat style for every day wear, and if you’ve got the space, invest in a killer heeled pair or over the knee style to dress up any outfit. If you need some inspiration, check out 10+ Ways to Wear Over-the-Knee Boots.

 

White Sneakers

Does it get much better than footwear that’s both practical and stylish? We’ve seen over the years that white sneakers can be worn with pretty much anything! A good pair won’t let you down.

 

Whilst there are definitely a few categories you can add onto this list (casual summer dresses, midi dresses, denim shorts, and if you work in an office, a pair of loafers is a must), the above items are definitely a good place to start and should get you well on the way to creating your perfect capsule wardrobe.

 

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