When Mike and I got married, I remember him bringing in one rack of clothes and a suitcase. That was it. Me on the other hand…pretty much filled our one bedroom apartment with just my stuff alone! I’ve always had an urge to hold on to things – minimizing is rare for me. However, I’ve finally found a system that if is can minimize my wardrobe, you can too!
I can finally admit… I’m a hoarder. Not full blown – but I definitely lean to saving things. Because seriously I might just need it one day! However, that mindset has landed me in piles and heaps of items I really don’t use. I knew it was time for a change after looking at my closet and seeing so many unworn items. So I began to understand what a successful capsule wardrobe is. With some research I have begun chipping away at my ideal minimalist wardrobe.
The Benefits of a capsule wardrobe
Capsule wardrobes are a wonderful way to reduce the stress of “what should I wear.” The purpose behind a capsule wardrobe is to maintain a collection of essential and classic pieces in your closet that can be mixed and matched over time. It is a practice of personalizing your wardrobe with items you love and that fit your lifestyle but on a scale of 30-40 pieces (definition provided by Dressember).
If done well, they can really:
- Save time and money
- Minimize clutter
- Reduce decision fatigue
- Enhance personal style
- Lessen desire to compare to others
- Increase personal gratitude
- Decrease excess
Also, being able to close my dresser drawers, not do as much laundry, and embrace that I truly wear the same clothes – was reason enough!
Constantly feeling as though I had nothing to wear, got me rethinking my strategy. So if you’ve got the sense that there’s a lot of things collecting mothballs, you’re in very good company friend.
Where do I start with a Capsule wardrobe?
Capsule Wardrobes Help You Do More With Less
Your Everyday Style
1. Start small
Creating a capsule wardrobe does not have to be a sprint, in fact it’s actually a journey. Imagining what your capsule wardrobe or your style can be really starts small. For you it could be starting was going through old T-shirts. It may be starting with your underwear drawer. Whatever it is don’t try and tackle the whole project at once take your time and start small.
2. Use a Guide or Plan
I cannot encourage you enough to check out the resources in my Pinterest board. Having a guide or a plan will make the process a lot less stressful. For me I printed out this free template to get started. It helped me look at colors what’s happening in the season and how many pieces of clothing I wanted to at least shoot to work with.
3. The process is ever evolving!
Where are you start with your wardrobe may not be where you end. I’m learning that a capsule wardrobe is an ever evolving process, which means that I don’t have to get it right on the first try! So when you get started you may have one end in mind, however, that doesn’t mean you that will be your final destination.
4. Keep your goal in mind!
Having a clear goal as to why you’re starting a capsule wardrobe is going to be crucial. If you don’t have a vision or a goal, you’ll fizzle out. Seriously, you’ll over clutter and before you know it you’ll be back where you started. So keep a clear goal! Take time to discover what that goal is. Here are some questions that I use to help me get started:
- What is the timeframe of my capsule wardrobe?
- How many pieces of clothing do I want to keep?
- How many shoes do I really use?
- Why do I think this would be beneficial?
5. Keep an OPEN MIND!
There is no one size fits all for a capsule wardrobe! Ideally there are parameters so that you have a guide to keep you focused. Keep an open mind! Minimizing and Curating your closet has incredible benefits. If you’re like me I love clothes, but I also can purchase a lot for no reason. Opening yourself to the possibility of loving the pieces of clothing that you wear can truly make a difference.
Join the Challenge on Instagram!
I cannot wait to see where your capsule wardrobe takes you! Do you have any tips or tricks? Are you already functioning with a successful capsule wardrobe? If so I would love for you to share below in the comments.
And if this jumpstart to capsule wardrobe’s has been helpful to you let me know as well. Be sure to follow my journey this entire month using #JuneCapsuleWardrobeChallenge on Instagram!