My Capsule Wardrobe

A few years I was struck by a health crisis that left me feeling stressed and hollowed out.  After I recovered physically, it was a shock to realize that I still had a tremendous amount of emotional work to do before I could fully recover.

My self-care journey has lead to many life-changing  discoveries, including minimalism.  Minimalism helped me prioritize the most important parts of my life, and curate tools to focus my time and energy around them.  One of these tools is a capsule wardrobe.

MY APPROACH

There are many different approaches to creating a capsule wardrobe, including Project 333, Project 30 x 30, and the 5 Piece French Wardrobe.  After doing some research (and watching a ton of YouTube videos), I developed a bespoke approach that worked for me.

1. First, I donated all the items in my wardrobe that didn’t fit well, I didn’t enjoy wearing, or didn’t coordinate with at least three other pieces in my closet. (After putting away my seasonal items, I was left with a manageable number of items.)
2. Second, I stocked up on basics. In my case, white t-shirts, a black and white striped Briton t-shirt, a black and white striped Briton long-sleeved top, a pair of black skinny jeans, and a pair of neutral sandals.
3. Third, I starting making lists of items that I wanted to add to or replace in my wardrobe.  I limited the number of new additions to 5 pieces per season (Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter) to keep me honest, mindful, and within a reasonable budget.

WHY I LOVE IT

1. Getting dressed takes less time and is less stressful since everything coordinates.
2. I now have an edited closet full of good quality clothing that I feel good in and love wearing.
3. I’m saving money because, outside of replacing basics, I only purchase a few new pieces each season.
4. It’s helped me define my personal style.
5. It’s helped me be more mindful about how I manage my time and money.

Transitioning to a capsule wardrobe has simplified my life and created space for me to focus on other, more important, areas of my life.  I highly recommend that you give it try.