How to Build A Capsule Wardrobe You’ll Love
Great for business, travel or everyday. To create a stress-free life!
If you want to save time, money and frustration then a capsule wardrobe could be the very solution that you are looking for. If you have just started your career or are re-entering the workforce after a career break this is a great way to build up a wardrobe of clothes you love. Capsule wardrobes are also great for travelling and organising your clothes for a special event.
First and foremost begin with the clothes you love! That flatter your personality, lifestyle, natural colouring, body proportions and scale. If you’re not sure about any of these then take a look at our Fabulous Style Freedom Programme or Book a Discovery Call to find out more. Meanwhile for those who of you who do understand exactly what works for you and why then the process of building a capsule wardrobe can begin with relative ease.
Key points to note are that the group of clothes in your capsule should harmonise with each other in colours, fabrics and design. All should have the same level of finesse. Wearing clashing colours or fabrics has might have a place in fashion fads for magazines or photo shoots and can look fun but have no place if you’re aiming for a capsule wardrobe that will work hard to support your everyday life.
Establish the reason for building your capsule as a social holiday dressing is very different to that of a business conference or everyday work capsule. A casual capsule will consist of more colours, a formal business capsule will be more somber depending on the nature of your industry or protocol of the event you are planning to attend.
The foundation of your capsule should be based on your best neutrals which will allow you to create endless outfit combinations as your neutrals will mix and match with any of the other colours in your palette including your best accent colours. Apart from shades of beiges ivory, cream, tan or grey and black, colours such as burgundy, forest or pine green, and plum can also provide a great start. Whilst these are deep colours you will have the equivalent shade or tone in your own colour palette spectrum. These are known as basic colours.
Start building your capsule with a colour scheme that you love! Two or three solid colours or maybe two colours with a third piece that is patterned. That way all the other garments can harmonise with the colours in these basic pieces. The foundation of your capsule should be made of core staples such as a jacket, a dress, one or two skirts and two or three pairs of trousers, several tops consisting of smart blouse and/or shirts, scarves, belts and jewellery to create co-ordinated looks, with every piece able to mix and match with every other. There are many examples of capsule wardrobes on the internet with one fundamental element that is not taken into account. YOU!
The styles and colour harmonies are very easy to create once you understand the framework of your own personal colour palette and authentic style. Taking these into account here is an example of the structure and number of pieces you should look for to include in your capsule for a working wardrobe that will see you through many business events, through each season, and your day to day outfits:
You can create various mix and match wardrobe capsules using this chart. Simply adapt the key pieces to your world of work where there might be more smart casual or business casual attire. You could also adapt this for your personal weekend or holiday wear. The possibilities are endless.
Start with a jacket or a cardigan and see how many other garments will match with it:
| Jacket 1 | Cardigan 1 | Jacket 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skirts | |||
| Trousers | |||
| Tops | |||
| Dresses |
Then add the accessories that would complement that ensemble:
| Jewellery | |||
| Belts | |||
| Hosiery | |||
| Shoes |
A holiday capsule can be built around a more colourful skirt, dress out trouser. If you select a piece with a mixture of three colours from your personal colour palette it becomes very easy to mix and match all your other garments.
It’s possible to get a whopping 72 outfits from only 12 items! Consisting of 2 jackets, 4 bottoms (skirts or trousers or a both) and 6 tops. Plus accessories.
Here’s how it works:
6 tops + 4 bottoms = 24 different outfits.
Add one jacket to each of those outfits = 48 outfits.
Then add the other jacket = 72 outfits!
Makes accessory choice simple and shoes.
All could fit into one carry on luggage case.
Your challenge:
Create an inventory of all your items from your existing wardrobe. Note the style and colour. Then draw up a chart similar to the one above and see just how many of your items will actually go with the others to form capsules. You will discover that some of your items could fit into several capsules. Or notice the gaps that you need to fill next time you go shopping with key pieces. Record your outfits by taking selfies or asking a friend to take photos of you wearing each of those outfits. This is a fun way of actually decluttering your wardrobe, taking stock of what you have, and creating a fabulous “look book”.
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