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Here’s exactly what I did to have a minimalist capsule wardrobe.
I will go through my thought process with you: all the things I kept, what I got rid of, plus a few things that I learned along the way.
I hope these will help you create a capsule wardrobe that works for you a lot better on a daily basis.
At the end of this article, I am also going to share something a little bit controversial (or unpopular). I’m really curious if any of you guys do the same thing, let me know in the comments below.
On this topic, I also created and posted a post about decluttering my wardrobe a few months ago. In it, I shared how I decluttered about 80% of my clothes.
Now I no longer have as much in my wardrobe. And also, getting rid of 80% of my clothes made the moving house process a lot easier a few months ago.
Feel free to keep reading below or watch the video:
Check my clothing items in storage
To begin building my capsule wardrobe, I pulled out the drawers that were under my bed.
In one drawer were the formal things to wear at parties, weddings, and other occasions: a couple of high-heeled shoes, a dress, and things like that, but just a few items (I’m a mum of 2, I don’t currently go out much).
In the other drawers, I had my off-season autumn and winter clothes, like knitwear. I also had three pairs of jeans that don’t currently fit me because I’m still postpartum.
Basically, anything that doesn’t fit or is out of season is kept in storage under my bed or in baskets on top of the wardrobe.
The main daily wardrobe
In the main wardrobe that I open every single day, I keep only the stuff that fits me right now, clothes that I can wear now, and that are season-appropriate.
This makes it so much easier when I open my closet, because everything that’s in there is an option for the day.
As I’m going through each category in my wardrobe, I’m asking myself, “Does this item make me feel good when I have it on?”.
We truly deserve to have clothes that make us feel good.
What’s the point of having clothes that don’t fit right, that are uncomfortable, that we just don’t feel like ourselves in?
For some of the things I have, I think, “Oh, that’s cute, but I don’t really wear it” or “It’s nice, but it just doesn’t make me feel good, though it used to in the past.”
I’m no longer keeping those things.
What I’m doing here is basically shopping in my own wardrobe.
I’m picking the things that I love, things that I wear on a weekly or monthly basis. Things that make me feel good, that make me feel joyful when I put them on in the morning.
Anything else that doesn’t fit the description has to go. There is no point in keeping something that I am not going to wear.
What I have found after decluttering over 80% of my closet is that I still have the same amount of clothing that I like to wear on a weekly basis.
I don’t feel like I’m missing anything that I used to own, because I got rid of things that I wasn’t wearing anyway.
And you will likely feel the same.
You’ll get rid of the excess, yet you’ll still have all of your favourite items, the ones that you love to wear. You’re not going to feel like you’re missing out.
And you don’t need to keep everything “just in case” you might need it one day. Btw, I have a post here on how to declutter those “just in case” items – it can be tricky.
You just need to have a wardrobe that fits you and that makes you feel good today.
What’s more, decluttering your wardrobe actually has quite a few perks.
The advantages of a clutter-free minimalist wardrobe
For one, you will have less laundry to do.
You will likely have to do laundry a bit more often than you used to, and this will make the whole process easier.
It sounds counterintuitive, I know.
But it feels really good not to have in the back of your mind or your visual area, piles of clothes everywhere, piles of laundry that need to be done.
Having fewer clothes is actually freeing, and it also reduces decision fatigue.
Every time you open your closet, you will no longer be feeling or thinking, “What am I going to wear today? I have so many clothes, and I don’t have anything to wear”.
You will have the right options, meaning the clothes that fit you, the clothes that make you feel good. And that’s what it’s all about.
My 10 rules for my minimalist capsule wardrobe
Let’s talk about some rules that I like to follow for my wardrobe.
After thinking about it and being more intentional with my wardrobe, I’ve realised that there are certain things that I need to have and some I do not want to have in my wardrobe.
So I made 10 rules that I generally like to follow and keep in mind when shopping or decluttering.
If I find something that’s cute but doesn’t fit these rules, I know it’s not for me. It takes the decision-fatigue away.
I’m not saying you need to follow these exact same 10 rules.
These are what works for me.
You might have a different lifestyle, you might have different preferences. It’s all up to you and what works for you.
I’m just going to share them with you in case they’re helpful or spark some ideas for you.
1. No special bra needed
The first rule is I don’t want clothes that need any special bra.
I am not bringing or keeping in my wardrobe any piece of clothing that needs a special bra.
If it needs something more intricate than a basic bra and without it, it doesn’t look nice, then I don’t want it.
I’m all about convenience and keeping it simple these days.
2. No strapless things
My next rule is no strapless things.
I used to have them when I was maybe a teenager, but I don’t find them comfy, especially with kids around me all the time.
I don’t like them anymore and they don’t make me feel comfortable, hence no strapless things for me.
3. No tight turtlenecks
I can’t stand tight turtlenecks around my neck anymore.
I used to like them when I was younger, but I am not a fan anymore.
4. No weird cutouts
Sometimes there’s a jumper that has cutouts around the midsection or on the shoulders – they’re not for me.
I’m not into that design at the moment.
I like simple clothing, like a full-on jumper.
If I’m going to wear a jumper, I want to feel comfy and cosy.
5. Simple colours and limited patterns
I like to keep simple colours and fewer patterns.
I do have a few things here and there, like a checked shirt, a colourful dress, but I keep those limited.
I found that if I have clothes with a bold pattern, I get bored with them quicker than if they’re in a plain, simple colour.
I do seem to be able to wear a classic piece for years and years without getting bored of it.
This might sound absolutely boring to you, and that’s fine. You pick what goes with your lifestyle and what you prefer to have in your wardrobe.
This is just what works for me, and I don’t find it boring for myself. I find it’s freeing and it makes it so much easier to mix and match everything that’s in my wardrobe.
6. V-necks
I’m all about the V-neck. I love it.
I find it to be flattering. Not a super deep V-neck but just a regular one. I like this design for my tops or t-shirts.
7. Comfy trousers
I also like comfy trousers. I can’t have anything too tight or restricting. I love good quality leggings, flowy leg trousers or mom jeans at the moment.
8. No fiddly clothes
You know those clothes that you have to keep pulling on the neckline or on the sleeves or just constantly readjust?
I am not about that.
9. My Mum Uniform
I also realised that I kind of have a uniform.
For example, because I like comfy trousers, I usually wear either mom jeans or leggings. And I like to have different-coloured leggings just so that I don’t have the same black leggings every single day.
Then I love an oversized top, like a sweatshirt or a jumper, depending on the weather, but that’s what I like to go for.
So my ‘uniform’ is comfy trousers and an oversized top. And honestly? I have never felt better with the clothes that I have in my wardrobe.
10. Shoes – no heels for everyday wear
My last rule is about shoes.
I don’t buy or keep shoes that have heels for everyday wear anymore.
What’s the point, honestly?
I have a baby and a six-year-old, and I just do not have time for heels unless it’s a special event, maybe.
Controversial opinion: no longer buying sales
Now, my controversial or unpopular opinion that I wanted to share with you about my wardrobe is that I no longer buy when sales are on like I used to.
I used to be such a bargain hunter, going to Primark, and finding my bargains.
But the thing is, it’s an unproductive way of shopping.
Nowadays, I buy with a list.
If I have something in mind, like a specific outfit, I will make a list of the things that I need for it.
Then I will go and look on Vinted first, for pre-loved clothes.
This is much more environmentally friendly and also helps save a whole bunch of money.
Plus, I find it kind of freeing and liberating to not have to hunt down the sales, looking for the perfect bargain.
If you go on Vinted, everything’s a bargain, right?
Everything’s so cheap there.
And you can find great things, some that have barely been worn and are in perfect condition. You get a huge bargain on that.
I find that this takes the pressure off of finding that bargain or the best sale.
If I can’t find what I’m looking for on Vinted, I might look in the shops too, but Vinted is my first go-to place. And I have found so many good things on there.
The one-in, one-out rule
When it comes to shopping, I have a rule as well, and that’s the “one in, one out” rule.
I recently bought two things on Vinted, so my next step is to go and look in my wardrobe to take two things out.
I do this because I don’t want to overstuff my wardrobe again.
I don’t want to get to the point where I was before decluttering. So I apply this rule constantly.
I can’t explain how much easier it is now to manage my wardrobe and my house.
I hope you have found this article helpful.
Let me know, in the comments below, how you’re getting on with decluttering your wardrobe. I love hearing from you.
