You may have heard the term “capsule wardrobe” being thrown around.
What does it mean? Do you need one? And ultimately, how do you create a capsule wardrobe?
Our ultimate guide will help you build a stylish capsule wardrobe that is easy to maintain to make sure you look fresh every day.
One of the easiest ways to identify if you need to create a capsule wardrobe is if the following scenario is something you play out in your head every time you head to your closet:
“I have too many clothes.”
“I don’t know what to wear.”
“There’s nothing in here.”
“I’m going to have to buy some new clothes.”
Being paralysed by choice when you open your wardrobe is a good sign that you need to declutter and streamline your wardrobe. Buying into trends, not investing in high-quality garments and not knowing your own style all contribute to an overcrowded wardrobe. Fear not; we are here to help you create a capsule wardrobe that makes getting dressed in the morning a little bit easier.
A capsule wardrobe is a tightly edited selection of clothes that are easy to wear and can be paired together. This limited selection of garments should be interchangeable and complement one another. The idea of a capsule wardrobe is to pair classically styled pieces that are similar in colour scheme and usually consist of neutral tones. Creating a capsule wardrobe helps the wearer craft a wide range of outfits without having a lot of clothes.
To help convince you even further to adopt a capsule wardrobe, check out all of the benefits of having one:
Choosing whether to adopt the capsule wardrobe lifestyle depends on a few factors:
On to the juicy stuff! If you’re looking for actual ways to build out your capsule wardrobe, you are in the right place. We have created a checklist for you to consult, some recommendations around the colour palette of your wardrobe and even some key recommendations about brands that lend themselves to capsule dressing. We’ll also give some tips on how to utilise your existing wardrobe and where to start with building one.
Throw out anything you haven’t worn in the past year, anything that doesn’t fit, you don’t like and even items that are visually similar or could be classed as duplicates. This will make your wardrobe choices easier, and you will find a solid foundation from which you can build your wardrobe. Remember: be ruthless with your wardrobe – no excuses.
From here, sort out what you have into the following categories, and if it makes it easier to visualise, then create piles on your bedroom floor.
Once you have this foundation, you can go through each pile and remove anything you were unsure about in the initial declutter. Remember to get rid of anything that is visually similar, you don’t wear anymore, probably can’t be paired easily or simply do not like.
If you have style staples that you want to incorporate your style around, this is the time to choose them. Consider key pieces you can’t live without and whether they fall into the versatile or functional category.
Evaluating whether each garment is functional or versatile will allow you to build your wardrobe in a more structured fashion.
Functional pieces should be assessed based on the garment's weight, fabric and how easy they are to clean. Think about white t-shirts, simple knitwear and pieces that can be used to serve a purpose, such as warm or base layering.
Versatile garments should be judged on how easy they are to pair; you should consider the colours and patterns and whether they can be worn in various seasons and events.
Congratulations, you now have a baseline wardrobe that can easily be built into a capsule wardrobe with staple pieces. Remember, a capsule wardrobe is a tightly edited selection of garments, so finding those key pieces is vital.
The number of garments within a capsule wardrobe depends on whether you are dressing for a particular occasion or season. On average, a capsule wardrobe with footwear, coats and jackets and a few accessories should be between 30-40 pieces. You should treat exercise clothing, accessories and clothes for relaxing as separate entities.
Depending on the occasions you attend and the outfits you want to plan for work, you can scale up or down any category on the checklist. However, we will walk you through some of our key recommendations as to the brands and pieces we believe would work best for a capsule wardrobe.
If you haven’t had a clear out of your underwear drawer in a year or two – you really should start again. Saving boxers with holes in simply because they’re comfortable isn’t an excuse anymore. Get rid. Start again.
The same goes for socks with holes in them! Investing in some high-quality socks will make you look polished and serve as a finishing touch that separates the normal man from the fashion-conscious gentleman.
Arguably, one of the most important parts of a capsule wardrobe to get right is the selection of tops. Remember, this can include t-shirts, hoodies, polo shirts and knitwear. Let’s break these down a little further so you know exactly what your options are.
We recommend adding three pairs of pants to your capsule wardrobe. The first is a denim option; denim jeans have always been and always will be a style staple because of their versatility. Choose selvedge denim for a high-quality staple option you can rely on. Crafted using complex construction methods that have been mastered over decades, you can sleep safe knowing that your chosen jeans will be around for the entirety of your capsule.
Dressy pants or trousers should be the next option to build out your capsule wardrobe's pants and trousers segment. For smarter occasions and work events, you should have a pair or trousers that match other dressier options from the capsule. Finally, a pair of casual trousers should join the collection for everyday dressing that offers a relaxed fit.
Two pairs of shoes should make up the footwear selection of a capsule wardrobe: one casual pair and one smarter option. We recommend a pair of trainers that can be paired with everyday looks; something with a classic silhouette, such as a high-top trainer or canvas shoe, will provide easy pairing. In terms of formal footwear, opt for a pair of shoes you are comfortable wearing at sophisticated events. They should pair well with a suit but can also be worn with smarter casual attire.
Boots are a great addition to a capsule wardrobe as they can be dressed up or down depending on the desired look.
Now that you know the types of garments that will work together in a capsule wardrobe and how many of them you need for it to be a success – let’s talk colour palette.
The colour palette of your capsule wardrobe will pull all of the looks together effortlessly. We have identified three types of colour groups that should make up your wardrobe:
A capsule wardrobe should include around 6-8 colours that fit into the following groups:
Foundational colours - these should be the basic core colours that your wardrobe is built around. Staple colours include black, white, cream, green, brown and grey.
Seasonal colours - these should be your secondary colours that add variety to your wardrobe and can be seasonal. Think of lighter colours that are easy to pair, such as light blue, light cream and light grey.
Personality colours - these colours should be minimal within your wardrobe, and if you can only include them within statement pieces, your capsule wardrobe will be a success. Pops of colours or prints will personalise your capsule wardrobe, but they should be used sparingly to ensure you don’t start to dress in a trend-led way and abandon your capsule.
If you are searching for brands that lend themselves to capsule dressing, we have a few recommendations for you to explore.
Understated and timeless brands are the most sought-after for capsule wardrobe creation. The simplistic style of garments ensures that your wardrobe doesn’t become outdated, can be paired with a range of items and is durable due to its high-quality construction.
YMC (You Must Create) - A British brand known for its workwear-inspired collections, you will find staple pieces that are easy to wear. If you’re looking for items to build your capsule wardrobe around, head to YMC for its range of t-shirts, footwear and pants.
Levi’s® - Known for their commitment to denim, you should turn to Levi’s® for your denim jeans and jackets. Their collections are crafted with high quality in mind, and they have been leaders in championing denim designed to last and can be paired with any ensemble.
Norse Projects - Based in Copenhagen, Norse Projects takes pride in bringing classic workwear and streetwear to the wardrobes of the style elite. Check out Norse Projects for their range of trousers and jackets, perfect for capsule wardrobe creation.
Fred Perry - Unapologetically British, Fred Perry offers a wide range of staples to add to your capsule wardrobe. Standout pieces from this collection that fit perfectly into capsule dressing include the selection of Fred Perry polo shirts.
Universal Works - Offering understated utilitarian-inspired workwear, Universal Works and their latest collection are ideal for capsule dressing. Featuring clean cuts and sharp lines, you can be sure that garments from Universal Works will be timeless and easy to wear.
Now that you know how to create a capsule wardrobe, why not start? We have provided a wide range of suggestions for you to consider, but feel free to leisurely browse through our range of new arrivals, which is updated with the latest drops from our curated selection of brands. Clear out that wardrobe of yours and start living the capsule wardrobe lifestyle.
