If you think it’s crazy to be able to create over 3 months worth of outfits with just 30 pieces, think again! That’s the magic of creating a capsule wardrobe.
First, let’s take a look at how 30 pieces look like:
It’s nothing right? This easily fits inside any closet!
And as you can see there are colors, prints and neutrals. The 100 outfits are very different from each other, work for different occasions and are great for cold-ish weather. So keep reading to learn how to do this for yourself!
Today I want to introduce you to the concept of capsule wardrobes, share my thought process when selecting the 30 pieces, and of course some of my favorite looks. All with the goal to help you get started with yours!
👉🏻 Download the full list, 100 outfits, outfit formulas and styling tips here. (it’s free)
What to think about when creating your own capsule wardrobe:
Ok, so I’m going to share everything I thought about when creating this 30-piece capsule wardrobe.
I live out of this carry-on bag the majority of the time. Me and my husband travel the world full time and make YouTube videos, so the usual inventory of things I have with me is MUCH smaller than 30 pieces.
But we stayed in one place for 3 months, and that’s what inspired me to create this capsule wardrobe and share it with you.
These are some of the things you have to consider:
- Why are you doing this?
Your why is so important. This is your motivation moving forward. Knowing your why will help you put in the work and effort to build the closet of your dreams, and also, to stick with it!
- Do you want more simplicity and less decision fatigue every morning?
- Do you want to have a smaller, more organized closet?
- Do you want to increase your confidence and have a more defined personal style?
👉🏻 My answer: I simply wanted to have a small closet with comfortable and cute clothes for our 3-month stay. I wanted to get dressed fast, but feel good everyday. Even though I technically don’t have to get dressed every day, it does make me feel good and be more productive. There’s science behind this!
- Your lifestyle:
Do you work in an office or from home? Do you attend formal events or mostly casual outings? Understanding how you spend your time will help you select the right mix of casual, professional, and occasion-specific pieces.
👉🏻 My answer: I work from home, work out 4-5 times a week and try to go out on the weekends. We don’t go anywhere too fancy but I do like to dress up from time to time.
- What’s your personal style?
Are you more minimalist, bohemian, classic, or trendy? Identifying your style will help you curate pieces that align with your preferences and avoid buying things that don’t feel authentic.
👉🏻 My answer: I have a pretty classic and timeless style. And most importantly, I like to be comfortable! Maybe busy moms can relate? I’m not a mom, but I do dress like one :)
- What colors do you wear/like?
Think about which colors you wear often and feel comfortable in. Building a capsule wardrobe often means sticking to a neutral palette with a few accent colors, so it’s important to pick shades that suit you and that are easy to mix and match. This is key. Tops & bottoms have to work well together!
👉🏻 My answer: I love neutrals! I’m trying to play with other neutrals besides for black, so I introduced new colors and prints to my wardrobe this time around. Brown, dark green, beige, white and a couple of pops of color were the colors I used. And I ended up LOVING all my 100 outfits!
- The weather:
Do you live in a place with distinct seasons or with a mostly consistent climate? This will help you decide on the types of fabrics and layering pieces you’ll need. Also, it will all depend for what time of the year your building your capsule wardrobe for.
The one I’m sharing today is good if you live somewhere warm. But if you do live in a place that has distinct seasons, this capsule wardrobe will work from May to October.
👉🏻 My answer: When I created this capsule wardrobe, we were staying in Kingsland, Georgia for 3 months from August to October. Weather is mostly hot, with some cold-ish days where the temperature never went below 55 degrees. (and almost always sunny)
- How often do you do laundry:
Laundry plays a significant role in determining how big or small a capsule wardrobe should be. The frequency with which you do laundry can directly influence the number of pieces you need to have in rotation.
👉🏻 My answer: Once a week. So technically I would only need a week’s worth of outfits. Obviously, I like some diversity so this doesn’t work for me, but when we’re traveling for 6 months at a time, I only pack clothes for 2 weeks. So it’s definitely an option if that’s what you want!
In summary:
Everyone’s capsule wardrobe is going to look different. We all have different styles, needs, lifestyles, etc. Learn as much as you can from other people, but most importantly you have to take the time to learn and understand what works for you!
I truly hope these questions help you think about your own needs, and most importantly, that they help you build your very own capsule wardrobe.
The 30-piece capsule wardrobe:
You can get the list of the 30 pieces here (it includes the links too!).
Here’s a general overview:
🎽 Tops: 12
👖Bottoms: 11
🥶 Sweaters: 2
👗Dresses: 1
👟 Shoes: 4
Total: 30 pieces
👜 Accessories: 1 crossbody bag, headbands, 1 belt and statement earrings. Accessories are always separate because they’re optional and vary so much. It really depends on your personal style. I do recommend having a few because they help you elevate any outfit.
👉🏻 Get the printable version of this capsule wardrobe here (it’s free!) – I’m including the 30 pieces I selected, links, ALL the 100 outfits, styling tips, outfit formulas and so much more – All with the goal to help you get started with building a wardrobe you absolutely LOVE!
My most styled pieces:
I always give little imaginary awards to the top pieces for every trip. It’s fun and it also helps me realize which pieces I always need to have in rotation, no matter where I go. The winners were:
🏆 White linen shirt
No surprise here as this is one of my favorite pieces to travel with.
While you probably won’t always wear linen all year round, a button down shirt like this one is a great addition to ANY capsule wardrobe. (and they’re great for traveling)
🏆 Wide leg gray joggers
These pants have been a great addition to my capsule wardrobe. They are great for everyday wear, going out and even the gym (not for leg days). I love them so much!
They run TTS, I’m wearing size S (I’m 5 4′ and about 130 lbs). They also come in other colors! The color I’m wearing is called ‘olive’ but it’s obviously gray.
🏆 Top and bottom set
Avoid too many dresses because these are less versatile. Consider a top & bottom set instead because you can style both pieces together or separately.
👉🏻 My favorite places to shop for these sets: Budget – Sustainable – Luxury (and sustainable)
👉🏻 I created a list of the top 10 pieces I always travel with – you can download it right here.
Understanding outfit formulas:
Much like combining the ingredients from a recipe to create a meal, an outfit formula is a combination of pieces to create a complete look. It’s basically like meal planning for your closet!
Isn’t this brilliant? 👏🏼
Having a few go-to outfit formulas that align with your lifestyle and personal style, can help you get dressed faster every day. Over time you’ll accumulate a handful of outfit formulas that work for you and that will help you feel more confident because only YOU know what makes YOU feel good!
The most repeatable and versatile outfit formulas:
These are my top 3 outfit formulas – I’m seriously ALWAYS using these as a guide to create the majority of my everyday outfits:
Outfit Formula #1: Casual Top + Pants + Sneakers
Whether you use a plain T-shirt, a cami or a casual top paired with basically ANY bottom piece, this is a great casual outfit formula. Add stylish sneakers, flat shoes or slip-ons and that’s it.
Feel free to accessorize in any way you want to elevate the outfit!
Outfit Formula #2: Casual Top + Leggings + Layering Piece + Sneakers
Who doesn’t love a good legging look!?
I picked 2 black leggings for this capsule wardrobe: Spanx leggings and the comfiest, buttery leggings from Quince.
I rely on this outfit formula when I don’t want to get dressed, or if I want to go to the gym after work but don’t want to change. Simply wear your gym outfit and add a layering piece. Either a long cardigan or a button down shirt!
Outfit Formula #3: Same Color Top & Bottom + Shoes Of Your Choice (either flat or dressy)
This is probably my favorite one! It’s so easy and it works every time. I use this outfit formula a lot for traveling as well.
Simply pick a color and grab a top + a bottom piece of your choice that are the same color. Add whatever shoes you want and accessories and that’s really it. Keep in mind, they don’t have to be exactly the same shade.
Capsule wardrobe color palette:
- Neutrals (5): Black, white, brown, grey and beige. Out of the 26 pieces (excluding shoes), 17 were these neutrals.
- Pops of color (3) : aqua, burgundy and yellow. Out of the 26 pieces, 3 were pops of color.
- Prints (4): stripes, heart printed, and two types of floral pieces. Out of the 26 pieces, 6 were these prints.
These numbers are obviously not set in stone, just use them as a general guideline.
✅ Pro tip: when selecting your printed pieces, make sure they work with the majority of your pops of color and neutrals.
Why do capsule wardrobes matter?
Capsule wardrobes are a great way to start decluttering your life. The health of your closet has a direct impact on the way you feel every day. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true!
Imagine how much money you can save by knowing your personal style? And what fits your body type? You won’t be out there falling into seasonal trends or buying new things just because you don’t know any other way.
Investing in the right pieces and feeling great while you wear them, affects your self-esteem and the way you present yourself. This has a positive impact at work, personally and in your relationships.
It’s worth it to invest the time to figure this out. You only have to do it once. And I truly hope this post has helped you get started.
As always, I’m right here if you any questions. Simply leave a comment below or just email me ([email protected]). I’m here for you ♥️
XO,
Aimara
PS: remember to download the full list with all the 100 outfits and styling tips here.
About the author:
Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.
I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.
Other posts you may also like:
- How To Build A Minimalist Wardrobe?
- 6 Months Of Travel In A Carry-on!
- 75 Timeless Looks With White Sneakers!
Feeling inspired to create your own capsule wardrobe? Save this post on Pinterest!
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