Do you have a wardrobe bursting with clothes, yet you’re still left feeling like you have nothing to wear? Don’t panic! Thankfully, there’s a satisfyingly sustainable solution – the capsule wardrobe.

So, what is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated collection of clothing made up of interchangeable, high-quality pieces. The idea is to maximize the number of outfits you can create with just a small selection of clothes. Less chaos, more clarity – that's the capsule wardrobe vibe!

Building your capsule wardrobe

Curating and building your capsule wardrobe can – and should – take time. From assessing your lifestyle and daily routine to deciding the perfect pieces for you, discover how to build your capsule wardrobe in four simple steps.

1. Assess your lifestyle

Your capsule wardrobe needs to reflect both your personal style and the rhythm of your lifestyle. Do you tend to be more paired back during the day and transition to something more glam in the evenings? Or are you more of a maximalist and want your core pieces to reflect your vibrant personality?

Whatever your lifestyle looks like, each capsule piece should perfectly harmonise with the tempo of your daily routine. For example, if you’ve traded clubbing for casual pubbing, you won’t be needing a wardrobe full of glitzy dresses anymore (unless that’s your vibe) – one special piece will do for the odd occasion.

2. Clear out that clutter

Once you’ve had a good think about your lifestyle and the items you’ll truly need to suit your daily routine, it’s time to declutter your wardrobe!

Start by removing items that you barely wear, that don’t fit or that you simply don’t like anymore. That’s the easy part. The difficult part is getting rid of clothing you might be more sentimental about. To help you out, prioritise removing pieces that:

are well-worn
are similar in colour and style to something else you own
no longer suit you
haven’t been worn in six or more months

Remember to declutter sustainably – donate, sell or recycle!

3. Identify your colour palette

With the clutter gone, it’s time to work with what’s left. Start by categorizing your clothes (e.g. tops, jumpers, skirts, dresses, jackets etc.). Next, organise them by colour and take a mental note of any consistent textures or patterns. Usually, a capsule wardrobe will feature one to two neutral base colours such as black, grey, white, or navy, and one or two accent colours (although, you can make or break the rules as much as you like).

Once you’ve got your clothes organised, you’ll be able to see which colours appear the most. This process should help you identify your base colour(s) and accent colour(s).

4. Choose your core clothing

Once you’ve got your colour palette sorted, it’s time to choose your core clothing. While there’s no set number of clothes you should have for a capsule wardrobe, you could try the 33 approach. This is inspired by the minimalist fashion movement Project 333, where you only wear 33 items of clothing for three months.

Here are some staples to consider when choosing your core pieces:

Tees and tanks
Shirts and blouses
Jumpers and hoodies
Shorts and skirts
Denim Jeans
Trousers
Dresses
Jackets and coats

Classic Capsule Wardrobe Ideas

Classic crisp white shirt: For work or as a casual everyday piece, a classic button-up white shirt is always a must-have.
Well-fitted denim jeans: Whether super skinny or flared, you can’t go wrong with denim jeans.
Midi-skirt: Pair your midi-skirt with chunky boots for a casual look or dress it up for an office outfit.
Timeless little black dress (LBD): The ultimate versatile wardrobe staple. You can dress an LBD up or down to achieve a smart, elegant or casual look.
Oversized trench coat: Add a touch of elegance to those rainy days with an oversized trench coat.
Thick jumper dress: A warm, roll-neck jumper dress screams cosy casual, perfect for those chilly days.
Elegant blouse: Grab a couple of beautiful, breathable blouses in your favourite accent tones.
Knitwear: Whether it’s a thick, high-neck jumper that will work with almost any outfit or a chunky knit cardigan to throw on over the shirts and jeans, knitwear is a must for your winter capsule wardrobe.
Neutral tee: Fashioned with jackets and knitted jumpers alike, you won’t regret having a few neutral tees in your capsule wardrobe.
Tailored trousers: Polished and professional, tailored trousers in your preferred base colour are an excellent wardrobe staple.

Hopefully, this carefully curated ensemble will help form the foundation of your classic capsule wardrobe. Think timeless, comfortable, and personalised to help you achieve endless combinations with just a handful of pieces.