How to Build the Perfect Capsule Wardrobe

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Ever stood in your wardrobe looking at a vast array of clothing but finding nothing to wear? According to a study from ClosetMaid, the average American woman has 103 items in her closet, but research suggests we do not wear at least fifty percent of our wardrobe on a regular basis. Why?
The answer is simple – many of us don’t own clothes that fit our lifestyles, suit our bodies, or can be matched in multiple outfits, which is why capsule wardrobes have become so popular.

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Capsule wardrobes use a few key items in certain colors that can be mixed and matched with other items to create different outfits. Much like wearing a uniform, it makes deciding what to wear on a daily basis so much easier and can help us avoid spending money on items we are never going to wear.
Before creating the perfect capsule wardrobe it’s important to ask yourself the following questions:
Lifestyle – how you live your life day-to-day is important when compiling a capsule wardrobe. There’s no point splurging on business casual wear if you work from home, or are a stay at home mom. Do you live in a city location, or is your lifestyle more beachy or country? How do you spend your weekends? Are you out and about in nature, or hitting the latest city hotspot full of fashionistas? Take a look at the type of clothing you currently reach for on a daily basis and plan your wardrobe for the life you currently have, not the life you only dress for on occasion.
Location – do you live in a part of the country that has four distinct seasons, or do you live in a more temperate climate? Most people who have a capsule closet have key items they bring in and out depending on the season.
Pick a Base Color Scheme – a capsule wardrobe works well when there is a key color scheme that can be mixed and matched. Pick two or three colors that work well together as your basic neutral and then work from there. Many people like to pick beige, black, or grey as their basic neutral, but if you prefer a more colorful wardrobe pick tones that work well with one another and are on the same color grouping such as jewel tones for example.

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What Style Suits Your Body – picking a style you feel comfortable in and one that accents your best body features is key to creating a cohesive capsule wardrobe. Is there a particular body part you want to minimize or maximize? Think about the clothes you currently have and take a look at the ones you feel fabulous wearing. These items will give you a clue about which style you should go for.
Which Wardrobe Items Do You Hate? – lastly, go through your closet and take a look at items you have purchased that you never wore, or hated wearing. Make a note about why these items made you feel that way. Was the color off? Did you hate the way it fits? Learn from those bad purchases and don’t make the same mistake again when buying new clothing to create a capsule wardrobe you’ll love to wear.