How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe

Most of us spend way too much money on clothing. It’s something that we’re all guilty of but, believe it or not, there’s a way to cut down on it! Ever heard of a capsule wardrobe?

If the answer is “No,” you’re not alone; this way to “revamp your closet” is fairly new, but genius. Capsule wardrobes are a great way to test your creativity as well as your budgeting skills.

How it works: Every season you buy a certain number of staple pieces that will last you the WHOLE season. So, for example, if your set number is 35 you need to buy shirts, pants, shoes, jackets, shorts, et cetera; just make sure they add up to your fixed number. The purpose of a capsule wardrobe is to not only keep your bank account in tact (Hello, broke college students), but also help you put a lock on your own personal style and figure out how you want to look from season to season. Now, changing the way you dress and shop isn’t always easy so Valley is here to give you some how-to tips on building your perfect wardrobe for spring and/or summer.

Get Organized

Summertime is just around the corner, so your capsule wardrobe will need to be planned out fairly quickly. The one thing to keep in mind is to stick to season-appropriate items: a capsule wardrobe for the spring and summer doesn’t need to include a fur coat.

First you have to pick your number. Let’s try 35 for example. The items that you will wear the most are what you will buy more of, so tops and pants should be at the top of your list. Using that number you could break down each type of clothing item any way you want: So 10 tops, 7 pants, 6 pairs of shoes, 5 jackets/ cardigans, and 7 dresses is just one of the ways your list could look, but it’s all up to your preference (and budget!).

Fill in the Blanks

After you’ve made your list, you may find that there are some pieces missing in your wardrobe. For example, you wanted to include 5 jackets but realized you only have 3. This is where your wallet comes in. This is the ONLY step where you’re allowed to go shopping for new things. Make sure you fill in any blank spaces in your wardrobe, this includes accessories too. The important thing to remember is that once the season starts you won’t be shopping at all so you need to be prepared.

The Fun Begins

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll enjoy solidifying your signature style. Because you won’t have a lot of useless, mismatched, pieces of clothing in your closet it will be easier to see what color/style combos work best for you and you can show your creative side by making up cool style ideas with less clothing. The cool thing is that once you’ve done a capsule wardrobe for a few seasons,the transition gets easier. All you have to do is put away all your clothes from one season, bring up your clothes from a previous season (update them of course) and start your capsule wardrobe over again!

Make sure to have fun with it! Your wallet will definitely thank you!