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Do you want to know how to identify your capsule wardrobe style before starting your capsule? Here’s how.
Before starting to build my capsule wardrobe I decided it was time to change my personal style a little since I didn’t feel like myself in my old clothes. The problem was I didn’t even know what my style was and I had no clue how to find it.
So I started researching like crazy and I paid close attention to how other people did it, this way I was able to build the right process to find my own style.
As a general rule, you can find your capsule wardrobe style in 5 steps
- Analyze your current clothing habits
- Determine what you want to communicate through your clothes
- Gather inspiration from apps such as Pinterest
- Step outside of your comfort zone
- Analyze your data and find your style
There’s a lot more to these five steps than you may think, also during my research I found lots of helpful tips I’m going to share with you.
In this article
Why finding your style before you start a capsule is important
Before we start I think it’s important you understand the benefits of finding your capsule wardrobe style, or even your own personal style before you actually start a capsule.
First of all, you will avoid buying clothes that don’t resign with you and you won’t end up wearing in the end. Think about it, how many clothes you don’t wear are living rent-free in your closet right now? 😂
Also, having your style clear in your mind allows you to create a plan to shop for your capsule which will save you A LOT of time and money.
Last but not least, you have the chance to change your style if you want. For example, I wanted my clothes to express who I am so I decided to change, or better find my own personal style. So, if you need something new or you feel in a rut this is exactly what you may need!
How to find your style
1. Analyze your current clothing habits
The first step you need to take is to analyze your current habits. This is important because not only do you need to know what you like aesthetically, but also it’s crucial you understand what you like to wear and what clothes you feel good in.
This is why for at least 30 days you need to pay attention to what you wear, and what occasions you need to dress for more frequently.
For example, during this time in my process, I noticed I was avoiding wearing pants altogether and when I absolutely had to I was not happy about it.
I realized I only purchased really tight slim jeans that squeeze my tummy too much and I was not wearing them because I felt uncomfortable.
You see, this is useful information to know about yourself and your clothing habits. So, write down anything you notice because we will need it later.
2. Decide what you want to communicate
Style is not about following trends, it’s timeless. As I probably said already, you need to feel good in your clothes, they are supposed to give you a boost of confidence and power.
At least that is what I want to feel, what you want might be different.
This is why this next exercise is key to this process. You need to figure out two things:
- What do you want your clothes to communicate
- How do you want your clothes to make you feel
I highly encourage you to actually write this down, take pen and paper and start writing adjectives and phrases to answer your questions.
I promise this will help you a lot in the next step, so please don’t skip this!
3. Gather inspiration
Now for the fun part, you are going to create a Pinterest mood board.
Basically, you go on Pinterest and create a new board called “my capsule wardrobe”.
Next, you want to create sections on this board. Personally, I divided my board into these sections:
- Autumn-winter outfits
- Spring-summer outfits
- Accessories
- Loungewear
- Activewear
You absolutely do not need the sections, if you prefer you could just have one board where you pin everything in. Honestly though, I feel like it’s easier to find exactly what you need with sections. Also, my style actually changes a little bit through the seasons.
Now, take your notes from the last step, and let’s begin. Start pinning to your board, you want to save only pins that follow these three rules
1. You would like yourself in the outfit
2. It doesn’t contain clothes you noticed you don’t like wearing
3. It needs to express at least one of the adjectives or phrases you wrote in step two.
Take your time with this, you don’t need to have a thousand pins. This is just for you to visualize what you actually want.
Also, a great tip to find your capsule wardrobe style is to study your favorite dressed celebrity’s style. Take a look at what they are wearing, could you pull it off? How would it make you feel?
If possible choose a celebrity with the same body shape and season palette as you. Basically, anything they wear is to enhance their features, they probably have a whole team just to do that.
If you take inspiration from someone similar to you, it’s possible you start making better choices in clothes without even realizing it. For example, I am an inverted triangle and a deep winter so I would need to find a celebrity I like with these two qualities.
4. Step outside of your comfort zone
Now, take some time to try out new things. You know that loud top you always wanted to try but never felt like it? Go ahead and see how it looks on you!
I’m not saying you should buy tons of clothes you don’t even know you like, but go to the mall and try them out. If you have a feeling you might actually like these clothes and also, they resign with the three Pinterest rules, you’re golden!
Experiment and have fun with yourself, this is what this section is all about!
5. Analyze your data and find your style
We are so close to the end!
Okay, now choose 3-5 images that describe your overall style and save them on your phone.
This is going to help you tremendously, when you shop before you buy anything look at the pictures and ask yourself if this item is in your style. If it is, buy it but if it’s not you know it’s not worth your time and your money.
Start buying and see what you wear most, if some clothes express something you would like people to think about you but it’s so uncomfortable you end up not wearing it it’s not necessarily part of your style.
As I already said, your style is made of clothes that say something about you but also make you feel amazing.
Also, it’s important that your clothes fit you well. This is the last filter, try everything out and buy them only if they make YOU look good.
It’s not just about having cool clothes on, the purpose of your capsule wardrobe (of your entire closet actually) is to make you shine!
This post was all about how to find your capsule wardrobe style
Want to build a capsule wardrobe in 2023?
Check out this article to know every step.
