How to Start a Capsule Wardrobe in 4 Easy Steps

The entire team at Aday believes in making outfits that do more for us; ones that aren’t just flexible but also functional, comfortable, and sustainable. By investing in classic pieces and paring them down, we can create a capsule wardrobe that’s ageless and saves us time and money in the long run. Below are some of the benefits of a capsule wardrobe we’ve experienced firsthand:

• You can afford more high-quality clothing: When you stop buying clothes you don’t need, and won't wear that often, you’ll have more money to invest in timeless pieces that will last multiple seasons.
• No more decision fatigue: Having a fewer choices makes it easier to decide what to wear.
• A capsule wardrobe is better for the planet: Buying fewer, more functional, and long-lasting pieces means less clothing in landfills, less pollution in the water and oceans, and a smaller carbon footprint.

We understand how essential an everyday capsule wardrobe is, which is why we want to help you create one. You don’t need to be a style guru to build a functional, capsule wardrobe. All you need to do is follow these four simple steps.

Step 1 - Analyze Your Style and Lifestyle

The first and most crucial step in creating a capsule wardrobe you’ll love is knowing what your style is. Our personal style normally changes with the different seasons of our lives. That’s why it’s best to evaluate your fashion needs according to your current situation before settling on your capsules.

Ask yourself questions such as:

• What’s my primary activity?
• What staple pieces do I have multiples of in my closet?
• What do I feel most confident wearing?
• What do I love doing in my spare time?

 

  

These simple questions will get you started. You’ll have an idea of what’s working in your closet now and how to strategically shop for only the staples you need.

We’ve also created a simple 2-minute style quiz with further questions to help you determine your dominant style and understand how to build a capsule wardrobe around it.

Step 2 - Clean Out Your Closet

The next step is to go through your closet and remove any pieces that aren’t part of your personal style. This will help you declutter, so you can focus on creating a capsule wardrobe with pieces you love and wear regularly. Divide the clothes you don’t wear into two piles depending on their final destination, as shown below.

Discard	Donate/Recycle/Sell
Clothes that are: Stained Torn or ripped Damaged beyond repair	Clothes that: Don’t fit well Don’t work with your skin tone or body type Are duplicates or similar in color and style to other pieces you have

 

Now assess what’s left in your closet. You should only have pieces that:

• Are versatile and pair well with other clothes
• Suit your body type and skin tone
• Can be styled differently (like this white wrap top, which you can wear 4 different ways)
• Are functional and fit your current lifestyle

These pieces will become the foundation of your new capsule wardrobe.

Step 3 - Write Down Which Staple Pieces You Need

After decluttering your closet, you may find that you’re missing some essentials.

Physically jot down these essentials. It will help you to stay on track when you’re shopping and keep you focused on getting only what you need.

This is also the time to create a color palette to guide your shopping. The clothes you wear most often can determine your wardrobe’s base colors, which will become your neutrals.

Next, choose two to three colors that complement your base colors—and preferably each other. They should be colors that you love and ones that suit your skin tone. These are your accents.

Step 4 - Invest in the Basics You’re Missing

Now that you’ve listed the essentials you’re missing, it’s time to go shopping!

Remember to shop for the staples in your base or accent colors to ensure they’re coordinated with the remaining items in your closet.

Expert Tip: If you don’t think you’ll wear an item at least three times, it’s not worth your purchase.

The best statement pieces should be worn repeatedly and in various ways to accommodate every occasion, whether it’s a casual dinner or a formal business meeting. 

Items like a blazer, a classic white shirt, and a little black dress should be included in every modern woman's capsule wardrobe. They’re versatile and timeless pieces that will never go out of style, regardless of the season.

Just ensure they’re made with quality fabric and sturdy construction to maintain their durability with regular wear and washing.

As well, remember to invest in quality over quantity. Your capsule wardrobe should only contain clothes that you’ll rewear for years to come. This is how you’ll reduce your fashion footprint.

At the end of every month, we recommend auditing your capsule wardrobe to see what you wore, what you ignored, and what you may need to replace. Audits are essential for building a capsule wardrobe, and you'll enjoy the process. It's the perfect way to see how far you've come in reducing clutter, and leading a more sustainable, minimalist lifestyle.