Create A Capsule Wardrobe For Every Season

Whether you want to make creating outfits a little easier every morning, build a closet centered on slow, sustainable fashion, or simply bring a minimalist approach to your personal style, a capsule wardrobe is the perfect solution.

This beloved approach encourages you to dive deep into your fashion tastes, shop with intention, and invest in pieces you love!

 

What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?

Capsule wardrobes are built with a small selection of quality clothing items that complement one another and can be worn interchangeably. Rather than having a seemingly endless selection of items, a capsule wardrobe generally contains a few dozen pieces that can be styled differently to fit the range of occasions you may need them for!

For example, a capsule wardrobe may include:

• 3 pairs of pants
• 2 skirts
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 dresses
• 2 blouses or dress shirts
• 3 sweaters
• 4 t-shirts
• 1 blazer
• 1 jacket
• 1 coat
• 4 pairs of shoes
• 2 belts
• 5 pieces of jewelry
• 2 bags
• 2 hats

While this may not seem like much, when you consider all the different combinations you can create by wearing the complementing pieces together, the possibilities are nearly endless!

Your collection may also change from season to season. Many people choose to have a rotating capsule where they swap out some or all of their items and store the ones they aren’t wearing away. For example, a winter collection may include more sweaters, while a summer closet leans into more lightweight and breathable fabrics.

This helps keep your closet feeling fresh while allowing you to adapt to the changing seasons!

 

How To Build Your Capsule Wardrobe

It may seem overwhelming to build a wardrobe with such a minimalist approach — especially if you like to experiment with different outfits and jump on the latest trends. However, that’s the beauty of a capsule wardrobe. Having a closet full of timeless, durable essentials can give you the financial flexibility to occasionally invest in statement pieces you love.

 Here’s what you need to know to start building your own capsule wardrobe.

 

Build Upon What You Have, Rather Than Starting From Scratch

When building a capsule collection, many people assume they need to overhaul their closet. However, that’s the exact opposite of what you want to do! Begin by taking inventory of what you have and focus on the pieces you already love and wear often.

Consider factors like your lifestyle — including what you wear at work and in your personal time. Set aside the pieces you like to wear and that already pair well with one another.

Then, identify any gaps you might have. Ask yourself what would help build upon your existing items and bring your wardrobe together. It can be helpful to create a list of words that describe your personal style and search for those terms on social media. Try keywords like “European fashion,” “classic style,” “minimalist aesthetic,” and more.

Then, make a list of any clothing items you need for your capsule before you start shopping. Don’t forget to include hats, bags, and other accessories that will help complete your collection.

 

Focus on Quality Over Quantity

One of the key principles of a capsule collection is leaning into high-quality clothing. Capsule items are worn frequently — sometimes multiple times a week — so it’s important to find pieces that will withstand frequent wear. Wearing quality clothing also makes you feel good — meaning you’ll be more excited to reach for items time and time again.

Search for natural fabrics like cotton, wool, silk, cashmere, bamboo, and linen. These materials generally wear better over time and are more comfortable. When it comes to accessories, durable materials like leather will hold well for bags and belts, while real gold and silver jewelry will withstand the daily wear that comes with having a capsule collection.

 

Find Pieces You Love

When building a capsule wardrobe, some people may feel inclined to buy specific pieces simply because they can be worn in many different ways. However, it doesn’t matter how versatile an article of clothing is if it doesn’t suit you, your lifestyle, or your personal style!

Think of one of your favorite articles of clothing and consider how often you reach for it compared to items you may not feel as strongly about. Now, imagine you loved every item in your closet just as much! A small collection feels much more fun when you are equally excited about each item and want to explore the different ways you can wear them together.

You can also tailor and customize pieces so they fit you perfectly. This applies to everything from trousers and blouses to custom jewelry and other accessories!

Remember: The best clothing items to have in a capsule collection are the ones that make you feel your best.

Complete the look with stunning, high-quality pieces from European Jewelers and Weber Goldsmith Gallery.

Lean Into Things You Can Wear Together

While a capsule does take a minimalist approach in terms of quantity, this doesn’t always mean it requires a neutral palette. If you love to wear bright colors, bold patterns, and lots of texture, embrace that! There are still many ways you can incorporate those pieces into a capsule wardrobe — it’s all about finding items with a similar look and feel. Don’t be afraid to select unique items if you truly love them and will wear them often! These are the statement pieces that will make your base wardrobe pop and keep things fresh over the years.

Be intentional and shop with those wardrobe “gaps” in mind. Before buying something, consider what you have at home and what you would pair it with. Ensure that you either already have items you can style it with or are planning on adding multiple pieces to your wardrobe that will go perfectly with it. This can help ensure you wear your entire capsule collection and that it all coordinates well together.

 

Appreciate The Newness That Comes With A Capsule For Each Season

Some people fear that a capsule wardrobe will become dull as they wear the same pieces day after day. One way many people keep their closets feeling fresh is to rotate items — or entire collections — each season.

Even in Carmel’s moderate climate, each season still presents the opportunity for a wardrobe reset! For example, you may prefer a more muted palette in the fall and favor brighter colors and accents in the spring and summer.

Or, you may have items you wear for part of the year in two of your capsule collections but not all four. A lightweight sweater may be perfect for spring and summer, with thicker wool options in rotation in your fall and winter capsules.

Even swapping accessories like seasonal hats, purses, and bags can help you stay excited about your closet.

Build Your Capsule Wardrobe with Local Shops at The Crossroads Carmel

If you’re ready to start building your capsule collection for each season, explore quality fashion finds at The Crossroads Carmel. With a wide selection of clothing and accessory shops, you’ll love discovering beautiful and unique pieces that complete your capsule wardrobe.