How to Build a Mini Capsule Wardrobe With 6 Pieces
A capsule wardrobe sounds so boring, right? I mean who wants to wear the same clothes over and over? I love shopping and having something to new to look forward to, but I also love the idea of having a small curated collection of clothes and not having to worry about what I am going to wear. Currently, I waste so much time searching for an outfit and trying on multiple items before I decide what to wear. I have clothes in my closet I haven’t wore for months and pieces I continue to hold onto “just in case” I will want to wear it again.
A mini capsule includes a small number of pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. I am going to teach you how to build a mini capsule out of 6 pieces. With these 6 pieces you will be able to create 12 outfits. The six pieces consist of:
- 1 outer layer (jacket, blazer, or cardigan)
- 3 tops ( long sleeve, tee, blouse, etc.)
- 2 bottoms ( skirt, jeans, joggers, leggings)
When you pair each of the 3 tops with the 2 bottoms that creates six outfits. If you add the outer layer to each of those outfits that gives you a total of 12 outfits.
There are really no rules when it comes to creating a mini capsule. It does not mean you have to get rid of the rest of your clothes or you can’t buy trendy pieces. It is simply a guideline to help you to be more intentional about what you bring into your closet. I plan to create 3 to 4 mini capsules within my closet, and still plan to keep some fun pieces that don’t fit into my capsules. You can create as few or as many capsules as you would like. Keep in mind you will also create new capsules for each season. Here’s how to get started:
- Clean Out Your Closet Sort your clothes into what you want to keep and what you want to donate or sell. When you hang your clothes back up try sorting them by color. You may want to stick to a certain color palette. This way your pieces can be easily mixed and matched. The colors I typically have in my closet are black,white,camel,olive, light pink and some leopard print. Something to consider trying is to turn all your hangers the same direction, and after you wear an item turn the hanger the opposite direction. This will help you to see what pieces you aren’t wearing and may want to get rid of.
2. Shop Your Closet
Try to break your current wardrobe into mini capsules. This way you can see what you already have and take note of pieces you might need. Here is an example of a mini capsule I put together by shopping my closet:
In the photos below I showed how to create 12 outfits from the 6 pieces. Obviously, only having this one capsule would get very boring, so that is why you want to have multiple minis in your closet. Even just switching up shoes and jewelry can make a huge difference, or switching out the layering piece.
3. Start Shopping
After you have sorted you clothes and arranged what you have into mini capsules you can then write a list of items your mini capsules are missing, or create a whole new one. Below is an example of one I created by doing some browsing at some of my favorite stores. Having the button down in the mix adds a whole other element because that piece itself can be styled in multiple ways. Browsing your favorite sites with a plan in mind makes it even more fun.
A few more tips for creating a wardrobe you love:
- Shoes and jewelry are such a fun way to personalize your look. They are the finishing touch to your outfit and can completely change a look. Buy shoes and jewelry that help show your personal style.
- Fill your closet with pieces that fit well into your lifestyle. Don’t buy pieces you know you won’t wear or feel comfortable in.
- Basics are the foundation to your wardrobe. Having good quality, well fitting basics is a must. They pull your outfit together and never go out of style.
- Do not be afraid of print. Prints are not off limits when it comes to creating a capsule. I love leopard print and will always keep some leopard print pieces in my closet. When choosing a print make sure it goes well with your color palette and the pieces you have in your closet.
I hope you found this helpful! Have fun with creating a capsule! By doing this you will create a wardrobe you love, save time searching for outfits, and feel great in what you are wearing!
