Women’s Guide: How to Fix Up A Capsule Wardrobe 

What exactly is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe can be defined as a way to reduce stress in the morning, a reason to clean out your closet, or a thoughtful wardrobe where less truly is more.

The capsule concept is not new, but it seems timely now more than ever. In the words of British fashion icon and author Susie Faux, who coined the phrase in the 1970s, a capsule wardrobe is “a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion.” 

In other words, a capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated edit of versatile, timeless pieces tailored to your style, lifestyle, and budget that you can mix and match endlessly and enjoy wearing. 

Check out Multiversity’s guide to creating an awesome capsule wardrobe for women.

Step 1: Take inventory of your current possessions and declutter.

Deep breath because figuring out how to create a capsule wardrobe requires first figuring out how to minimize your wardrobe. And the first step in reducing your wardrobe is to take everything—yes, everything—out and try it on.

You’ll want to pare down your collection to a base wardrobe comprised of the items you already reach for regularly. Goodbye to any clothes you don’t like, don’t wear, or don’t fit. 

The organization is essential in the world of capsule wardrobes. Take a good, long look at what you have and sort it into four piles: Keep, Store For Later, Donate/Sell, Recycle

Step 2: Sketch your capsule wardrobe and list what you’re missing. 

Determine your style and consider your lifestyle.

The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is that it is unique to you. Pay attention to the outfits you enjoy wearing and look for common characteristics of the pieces you frequently reach for. 

Why do you like them? 

These insights will assist you in defining your uniform—a collection of clothing that fits you perfectly and makes you feel confident. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want. Most importantly, it is adaptable. 

After you’ve determined your style, consider your lifestyle. 

What is your profession? Do you work in an office or primarily WFH? What are your interests? 

Then, start listing the clothes you’ll need for your daily activities.

Step 3: Shop with purpose.

Now comes the exciting part: With your wardrobe wish list, it’s time to find your new favorites. 

But first, establish a budget. This will assist you in staying on track and avoiding overspending when purchasing new pieces.

Don’t buy everything all at once. It’s fine to gradually transition your current wardrobe into a capsule rather than clearing everything out and desperately re-buying your new essentials. Make no compromises. Don’t buy anything if it doesn’t exactly fit your desire. Wait until you find the perfect piece rather than settling for something mediocre that you won’t wear. The whole point of creating a capsule wardrobe is to be highly efficient.

How to Figure Out What You’re Missing

When re-evaluating your wardrobe, try to identify the areas that require some attention to make the most of the pieces you already own.

Perhaps you enjoy making a statement with your clothing and have a wardrobe full of bold pieces, but you don’t get enough wear out of them daily. If you have more staple pieces in your wardrobe, such as T-shirts, a good pair of jeans, and trans-seasonal boots, these more statement pieces can be dressed down and made more wearable.

If you’re a minimalist, the same rule applies. You may need to invest in stand-out pieces, such as a seasonal dress or a statement coat, to give your neutral items new life. Consider how to style what you already have in your wardrobe, and only buy something new if it will help you wear it more.

Finally, remember that the less you buy, the more likely you are to invest heavily in essential staples, allowing you to budget for that designer piece, which will outlast anything you buy on a budget. Be sure to check out Multiversity’s store to update on statement pieces for your awesome capsule.