Capsule Wardrobe Planner: How to Build a Minimalist Wardrobe
Capsule Wardrobe Plan
I haven’t bought new clothes in years, along with a few other things I’ve cut out to save money daily.
How?
I have a capsule wardrobe.
When I first heard of the capsule wardrobe concept, I was weary.
How could I survive with just a few tops, two pairs of shoes, etc.?
But this capsule wardrobe has not only saved me money on clothes, it’s also helped me declutter and organize my messy closet!
As an extra fun bonus, it’s even saved me so much time getting ready in the morning!
Who doesn’t want that?
However, learning how to start and maintain a capsule wardrobe takes a bit of planning and preparation.
That’s why I’m excited to share my capsule wardrobe planner so you can start saving time and money on clothes, too!
In this post, we’ll cover:
- What is a capsule wardrobe?
- Why have a capsule wardrobe?
- How many items should be in a capsule wardrobe?
- Year-round vs. seasonal capsule wardrobes.
- What’s in MY capsule wardrobe?
- How do you build a capsule wardrobe?
What is a capsule wardrobe?
Let’s kick it off by breaking down a capsule wardrobe!
This is the number one question I get from friends, family, and readers of the blog who want to know what a capsule wardrobe is.
A capsule wardrobe is often when:
- You have around 1-5 of each type of item in your closet.
- Every piece is one you LOVE and makes you feel happy and confident!
- The pieces stay in style.
- Ideally, each piece goes well together, so you can mix and match to create a lot of combinations.
BUT…
You don’t have to limit yourself to these rules.
Feel free to adapt this concept to your lifestyle and preferences.
Don’t feel like you can’t have those few beloved pieces that don’t go with everything in your capsule wardrobe!
Why have a capsule wardrobe?
So, you’re feeling at least partially tempted by the concept of having a capsule wardrobe.
But let’s really dig into why you should have one!
There are a lot of great reasons, such as:
- Saved money: You have everything you need in your capsule wardrobe, so you don’t need to shop for any more clothing.
- Saved time: Not only do you save time by not having to shop for clothes, but having a minimalist wardrobe also helps you save time on laundry, getting ready in the morning, getting your kids dressed, etc.
- Decluttered closet: Now you know for sure everything in your closet fits and looks good on you! You can even use this saved space for other storage.
Okay, I hope by now I’ve convinced you that this is a good idea to try!
Let’s start talking about the logistics of a capsule wardrobe.
How many items should be in a capsule wardrobe?
This is one of the top rules you should modify to suit your preferences or even circumstances.
Some people have 37 items, while others have 50.
It’s really up to you how many items you need to have.
For example, if you live somewhere with a warmer climate, you can get away with having fewer overall items than someone who lives in a colder climate and needs to layer more items together.
Another factor that differentiates how many pieces you need is your lifestyle and hobbies.
Do you need formal business attire for work?
Do you and your family regularly go hiking and camping?
Do you exercise twice a week or five days a week?
These different factors may impact how many items you need in your capsule wardrobe.
The golden rule I like to live by, no matter the circumstances, is to keep it as small a number as possible.
I have around 50 pieces in my capsule wardrobe for all four seasons.
Year-Round vs. Seasonal Capsule Wardrobe
Another consideration is creating a year-round capsule wardrobe or a seasonal capsule wardrobe.
Which one is the best?
Neither one is “the best” – it’s just about your personal preference.
A year-round capsule wardrobe is where you keep all the items you’ll need for all four seasons inside your closet at all times.
On the other hand, a seasonal capsule wardrobe is where you only keep the clothes you wear during specific seasons in your closet and store the rest.
If you don’t want to have four capsule wardrobes, one for each season, you may even choose to have a “warm weather capsule wardrobe” and a “cold weather capsule wardrobe.”
There are pros and cons to each option, and you’ll have to decide which one will work best for you!
| Pros | Cons | |
| Year-Round Capsule Wardrobe | – Increased simplicity. – Added ability to mix and match a variety of styles for new outfit combinations. – Keep all clothing options at your fingertips. | – Less closet space. – Higher potential for wardrobe fatigue. – Limited adaptation to extreme weather change climates. |
| Seasonal Capsule Wardrobe | – Added freshness and variety. – Increased closet space. – Climate adaptation is made simpler. | – Transition hassle. – Storage needs. – Potential to want certain pieces that are packed up for a certain occasion. |
*Note – having more or less closet space can either be a good or bad thing, depending on your personality type. If you have a tendency to buy clothes simply to fill up your closet space, having too much space could be detrimental to your commitment to stick to a capsule wardrobe.
So, how do you choose which option is best for you?
Here are a few things to consider:
- Do you have enough closet space to maintain a year-round capsule wardrobe?
- Can you effectively layer most of the pieces in your wardrobe for the colder seasons?
- Will having a partially empty closet create challenges with your capsule wardrobe?
- Do you think you’ll enjoy the excitement of rotating clothes out for a season and welcoming them back later?
- Will you have the time to reset your capsule wardrobe 2-3 times a year?
The choice is yours!
But remember, you can also try it both ways to see which you like best.
What’s in MY capsule wardrobe?
What’s my capsule wardrobe formula?
Since examples can help clear things up, here’s what’s in my capsule wardrobe.
You’ll see it’s mostly plain clothing with lots of neutral colours and no big words or phrases on any items.
It’s a long list, but it’ll hopefully give you some ideas before we get to the meatier next section, discussing how you actually build a capsule wardrobe.
Note: I didn’t include pyjamas, socks, underwear, or swimsuits on this list, but it goes without saying that I have these as well.
Tops:
- Tank Tops: Having different colour tank tops is a must for my capsule wardrobe. You can put them underneath clothing that’s too sheer and use them as undershirts. These spaghetti strap tank tops are made of a thicker material and also have built-in bras – they look flattering just on their own.
- Blouses: My white chiffon blouse is my go-to top for work (with a blazer) and weekend events. I also like this simple coral blouse. It hangs well and looks elegant.
- T-shirts: Plain T-shirts are super multi-functional. They’re great if you’re a minimalist. It also works well if you want to pair it with another piece with a pop of colour or pattern. I have these plain T-shirts in multiple colours.
- Turtle necks: While some people wear these by themselves, I like pairing them with a sleeveless, long sweater. It’s warm and can provide a contrasting, complementary colour.
- Cardigans: Here are other cardigan essentials in my capsule wardrobe. This casual, chunky cardigan looks great with skinny jeans or leggings. Long cardigans can dress up any outfit. They look particularly great with dresses.
- Sweaters: Cable knit sweaters are a good combination of texture and elegance! I also like this checkered sweater and this oversized crewneck sweater, as they’re comfortable and forgiving, but not frumpy.
Bottoms:
- Skinny jeans: Dark skinny jeans are a great casual look. I frequently wear it with my Adidas sneakers. You can also dress it up with heels. They don’t get ruined when it rains like bootcut jeans often do! With the high waist, you can control the muffin top!
- Leggings: Leggings are another versatile piece you can dress down or up with. Another favourite in my capsule wardrobe!
- Dressy long pants: An office staple.
- Knee-length skirt: Another office staple.
- Jean shorts: If you’re on the hunt for a pair of jeans that are in between “short shorts” and Bermuda shorts, these are it! These are my “mom jeans” shorts.
Dresses:
- Comfortable Dress: This stylish dress is perfect for a summer day when you’re going for a walk or shopping! The pockets are the best part!
- Formal dresses: Whether you are attending a cocktail party or going for a night out, a little black dress is a classic, signature piece that always impresses. It’s nice to mix it up with this lace dress. It’s perfect for dates and formal occasions.
Outerwear:
- Black Blazer: A nice way to dress up any outfit. I use this at the office a lot.
- Light jackets: These are Spring, Fall, and Summer (when it gets cooler in the evening) staple pieces! What I love about this Levis jacket is that almost every part can be adjusted to fit your body. If you’re looking for a more formal look, this trench coat looks great! It’s definitely not warm enough for the wintertime.
- Winter parka: I live in Canada, where the winters are freezing. A winter parka is a must-have for my climate, but it might not be for yours.
Shoes
- Hunter Rain Boots: I get so many compliments on my white Hunter boots. I guess when you think of Hunter boots, you immediately picture the black or other coloured versions. These white boots are sharp!
- Formal pumps: If you work in an office environment with a dress code, black pumps will be a staple in your capsule wardrobe. It’s also fitting for any formal occasion.
- Sandals: Sandals are a must-have in your capsule wardrobe for the summer. These Crocs have a classic look with a sporty fit.
- Sneakers: I wear these Adidas sneakers everywhere! They’re comfortable and classic!
Accessories:
- Infinity Scarves: What I love about infinity scarves is that they not only keep you warm – they can be styled in multiple ways. I have so many infinity scarves! There are many stylish, chunky infinity scarves available nowadays. This one even has a pocket, which is perfect for travelling or lightening your purse load!
- Cashmere Toque: Cashmere is luxurious! It can make a cold winter day less harsh. A cashmere beanie will not go out of style anytime soon.
- Baseball cap: Baseball caps are not just useful for blocking the sun for sports and hiking. You can use it for bad hair days when you’re at any outdoor event. I personally love having both a black baseball cap and a white baseball cap to mix and match with outfits.
- Fanny pack or purse: I never thought I would be a fanny pack girl, but this has been a game changer for my capsule wardrobe. As a parent with two kids, I need to be hands-free, and I don’t want to worry about things falling out of my purse or backaches from a heavy purse. This fanny pack has separate compartments for my keys, hand sanitizer, phone and cards. I put in another small bag within it for other small loose items like hair elastics and receipts.
If you’re looking for a recap of these items, here’s a printable of this Capsule Wardrobe Checklist.
There are pre-filled and blank versions, and they are editable in PDF format.
How do you build a capsule wardrobe?
For most people, building a capsule wardrobe means paring down a wardrobe.
And I’m going to be honest with you; this is not an easy or quick process!
At least it wasn’t for me.
But it’s worth it!
As I said before, it’ll save you so much time and create more storage space in your home.
If you stay roughly the same size each year, you’ll never have to buy new clothes again! I haven’t for YEARS!
With that said, let’s start building your capsule wardrobe, one step at a time!
1) Declutter
The first thing you need to do is declutter your closet.
Take out clothes that haven’t been worn in years because they;
- Don’t look good on: We all have those clothes that look like art on the hanger, but for some reason, they just don’t hang well, the cut or length doesn’t work, the colour doesn’t go with your skin tone, etc. Maybe you end up trying it on, but ultimately, you put it aside to wear your best option.
- Don’t fit well: This includes clothes that are too small that you might fit in one day. I used to have lots of these “goal clothes,” but they ended up being a source of negativity in my life. When I got rid of them, I felt relieved. It was great to finally embrace my new me.
- Are not comfortable: e.g. itchy sweaters.
- Not in good condition anymore: e.g. sweaters with pilling or rips.
- Have sentimental value: e.g. wedding clothes, funny T-shirts you thought you’d wear as pyjamas.
- Have a negative association.
- Are your “dirty clothes” that you use for painting or that you plan on repurposing as rags, etc.?
You don’t have to throw these things away.
The idea is to just take them out of your closet because they’re taking up valuable space in there.
Once they’re all out of your closet, I recommend reviewing these items one by one and deciding if you’ll throw them away, donate them, sell them, or put them into storage.
I personally decided to put my wedding dress into storage because I wanted to keep it, but I donated all the clothes that were too small for me.
I’m glad I made this decision because if I ever lose weight, I know I’ll be doing it for the right reasons, and I’ll be able to reward myself for all my hard work by going and buying a new wardrobe!
Another decluttering method I recommend is Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
It’s a New York Times best-selling book. Marie Kondo was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People!
Her book focuses on only keeping possessions that “spark joy.”
It sounds hokey, but it works!
One nugget in the book is her method of organizing clothes by folding them so that they STAND UP in a drawer and are not on top of each other.
This allows you to see all of your clothes when you open the drawer.
It’s so much more productive this way!
2) Think about the different occasions of the year
Next, I recommend making a list of the categories of outfits you need throughout the year, like:
- Comfortable clothing to lounge in around the house;
- Work clothing;
- Casual clothing when you’re running errands or meeting friends for lunch;
- A wedding or formal event;
- Hiking or camping clothes;
- Work out clothes.
Once you’ve created your list, think through the different types of tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, accessories and shoes you’ll need for each of these occasions.
Make an initial list for your capsule wardrobe.
Here’s an example of how this might look for tops:
Tops:
- T-shirt
- Tank top
- Blouse
- Knit Sweater
- Cardigan
- Hoodie
- etc.
When you’re creating your list, keep in mind your personal style.
What I mean by this is, if you don’t like T-shirts, don’t include them in the list or swap them for another type of top.
If you’re not a skirt girl, add a different pair of shorts to the list.
This list is a broad overview of what you could need in a year.
It’s also a draft – you don’t have to follow it to a tee.
It’s just there to provide guidance when you start looking through your closet and matching what you need with what you have.
3) Shop your closet first
Now that your closet is clean and you’ve made your list, it’s time to look in your closet, select some pieces you love and wear frequently, and match them to the list you’ve created.
Here are some guidelines to help you narrow down your selection:
1. Have you worn this item at least a few times in the last year?
Think about what you constantly grab for in your closet.
What’s in your laundry basket?
If you haven’t worn this item within the last year, you probably have something else in your closet that’s a substitute that you like better.
2. Is this a neutral colour?
This is a personal preference, but I like to stick to neutrals (e.g. black, white, beige, navy) but still have some accent pieces.
Neutrals go well together with non-neutral colours, so you get maximum use.
I try to have at least one neutral piece in each category type.
Remember, if you don’t like neutrals, feel free to use only a few of them.
Build your list based on your personal style.
3. Is this a fast fashion item?
Fast fashion will quickly go out of style.
It’s a good idea to try to stick with classic vs. trendy pieces.
My capsule wardrobe mainly consists of style staples because they go with everything, and I can get years of use out of them.
Examples of style staples are a black dress, a pair of jeans, black trousers for work, a plain white T-shirt, etc.
4. Can this piece be worn in many situations?
For example, can it be worn both in and out of the office?
If your item can be worn in multiple situations, you’ll get more use out of it.
5. Is this a repeat of something else in your capsule wardrobe?
Too many repeats just take up valuable space for other essential pieces.
For example, try to avoid having five pairs of similar jeans.
Instead, you’ll want to aim to have just two, maybe three.
Second – mix up the cuts, colours, textures and patterns.
For example, if you like jeans, in addition to your standard blue jeans, you could have capri jeans or maybe black jeans.
Likewise – you want to have both long-sleeve and short-sleeve pieces.
Ultimately, you want to give yourself more combination options.
6. Is this a high-quality piece?
Selecting high-quality pieces with good fabric extends the life of your capsule wardrobe.
You don’t want material that pills and rips easily, loses its shape after the first few washes, has loose stitching, etc.
Low-quality goods means you’ll have to replace these much sooner.
7. Is this a low-maintenance piece?
Most of my dry-clean-only pieces are my favourites, but they also cost more time and money to clean.
Be cautious with your selection of dry-clean-only clothing.
Also, try to select wrinkle-free pieces.
4) Make a shopping list
Now that you have selected some pieces from your closet, you can identify what’s missing to fill in any gaps in your capsule wardrobe.
You could consider trading clothes at a swap party or go shopping.
But I have a few disclaimers before you jump into this step:
- Set a budget for yourself. It’s far too easy to get swept up in the idea of building a capsule wardrobe that you find yourself overspending. So, before you go shopping, be sure to set a budget. You might even decide to split your list up into phases to help offset the budget.
- Take your time finding high-quality items. Having a closet full of low-quality clothes won’t do you any favours as you’ll find yourself needing to replace them too soon. Instead, take time to find pieces that you like that are high-quality.
- Prioritize items that you need sooner. If it’s the middle of Spring, you likely don’t need to worry about clothes or footwear you’ll need in the winter. Instead, focus on what you’ll need right away.
Related Article: How to Shop for Clothing on a Tight Budget
5) Organize and use your capsule wardrobe
Congratulations on reaching this point where you’ve got the pieces you need to start using your capsule wardrobe!
Now, it’s time to organize it for optimized use.
I organize my capsule wardrobe by category.
What I mean by this is that all the tops are together, all the bottoms are together, etc.
Then, within the categories, I sort it by colour.
I store the off-season clothes in a box.
Every night, I quickly put aside what I’ll be wearing in the morning.
It’s already much faster now that I have a capsule wardrobe in place, but knowing what I’m going to wear saves me that extra bit of time just in case my daughter needs a diaper change, etc.
Another method I’ve heard others use is to take a photo of every outfit combination you have and store it on your phone.
I know this seems like a lot of work, but it can be very handy if you’re forgetful (about what combinations are available) or need a little inspiration (because you tend to wear the same pieces every week).
6) What to do if you want to change your capsule wardrobe
Another thing to remember about a capsule wardrobe is that it can be changed if needed.
But before you decide to swap out an item in your capsule wardrobe or add something new, consider these questions:
- Does the new item match at least three other pieces in your wardrobe?
- How many different outfits can you create with this piece in addition to your other items?
- Does the piece fit with your style?
- Is the fabric and fit comfortable and flattering?
- Will the piece fit within your lifestyle?
The answers to these questions will help you decide if making the purchase is the best idea.
These questions will help you give more thought to each clothing purchase, ensuring you aren’t overspending or blowing up your budget every time you go clothing shopping.
Final Thoughts on Capsule Wardrobe Planning
Take your time to curate the perfect capsule wardrobe. You might have several rounds of capsule wardrobe planning, and that’s fine.
Don’t be afraid to try one capsule wardrobe and then change it up. You want to find what works best for you.
If you want to read more about capsule wardrobe planning, check out The Curated Closet. It’s all about pinpointing your personal style and finding the clothes to match it.
Here are other great tips on minimalism that you might be interested in.
Resources for Saving Money
Looking for other ideas to save money?
Here are my favourite money-saving resources:
Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is great because you can get up to 40% back for shopping online at over 2500 stores – many of which you would normally shop at, like Amazon, eBay, Macy’s, Kohl’s etc. It’s FREE to sign up.
For U.S. residents, Rakuten will give you a welcome bonus of $10 after making your first online purchase of $25 or more. For Canadians, it’s a $5 welcome bonus for signing up. You can read more about how to use Rakuten here!
$5 meal plan
If you spend hours meal planning every week only to stress out some days and eat out, you might be interested in the $5 meal plan. For $5/month, they send you a weekly meal plan where every meal will cost approximately $2/person! They save you time and money so that you can focus on doing things you enjoy like hanging with your kid!
They offer a 14-day FREE trial (approximately 40 recipes) – regular or gluten-free – that you can cancel at any time with no questions asked.
Amazon Prime
This membership has 2 great benefits: free 2 day shipping and free access to movies, TV shows, music and books. You no longer have to worry about last minute items. You can cancel your other movie, music and book subscription services. You can also get 20% off diapers and baby food when you have more than 5 subscriptions.
Get the Amazon 30-day FREE trial here. You can cancel at any time. No questions asked.
Related capsule wardrobe planner articles
- Frugal Female Fashion Shopping Tips and Tricks
- 30-Day Minimalism Challenge: How to Become a Minimalist in 30 Days
- No Spend Challenge: How to Not Spend Money for 30-days or More
- Honey Review: How to get the Best Prices Available
- Ebates Review: How to Make and Save Money Fast
- Best Money Saving Tips to Save You $1000’s
- 18 Things to Stop Buying to Save Money Every Day
- 11 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Save Money on Groceries
- EyeBuyDirect Review: How to Buy Inexpensive Glasses Online
- No Poo Method – How to Save Money and Never Buy Shampoo Again
- Frugal Money-Saving Tips
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