Does the idea of a capsule wardrobe appeal to you, one in which you have fewer clothes but that all mix and match to create plentiful outfits?
It’s a win:win all ways round really
- good for your purse (no spending money on that one item that only goes with one other item in your wardrobe!)
- good for the planet (your buy and then wear less clothes)
- and great if you like to regain some headspace and time each morning (rather than dithering about what to wear!).
I’ve written quite a few blogs on the topic suggesting ways in which you can pull a capsule together (see here) and giving you example capsules for each colouring type (see here).
Whilst I always mention how hugely important I believe it is to understand your style personality though, I haven’t really talked much about how to channel your style personality to make sure that your capsule wardrobe is one that oozes YOU! So this blog is for you if you want to really get to grips with developing a capsule wardrobe you genuinely feel 100% yourself in.
At it’s heart, a capsule wardrobe should have pieces within it that are ones that you love, so the first few questions to ask yourself are:
- What do my favourite outfits have in common?
Are they colourful or are they made up of mostly neutral colours?
Do they include fun quirky elements or are you more about simple styling?
Are your favourite outfits likely to be trousers and tops or do you love to wear skirts and dresses?
Are your outfits patterned or are they more likely to be block colours?
Will the outfits be trendy or do you enjoy wearing classic timeless styles?
Do you like pretty feminine details in your outfits or are you drawn to tailored, structured looks?
Are your favourite outfits generally more informal/casual, or do you enjoy a more dressed up look?
Do you like a co-ordinated, matchy-matchy look or do you like to be a bit more creative?
The more you can drill down and understand the key elements of the outfits that you enjoy wearing the most, the easier it will be to put together your capsule wardrobe. Jot down some notes/adjectives, take photos, screenshot any images you like or pull them out of magazines – all of these things will help you get more clarity on your style personality. - What accessories do I have and enjoy wearing?
Do you like adding finishing touches to an outfit or does that all feel like too much of a faff?
Do you enjoy wearing jewellery?
Do you wear scarves?
Are you a multiple handbag owner or do you have the one trusty go-with-everything bag or none at all? - What footwear do I like to wear?
Do you feel your best in … block heels? stilettos? flats? trainers? long boots? ankle boots? brogues? ballet pumps? strappy sandals? flip flops? chunky shoes/boots? colourful shoes/boots? quirky shoes/boots?
Do you have lots of different pairs of shoes or just a few?
Do they have to match with your outfit or is this irrelevant to you?
Now that you have formulated a clearer picture of what you like and dislike (your style personality), you can start to think about the core pieces that will work well in your capsule. I tend to build things in threes or fours – so simply choose 3-4 colours and for a minimal capsule choose 3-4 bottoms, 3-4 tops, 3-4 dresses and 3-4 outer layers (cardigans/jackets), each being in one or more of those 3-4 colours. It’s the latter that is where the magic lies as it means everything mixes and matches.
Make sure that you also think about how you spend your time. Your clothes need to work for your lifestyle so don’t for example create your main capsule simply full of items for evenings out, if you spend the majority of your time working. You need more of the clothes you wear most often.
Back to the question at hand, to show you how important it is to choose pieces that really showcase your style personality I’m including examples of outfits that I created for a recent client.
Here’s what you need to know about her – she:
- loves very simple chic styles
- doesn’t like details, even a ruffle or tie will send her into a spin!
- prefers to wear block colours rather than patterns
- works full-time, running her own business, almost exclusively on Zoom
- enjoys days and evenings out and likes an uncluttered smart casual look
- has Smokey+Warm colouring
This capsule is based around a colour palette of tan, cream, rust and green items. Here are some of the looks I have put together for her as part of her subscription to my Stylist At Hand service. The first three images show ideas for Autumn/Winter, with the last three being looks for last Spring/Summer. You can see how the capsule is growing, but more importantly how it absolutely fits my client’s style personality. I have her likes/dislikes clearly in mind when I am pulling everything together for her. The clothes are all simple chic styles in a neutral palette that works perfectly for her.
I hope this blog has helped you to think through how to create your own capsule wardrobe. If I can help you, then do call (07917 663330) or email me or have a read of my capsule wardrobe services. I’d love to simplify things for you and help you to develop a wardrobe that really works for you.