Do you find it frustrating to go through your wardrobe? Do you have a mix of clothes you love and others you don’t, making it a challenge to put together an outfit that looks good and makes you feel great?
Many people struggle with this, making it challenging to dress in a way that inspires confidence. In this blog post, we discuss revamping your fashion style with a capsule wardrobe that meets your everyday fashion needs and builds confidence as you go about your daily life.
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a smart way to simplify your wardrobe and create a variety of outfits with a limited number of clothes. Also known as a functional or essential wardrobe (or a base wardrobe, as we like to call it), the main idea is to bring together a collection of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different looks for different occasions. This strategy eliminates the need to buy more clothes than you need. It’s also a great way to be more intentional with your clothing choices and reduce clutter in your closet.
How to Build Your Capsule Wardrobe
Before building your capsule wardrobe, let’s focus on some basic strategies to discover what you need.
1. Identify Your Style Personality
When I help people discover their style personality, we consider how you want to feel in your clothes, what you want to communicate, and how your clothes work within your lifestyle. Start by considering the styles you love and how they resonate with your values and life. Is your style classic, preppy, sporty, glamorous, eclectic, minimalist, edgy, or romantic?
Our closets often reflect elements of different personalities that change throughout our lives. For example, while you may have enjoyed a glam look in your twenties and thirties, you may opt for a more classic look as you near middle age.
Pro Tip: One way to identify your personal style is to browse fashion images online and pin outfits you love on a Pinterest board. Use the All Set Style Pinterest page as a starting point. Additionally, spend a fun afternoon visiting your favourite clothing stores and trying on clothes that catch your eye. Consider which clothes you feel comfortable in, how they suit your body, and whether they make you feel amazing!
2. Style Foundations
When I work with a client, I use Style Foundations to identify the clothing that works best for them. We start with a colour analysis session, which provides a full colour palette that can guide them in finding colours to complement their complexion. Next, I’ll work with their silhouette to identify which cuts of clothing work well for their body type.
When making clothing decisions, don’t forget to factor in your lifestyle, as you’ll want to make sure you have clothes that accommodate your daily lifestyle.
3. Conduct a Closet Inventory
An important step in building your capsule wardrobe involves taking stock of your existing clothes—identify staple pieces that can form the foundation of your capsule wardrobe and remove clothes that no longer align with your style.
Don’t forget that while you’re downsizing, you can also “shop your closet” to find clothes you love. Experiment with styling them in different ways so you feel confident the next time you reach for them.
4. Define Your Wardrobe Essentials
If you’re curious about which items make up the core basics of a wardrobe, the answer is that there is no pre-defined list. Your wardrobe essentials are unique to you and based on your style foundations.
When it comes to putting together a client's wardrobe, I like to work with a base wardrobe. A base wardrobe comprises 12 pieces of clothing—four bottoms, four layering pieces, four tops, plus shoes and accessories.
When building your base wardrobe, identify timeless, versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched and represent your style personality. Then, add occasion-specific clothing that works for your lifestyle. Keep a style journal with all the possible outfit configurations so you can quickly bring together what you need!
5. What Is Your Ideal Capsule Wardrobe Size?
Determining the ideal capsule wardrobe size depends on your lifestyle. While 30 items might work for a minimalist approach, be flexible based on your needs and preferences. At the end of the day, it’s really about making sure you’ve narrowed your closet down to pieces you feel confident in and can style easily.
6. Shop Smart by Choosing the Right Pieces for Your Wardrobe
When you start shopping, it's important to stay focused and avoid getting distracted. Stick to clothing styles that match your personality, and look for base pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. Choose colors that work well together, and remember to prioritize quality over quantity.
To create a functional wardrobe, invest in timeless styles you feel fantastic in rather than following the latest trends. By choosing well-designed and durable items, you can help reduce waste, save money, and feel great every time you open your closet.
Now, you have the ingredients to create an amazing capsule wardrobe, you’ll never have to struggle to put together the right outfit for the right event again!
Are You Ready to Build a Capsule Wardrobe in Edmonton?
There’s nothing quite like waking up, putting on an outfit you feel great in, and starting your day off on the right foot. As an Edmonton personal stylist, I help women and men discover their style personality. My goal is to put together a functional and beautiful wardrobe that supports your lifestyle and dreams.
If you’re excited about starting on the journey to discovering your style personality, our online Master Your Style Course guides you through all the steps you need to make positive changes in your wardrobe. Or, if you prefer more hands-on support, book a discovery call to learn about shopping and styling services and how I can help you achieve your style goals today.
Happy Styling,
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