Do you feel overwhelmed by choice when getting dressed in the morning? A capsule wardrobe could be the perfect solution. Learn how to build a capsule wardrobe you can wear all year round by following our step-by-step guide.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
The term capsule wardrobe describes a collection of clothing that can be worn interchangeably for various occasions. Some people prefer to define the size of this collection, while others take a more fluid approach. For example, you may need more pieces to distinguish between a work capsule wardrobe and weekend outfits.
The aim is to streamline your collection, ensuring you wear everything regularly to get the most out of your wardrobe. Your capsule wardrobe should include seasonal pieces like coats or summer dresses. However, you can store them away out-of-season to save space.
The benefits of a capsule wardrobe
The main benefit of a capsule wardrobe is versatility, as the goal is to create multiple easy-to-style outfits with fewer pieces. Although capsule wardrobes should be versatile, they don’t have to be boring! You can personalise your collection to suit your lifestyle and taste, whether you love minimalist fashion or want to make a statement with colour and print.
Damart’s step-by-step guide to building a capsule wardrobe
Capsule wardrobes can take time to build, so don’t feel you have to clear everything out and start from scratch. You can gradually add new pieces to your collection, which is a more sustainable approach to fashion, ensuring you’re choosing clothes you’ll wear for years to come! Follow the steps below to create your capsule wardrobe.
1. Declutter your wardrobe
Decluttering your wardrobe is a great place to start when building a capsule collection. Take everything out of the wardrobe and organise it into piles, helping you visualise what to keep and eliminate. If you come across pieces that no longer fit you, you never wear, or you don’t like, then pass them on to a loved one, donate them to charity or sell them.
2. Organise your clothes by category
Once you’ve decluttered, put the pieces you’ll keep back in the wardrobe. We recommend organising everything visually by category. Wondering what to include in a capsule wardrobe? These are some of the best categories to consider:
- Tops and blouses. Ensure you have a mixture of tops in your capsule wardrobe, covering casual and formal styles. T-shirts and thermals are great base layers, while blouses and shirts dress up your look.
- Trousers and jeans. We recommend investing in jeans or comfortable pull-on trousers for everyday styling, while smart trousers are a must-have for work and formal occasions.
- Dresses, jumpsuits and skirts. These pieces are great for casual and formal occasions all year round. Explore our collection of dresses, jumpsuits and skirts to find versatile styles you’ll love.
- Knitwear. Every wardrobe needs a few knitwear options to see you through the colder months, whether jumpers or cardigans.
- Coats and jackets. Another cold weather staple, find jackets and coats in casual and formal styles at Damart. We recommend having a few options in your collection that can be layered with any look.
- Shoes and accessories. From comfortable trainers to summer sandals and winter boots, you’ll need a few footwear options for the year. Bags, belts and jewellery can add interest to your outfits, so it’s worth investing in a couple of options.
3. Fill any gaps
Now you can see what you’re left with, it’s easy to identify any gaps in your collection. Maybe you have enough jeans but lack tops, or you need to upgrade your old winter coat for a warmer design. In that case, make a wishlist of what you’d like to add to your capsule wardrobe.
4. Have fun with styling
Once you’re happy with your new capsule wardrobe, it’s time to get styling! Set aside some time to try different outfit combinations and find your favourites. You could even photograph each look and reference these images when feeling uninspired.
For more wardrobe organisation tips and style advice, check out these related articles on our blog:
- How to edit your wardrobe
- How to wear colour
- Slow fashion: a closer look