Summer Strut Stuff: Steps To Building A Capsule Wardrobe
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We’ve all been socially distancing and realizing that less is more.
Now more than ever a capsule wardrobe without going totally crazy is the future of fashion.
This guide is perfect for beginners – on tips on how you can have your capsule wardrobe ready to go in less than a week.
How To Start:
Step I: CAPSULE FORMULA: LIST
- BASE (more on this concept in a second)
- 9 TOPS
- 5 PANTS
- 5 SHOES
Step 1: Reduce
I am Spring cleaning currently and deciding what to get rid of in an array of so much stuff. One thing I’ve learned is that I can live with less. When was the last time you went through your clothes and cleaned out what was in your closet? Take the time now while things are slowly opening.
Therapy session: Take one or two hours to pull out the things that you know for sure you aren’t going to wear and get them out of your closet. Don’t get rid of them just yet if that makes you nervous – but at the very least, bring them to a different room. Building a capsule is a lot easier when you’re already working with a reduced amount of clothing. Celebrate your tidiness with a cookie or ice cream.
Step 2: Establish your Base Wardrobe
A Base Wardrobe is, believe it or not, YOUR BASE. This isn’t your bank of clothing to draw daily outfits from. This is just what you need for the categories of use in your life BEYOND day-to-day dressing.
I built my Base Wardrobe around the concept of 50 total pieces that would not change throughout the year – 10 in each of 5 different categories.
- Workout (pants and tops)
- Lounge (pajamas, yoga pants, big comfy sweatshirts)
- Layering (tanks and tees)
- Outerwear (jackets, swimwear, hats and mittens)
- Formal / Accessories (necklaces, scarves, earrings, 1 dress]
Ta-dahhh!
That’s about it. You will be surprised how much money you will save in shopping.
Besides what I’m calling my base wardrobe of pajamas, workout clothes, and layering pieces, my capsule is made up of 19 pieces per season: 9 shirts, 5 pants, 5 shoes.