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Want to know the exact capsule wardrobe structure your closet should have? Here is everything you need to know about the capsule wardrobe structure.
When I first started this process I was not very sure about what should be the right capsule wardrobe structure. For example, are there any rules to build a capsule? So, I did more focused research where I found the most important rules you need to follow to start your own capsule wardrobe.
There are 4 capsule wardrobe rules you should follow. You need a relatively small selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other, your clothes should reflect a neutral color palette. In addition, only wear clothes you love and use to save money, and have more fun.
During my research, I also found a quantity of amazing information you wouldn’t even imagine. Building a capsule wardrobe is not as easy as following four rules, there’s a lot more to it.
In this article
Capsule wardrobe rules
On average, there are 4 capsule wardrobe rules you should follow
- Only wear clothes you love and use
- Stick to a neutral color palette
- Select interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other
- Keep your clothes selection relatively small
But why are they important? Also, how exactly can you follow them to build a capsule wardrobe that fits your needs? Don’t worry, in this article, we are going to cover that and more.
Only wear clothes you love and use
Only having clothes you really love in your closet will make your life easier and better. Think about that piece of clothing you use and abuse, the one you adore and would use every day.
Now, imagine having a wardrobe full of items such as this one. You could create an unimaginable number of outfits that are comfortable and look good on you. This is what a capsule wardrobe is all about: practicality, ease, and fun.
This is why a total closet purge is one of the steps to start a capsule wardrobe. Purging your closet of clothes you don’t like or use will leave you with a great starting point for your new and functional wardrobe.
Let’s purge then! Pull and try everything out. I recommend dividing your clothes into four categories
- Keep
- Trash
- Donate
- Purgatory
The “purgatory” section is for those clothes you don’t really wear but feel like you could. Place them in this section and keep these pieces on probation for 2-3 months. After that, they need to go if you still haven’t worn them.
You could even ask a friend to help you out, have fun with this process and, remember, be brutal!
Aurora’s tips
to avoid buying clothes you won’t end up using i suggest you get clear on your own personal style before you start a capsule wardrobe. If you know what you want and use, you won’t buy anything less!
Stick to a neutral color palette
A capsule wardrobe provides a range of basics in neutral colors allowing you to style multiple outfits in the shortest time possible.
Selecting a neutral palette is key to winning this game. Neutrals allow you to have a solid base for any outfit you can think of.
Let’s say you really want to wear those red animal print pants (I know, not for everyone but hear me out 😂), of course, you cannot style them with a bright pink button-down and python boots, you need basics!
Neutral colors allow you to make sense of your non-capsule wardrobe, this is why they are so important. Which colors should be included in a neutral palette then? Don’t worry, we will cover this topic in-depth in a few moments.
Select interchangeable clothing pieces
Basically, this means not only you should focus on neutral colors but also on basic pieces, at least when you’re first starting.
All your capsule wardrobe pieces should complement each other. For example, this is why you don’t just need a white tank top but you also need a range of different necklines.
This way you can style different non-capsule pieces while creating a balanced outfit each time!
You don’t need to worry though, a capsule wardrobe doesn’t necessarily need to be boring. I actually recommend shopping in five phases, starting with the most basic colors and pieces to then implementing different styles, colors, and textures.
Remember, capsule wardrobes are supposed to be user-friendly!
Keep your clothes selection relatively small
On average, a capsule wardrobe contains 25-30 pieces of clothing. Meaning you don’t have to buy many new clothes, especially if you already like neutral colors.
This is important because having fewer clothes narrows your choices. What happens if you have fewer choices? You make decisions more quickly.
This is why having a capsule wardrobe not only allows you to create better outfits but also to save time.
Capsule wardrobe color palette
Before identifying your color palette there are a few questions you need to ask yourself
- Which colors do I like?
- Which colors suit me?
- Which non-capsule colors do I want in my wardrobe?
I suggest you actually take the time to write an answer to this question as it will make the process easier. After that, you will be able to pinpoint precisely which colors you should include in your capsule wardrobe palette.
Here’s an example, feel free to pin this so that you can implement these colors in your capsule wardrobe.
This is my neutral palette but, remember, you need to take into consideration what color suits you better. For example, if you have a muted complexion a bright, pure white may not be for you. In this case, you should go for an off-white color.
If you don’t know what your colors are you can find out here!
How to organize your capsule
Before you start your own capsule you should think about how you would like to organize it since there are many ways to organize a capsule wardrobe.
As a general rule, it’s possible to organize a capsule wardrobe in four seasonal (3-month) capsules or two (6-month) capsules. Capsule wardrobes are remarkably customizable, depending on your lifestyle you can determine how many capsules and how many items.
Personally, I have decided on two 6-month capsules. This works great for me since I had my closet already divided in two: Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer. This is perfect for Italy’s climate and the way that I dress.
Naturally, the way you organize your capsule wardrobe will be custom to you and your life. For example, if you live in a place where summer is super hot but spring can still be chilly you could go for four seasonal capsules.
To decide what’s best for you, start by thinking about when you do your seasonal wardrobe change. If you do it just once a year, when you transition from winter to spring, you will likely prefer two capsules best.
This post was all about capsule wardrobe structure and rules.
Want to start your own capsule wardrobe?
Here is the ultimate step-by-step guide you need to follow
