How Dressing with Wardrobe Capsules Can Simplify Your Life

HOW DRESSING WITH WARDROBE CAPSULES CAN SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

You’re probably not the first, nor the only woman who has complained that she has too many clothes in her closet, but hardly anything to wear. The vast majority of women use 1/3 of the clothing in their wardrobe. From my experience, >60% of most women’s wardrobes go untouched.

So why does this happen?

The answer is not the same for everyone; however, the most common reasons that I have seen in my professional career as an Image Consultant and Wardrobe consultant is CONFUSION.

Many women are utterly confused about what to buy, how it will look, why they are buying an item and how to make it fit.

There are some women who shop on impulse for the adrenaline rush that it gives them, then there are others who have gone through body changes and are picking out items for their ‘dream body’ or for that time when they reach their goal weight.

What ends up happening most of the time is clothes are bought, placed in a closet and left to collect dust because priorities change or the item just didn’t make sense for her.

What if there was a better approach?

What if you could have a wardrobe strategy that allowed you to only buy clothes that you need, that coordinate well with what you already have, that enables you to stay stylish and helps you contribute to reducing waste?

There is such an approach and it’s called a wardrobe capsule.

A wardrobe capsule, also known as a capsule wardrobe, is a curated collection of essential and versatile clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a wide range of outfits.

The concept was popularized by Susie Faux in the 1970s and later gained widespread recognition through the work of fashion designer Donna Karan. The primary goal of a capsule wardrobe is to have a smaller, more efficient, and functional collection of clothes that can meet your style needs and simplify the process of getting dressed.

Building a wardrobe capsule involves careful planning and consideration of your lifestyle, personal style, and the activities you engage in regularly.

Here are the steps to build a wardrobe capsule:

1. Assess Your Needs: Begin by assessing your daily activities, lifestyle, and the type of events you typically attend. Consider your work dress code, social activities, hobbies, and any special occasions you may need to dress up for. This will help you identify the key categories of clothing you'll need in your capsule.

2. Identify Core Pieces: Core pieces are the foundation of your wardrobe and should be versatile and timeless. They include items like neutral-colored tops (e.g., blouses, shirts), bottoms (e.g., pants, skirts), and outerwear (e.g., blazers, jackets). Stick to classic styles and colors that can be easily mixed and matched.

3. Choose Accent Pieces: Accent or ‘Captivating’ pieces are items that add personality and style to your capsule. These can include patterned tops, colorful blouses, statement accessories, and shoes. Aim to strike a balance between neutral core pieces and accent pieces to create a well-rounded capsule.

4. Consider Seasonal Items: Depending on your climate, you may need to include seasonal items like sweaters, coats, and summer dresses. Make sure that these items can be integrated seamlessly into your capsule and work well with your core pieces.

5. Quality Over Quantity: Invest in high-quality pieces that are well-made and durable. Quality items tend to last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and saving you money in the long run. There is a trick though, if you know how to shop discounts, you can get quality items at a discount price.

6. Stick to a Color Scheme: Select a cohesive color palette for your capsule to make mixing and matching effortless. Neutral colors like black, white, gray, and navy are versatile choices, while accent colors can add variety and interest. Consider getting your colours assessed through a colour analysis to give you a solid basis for choosing your core ad accent colours.

7. Mindful Shopping: When adding new pieces to your capsule, be thoughtful about how they fit into your existing wardrobe. Consider whether the new item complements your style and works well with multiple other pieces. If an item doesn’t have a purpose, leave it on the shelf.

8. Limit the Number of Items: While there's no strict rule, a typical capsule wardrobe may consist of around 30-40 items, excluding underwear, loungewear, and workout clothes. Adjust the number based on your preferences and needs.

9. Seasonal Updates: Periodically review and update your capsule as your needs and style evolve. Swap out seasonal items and replace worn-out pieces as necessary.

Building a wardrobe capsule requires some initial effort, but it can simplify your daily routine, reduce decision fatigue, and lead to a more sustainable and mindful approach to fashion.

As a busy leader and boss, I’m sure you would rather spend your time thinking about the other tough decisions that you have to make during the day. Simplify your life with wardrobe planning so that you can focus.

Want to get a simplified wardrobe and dress for success but don’t know where to start?

Let’s connect to discuss your needs. I would be happy to assist.

Here’s to living your best life with a simplified wardrobe and impeccable style!

Cheers,

Looking for a total solution to help you build your personal brand? Look no further than the ‘Captivate with Presence Program’ for diverse women leaders who want to build their authority, confidence and style. Sign up to the mailing list for the program launch.