A capsule wardrobe is a collection of versatile and essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create various outfits for any occasion
. It emphasizes quality over quantity, helping you develop your personal style, reduce clutter, and save time when deciding what to wear
. The concept of capsule wardrobes dates back to the 1940s and was revived in the 1970s by Susie Faux, who owned a London boutique called "Wardrobe"
. Faux defined a capsule wardrobe as a collection of timeless and essential items, like trousers, skirts, and coats, that could be updated with seasonal pieces
. Designer Donna Karan popularized the idea in 1985 with her "Seven Easy Pieces" collection, which featured interchangeable work-wear pieces designed for working women
. Here are the general steps to build a capsule wardrobe:
- Audit your current wardrobe Identify clothes you love and wear regularly. Then, sort the remaining items into categories such as jeans, tops, sweaters, and dresses
- Declutter Remove any items that are not in season to free up physical and mental space
- Consider a minimalist approach Limit your collection to a small number of items (for example, 33 items including clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry)
