Capsule wardrobes first popped onto my radar via Pinterest, one of my favorite sources of outfit inspiration. Yes, the perfectly arrayed displays of white t-shirts, chambray shirts, and structured trench coats caught my eye. It seemed a little formulaic. But perhaps that’s the point, I thought. I also wondered if the much-discussed capsule wardrobe benefits were the real deal.
Well, I decided to take the leap and try a capsule wardrobe out. Here’s how it altered my style for the better.
A CAPSULE WARDROBE, EXPLAINED
My fall capsule wardrobe.
Perhaps you’ve seen the neatly arrayed clothing or the perfectly sectioned checklists and thought to yourself what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? You’re not alone. I was unsure about the concept at first as well. But now that I’ve experienced the benefits of a capsule wardrobe, I am fully on board.
A capsule wardrobe, simply put, is a collection of clothing pieces that easily pair with each other. There is no set size or style that a capsule must follow. The main purpose is the ease of dressing. With versatile pieces and a cohesive color palette, looking put together requires minimal effort.
As a capsule convert, I feel qualified to tell you about some of the closet and life-enhancing capsule wardrobe benefits I’ve enjoyed. I broke them up into different categories, for your scrolling pleasure.
CAPSULE WARDROBE TIME BENEFITS
1. I GET DRESSED MUCH MORE QUICKLY.
This is one of the biggest benefits of adopting a capsule wardrobe. A smaller closet is liberating. My overstuffed closet dwindled into a manageable selection of flattering pieces. Choosing what to wear is much simpler now.
2. MAINTAINING A WARDROBE IS EASIER.
Before entering my capsule wardrobe era, my closet was unruly, to say the least. Now, I can easily take stock of what I have and what I need. Doing wardrobe cleanouts or seasonal changes is no longer an arduous, hours-long affair.
I’ve also learned about capsule wardrobe rules like the “one in, one out” rule to keep the number of clothes within a certain range. Now, do I always follow these rules? That’s a story for another blog post.
3. I SPEND LESS TIME DOING LAUNDRY.
When you own fewer clothes, the laundry pile is much more manageable. Shocking, I know. One caveat- this will depend on how many clothes you choose to have in your capsule wardrobe.
I veer away from super minimalist capsules like a ten-item wardrobe because I don’t want to always be doing laundry.
4. PLANNING AND PACKING TAKE LESS TIME.
Outfit planning for occasions and trips is sooo much easier with a capsule wardrobe. If I have an event or travel coming up, I can simply refer to my curated collection of versatile pieces and easily put together stylish and appropriate outfits. Refer to my Hawaii capsule wardrobe here for an example.
CAPSULE WARDROBE STYLE BENEFITS
A midi skirt is a closet essential I always keep at the ready.
5. EVERYTHING IN MY WARDROBE LOOKS GOOD ON ME.
Once I decided to drastically reduce the number of clothes I owned, I knew I had to select only the best. And by the best, I don’t mean the trendiest or the most expensive. I mean the pieces that fit me perfectly, that suit my color season, and that flatter my 5’3 frame. Anything clothing that didn’t suit me went to the donation pile or to my (much taller) sisters’ closets. Now, each piece I own looks great. No more mediocre clothes!
6. I HAVE OUTFIT FORMULAS THAT I CAN RELY ON.
Every woman needs a go-to look that always flatters. Enter outfit formulas. Outfit formulas allow me to outfit repeat without anyone noticing. So in my capsule, I have multiple midi skirts and off-the-shoulder tops. I wear them in different combinations and they always flatter my figure.
7. THE COLOR PALETTE MAKES ME LOOK POLISHED.
A key step in building a capsule is creating a cohesive color palette. This step can take some trial and error but it is well worth it. Why? Well, my fashionable friend, it ensures that every item can be effortlessly coordinated with others. I now enjoy easy outfit creation and polished looks on repeat.
8. I PUT TOGETHER MORE CREATIVE OUTFITS.
Paradoxically, having fewer clothes has led to more outfit combinations and creativity. I’ve discovered new pairings, played with layering, and experimented with accessories to create unique looks.
Try out a capsule and see how creative you become when you don’t have a massive closet to work with. An added bonus? This creativity may expand into other areas of your life too.
CAPSULE WARDROBE SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS
9. I REDUCE CLOTHING WASTE.
Rather than constantly buying and discarding clothing items, I focus on investing in timeless pieces that I can wear for years. It’s refreshing to be free from chasing trends and to really focus on what suits me.
10. I MOVE TOWARD SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING PRACTICES.
Another benefit of a capsule wardrobe is that it naturally puts you in a sustainable mindset. Rewearing items, shopping less, and prioritizing quality over quantity are all part and parcel of using a capsule.
CAPSULE WARDROBE MONEY BENEFITS
Me in Everlane- a go-to source for capsule wardrobe essentials.
11. I SHOP LESS OFTEN.
Confession time- I used to use events as an excuse to buy new clothing. I know, I know. I regret it and am happy to report that his overconsumption is now a thing of the past. Thanks to my capsule wardrobe, I’ve kicked my frequent online shopping habit.
12. I ENJOY A LOWER COST PER WEAR.
Investing in quality pieces means they will last longer and provide better value for your money over time. I experienced this capsule wardrobe benefit when I cut back on fast fashion and focused on quality pieces.
Yes, creating a capsule does require an initial investment. But you can definitely create one on a budget by working with what you already own. Learn how to create an affordable capsule wardrobe here.
13. I SHOP WITH INTENTION.
Good news for my wallet and my sanity- I now shop for what I need instead of what I want. And when I do shop, I have a keen sense of what I like.
Here’s what I realized- once you have well-made staples in a curated capsule, you’re ready to go. It’s like eating a full meal instead of snacking throughout the day. You’re satisfied. You don’t need more trips to the mall to get a little shirt here or a party dress there. It’s all covered in your closet.
CAPSULE WARDROBE MENTAL BENEFITS
14. DECISION FATIGUE IS A THING OF THE PAST (IN MY CLOSET AT LEAST).
Not to sound like a corporate consultant giving a presentation, but I love a streamlined and efficient closet. Buzzwords aside, the ease of getting dressed each day is a top-tier capsule wardrobe benefit. Now I can save my mental energy for the decisions that matter, like which of the 17 different serums I will use in my skincare routine this morning.
15. I ENJOY GETTING DRESSED.
Fashion should be fun! I love love love putting together outfits. But before I created a capsule, my closet had lots of pieces that didn’t play well together. Not anymore. Since all the pieces in my capsule work well together, mixing and matching outfits has become effortless and satisfying.
16. MY CLOSET IS MUCH NEATER.
It’s calming and, dare I say, delightful to walk into a well-organized closet where everything you need is tucked away in its proper place. A clean closet is the gift you didn’t know you needed.
PROS AND CONS OF A CAPSULE WARDROBE
As you can see, there’s lots to love about a capsule wardrobe. But I want to provide a balanced perspective. I’ve been on both sides of the wardrobe spectrum, after all. So take a look at some of the potential drawbacks to see if a capsule is right for you.
Pros
Saves time in the morning
Reduces decision fatigue
Promotes a more intentional shopping
Saves money by shopping more consciously
Enhances personal style and creativity
Reduces clothing waste and promotes sustainable practices
Provides a decluttered and organized closet
Cons
Requires initial planning and effort
Limitation on variety and spontaneity
Potential difficulty in letting go of sentimental items
Requires periodic wardrobe evaluation
May not suit everyone’s fashion preferences
Limitation on seasonal or trend-specific items
Requires maintaining and curating the wardrobe
CAPSULE WARDROBE BEGINNER RESOURCES
Want to know more about building a capsule? Browse these resources:
