Follow These 10 Wardrobe Rules to Build Your Perfect Wardrobe

Hi everyone! Welcome back! Since you clicked on this post, it’s very likely that you share my love of capsule wardrobes. Or maybe you’re not quite sure if capsule wardrobes are for you. Today, let’s talk about what a capsule wardrobe is, how absolutely anyone can apply the capsule wardrobe mindset, and my 10 essential capsule wardrobe rules to live by.

The Capsule Wardrobe Mindset

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of items that are fully interchangeable and provide outfits for a specific purpose. For example, you can have a seasonal capsule wardrobe full of day-to-day outfits, a travel capsule for a specific destination, or an office capsule geared toward achieving your career aspirations. You could create one year-round capsule wardrobe, or several capsule wardrobe “modules” that build on one another to create a greater whole.

Anyone Can Apply the Capsule Wardrobe Mindset

A capsule wardrobe should not be required to contain a certain number of items for all people. Neither are you limited to having only one capsule in your full wardrobe. Rather, I like to think about capsule wardrobes as a framework or a mindset to apply when looking at any wardrobe. The Capsule Wardrobe Mindset is defined by 10 basic principles. Building your wardrobe with these 10 rules at the foundation will help you fully express your style, avoid impulse shopping, and always have something fantastic to wear for your unique lifestyle and goals.

The 10 Capsule Wardrobe Principles

Selectivity

Only keep items that you love. When you try on an item that is perfect for you, it should click right away. If you find yourself debating whether or not to keep something, get rid of it. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself and return items that don’t fit right, feel right, or suit your personal and style goals. Don’t be afraid to be picky.

Definition

Develop a strong sense of your personal style and your signature look. Create a moodboard of outfits that you can see yourself wearing. This visual definition of your style will bring clarity and focus to your wardrobe that words cannot. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out my Pinterest where you can find inspiration boards for various style types. Pinterest is also a great place for you to create your own board to start curating and defining your unique personal style.

Quality

Focus on building a collection of high-quality pieces that last for multiple seasons, or even years. Learn to identify quality materials, construction, and fit. Poor quality items are often less flattering and must be replaced often. You could even end up spending more money on cheaper items because of how frequently they must be repurchased. Building a closet full of high-quality items that last for years will allow you to waste less and use more of your budget to build upon your wardrobe and evolve your style.

Authenticity

Embrace your individuality. Contrary to the mainstream, black and white, laundry list capsule wardrobes out there, let your capsule wardrobe fully express you. Don’t feel trapped by traditional style types. Combine elements from more than one style type to create your unique look. Being authentic will bring a unique timelessness to your style and your wardrobe.

Direction

What are your personal goals? Career goals? Relationship goals? Each of your goals will likely require you to take part in different activities and therefore wear different outfits. For example, you may need formal business wear to meet your career aspirations, date night outfits for time with your significant other, and athletic wear to achieve fitness goals. Make sure to write down your goals and determine how many outfits you will need for each associated activity. The perfect capsule wardrobe should be tailor-made to help you achieve your aspirations in life.

Harmony

A capsule wardrobe strives to be harmonious with your natural beauty, an extension of your best self. This includes color harmony, body harmony, personal style harmony, and alignment with your personal goals. Search out items in cuts and colors that harmonize with your natural beauty, preferences, goals, and personality.

Investment

A capsule wardrobe is an investment in yourself, your image, and your future. Invest the necessary time and money into selecting high-quality garments that are perfect for you. One perfect piece is worth 10 half-baked ones.

Practicality

Prioritize practicality and wearability. Strive to include elements of your authentic style in every outfit, but ensure that your wardrobe is appropriate for your daily lifestyle. Account for weather, dress codes, and comfort when selecting items and evaluating outfits. Aim for form and function within every piece.

Versatility

Maximize your outfit combinations by selecting items in a diverse range of cuts and colors that are fully interchangeable with one another. If you’d like to keep your capsule small, try to avoid including several similar items. For example, 3 pairs of dark wash skinny jeans will bring less versatility than one pair of light wash kick-flare jeans, one pair of dark wash skinny jeans, and one pair of black wide-leg denim. The intersection of variety and cohesiveness is the key to creating maximum versatility with only a small number of pieces.

Evolution

Personal style is a journey. Use every season as an opportunity to learn more about yourself, redefine your goals, and evolve your personal style. Each season, evaluate your capsule and take note of which items you wear the most. Then, take an honest account of the items that you don’t often wear, and consider selling, donating, or recycling them. Anything that makes you anxious, doesn’t fit properly, doesn’t match with most other items, or hasn’t been worn in the last year should go. Then, reevaluate your life goals and adjust your capsule accordingly. No need for a huge overhaul every season. For example, you might remove one old item and add two new items to slowly evolve and grow your capsule. Take it slow and have fun improving your style every season!