What's In Your Closet? How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe

Creating a capsule wardrobe has saved my life! Well, that's being a bit dramatic, but it has caused me to save time, money, and frustration over whether I have something to wear or not. I no longer blindly walk into retail stores without a plan. Not every piece of clothing catches my eye. Now for the best result of creating a capsule wardrobe: I don't buy items just because they're on the clearance rack lol!

Capsule wardrobes are all the buzz right now if you hang around Pinterest for any length of time. Capsule wardrobes are also a dream come true for the super-organized minimalist, and type A's alike, but is a capsule wardrobe right for you?

4 Reasons to Start Your Capsule Wardrobe Today!

1. Capsule wardrobes put an end to frivolous spending.

2. Capsule wardrobes reduce the time it takes to get dressed.

3. Capsule wardrobes keep you organized; creating order where there once was chaos!

4. Capsule wardrobes allow you to have good, quality pieces in your closet

Is a Capsule Wardrobe Right for You?

Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you need to create a capsule wardrobe:

1. When was the last time you donated clothes/shoes/accessories?

2. Do you always claim to have nothing to wear?

3. Are some of your clothes/shoes/accessories outdated?

4. Are some of your clothes/shoes/accessories too big?

5. Are some of your clothes/shoes/accessories too small?

6. Is your closet space maxed out? Are you using other rooms/closets for space?

*Tip*

• Only start this project when you have at least an hour (or more) to go through your clothes/shoes/accessories.

• You may find it easier to start this project by categorizing your clothes (i.e. work clothes, gym clothes, evening/weekend clothes, formal attire, etc.).

• You can allow for a few items that you're unsure of...BUT don't go overboard, or else you'll be back to square one.

Step 1: Sort

Congratulations! You've decided to de-clutter your closet. Now it's time to sort what you already have. Using the questions you answered above, you're going to remove the following items:

• Items that are too big. Please do not keep these items. You'll be tempted to try and actually fit in them...and that's the opposite of our fitness goals right?

• Items that are too small. Yes, I feel you. You've had those pair of jeans for years and you're going to get back in them. You might, you might not...at least not right now (just being honest). Break off the attachment and clear that space for the jeans that fit you perfectly...which brings me to my next point:

• Items that don't flatter your figure. You'll learn a lot about your shopping habits during this project. When I first did this, I noticed that I tend to buy the same colors, cut, and patterns. My closet was not diverse at all. Which meant I had to give away quite a bit. Plus, the items I had didn't flatter my figure. Some of the pants were too short, the blouses too boxy, just ewww.

• Items that are torn, tattered, and full of holes (and not in the stylish way). Why do we hold on to these kind of items? I know for me I always promise that I'm going to get the item repaired (FYI I never do). Let it go (in my Elsa voice).

• Items that you're indifferent about. Still holding on to the sweater your aunt bought and you hate it? Toss it. Not really fond of the name-brand cardigan that you bought because you saw it on clearance? Get rid of it.

Step 2: Donate

Disclaimer! Do not donate items that are torn, tattered, or full of holes. Just don't.

Now, gather all of those items that were too big, too small, didn't flatter your figure, and the items you were indifferent about and put them in bags to be donated. I suggest Salvation Army, a local women and children's shelter, consignment shop, or my favorite money maker: Poshmark!

Step 3:

You're another step closer to revealing what you really love in your closet! I'm all about being organized, and categorizing my closet is my favorite part of wardrobe capsules. Categorize what's left of your clothing pile by clothing type: jeans, blouses, t-shirts, skirts, dresses, coats, jackets, sweaters, etc.

*Tip* If you're feeling really creative, go a step further by finding your color palette. I'm still learning about mine. For work clothes, I lean more toward a minimalist style, with pops of color and patterns here and there. I wear a lot of white, gray, and black. For weekend clothes, I lean towards denim, stripes, graphic tees, layers, sweaters, leggings, prints, long coats, and faux leather.

Step 4:

Now for the hard part: try not to shop! I know, I know, I feel your pain. However, the bright side is, now when you shop, you already know what's in your closet. This will keep you from overspending and buying two of what's already in your closet. Instead you can splurge on more expensive pieces because it's quality and you've grown accustomed to not filling your wardrobe with items you don't love. Challenge yourself by experimenting with the items you have in closet already.

Congratulations! You've created your first capsule wardrobe.

Bonus Step:

If you're feeling a bit accomplished and want to go a step further, then read on.

This is usually the step when I go ahead and lay out what I'm going to wear for the week. I pull out my iPad and log in to my saved Pinterest fashion boards.

I pick my bases (pants, skirts, and dresses) and then add in blouses, shirts, shoes, and accessories. Having a wardrobe capsule allows you to easily see what colors and prints look great together. Lately, I've been experimenting with mixing prints. Use Pinterest fashion boards to get your inspiration flowing!

Check out some of these capsule wardrobes that I found on Pinterest to get your inspiration flowing. Oh, and if you don't have a Pinterest account, I suggest getting one ASAP!

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