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Fashion Flexibility: How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe

If you often spend most of your days staring into your closet, trying to figure out an outfit to wear, it is time to build a capsule wardrobe. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it means compiling staple clothing items you can mix and match to create many fresh looks. If the thought of more fashion flexibility sounds ideal for your needs, learn how to create a capsule wardrobe.

Review Your Existing Clothing

Before investing in new pieces, you must review the clothing hanging in your closet. If you haven’t worn an item in the last 12 months, it is time to donate it to charity, recycle it, or throw it away. You likely have many staple clothing pieces hanging in your wardrobe, which could save you money when overhauling your look.

Pick a Style Icon

While you might not have a celebrity’s fashion budget, you can find style inspiration from their looks. The clothing they wear and image could feed into your wardrobe. 

For example, if you love the way Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara, or Beyonce dress, you will likely want to adorn glamorous looks that highlight your shape. However, if you would love to have Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, or Margot Robbie’s closet, you might prefer more classic designs. 

Once you have picked a style icon, you can build a similar wardrobe that features clothing items you love. Thoughtfully pick pieces you can mix and match will boost your confidence and simplify your life.

Choose Signature Colors

Before shopping can begin, you must choose your signature colors. Sticking with a color palette that features many neutrals can help you develop a more flexible closet. You can then add a few pops of specific accent colors into your looks, such as red, green, or pink. 

If in doubt, use the color theory as a guide, which features four categories:

  • Hues (A pure color, such as primary colors)
  • Shades (A pure color with a hint of black added)
  • Tones (A pure color with a hint of grey added)
  • Tints (a pure color with a hint of white added)

The seasons often follow the color theory method, which will make it easier to choose clothing items to add to your closet. For example, you should wear hues during winter, shades during autumn, tones during summer, and tints during spring. 

Don’t Follow a Specific Capsule Number

You don’t need to follow a specific number to build a capsule wardrobe. While most fashion magazines might recommend buying 27 or 50 items, find a capsule number that works for your needs and budget. Following a strict number can limit your wardrobe, which could lead to less choice. Instead, your goal must be to create a smaller closet filled with fashion staples, which can prevent the need to go shopping every month.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Don’t rush out to build a capsule wardrobe. Instead, consider your current lifestyle. If you work from home permanently or 50% of the week, buy items that match your daily needs. Otherwise, you could buy many clothes that will spend most of their life hanging in your closet. 

Start Building Your Capsule Wardrobe

Once you have selected your style icon, signature colors and considered your current lifestyle, it’s time to start shopping. As mentioned, you don’t need to follow a specific number when building a capsule closet, but some must-have staple items can provide greater fashion flexibility. 

A Leather Jacket

A leather jacket is a must-have item. It can complement many clothes in your closet, from a sweater to a summer dress. Also, it will allow you to layer your look, as the jacket will appear effortlessly cool when paired with a vibrant scarf and a hat. It’s one item you’ll wear time and again.

Black Ankle Boots

Black ankle boots can provide greater style versatility, as they can match various items in your closet. For example, they can look great when worn with skinny jeans, tights, leggings, a skirt, or a dress. It will ensure you appear chic and stylish, and the footwear can help an outfit transition from day to night.

A Plain Sweater

A plain sweater can add comfort, texture, and warmth to your closet. Plus, it’s a flexible garment, as you can wear it by itself or place it over an oxford shirt. It will look great when worn with a pair of jeans, a skirt, or leggings. You’re bound to turn to the sweater on a cold day off from work, as you will feel warm and cozy when the temperature drops.

Relaxed Jeans

If you need a comfortable pair of jeans that will make you look and feel great, look for a relaxed design. It can match almost every item hanging in your closet, from a pretty blouse to a t-shirt and leather jacket. 

A White Blouse or Shirt

If you don’t already own a white blouse or shirt, it’s time to add one into your closet for greater versatility. It is feminine and flattering when worn alone, but it can serve as a fantastic base layer when worn with a blazer or leather jacket. 

Also, a white shirt with a collar can be worn underneath a chic sweater. It’s one item you can wear from spring through to winter, and it will allow you to alter your looks without adding many pieces into your closet.

A Pair of Flats

A flat pair of shoes is perfect for on the go. The comfortable footwear can look great with every item hanging in your closet, from a dress to jeans. Plus, you can even incorporate your signature accent into the flats to inject a pop of color into an outfit.

A Black Dress

A black dress is a capsule wardrobe essential. Pick a flattering, plain design you can wear anywhere, from shopping in the grocery store to enjoying lunch or cocktails with a friend. You can even team it up with a leather jacket, scarf, and ankle boots for a more casual look.

Stackable Rings

Jewelry can harmonize staple items hanging in your wardrobe, as it can add texture, color, and elegance to a look. Don’t underestimate the power of simple, high-quality rings, as they will appear feminine and stylish. 

These cute stackable rings are a great option, as you can mix and match designs to create different looks, or they can be worn alone. It can provide your wardrobe with greater flexibility while helping you develop a signature style.

A Stylish Cross-Body Bag

A cross-body bag can match many items in your closet and will unify your look. It’s worth paying a little extra for a high-quality bag to ensure it stands the test of time. Also, stick to a neutral color scheme for versatility. It will appear stylish when shopping, at work, or catching up with friends for a coffee. 

A Classic Double-Breasted Coat

The next item you should add to your to-buy list is a double-breasted coat. Again, pick a neutral color to ensure it matches the garments in your closet. The sophisticated design will never go out of style, which will encourage you to wear it year after year. It’s one clothing investment you’ll be glad you made.

A White T-Shirt

If you want to look effortlessly stylish when heading to a grocery store or to enjoy a stroll in the park, a white t-shirt is a must-have item. It will look cool yet simple when worn with a pair of jeans and ankle boots or sneakers. Alternatively, you can layer it with a jacket, scarf, sweater, or coat.

A Mid-Sized Heel

A mid-sized heel can help you transition clothing from day to night, as it can add a touch of glamour to a dress or a pretty blouse and pair of jeans. Plus, it will add a few inches to your height, but it’s not too tall that you need to worry about losing your balance and falling over.

A Cinching Belt

A cinching belt is ideal for times when you need to accentuate your waist. It can transform the look of dresses hanging in your closet, as it can change its silhouette while providing your style with texture and color. 

Choose a neutral color to match many items hanging in your closet, or you could buy a belt that will add your signature accent into a look. The choice is yours.

A White Pair of Sneakers

Everyone should have a white pair of sneakers. While a simple pair can complement most staple pieces, a classic design from a big sneaker brand could take your style to the next level. For example, you cannot go wrong with a white pair of Nike Air Force 1 or Adidas Gazelle sneakers.

Before buying clothing, consider the different ways you can wear an item each day. If it provides limited flexibility or will fall out of style in a few months, put it back on the rack and choose timeless, stunning pieces to simplify your closet.