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How does a capsule wardrobe work
A capsule wardrobe is a great way to streamline your closet, especially for those of us who work in offices.
A capsule wardrobe is generally made up of three sections: your core wardrobe (the items you wear most often), seasonal (items you wear during specific seasons), and accessories (those fun pieces that spice up your outfits).
Create Your Core Wardrobe
Your core wardrobe is the foundation of your capsule wardrobe. The clothes you wear most often and are comfortable enough to throw on after a long day at work! These items can be anything from jeans, T-shirts and sneakers to pencil skirts, blazers and heels — it all depends on what style you’re going for.
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The best part about designing your core wardrobe is that it doesn’t have to be expensive! You can buy some great staples at thrift stores or secondhand clothing shops for next to nothing! Don’t forget about swapping out items as well — when something goes out of style or gets worn out (which happens more often than you might think), just replace it with something new instead of spending money on something else entirely.
The clothes you wear to work or have in your wardrobe for professional settings are likely different than those that go on casual outings. And while some people may prefer a more relaxed approach, others might opt for something a bit more formal.
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Create Your Seasonal Wardrobe
- Create Your Seasonal Wardrobe
The easiest way to build a capsule for work is to create a seasonal wardrobe, meaning you’ll have different outfits for different seasons. You can define the seasons however you like—for example, I’ve created a spring-summer-fall-winter seasonal wardrobe with four categories: light summer tops, light winter tops, heavy winter tops and heavy summer pants.
- Example of Seasonal Wardrobe
Here’s an example of how my seasonal wardrobe looks:
- Spring/summer pieces including tank tops (1) and shorts (3). I also have some loose blouses that I can wear as an alternative if one of my sleeveless blouses is dirty. My favorite thing about this season is wearing sandals without socks!
- Fall/winter I tend toward more neutral colors such as black or gray and stay away from whites which start looking dingy after a few runs through the washing machine. The other thing about fall/winter clothing tends toward warmer fabrics like wool rather than cotton because it keeps us warmer when it gets cold outside!
READ: How to build a work wardrobe on a budget – NBC News
Shop For Accessories
Accessories are the finishing touches that complete your look. They can be a great way to add a pop of color or pattern, especially if you’re dressing in monochrome or basic black and white pieces. Accessories are also a great way to add warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer, so they’re important for creating all-season wardrobes.
In addition to being fun additions that help you express yourself, accessories can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer by adding layers like scarves or hats—which we’ll discuss next!
We all need the basics. These are the foundation of your wardrobe and they should be comfortable and versatile. The basics are items that you can mix and match with other items in your closet without thinking about it too much, so choose them carefully.
Do Not Forget The Basics
Your basics should be neutral in color, versatile and interchangeable. They can be worn with other pieces in your capsule wardrobe without clashing or looking out of place.
Basic shirts include button down blouses and t-shirts made from natural fibers such as cotton or linen. You can also find basic tops that are sheer so they don’t need to be layered. Basic pants include skinny jeans, leggings and trouser pants with side seams (not flare leg).
Basic jackets include denim jackets, bomber jackets, trench coats and peacoats for the winter months.
How do I build a capsule wardrobe for my office?
Use the same principles when building an office wardrobe as you would for a daily wardrobe. Your office capsule should include all of the basics, and it’s okay to have a few statement pieces and versatile pieces that can be worn in multiple ways.
For example, a white button-down shirt could be paired with jeans or black dress pants for casual days at work. It can also be tucked into a pencil skirt for business casual days. You could wear it by itself if that’s how your company does things; however, I personally prefer not to wear just one layer on its own because I like having options depending on the weather outside (sweat stains are no fun).
How do I build a work wardrobe?
Building your work wardrobe can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the work world and don’t yet know what clothes are appropriate. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to start building your capsule wardrobe.
You’ll need pants, shirts/blouses and jackets/sweaters—and not much else! Once you have those basics covered, it will be easier to fill in the rest of your closet with accessories like jewelry and shoes.
If you’re not sure what kind of clothes are appropriate for your work environment, start by asking colleagues or friends who have been working longer than you. Asking direct questions about their work attire will give insight into what clothes they wear and what pieces they avoid wearing to work.
How many items do you need for a capsule wardrobe?
The amount of clothing you need to create a capsule wardrobe depends on the season and your region. For example, if you live in a place where it’s cold for most of the year, you’ll need more pieces than someone who lives in a tropical area. Here’s how many items experts recommend having:
- Winter capsule wardrobe: 16-18 pieces (including shoes). This includes workout clothes, pajamas and outerwear like coats or sweaters.
- Summer capsule wardrobe: 8-12 pieces (including shoes). This includes workout clothes and swimsuits/beach coverups that aren’t worn out at night when heading home from the beach or pool party!
- Workout clothes should be an additional 4-6 items if working out is important to you during each week!
Conclusion
And that’s it! Following these steps will help you build a capsule wardrobe that is functional, versatile and fashionable. Remember, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on this wardrobe (although there are many great options out there if you do), but it is important to invest in good quality pieces that will last longer than cheaper ones would have.
