What Is In a Capsule Wardrobe – How I Built Mine & Loved It

by Carley Lake | Last Updated:   May 29, 2020

Over the past few months, I have been distracted by the shiny objects—an orange furry purse here, Cardi B’s Moschino jacket there. I’m all for getting some fun one-of-a-kind pieces—but I wasn’t wearing any of mine. I was overwhelmed and tired. and would wear the same Adidas sweatshirt, stretchy Old Navy jeans, and slip-on Nikes all of the time. I’m also all for rocking a uniform, but not if I’m filling up my clothes rack (my small SF closet is already full) with these fun, shiny things I wasn’t wearing. It was time to finally try a capsule wardrobe but first figure out what is in a capsule wardrobe.

Come along with me as I try this minimalist trend and see if I learn anything about my personal style and building a more thoughtful—but still fun!–wardrobe.

What is a capsule wardrobe?

London boutique owner Susie Faux came up with the term “capsule wardrobe” in the 1970s to describe a minimal wardrobe composed of 30 to 40 high-quality, versatile items that will meet your needs for a given time amount of time.

What is in this minimalist wardrobe?

We’ll be following the rules of Caroline from Unfancy who develops her seasonal capsule wardrobes from 37 items. I am going to be honest—I will be doing this test for 30 days and will report back and will then take it from there. 

Other popular capsule wardrobe challenges include Project 333 and the 10 x 10 Challenge.

Here is am abridged version of Caroline from Unfancy’s rules and tips I will follow:

Rule #1:

Pare down your clothes situation into 37 pieces. The pieces include tops, bottoms, outerwear, dresses, and shoes.

That means you get to wear as many workout clothes, jewelry, accessories, purses, swimsuits, pjs, and underwear you want! (Okay, it’s probably good to limit these too.) Caroline chose the 37 numbers because it feels “generous yet minimal”. 

I decided to do:

• 9 pants (jeans, different color jeans, lounge pants, two slacks)
• 8 jackets (from overcoat to jean jacket)
• 6 pairs of shoes (no heels, did I mention I live in SF?)
• 5 shirts
• 3 sweaters (“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” – Mark Twain)
• 2 tank tops (I will be in LA for some of the 30 days.)
• 2 turtlenecks (I love turtlenecks .)
• 1 blouse
• 1 sweatshirt

Rule #2:

Wear only these 37 pieces for 3 months—one capsule each season.

Rule #3:

Don’t go shopping during the 3 month season until during the last week or 2 of the season. This is when you can plan and shop for next season’s capsule wardrobe.

Rule #4:

This is my add-on fun rule for what’s in a capsule wardrobe. Try to include some of your stand-out pieces you love, but haven’t done the best job of continuing to incorporate in your wardrobe.

What results should I see?

Caroline at Unfancy says a capsule wardrobe represents more time and energy for what really matters. I’m excited to see if it also helps me save money and find ways to better incorporate clothes I already have in my closet. 

I hope you join me in this adventure too. Let’s try 30 days and see where it goes. Follow @thoughtfulflamingo for updates. 

Want more? Check Out These Books on Capsule and Curated Closets:

Project 333

By Courtney Carver

Year: 2020

Project 333 shows how you can survive (and thrive!) with just 33 items in your closet for 3 months. The author, minimalist expert and author of Soulful Simplicity, guides you through your closet item-by-item, sifting through all the emotional baggage associated with those oh-so strappy high-heel sandals that cost a fortune but destroy your feet every time you walk more than a few steps to that extensive collection of never-worn little black dresses, to locate the items that actually look and feel like you.

She writes once we finally release ourselves from the cyclical nature of consumerism and focus less on our shoes and more on our self-care, we not only look great we feel great—and we can see a clear path to make other important changes in our lives that reach far beyond our closets.

The Capsule Wardrobe: 1,000 Outfits from 30 Pieces

By Wendy Mak

Year: 2017

The Capsule Wardrobe introduces 30 wardrobe essentials—tops, bottoms, footwear, and accessories—that create the ultimate mix-and-match wardrobe, especially if you work in an office. Stylist Wendy Mak instructs readers on how to use different pieces together to achieve one thousand different unique. She also teaches how to create unique everyday looks specific to body type, pick the right pieces to stretch your $, transition from the office to cocktails, and reduce impulse buying (I need that..).

See more from my post “What Is A Capsule Wardrobe? – The Top 4 Books To Read”

Check Out These Brands If You Want Capsule Wardrobe Staples:

Amour Vert 

Price: Tops range from $40 to $160

Amour Vert has sustainable basics and bright, colorful pieces so it definitely belongs in some 90s fashion inspiration . Items are made in limited quantities to ensure the highest production standard and eliminate excess waste.

In addition, 97% of items are made in California, most within a few miles of its San Francisco offices. Amour Vert also partner directly with mills to develop fabrics that are sustainable, soft, and durable. And the brand starts with the most sustainable fibers and raw materials available. 

Alternative Apparel

Prices: Tees, sweats, shorts, jackets, jeans, bags, and more $10-$210

Founded in 1995, Alternative Apparel (now a a HANESbrandInc. company) is a fashion lifestyle brand best known for comfort, simplicity, and commitment to sustainability. Founder and Chief Creative Officer Greg Alterman set out to create the perfect t-shirt—one designed for fashion, made for comfort, and tailored for a flawless fit. Today, Alternative has elevated the tee from casual basic to fashion-forward staple, simultaneously broadening its horizons to offer a complete collection of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories.

Cuyana

Price: Shirts, pants, blazer, leather bags, vest, dresses, and more, $35-$400

Cuyana designs premium women’s essentials, inspired by a philosophy of fewer, better things. Each piece is made from highest-quality materials and created by skilled craftsmen throughout Europe, South America, China, and the United States. The brand has new arrivals but celebrates its “Core Collection“, a permanent assortment of beloved signature styles, featuring timeless pieces designed to endure and defy season or trend.

Eileen Fisher

Price: Dresses, loungewear, tunics, tops, sweaters, accessories, and more $50-$550

Eileen Fisher was one of the first major US sustainable brands to believe clothes should be ethical, timeless, well-made clothes designed to work together, wear effortlessly, and be part of a responsible lifecycle.

In 2009, the brand also launched Renew, a take-back program that gives clothes life beyond your closet. You bring back your old pieces, and the brand finds them another home—or turns them into entirely new designs.

VETTA

Prices: Blouses, pants, jumpsuits, and more $80-$150

VETTA creates mini capsule wardrobes made up of 5 versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a month’s worth of outfits. You can buy the entire capsule or shop individual pieces to start building. The designs versatile can be worn multiple ways, and everything mixes and matches. 

The brand primarily uses Tencel ( made from sustainably harvested wood pulp that’s processed in a closed-looped system that recycles solvents), Organic Cotton, and deadstock fabric (leftover fabric that we save from the landfill and give a new life).