Capsule Wardrobe Guide: How to Build One and How Many Clothes You Should Include (2024)

Download Article

Explore this Article

Sections

1What is a capsule wardrobe?

2What to Include in Your Capsule Wardrobe

3What Doesn’t Count toward Your Capsule Wardrobe

4Tips for Creating Your Capsule Wardrobe

5Why choose a capsule wardrobe?

+Show 2 more...

-Show less...

Other Sections

Tips and Warnings

Related Articles

References

Co-authored byNatalie Kay Smithand Hunter Rising

Last Updated: April 13, 2023References

Download Article

If you want to save time and money making outfits, a capsule wardrobe is a perfect sustainable way to cut down your closet. Even though capsule wardrobes have limited items, you’ll be able to mix and match your clothes to make a lot of stylish and sophisticated outfits on a budget. We know you’re probably wondering just what you should include and how to build your capsule wardrobe, so keep reading for all the information you need to know!

Section 1 of 5:

What is a capsule wardrobe?

Download Article

  1. Capsule wardrobes have around 30–40 items you can mix and match. You get to specifically curate all the items in your capsule wardrobe so you can combine them into a variety of outfits. While that number of items you keep isn’t a hard limit, it helps limit your options so you don’t spend as much time choosing what to wear. You can either put your other clothes in storage for the time being or donate them if you want to be minimalistic.[1]

  2. Advertisem*nt

Section 2 of 5:

What to Include in Your Capsule Wardrobe

Download Article

  1. 1

    Aim to have about 10–12 shirts and blouses. Choose your favorite basic and patterned tees, fashionable tanks, long-sleeved button-ups, and nice blouses. Stick with items made from high-quality material rather than fast-fashion brands, and make sure they fit comfortably on you.[2] Consider which tops you absolutely love and hang them up in your capsule wardrobe.[3]

    • Any T-shirt or tank top pairs well with a pair of jeans for an easy casual look.
    • A long-sleeved top with a long skirt works well for a stylish fall fashion statement.
  2. 2

    Include 2–4 blazers or cardigans for layered looks. If you’re aiming for a chic or professional look, throw on a blazer or sweater to make your outfit look even more complete. Choose a few neutral colors or accent pieces and see how well they match with the other tops you’ve picked out for your wardrobe. Save about 2–4 options so you can mix it up every day and create new looks on the fly.[4]

    • If you live in a colder area, save room for 1–2 jackets or coats in your wardrobe for additional layering and warmth.[5]
    • A cardigan over a T-shirt works well for a chilly summer night or a brisk winter day.
    • Wear a bright blazer over a neutral-colored blouse for a professional look that makes you stand out.
  3. 3

    Try to add in 6 different bottoms. You can get a lot of mileage out of your tops just by changing the bottoms you’re wearing. For example, a T-shirt can pair well with some classic jeans for a casual style, or you can make it a little more fashionable by tucking it into a pencil skirt. Choose bottoms that make you feel the most confident and fit your body. Even with just 5 or 6 different bottoms, you can get a variety of looks.[6] A few classic pieces to keep in your wardrobe include:

    • Black or blue denim jeans
    • Khaki pants
    • Dress trousers
    • Shorts
    • Leggings
    • Pencil skirts
    • Skirts and dresses
  4. 4

    Keep at least 4 pairs of shoes to cycle through. Choose the shoes that fit you the best and match the other clothes you’ve picked out. Keep a few different styles so you can prepare for any type of occasion. A few options you may consider for your wardrobe include:[7]

    • Flats for daily wear or a modest look
    • Heels for something fun and flirty
    • Dress shoes for a professional look
    • Sneakers for running everyday errands
    • Sandals for casual days
  5. Advertisem*nt

Section 3 of 5:

What Doesn’t Count toward Your Capsule Wardrobe

Download Article

  1. 1

    Jewelry and accessories. Accessories and jewelry are great ways to add variety to your outfits, so don’t limit yourself. Spruce up your regular outfits with hats, belts, bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. Try pairing them with your outfits to change up your style and keep your look more interesting.[8]

    • Scarves are really fashionable and cozy accessories, especially in colder weather.
  2. 2

    Undergarments. You don’t need to limit how many underwear or lingerie options you have since you’ll probably wear new ones every day. Keep anything that you normally wear underneath your main outfits in a separate drawer and feel free to keep as many pieces as you feel comfortable having.

    • Plain white T-shirts, tank tops, or cami tops can also be considered undergarments if you only wear them under your clothes. If you wear them on their own as an outfit, then you should include them in your count.
  3. 3

    Sleepwear, fitness gear, and other outfits for special occasions. You won’t wear sleepwear, workout attire, and upscale outfits as regularly, but you should still keep them in your closet. Leave these options out of your capsule wardrobe, but make sure you only wear them while you’re doing the activity that they’re intended for. If you end up wearing yoga pants or sweatpants while you run errands rather than when you’re relaxing or working out, then you should count it as one of the pieces in your wardrobe.[9]

  4. Advertisem*nt

Section 4 of 5:

Tips for Creating Your Capsule Wardrobe

Download Article

  1. 1

    Select clothes that make you look good and feel confident. Even though you’ll have fewer items in your closet, you can still express yourself and have a unique style. As you’re going through your closet, try your clothes on and check yourself out in the mirror. If the clothes fit you snugly but not too tight and you think you look good wearing them, then keep them for your wardrobe.

    • Keep in mind what types of activities you do every day when you’re picking your clothes. For example, if you work in an office, you’ll need more dressier options, like blouses and button-ups, than leisurewear.
  2. 2

    Choose high-quality materials that can take regular wear and tear. You’ll be cycling through the same clothes throughout the season, so low-quality fast-fashion styles that only last for a season won’t hold up very well. Try to stick with sustainable, natural fabrics, like cotton or wool, rather than synthetics like polyester or rayon. Pay close attention to the stitching in the fabric too since loose threads, crooked seams, and messy hems could be signs that the garments are of lower quality.[10]

    • Many fast-fashion items are cheap and trendy while higher-quality items will be a little more pricey. Focus on the quality of your garments rather than the quantity.
  3. 3

    Pick timeless clothes. Timeless clothes never go out of style, so they’re always safe picks for your capsule wardrobe. A few items that are considered timeless are nice jeans, a simple white blouse, a little black dress, T-shirts, and plain sweaters. Fill the majority of your capsule wardrobe with these styles since they’ll be the most fashionable regardless of the current trends.[11]

  4. 4

    Opt for neutral colors so you can mix and match outfits easier. Since you won’t have as many options to choose from when you’re selecting outfits, most of the clothes in your wardrobe need to match or complement one another. Try to keep the main clothes in your wardrobe simple colors, such as black, white, grey, beige, and khaki. That way, you can pretty much wear any combination of clothes and still look stylish.[12]

    • Other neutral options include cream, dark brown, and dark blue denim.
  5. 5

    Make your wardrobe pop with a few accent colors. Even though you want most of your items to follow a similar color palette, wearing something bright makes your outfit stand out and feels a little less repetitive. Colors like yellows, reds, oranges, and light blues work really well, but choose whatever makes you feel the most confident.[13]

  6. 6

    Work with what you have if you’re on a budget. Making a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy new clothes. Instead, think about how versatile the items you already own could be when you pair them with a different piece of clothing. It’s alright if you still have some fast-fashion pieces that you want to include, but avoid filling your capsule wardrobe with them entirely. Try to pair your favorite items in fun and interesting ways so you can save your money to upgrade to higher-quality items later on.[14]

    • For example, you can style a T-shirt by layering a jacket over it, tucking it into a skirt, or wearing it with a pair of pants.
  7. 7

    Create a new capsule based on the season. You probably won’t wear the same clothes in winter as you would in the summer, and that’s perfectly okay! If you live somewhere that goes through all 4 seasons, then you can definitely make 4 different capsule wardrobes. At the end of the season, go through your wardrobe and see if there are any pieces you want to carry over into the next season. Store any clothes that you don’t plan on wearing in a tote bin or under your bed so they’re not taking up space in your closet before adding in your other pieces.[15]

    • For example, if you’re transitioning from winter to summer, you may put all your sweaters and thick pants in storage to make room for short-sleeved blouses and shorts.
  8. Advertisem*nt

Section 5 of 5:

Why choose a capsule wardrobe?

Download Article

  1. 1

    You’ll save money on clothes. It can be really easy to get caught up in the latest fashion trends and buy the hot new items, but capsule wardrobes help you appreciate what you already have. Since you’re not impulse buying fast-fashion items or adding new clothes to your wardrobe, you won’t fill up your closet with unnecessary items, and you can save your money for higher-quality pieces that you’ll wear more than a few times.[16]

  2. 2

    You won’t spend as much time deciding on an outfit. Having fewer clothes makes it a lot easier to see exactly what options you have rather than searching through your closet for a long time.[17] Now you can have some extra time in your routine to sleep in a little, have some you-time, or try out some new activities.[18]

  3. Advertisem*nt

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Tips

      • Ask a friend to come over and help go through your clothes as you plan a capsule wardrobe so you can get another person’s opinion.[19]

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Capsule Wardrobe Guide: How to Build One and How Many Clothes You Should Include (25)

      Advertisem*nt

      References

      1. Natalie Kay Smith. Sustainable Fashion Writer. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.
      2. Natalie Kay Smith. Sustainable Fashion Writer. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.
      3. https://jaydearchives.com/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe/
      4. https://uncomplicatedspaces.com/how-to-build-your-first-capsule-wardrobe/
      5. https://www.stitchfix.com/women/blog/ask-a-stylist/what-is-a-capsule-wardrobe/
      6. Natalie Kay Smith. Sustainable Fashion Writer. Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.
      7. https://bemorewithless.com/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe/
      8. https://uncomplicatedspaces.com/how-to-build-your-first-capsule-wardrobe/
      9. https://bemorewithless.com/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe/

      More References (10)

      About This Article

      Capsule Wardrobe Guide: How to Build One and How Many Clothes You Should Include (38)

      Co-authored by:

      Sustainable Fashion Writer

      This article was co-authored by Natalie Kay Smith and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Natalie Kay Smith is a sustainable fashion writer and the owner of Sustainably Chic, a sustainability-focused blog. Natalie has over 5 years of sustainable fashion and green living writing and has worked with over 400 conscious brands all over the world to show readers fashion can exist responsibly and sustainably. This article has been viewed 30,370 times.

      8 votes - 100%

      Co-authors: 5

      Updated: April 13, 2023

      Views:30,370

      Categories: Fashion

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 30,370 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisem*nt

      As a sustainable fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of the principles behind capsule wardrobes, I can confidently share insights into the concepts discussed in the provided article. My expertise stems from years of engagement with sustainable fashion practices, collaboration with conscious brands worldwide, and a commitment to promoting responsible and ethical clothing choices.

      Section 1: What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

      A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of approximately 30–40 versatile and interchangeable clothing items. This carefully chosen selection allows individuals to mix and match their clothes, creating a variety of stylish outfits. While the article mentions the range of items, it's essential to note that the number isn't a strict limit but serves as a guideline to simplify wardrobe decisions.

      Section 2: What to Include in Your Capsule Wardrobe

      1. Shirts and Blouses: Emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity, the article recommends having 10–12 shirts and blouses. This includes basic and patterned tees, tanks, button-ups, and blouses made from high-quality materials.

      2. Blazers or Cardigans: For layered looks, 2–4 blazers or cardigans are suggested, with a focus on neutral colors to ensure compatibility with other wardrobe items.

      3. Different Bottoms: Including 6 different bottoms, such as jeans, khaki pants, dress trousers, shorts, leggings, pencil skirts, and regular skirts or dresses, adds versatility to the wardrobe.

      4. Pairs of Shoes: A versatile shoe collection consisting of at least 4 pairs, including flats, heels, dress shoes, sneakers, and sandals, complements the overall capsule.

      Section 3: What Doesn't Count toward Your Capsule Wardrobe

      1. Jewelry and Accessories: The article rightly highlights that accessories, like hats, belts, bracelets, necklaces, or earrings, are not part of the item count and can be used to enhance outfit variety.

      2. Undergarments: Underwear, lingerie, and basic tops worn underneath clothes are excluded from the count, allowing flexibility in personal choices.

      3. Sleepwear, Fitness Gear, and Special Occasion Outfits: Items like sleepwear, workout attire, and upscale outfits are kept separate from the capsule wardrobe, emphasizing practicality.

      Section 4: Tips for Creating Your Capsule Wardrobe

      1. Selecting Clothes: Prioritize clothes that make you look good and feel confident, aligning with your daily activities and lifestyle.

      2. High-Quality Materials: Advocate for sustainable and natural fabrics, emphasizing the importance of material durability over fast-fashion trends.

      3. Timeless Clothes: The article suggests including timeless items like jeans, a white blouse, a little black dress, T-shirts, and plain sweaters for enduring style.

      4. Neutral Colors: Opting for neutral colors simplifies mix-and-match possibilities within the capsule.

      5. Accent Colors: Introducing a few accent colors adds vibrancy to the wardrobe while maintaining a cohesive color palette.

      6. Budget-Friendly Approach: Encouraging creativity with existing clothing items and avoiding over-reliance on fast fashion aligns with sustainable and budget-conscious practices.

      7. Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes: Creating seasonal capsules allows for adaptability to changing weather conditions.

      Section 5: Why Choose a Capsule Wardrobe?

      1. Saving Money: Capsule wardrobes discourage impulse buying, promoting an appreciation for existing clothing and saving money for higher-quality, enduring pieces.

      2. Time-Efficient: With fewer clothing options, deciding on outfits becomes quicker, freeing up time for other activities.

      In conclusion, the provided article offers a comprehensive guide to building a capsule wardrobe, emphasizing sustainability, versatility, and personal style.

      Capsule Wardrobe Guide: How to Build One and How Many Clothes You Should Include (2024)
      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5680

      Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

      Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

      Birthday: 1999-11-18

      Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

      Phone: +50616620367928

      Job: Real-Estate Liaison

      Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

      Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.