The Basics

I've been researching Wardrobe Capsules for a couple of years now. I try to implement it every time I travel, and have done a couple of test runs here and there. Let me tell you, it's amazing!

Imagine not having to dig through your closet everyday searching for something to wear or being disappointed when you don't find something you love. Imagine cutting your morning routine in half and saving tons of money every year. Sounds pretty great, doesn't it?

So what IS a wardrobe capsule? 

A capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called "Wardrobe" in the 1970's. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don't go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces.

So, basically, it's a bare bones wardrobe that you can change out with the seasons that only house chic timeless pieces so you always look great!

When I first started looking into it, I came across a couple of great websites that focus on this particular style of fashion.

www.un-fancy.com is a great resource. She worked for a year posting pictures and explaining her process of how she developed her seasonal capsules.

http://bemorewithless.com/project-333/ is another great site I found about utilizing Project 333; 33 pieces in your closet for 3 months at a time.

So, Where do I start?

Here's how I'm doing it: (Feel free to change it up as you see fit):

1. Take inventory of what you have in your closet that you LOVE. Those pieces that you always go back to and wear more than anything. You don't want anything in your capsule that you don't feel great wearing.

2. Clean out that closet! This is the perfect time to get rid of things that are falling apart, donate items that you never wear (yes, we all have them), and box up seasonal clothes that you aren't wearing right now.

3. Pick out your key items. Jeans, black pants, a classic white button down, boots, sunglasses. Those things that are signature to your lifestyle. These will be your base.

4. Find your style! What types of clothing do you enjoy? Are you classic tailored? Are you boho chic? Are you sporty spice? After looking at the pieces that you LOVE, it will give you a good idea. Afterwards, I enjoy looking on sites like Pinterest to help define my style. I find fashion images that make me go WHOA and figure out what I love about them.I'm not crazy about the whole "dress for your body type" thing, but I find certain cuts and trends make me feel more confidante than others. So stick with what makes you happy and feel good!

5. Start building! Here's the way I work my wardrobe:

• 8 bottoms (mix and match, jeans, pants, skirts)
• 14 tops (tanks, tees, sweaters, blouses. I try to stick with pieces that would work well with layering as well)
• 2 dresses (I'm not a huge dress person, but it's nice to be able to change it up and layer)
• 4 outerwear pieces (this will obviously change in the summer, but a good mix of warm coats, cardigans and a blazer make me warm and fuzzy)
• 6-8 pairs of shoes (shoes can make the outfit! have a couple dressy pairs, some boots and some casual shoes. I try to mix classic with statement pieces)

My goal is between 36-38 pieces total. Please note: this doesn't include pajamas, workout gear, or undies. Just everyday wear. 

6. During the planning stage is the only time I will spend money on a few pieces to complete my wardrobe for the season. I have a max of $200 but you can tailor that to fit your budget. This is a great time to try out some new trends or replace worn out items that you just love. In each of my capsules I'll break down what I already own, what I'm moving from a previous capsule to re-use, and what I'm purchasing so you can see my breakdown.

7. Start your fashion engines! Now that you have your pieces picked out and ready to go, the combinations are endless. Need ideas on how to change up your look with a chambray shirt? I Google or use Pinterest to search for outfit inspiration. 

8. Towards the end of your 3 months season, it's time to start over a prep for your next capsule! You will undoubtedly learn some things through the process. What works, what doesn't, what you love, and what doesn't quite work even though you REALLY wanted it to. Just take it as an awesome learning experience and apply that to your next 3 months.