Capsule Wardrobe : The Key To Being Stylish On A Budget

How often have you stood in front of your wardrobe and mused over the fact that you have nothing to wear? If the answer is ‘every other day’, you are suffering from what is called ‘fatigue of decision making’. This habit can also lead to added costs and snarky remarks from your mother about how you’ve become a hoarder!

The Capsule Wardrobe

The concept of a capsule wardrobe was originally developed by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called “Wardrobe” in the 1970s. According to her, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, coats and shoes, which can then be worn over and over again in different combinations.

The underlying idea is to stock your wardrobe with 33-37 staples or essentials, which when rotated every three months depending on seasonality, will fulfil all of your work, casual engagements and travel clothing needs, barring special occasions. These articles are interchangeable and can create many looks out of a few numbers.

The Elements Of A Capsule Wardrobe

There a few basic elements of the capsule wardrobe: tops that are colour coordinated, 1-2 dresses which flatter your form, outerwear that can also be worn as a standalone, solid bottoms, shoes (flats and sneakers) and accessories (bags and belt). Ideally, a permutation and combination of these items shall not exceed more than a total of 37!

The General Rules To Follow

1. Stay true to a colour scheme:

Depending upon your preferences for the season, maintain a constant colour scheme throughout your collection. Keep majority of the collection in base colours, throw in some complementary standout colours for accent, but make sure they are all interchangeable!

2. Consider your body shape and complexion:

There are certain styles, colours, fits and cuts that favour certain body shapes and skin tones. For instance, it would be better to consider neutral palettes for your collection if you are on the duskier end of the spectrum. Similarly, if tend to rock a skinny frame throughout the year, it will be advisable to stock up on some ruffled numbers to add weight.

3. Go for high-quality fabrics and conventional patterns:

Textured cardigans, striped shirts, white basic tops, black straight leg trousers, these are a few examples of traditional patterns that you can opt for when building your capsule wardrobe. These staple pieces are unaffected by trends changes and will keep you looking fresh and stylish. Also, opt for high-quality fabrics to minimise wear and tear!