How to Create a No-Rules Capsule Wardrobe

In this post I’m going to share what I’ve learned about a capsule wardrobe, how I loosened up the “rules” to make mine work for me, and exactly what items I have in my closet now.  I should warn you – I am not very fashionable.  I struggle lol.  I want to dress cute, but I also really like to wear pajamas on errands.  But, I’ve found a lot of inspiration from other more fashion-savvy ladies out there and I think I’ve created a wardrobe that mixes classic pieces with my own personal flair 🙂  So if you too think that leopard is a neutral, you are going to like my graphics but if not no worries – you can make your capsule wardrobe however YOU want it to be!

Ready to check out my minimal-ish capsule wardrobe?  Keep reading!

What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?

Caroline at Unfancy describes it best – you can read her entire awesome post here.  But in summary, a capsule wardrobe is one that includes only pieces that you truly love and want to wear often, that you can mix and match to create several different outfits, and that you rotate out seasonally.  This will hopefully allow you to shop much less often and when you do add a new piece, it is with much more intention.

I tried to do a capsule wardrobe a few years ago but it didn’t stick.  While I loved the concept, everything I was reading stated you should have 37 pieces in your wardrobe, get 4-8 new pieces seasonally, have certain fashion staples like a blazer (why do I need a blazer, I am a stay at home mom), etc. and it felt too structured and unrealistic for me.  So I abandoned ship but always thought about how nice it would be to have a more minimal wardrobe that only included items I truly, truly loved.

How Do You Start a Capsule Wardrobe?

So recently I revisited the idea of a capsule wardrobe and told myself I would do it in a way that actually works for me (because isn’t that the point anyway?!)  I donated all of the clothing in my closet that wasn’t serving me anymore – even the pieces that I’ve hung on to because maybe there would be an occasion I might wear them again – and instead kept only the pieces that I actually love to wear.  Have you ever stood in front of a closet full of clothes yet felt like you have nothing to wear?  Insane, right?!  With a capsule wardrobe, you are left with ONLY things you want to wear and it is an amazing feeling!

Next, I started to fill in the gaps – I realized that the only jackets I had were cheap hoodies and a single faux leather jacket and that I could definitely use a good denim jacket for example.  I researched any piece I wanted to add to my wardrobe to make sure it was good quality and something that I was in love in and would wear for years to come (this is much different than my usual approach of go shopping twice a year and buy a ton of really cheap and usually poor quality stuff that is just trendy that season).

I like for all of my standard basic items (tees, pants, jackets, etc.) to be neutral and then seasonally I will play around with more prints and colors – this works well for me because I can put together tons of outfits with less items because they all go together!

Can You Still go Shopping?

Yes!  Just in a more thoughtful, less frequent way.  For example, in Winter I started planning my Spring capsule pieces – new pieces that I loved that were fitting for the new season (linen shorts, short overalls, spring blouse, etc.)  I did some shopping, put away my Winter seasonal items and now from April to June I’ll wear my “Spring” clothes along with my classic year-round pieces.

At the end of June, I’ll start looking through my “Summer” clothes to see which items I want to pull out, and which new items I might like.  I’ll put away my “Spring” clothes in a storage box and enjoy mixing my summer pieces with my year-round staples.  And again, there are no real rules here!  Just guidelines to make this work for me with the goal being: less shopping, more intention, a closet of clothes that I love, and still some fun to play around with new pieces seasonally 🙂

Here are the current pieces I have in my closet!  I’ll add Summer, Fall, and Winter as I create them 🙂 I hope you enjoy!  P.S. If you like any items from one of my fave online shops Vici,  you can use code BEST20 at checkout for a sweet 20% discount!

Capsule Wardrobe – Spring 2019

Vici Beaches Striped Wrap Top | Vici Huntington Knit Racerback Tank | Express V-Neck Bikini Bodysuit | Vici Making Moves Bodysuit | Vici Nicole Cotton Blend Pocketed Pants | Vici Into the Jungle Pocketed Joggers | Express Floral Tie Front Wrap Skort Romper | Express High Waisted Supersoft Green Ripped Leggings | Express Wrap Skort Romper | Vici Walk the Line Pocketed Linen Tie Shorts | Vici Hazel High Rise Distressed Denim Shorts | Gunny Sack & Co Black Short Overalls | Gunny Sack & Co Leopard Short Overalls

Capsule Wardrobe – Shoes

Steve Madden Ecentrcq Sneaker | Sole Society Belynda Slide Sneaker | Tory Burch Miller Flip Flop | Tory Burch Miller Flip Flop | Adidas Gazelle Sneaker | Steve Madden Lancer Sneaker | Adidas Cloudfoam Pure Sneaker| Crown Vintage Sage Wedge Sandal| Vince Camuto Karinta Block Heel Bootie | Chinese Laundry Laurel Peep Toe Bootie| Chinese Laundry Laurel Peep Toe Bootie | Sam Edelman Bootie | Steve Madden Richter Sock Bootie | Steve Madden Richter Sock Bootie | UGG Bailey Button II Boot | Koolaburra Victoria Tall

Capsule Wardrobe – Accessories

Stone and Strand Tiny Diamond Stud | Thesis of Alexandria Stardust Tube Necklace | Tory Burch Robinson Saffiano Leather Tote | Dagne Dover Petite Signature Coated Canvas Signature Tote | Mother Trucker #Vacay Hat | Mother Trucker #Housewife Hat | Living on a Prayer Quilted Black Trucker Hat | Living on a Prayer Leopard Distressed Trucker Hat

Capsule Wardrobe – Bottoms

Spanx Look at Me Now Seamless Leggings| Spanx Faux Leather Leggings | Spanx Faux Leather Moto Leggings | Alo High Waist Dash Capri Leggings| Good American Good Waist Ripped High Waist Skinny Jeans | Good American Good Legs Ripped High Waist Skinny Jeans | Good American Good Legs High Waist Skinny Jeans | Paige Transcend Manhattan Bootcut Jeans| Vici | Express High Waisted Denim Perfect Ripped Ankle Leggings | Express Mid Rise Dark Wash Jean Leggings | Express High Waisted Black Ripped Jean Leggings | Articles of Society Maya Ankle Skinny Jeans

Capsule Wardrobe – Outerwear

Riders by Lee Women’s Stretch Denim Jacket White| Riders by Lee Women’s Stretch Denim Jacket Weathered  | Riders by Lee Women’s Stretch Denim Jacket Drenched | Victoria’s Secret Lightweight Perfect Full Zip | Billabong Saturday Dreams Hooded Tee | Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan Black| Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan Graphite| Express Leather Quilted Moto Jacket | Roe Blvd. Luxe Leopard Cardigan| H&M Pile-Lined Parka Blush| H&M Pile-Lined Parka Black

Capsule Wardrobe – Tees + Tanks

Gunny Sack + Co. Pocket Tee White| Vici Best Yet Ribbed Crewneck Tee White | B.P. Twist Front Tee | B.P.  Twist Front Tee| Gunny Sack + Co.  Pocket Tee Gray| Vici Janie Ribbed Henley Bodysuit Heather Gray | Zella  Twisty Turn Tee Gray| Madewell Stripe Baby Tee| Zella Twisty Turn Tee Black | B.P. Twist Front Tee | Vici  Best Yet Ribbed Crewneck Tee Black| Vici Young Love Ruffle Cami Tank | Express One Eleven Fitted Modern Rib Double V Tank | Vici Roxie Ruffle Ribbed Knit Tank

Capsule Wardrobe – Pullovers + Graphics

Sub_Urban Riot Desert Vibes Tee| Gunny Sack + Co. Simple Stripe Sweater| Gunny Sack + Co. Cactus Pullover| Gunny Sack + Co. Cactus Pullover | Junk Food Miami Sweatshirt | Junk Food Stay-Cation Sweatshirt| Declan + Crew Mommin’ Like a Boss High Neck Slub Tank | Gunny Sack + Co. Mamacita Pullover| Declan + Crew Secret to Having it All Crew Neck Tee| Declan + Crew I’m a Better Me Because of You Crew Neck Tee| Declan + Crew Queen of the Brotherhood Slub V-Neck Tee

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed learning more about how to create a simple and fun capsule wardrobe.

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