Capsule Wardrobes: How to Strip Down to the Essentials
Be inspired to declutter and learn to love living with less. It starts with a clothing flush out
Excessive jackets, shoes and clothes in general are prime culprits for messy bedrooms and hallways. A collapsing, heaving wall-mounted coat rack was the sign I needed to aim for a more minimal wardrobe, but your reasons may be different – perhaps you’re moving house and want to reduce your belongings? Maybe you’re curious about the Marie Kondo method after having chats with converted friends? Or perhaps you’re just sick of taking forever to find your clothes and get dressed in the morning. Reducing your wardrobe is a cleansing and liberating experience. Plus it creates more space. Give the following steps a go this weekend to kick-start a simpler outlook on life.
Choose three words to describe your style
As you’re surveying your wardrobe, think about which three words best describe your style. Your interior tastes will inform this too. Maybe you’re “arty, monochrome and modern” or “retro, Scandi-influenced and bright”. Perhaps “smart, sophisticated and bespoke” sums you up better? As you sift through your clothes, pick up each piece and ask yourself whether it fits with those three words.
Make those words your style mantra from now on, to stop you buying unsuitable items for both your wardrobe and your home.
As you’re surveying your wardrobe, think about which three words best describe your style. Your interior tastes will inform this too. Maybe you’re “arty, monochrome and modern” or “retro, Scandi-influenced and bright”. Perhaps “smart, sophisticated and bespoke” sums you up better? As you sift through your clothes, pick up each piece and ask yourself whether it fits with those three words.
Make those words your style mantra from now on, to stop you buying unsuitable items for both your wardrobe and your home.
Empty your wardrobe entirely
Get absolutely everything out of your wardrobe and off your clothes rack and back of the door, and place it all on the bed. This will let you see the true extent of what you have (it’s often an eye-opener and will shame you into action). It also means you can review everything in good light, try things on and make decent judgments.
Get absolutely everything out of your wardrobe and off your clothes rack and back of the door, and place it all on the bed. This will let you see the true extent of what you have (it’s often an eye-opener and will shame you into action). It also means you can review everything in good light, try things on and make decent judgments.
Keep only what you love
Not sure about something? Hoped you’d find something to go with it or that it might fit you better one day? Get rid of it.
Keep only what you love – that way, getting dressed each day will no longer be an exasperated cry of “I’ve got nothing to wear!”. You’ll be surprised at how your “uniform” starts to come together a lot easier, once you’ve got a capsule of outfits that automatically define your look.
Not sure about something? Hoped you’d find something to go with it or that it might fit you better one day? Get rid of it.
Keep only what you love – that way, getting dressed each day will no longer be an exasperated cry of “I’ve got nothing to wear!”. You’ll be surprised at how your “uniform” starts to come together a lot easier, once you’ve got a capsule of outfits that automatically define your look.
Have a system for seasonal wear
Set aside everything seasonal or vacation wear and store them out of the way. You could use an ottoman or under-bed container to store them. Vacuum-pack storage bags are an innovative way to squeeze clothes into teeny spaces when they aren’t in use, keeping them clean and safe.
As you sort out your seasonal clothes, decide whether you’ll still be as enamoured by each piece when the season comes around again. If you have any doubts, bin it.
Set aside everything seasonal or vacation wear and store them out of the way. You could use an ottoman or under-bed container to store them. Vacuum-pack storage bags are an innovative way to squeeze clothes into teeny spaces when they aren’t in use, keeping them clean and safe.
As you sort out your seasonal clothes, decide whether you’ll still be as enamoured by each piece when the season comes around again. If you have any doubts, bin it.
Pick out occasion wear
There’ll be items of clothing that you wear once in a blue moon, or hold sentimental value, such as evening gowns, tuxes or wedding dresses. Store occasional wear near the back of your wardrobe, or in a separate area, as seen here.
If the item is very beautiful, it’s a shame not to have it out on display. Vintage dresses look gorgeous hung on simple wooden hangers from bedroom picture rails.
There’ll be items of clothing that you wear once in a blue moon, or hold sentimental value, such as evening gowns, tuxes or wedding dresses. Store occasional wear near the back of your wardrobe, or in a separate area, as seen here.
If the item is very beautiful, it’s a shame not to have it out on display. Vintage dresses look gorgeous hung on simple wooden hangers from bedroom picture rails.
Choose three of each
Or maybe five at a maximum. Now that you’ve cleared out what no longer fits, doesn’t match your style or only gets worn at certain times of the year, you can get down to business.
Aim to select three of each item: three pairs of pants, three tops, three skirts, three jackets and three dresses… choosing pieces that truly reflect your personal style. If you know you live in jeans, up your allowance a little. The idea is to get more wear out of the things you feel great in and love wearing.
This means that next season you can identify gaps in your wardrobe and buy little and sparingly, rather than constantly topping up with items you’re not that bothered about or bought on a whim.
Or maybe five at a maximum. Now that you’ve cleared out what no longer fits, doesn’t match your style or only gets worn at certain times of the year, you can get down to business.
Aim to select three of each item: three pairs of pants, three tops, three skirts, three jackets and three dresses… choosing pieces that truly reflect your personal style. If you know you live in jeans, up your allowance a little. The idea is to get more wear out of the things you feel great in and love wearing.
This means that next season you can identify gaps in your wardrobe and buy little and sparingly, rather than constantly topping up with items you’re not that bothered about or bought on a whim.
Ban excessive loungewear
Many of us keep old clothes as loungewear for the weekend, or for when we’re doing housework, washing the car or dyeing our hair. While it’s useful to have a couple of pairs of old tracksuit bottoms and T-shirts, you don’t need a whole drawer full. Be ruthless and get rid.
Many of us keep old clothes as loungewear for the weekend, or for when we’re doing housework, washing the car or dyeing our hair. While it’s useful to have a couple of pairs of old tracksuit bottoms and T-shirts, you don’t need a whole drawer full. Be ruthless and get rid.
Consider your accessories
Look at your belts, ties, scarves and jewellery. Do they still fit in with your remaining wardrobe? Select and keep only those accessories that enhance your core style.
Invest in a drawer organiser like the one shown. Having everything easily accessible like this will help you make even quicker decisions when you’re dressing in the mornings.
12 Storage Solutions for Clothing, Accessories and Stuff in Your Bedroom
Look at your belts, ties, scarves and jewellery. Do they still fit in with your remaining wardrobe? Select and keep only those accessories that enhance your core style.
Invest in a drawer organiser like the one shown. Having everything easily accessible like this will help you make even quicker decisions when you’re dressing in the mornings.
12 Storage Solutions for Clothing, Accessories and Stuff in Your Bedroom
Donate what you don’t want
Now that you’ve selected your keepers, pack away all the items you’re parting with. If you’re unsure, keep hold of them for a while in case you miss something. But if you’re feeling confident, sell the quality items to make a bit of pocket money (and try not to buy anything new), do a clothes swap with pals or donate your old things to charity.
Try to live with your capsule wardrobe for a while before investing in anything new. You’ll soon notice you need nowhere near as many clothes for a happier, more confident outlook. And just look at all that extra space you’ve gained!
TELL US
How do you clear out your wardrobe? Share your tips and pictures in the Comments below.
MORE
Shop for wardrobes and armoires
Now that you’ve selected your keepers, pack away all the items you’re parting with. If you’re unsure, keep hold of them for a while in case you miss something. But if you’re feeling confident, sell the quality items to make a bit of pocket money (and try not to buy anything new), do a clothes swap with pals or donate your old things to charity.
Try to live with your capsule wardrobe for a while before investing in anything new. You’ll soon notice you need nowhere near as many clothes for a happier, more confident outlook. And just look at all that extra space you’ve gained!
TELL US
How do you clear out your wardrobe? Share your tips and pictures in the Comments below.
MORE
Shop for wardrobes and armoires
Your shoes often live in a different part of the house to the rest of your wardrobe. Get them all out and have a good think about what you wear often, the pairs you genuinely love and what’s seen better days. Do you really need three pairs of black high heels? Probably not.
Think about your lifestyle and weigh your choices towards that – for example, if you’re a PE teacher, you’re definitely going to need a fair few trainers.
Pick out one or two pairs of flats, a couple of trainers (unless you’re a PE teacher), a few heels and some sandals. Ideally, you should have no more than nine pairs in total. Then donate or chuck the rest. This can be tough, but it’ll start you on the right track from the ground up.