How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe

My guide to building a sustainable capsule wardrobe.

Living With Intentional Style: Where Fashion Meets Mindful Living

Introducing the 3rd blog in my 3-part blog series about how I created a sustainable style with my Oliver Charles All-Season Cardigan.

This blog is about how you can build a simplified wardrobe without sacrificing your personal style.

• 7 Day Sweater Challenge
• Wear it. Love it. Repeat
• Simplify, Sustain And Style

----------

Have you ever spent time in your closet searching for something to wear and getting overwhelmed by all the things you haven’t worn?

You brush past several items thinking, “I'll wear that someday” or “I got such a good deal on this.” When in actuality, those pieces may likely stay put for the next several months or even years.

Trust me, I've been there, several times in fact, which is why I have decided to declutter my closet. I've always loved having such a full wardrobe, but upon going through my closet piece by piece, I found many items that I could do without.

I started creating piles of everything in my closet, categorized as “never worn”, “damaged/poor quality”, “ill-fitting”, and “not my style”. I didn't want to discard anything until I had exhausted other uses for them besides hanging out in my closet. So, I set them aside in bags and boxes and planned to either donate them or give what I could to family members.

Once I was able to declutter the majority of excess items from my closet, what I was left with were the classic pieces, basics, and essentials, like my Undyed All-Season Cardigan. Adding this new addition to my capsule wardrobe has made outfitting much simpler.

Now, don't get me wrong, this was not the easiest project for me. I definitely struggled to part ways with handfuls of items I had held onto for so long.

I think, when it comes down to it, it's difficult for us to part with things we worked hard for, or were gifted, or in some ways brought us a sense of comfort.

The great thing about creating a sustainable capsule wardrobe is that you don’t have to buy a whole new one or even completely part with your current one. The idea is to make use of what you have and find more creative ways to stretch your wardrobe.

Decluttering your closet and creating a capsule wardrobe that is tailored to you is a great step forward to living with intentional style. Sometimes less really is more.

A Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe Starts With What You Already Have

When it comes to building a sustainable capsule wardrobe, all you really need is what's in your closet.

You would be amazed at just how much versatility you could create with the simplest of items. Sustainable style is all about utilizing the clothing you already have and creating something new from it through restyling techniques.

So what does sustainable style even have to do with capsule wardrobes? The two can honestly go hand in hand. A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of very versatile and interchangeable pieces. The goal is to create multiple looks for different occasions by rotating the same items within that wardrobe. Creating a more minimalistic wardrobe is a form of sustainable style.

Now, personally, taking that first step of decluttering my closet was a challenge that I never knew I needed.

I realized how tired I was of all the clutter and unnecessary items just taking up space. I needed a fresh start. Giving your wardrobe a fresh start doesn't necessarily mean going to the mall and buying all the clothing you love. For me, it was about learning how to do more with less.

Take my Undyed Yak Wool Cardigan, for example. I absolutely love how versatile this timeless sweater is. The subtle, earth-tone shade makes it perfect for pairing easily with most items I already own. I can easily dress it down with a white t-shirt, a pair of denim, and some comfy sneakers. If I wanted to dress it up, I could layer it over a dress, accessorize, and toss in some heels.

Why A Capsule Wardrobe Just Makes Sense

Imagine walking into your closet and putting together an outfit for an occasion in less than 15 minutes? No getting tangled up in too many clothes or options. No debating if you should try on a blouse you haven't worn in months or a dress you bought on sale that doesn't pair well with what you have.

Creating a capsule wardrobe not only helps simplify your decision-making, but it can also:

• Declutter Your Closet: Your closet becomes neater and organized with w/fewer items.
• Encourage Less Consumption: Spend less money by investing in fewer high-quality pieces.
• Promote Sustainability: Buying less helps reduce waste.
• Define Personal Style: Your wardrobe becomes more intentional with pieces you know you love.

My closet is still a work in progress, but with the amount of items I have been able to remove, I can actually see what I own.

It isn't just a blur of overwhelming clothes anymore. Picking out an outfit to wear shouldn't be a stressful task. It should be effortless to put together, but also very intentional once all is said and done.

Learning to define your personal style is honestly a key component of a successful capsule wardrobe.

You’ll know exactly what you have, how it fits, and what you can wear it with. It will be a reflection of your lifestyle.

Having an excessive wardrobe filled with ill-fitting items or things you don't even wear can make getting dressed a daunting task. Your wardrobe should be a reflection of who you are and meet the needs of your current lifestyle.

Simplicity Over Clutter: Getting Started

Building a capsule wardrobe may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but following a few basic steps will have you well on your way to the closet of your dreams. To get started, you'll want to:

• Define Your Lifestyle: Are you casual with your wardrobe? Does your career play a huge factor in how you dress? What's the climate like where you live? You want your wardrobe to be a reflection of your daily needs.
• Declutter your Current Wardrobe: Sort through what you already have and separate it by “keep”, “donate/sell”, and “Damaged beyond repair.”
• Create a Cohesive Color Palette: Choose a foundation of colors that can easily be matched and then add a few accent colors you love.
• Determine Core Pieces: These versatile pieces can range from a selection of tops (t-shirts, blouses, cardigans), bottoms (jeans, dress pants, skirts), dresses (casual/formal), outerwear (casual, coat, blazer), shoes, and accessories.

When it comes to my lifestyle, motherhood is my number one job. So, I aim to be comfortable and casual a majority of the time.

When I started to declutter my closet, I was able to audit out the items that didn't reflect my daily needs or style, for that matter.

My current color palette was already majority neutral, so I knew it would still be easy to mix and match pieces for a cohesive look.

When it came down to identifying my core pieces, I just knew that my Oliver Charles Cardigan would be a part of that selection. Not only is it extremely versatile, but it's made from yak wool, which is harvested naturally, making it the perfect sustainable cardigan to have in your capsule wardrobe.

Sustainable Style Simplified

I took this journey to declutter my wardrobe so that I could be more intentional.

It has been very rewarding. I love having a more organized closet, but I also appreciate how it has given me a more simplified and sustainable lifestyle.

Having a year-round sweater that's incredibly versatile and also eco-friendly is a great addition to my wardrobe.

Creating your own sustainable capsule wardrobe can still give you the endless and stylish options you love with a “less is more” mindset.

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.