How I Created My Capsule Wardrobe

Have you dreamed of creating your own capsule wardrobe?

When I set out to transform my closet, deal with the issues behind creating a capsule wardrobe, and then eventually create a capsule wardrobe, I realized that really, it had to be my OWN. Not like anyone else’s. I perused Pinterest pictures for awhile one night and looked at all the different styles and types of clothes that people had in their capsule wardrobes.

But they do not live the life I do. They do not have the same activities I do nor the same lifestyle. That was when I knew I had stop looking at what “everyone else was doing” and do it my own way. And I want you to do the same. Take this post as just someone’s journey towards having a small-er wardrobe. May it encourage you to maybe pare down and make more use of what you have.

My capsule wardrobe will probably look nothing like yours (and maybe it will). When I took a look at my life, I realized that:

I spent most of my time at home, working around the home, in casual clothes
I spent a fair amount of time outside exercising or playing with my daughter
I went to work 2 days a week during the school year, but didn’t have to get too dressed up
I have to wear “church” clothes once a week and occasionally for a wedding

Here is how I created my own capsule wardrobe:
(I recently decluttered so I did not need to spend time doing that)

#1 – I decided what types of clothes I wear the most.

What that list above said to me was that I needed to base my capsule wardrobe around these types of clothes:
- Casual
- Comfy
- Workout Clothes
- Church Clothes

#2 – What do I enjoy wearing the most? My go-to pieces?

If someone told me to just get dressed, not knowing what I would be doing, I would choose either my skinnys and a shortsleeve shirt or my workout clothes, both with my chacos for shoes. What else can I pair with my favorites?
- Skinnys, a shortsleeve shirt, a cardigan, and boots
- Skinnys, a sweatshirt, and chacos
- Workout pants, shortsleeve shirt, sweatshirt, and chacos
Those are just a few examples of what I can pair with my favorites. I will show you what this looks like in more detail below.

#3 – What color scheme do I tend towards? I have a lot of blacks and navys. I know that I should be choosing one or the other to mix and match with, but I find that my coordinating colors, like my blues and pinks, both go with black and navy, so I decided to coordinate with both colors. Some coordinate with grays and browns. This is where you have to decide what color scheme is YOU, not anyone else’s. I find I can still keep a minimal amount of clothes with the two color schemes I have, so that is just what works for me.

#4 – What am I missing?

Nice tops for work
Black pants – I have a pair of dress pants, but they are on the verge of being a little short and just aren’t comfortable because I am self-conscious about how short they are
Quality short-sleeve shirts
Sweaters

#5 – Buy what I am missing

I had an Old Navy/Gap gift card, so I was able to find black skinnys on sale and a nice short-sleeve shirt to replace the two that I have had since college.
I had a friend who was purging of her clothes and she knows I enjoy trying on what she no longer needs, so I was able to buy some perfect tops for work and sweaters, to round out my wardrobe.
Speaking of, when you are missing a piece of clothing that will help round out your capsule wardrobe, don’t assume that you need to go ahead and buy new. Yes, I think quality of the clothing can make a difference, but do you have friends that you can do a clothing swap with? Do you have secondhand stores that offer good quality clothing? Some of my favorite pieces are things that I have found from Goodwill. Who knew? Don’t be ashamed if you can’t buy new. But don’t be ashamed of buying new either. Buy what is affordable for YOU.
For me, like I mentioned above, quality versus quantity is key. My husband taught me this concept early in our marriage. I have learned that Under Armour clothing fits me very well and is very comfortable. It is a bit more expensive, but I have a black jacket that I have had for 8 years. I have a sweatshirt that I have had for over 6. It just lasts a long time and even though you may spend a few dollars more upfront, it will save you money in the end.

#6 – My new capsule wardrobe.

Of course I did not swap everything out for new. I just found new ways to pair what I have with other items I may not have thought of, and got rid of what did not pair well. This is what I own:

3 vests. In the bitter winters of Minnesota, this is actually what I use as my coat sometimes, to lessen the bulk while running errands.

4 pairs of jeans, with one of the four being a junk (painting) pair

6 comfy longsleeves including 2 sweatshirts, 2 quarter zips, and 2 zip ups

4 scarves

7 cardigans. I know, I know, that may seem like a large number, but cardigans I use for every season and it is my perfect “add-on” for an outfit, whether it be a dress or even with a pair of yoga pants.

6 short-sleeve shirts, from athletic to casual

7 tank tops (I have 2 white ones).

6 dresses, from casual (can wear some while running errands during the summer) to fancier, like for a wedding or church

5 “nice” shirts and sweaters

7 pairs of shorts (4 for exercising/lounging)

6 long-sleeve shirts, with 2 being SPF 50 shirts

The “black” wear: 1 pair of yoga pants, 2 leggings (one being fleece-lined), 1 pair of running tights, 1 capri length exercise pants, and 1 pair of thick fleece pants

8 pairs of shoes, including slippers

In total, I have 74 items in my capsule wardrobe:3 vests
4 jeans
6 sweatshirts
4 scarfs
7 cardigans
6 shorts-sleeve shirts
7 tank tops
6 dresses
5 “nice” shirts
7 shorts
6 long-sleeve shirts
5 “black” pants
8 pairs of shoes
TOTAL: 74

At first when I looked at that number, I thought WOW, that is WAY MORE than what I thought I had. And here I thought I was working on a minimalist wardrobe. The thing is, many of the capsule wardrobe pictures you see, do not include workout clothes. They do not include the “lounge” clothes. They do not include sweatshirts. If I had to guess, they probably wear those types of clothes too. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to not re-wear my workout clothes before I wash them!

Also, one thing to keep in mind: if you live in the north, you are going to have to have a wider variety of clothing because of the change of seasons. You will need shorts and tank tops, but fleeces and sweatshirts for winter too.

If you look at those pictures, you will see a common color scheme. Blacks, whites, aquas, navys, and pinks. With those colors, I can mix and match almost anything. I can add a cardigan with any of those tops, add a vest, my scarves, and change the style quickly with any of my shoes.

And yes, I realize I can pare down even more. I will get there. In fact, I already decided to get rid of one of my dresses that just doesn’t fit right. Getting my wardrobe to this point has taken a LONG time and as you can see, it is a work in progress! It has helped to take pictures of all of my clothes, like above, to truly see what I have. It made me ask, do I need all of this? My wardrobe looks nothing like those on Pinterest, but what I see my wardrobe to be is real life. The real life of a mama who can get filthy dirty with my child everyday, not worrying about ruining my clothes. It is casual, comfy, contains workout and church clothes. The very things that fill my life.

In the end I can say that my capsule wardrobe is filled with: simple and basic coordinating clothes that are essential to ME

I hope this series has helped you think about what is in your closet! Maybe you are looking to transform your closet and build your own capsule wardrobe. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to create YOUR capsule wardrobe. It is yours. It is your lifestyle and it is your style. It is your idea of living with less.

Make your wardrobe YOU.