Capsule Wardrobe Guide: How to Build One and How Many Clothes You Should Include

Co-authored by Natalie Kay Smith and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 14, 2021 References

Are you tired of digging through your closet and stressing about choosing an outfit every day? If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to find something to wear, starting a capsule wardrobe is the perfect option for you! Rather than keeping all of your clothes in one place, you can instead keep 20–40 pieces of clothing in your closet every season and put everything else into storage.^{[1]
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Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer
Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.} Even with limited options, you’ll be able to mix and match your clothes to make a lot of stylish and sophisticated outfits. We know you’re probably wondering just what you should include in your wardrobe, so keep reading to find the answers to all your most common questions!

Question 1

Question 1 of 8:
How do I choose clothes to include in a capsule wardrobe?

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Pick timeless clothes that match your personal style. Pick out the clothes currently in your closet that make you feel really good when you wear them. You’re going to be wearing these clothes pretty frequently, so try them on to make sure they fit you properly and look flattering.^{[2]
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- Keep in mind what types of activities you do every day when you’re picking your clothes. For example, if you work in an office, you’ll need more dressier options, like blouses and button-ups, than leisurewear.
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Choose high-quality materials that can take regular wear and tear. You’ll be cycling through the same clothes throughout the season, so low-quality fabrics might not last very long. Stay away from “fast fashion” brands made from cheaper or less durable materials since they’re less likely to survive after repeatedly wearing and washing them. Instead, pick your highest quality clothes to ensure they’ll last for years to come.^{[3]
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- Many “fast fashion” items are cheap and trendy. It’s okay to keep a few of your trendy pieces, but don’t fill your capsule wardrobe with them.
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Opt for neutral colors so you can mix and match outfits easier. Since you won’t have as many options to choose from when you’re selecting outfits, most of the clothes in your wardrobe need to match or complement one another. Try to keep the main clothes in your wardrobe simple colors, such as black, white, grey, beige, and khaki. That way, you can pretty much wear any combination of clothes and still look stylish.^{[4]
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- Other neutral options include cream, dark brown, and dark blue denim.
- Make your wardrobe pop with a few bright accent colors. That way, you can wear something bright that stands out and feels a little less repetitive. Colors like yellows, reds, oranges, and light blues work really well, but choose whatever makes you look and feel the best.^{[5]
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Question 2

Question 2 of 8:
Can I only have one capsule wardrobe?

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No, you can make capsule wardrobes for every season. You probably won’t wear the same clothes in winter as you would in the summer, and that’s perfectly okay! If you live somewhere that goes through all 4 seasons, then you can definitely make 4 different capsule wardrobes. At the end of the season, go through your wardrobe and see if there are any pieces you want to carry over into the next season. Store any clothes that you don’t plan on wearing in a tote bin or under your bed so they’re not taking up space in your closet before adding in your other pieces.^{[6]
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- For example, if you’re transitioning from winter to summer, you may put all your sweaters and thick pants in storage to make room for short-sleeved blouses and shorts.

Question 3

Question 3 of 8:
How many tops should be in a capsule wardrobe?

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Aim to have about 10–12 shirts and blouses. Choose your favorite basic and patterned tees, fashionable tanks, long-sleeved button-ups, and nice blouses. Stick with items made from high-quality material that fit the most comfortably on you.^{[7]
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Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer
Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.} Consider which tops you absolutely love and hang them up in your capsule wardrobe.^{[8]
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- Any T-shirt or tank top pairs well with a pair of jeans for an easy casual look.
- A long-sleeved top with a long skirt work well for a stylish fall fashion statement.
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Include 2–4 blazers or cardigans for layered looks. If you’re aiming for a chic or professional look, throw on a blazer or sweater to make your outfit look even more complete. Choose a few neutral colors or accent pieces and see how well they match with the other tops you’ve picked out for your wardrobe. Save about 2–4 options so you can mix it up every day and create new looks on the fly.^{[9]
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- If you live in a colder area, save room for 1–2 jackets or coats in your wardrobe for additional layering and warmth.^{[10]
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- A cardigan over a T-shirt works well for a chilly summer night or a brisk winter day.
- Wear a bright blazer over a neutral-colored blouse for a professional look that makes you stand out.

Question 4

Question 4 of 8:
How many bottoms should be in a capsule wardrobe?

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Try to pick around 6 different bottoms. You can get a lot of mileage out of your tops just by changing the bottoms you’re wearing. For example, a T-shirt can pair well with some classic jeans for a casual style, or you can make it a little more fashionable by tucking it into a pencil skirt. Choose bottoms that make you feel the most confident and fit your body. Even with just 5 or 6 different bottoms, you can get a variety of looks.^{[11]
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Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer
Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.} A few classic pieces to keep in your wardrobe include:^{[12]
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- Black or blue denim jeans
- Khaki pants
- Dress trousers
- Shorts
- Leggings
- Pencil skirts
- Skirts and dresses

Question 5

Question 5 of 8:
What else should I include in a capsule wardrobe?

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Keep at least 4 pairs of shoes to cycle through. Choose the shoes that fit you the best and match the other clothes you’ve picked out. Keep a few different styles so you can prepare for any type of occasion. A few options you may consider for your wardrobe include:^{[13]
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- Flats for daily wear or a modest look
- Heels for something fun and flirty
- Dress shoes for a professional look
- Sneakers for running everyday errands
- Sandals for casual days

Question 6

Question 6 of 8:
What shouldn’t be in a capsule wardrobe?

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Leave your accessories out so you’re able to customize your look even more. Accessories and jewelry are great ways to add variety to your outfits, so don’t limit yourself. Spruce up your regular outfits with hats, belts, bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. Try pairing them with your outfits to change up your style and keep your look more interesting.^{[14]
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- Scarves are really fashionable and cozy accessories, especially in colder weather.
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Don’t add undergarments to your capsule wardrobe. You don’t need to limit how many underwear or lingerie options you have since you’ll probably wear new ones every day. Keep anything that you normally wear underneath your main outfits in a separate drawer and feel free to keep as many pieces as you feel comfortable having.^{[15]
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- Plain white T-shirts, tank tops, or cami tops can also be considered undergarments if you only wear them under your clothes. If you wear them on their own as an outfit, then you should include them in your count.
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Avoid including sleepwear, fitness gear, or outfits for special occasions. You won’t wear out sleepwear, workout attire, and upscale outfits as regularly, but you should still keep them somewhere in your closet. Leave these options out of your capsule wardrobe, but make sure you only wear them while you’re doing the activity that they’re intended for. If you end up wearing yoga pants or sweatpants while you run errands rather than when you’re relaxing or working out, then you should count it as one of the pieces in your wardrobe.^{[16]
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Question 7

Question 7 of 8:
What are the pros of having a capsule wardrobe?

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You won’t stress as much deciding on an outfit. Having fewer clothes makes it a lot easier to see exactly what options you have rather than searching through your closet for a long time.^{[17]
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Natalie Kay Smith
Sustainable Fashion Writer
Expert Interview. 15 November 2019.} Now you can have some extra time in your routine to sleep in a little, have some you-time, or try out some new activities.^{[18]
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You’ll save a lot of closet space. Since you don’t have to fill your closet or dresser with a lot of clothes each season, use the extra space for storing other items you didn’t have room for. You also won’t have as much to transport, so it’s a lot easier to pack up your things if you’re moving or traveling.^{[19]
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Question 8

Question 8 of 8:
What are the cons of having a capsule wardrobe?

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You might get a little bored with your clothes after a little while. Even though you can mix and match all the pieces in your wardrobe, it’s completely normal to feel a little tired of your options after a little while. Rather than getting new clothes or wearing an outfit you’ve done already, challenge yourself to get creative and find new ways to style some of your pieces to keep your look fresh.^{[20]
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- For example, if you have a white T-shirt, you could wear it tucked into a pair of skinny jeans one day. On another day, try layering a cardigan or sweater over it with a cute skirt or pair of shorts.
- Use your accessories to really change up your style. For example, you might wear a belt around your waist when you put on a dress or wear a warm scarf with your favorite sweater.
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You’ll end up doing laundry more frequently. Since you don’t have as many clothes to cycle through, you’ll end up washing your pieces more when they get dirty. Sometimes, washing your clothes can weaken the fibers and make colors fade faster too. Luckily, you can usually get by wearing the clothes a couple of times before they’re actually dirty.^{[21]
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- Pick the highest-quality clothes possible since they’ll last longer going through multiple laundry cycles. Fast-fashion brands usually won’t handle going through the wash as much.