What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of versatile and neutral clothes that can be mixed and matched in a variety of ways to generate the maximum number of outfits.
The idea is to procure high-quality and long-lasting pieces that will outlive seasons, and give you an almost-unlimited number of outfits, without the decision fatigue.
Pros and Cons
The relatively obvious downside to a capsule wardrobe is that it isn’t going to be fun and flashy. You’ll have to deny yourself trendy in-the-moment pieces which, for some people, can be difficult. But there are so many more upsides. It forces you to get creative and wear your clothes in ways you never imagined.
Suddenly, one shirt produces a variety of outfits, and pieces you never thought to fit together suddenly work like a dream. It also allows you to invest in your wardrobe. If you’re not spending money constantly on new, lower-quality clothes, you can put your money into more expensive and longer-lasting pieces.
What to Include
An average capsule wardrobe has between 30 to 40 pieces. This sounds like a lot at first, but this includes everything from clothes, to shoes, to jewelry and accessories. Most people don’t include things like swimwear, undergarments, or workout clothes in their capsules. Many capsule wardrobe inspirations you’ll see online will have neutral colors.
It’s easy to understand why, but don’t feel like this is your only option. Colors like cream, navy, black, white, and gray are understandably the most versatile, but if you usually wear a lot of color, then it makes perfect sense for your wardrobe, no matter how minimalist, to reflect that.
How Many Capsule Wardrobes Do I Need?
Ideally, you’ll have one capsule wardrobe for each season, especially if you live somewhere with drastically varying temperatures between seasons. Still, your Spring and Summer wardrobes should have a lot of crossovers, as well as your Fall and Winter ones. Even your Spring and Fall wardrobes could have some overlapping pieces. Get creative, people!