What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
Capsule wardrobes are timeless, versatile, easy, more sustainable and unique to you. But what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? What styles make up the bulk of a capsule wardrobe and how do you know if you HAVE one?! If you find yourself asking these questions, you’re in the right place. To put it simply, a capsule wardrobe is a wardrobe that you fill with styles you’ll love for a long time.
There are no rules to what does and doesn’t belong in a capsule wardrobe; that’s for you to decide! But, there are some tactics you can use to make sure you have all the outfit essentials you need to stay stylish season after season. The Princess Polly team has put together a go-to guide on how to build a capsule wardrobe so keep reading!
How To Build a Capsule Wardrobe
1. Identify Your Personal Style
Not one capsule wardrobe will look the same as another. It’s all about finding styles that YOU will wear over and over again. If you’re unsure what your personal style looks like, that’s okay! Finding your vibe is half the fun. Head to Pinterest and create a new board titled ‘MY STYLE’. Pin anything that you love here and use it as a reference.
We have loads of cute outfits on the Princess Polly Pinterest and over on IG. This is a great place to start. It’s also a good idea to find influencers that have a style you feel inspired by. Seeing how clothes look on someone that you feel represents you is empowering (and super helpful!). Scroll through our IG to find a range of influencers wearing super cute styles, you’ll find your fave in seconds.
2. Review What You Currently Have
No weekend plans? Now you do! Spend some time reviewing your wardrobe and use your reference inspo from Pinterest and IG to help out. If you find something you’re not loving anymore, it might be time to say bye. You can sell your preloved clothes online or donate to a local charity. Don’t just throw them away!
BTW, doing a wardrobe clean out can be therapeutic. It’s a great time to let go of things that you no longer feel aligned with. You wear your clothes every day; it’s okay to switch out what doesn’t make you feel your best. New wardrobe, new energy!
3. Pick Your Capsule Pieces
Find a gem that you can see yourself wearing all-year-round? That’s a sign your capsule wardrobe is coming together. Spoiler alert: creating your capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean ditching everything you have and shopping an entire wardrobe from scratch. Start looking at your existing styles from a new POV. Ask yourself, is this easy to style? Does this match with your current faves? What occasions would you wear it?
If your answer is no, no and never, it’s time for your style to have a new owner. Some easy platforms to pass on clothing are Facebook Marketplace, Depop, ThredUp and Poshmark. Or, grab your bestie and head to your local weekend markets and host a stall!
4. Create Minimal Outfits
Minimal effort, maximum vibes. The key to capsule dressing is finding looks that take seconds to style but look effortlessly put together. When you’re in a rush, getting ready for work or trying to find a last minute party look, you’ll likely reach for the easiest outfit you own. Creating a capsule wardrobe ensures that ANYTHING you grab will look 10/10. Think staple wardrobe pieces like white dresses, blazers, tailored pants, faux leather jackets and versatile accessories. Need help finding the perfect jacket for your capsule wardrobe? We've got you covered in our article Find The Perfect Jacket Here.
Staple doesn't mean boring! If there’s a bold color you love to wear, put it into your capsule wardrobe. Remember, no rules. If you stick to your reference styles and keep the versatile pieces you can wear all-year-round, your 2024 capsule wardrobe will be next level.
