What is it about wardrobes that makes them so appealing? My drawers, closet, and life as a whole are less crowded. Getting dressed in the morning takes less guesswork, takes less time (I can do it in 20 minutes! ), and does not necessitate the use of a machete. Everything works together, and most of all, whatever I wear will be something I genuinely enjoy and have carefully, judiciously, and intentionally considered including — not something I got on clearance and now feel forced to wear at least once.

Wardrobes, on the other hand, can be confining and…boring. What happened to the personality? What happened to the flare? Where have you gone? It’s difficult to consider limiting the clothes you wear, especially when your closet is now bursting at the seams with OPTIONS (I know, some of you are thinking – more is better). But more isn’t necessarily better, and the prospect of vanishing into a one-size-fits-all uniform of neutral basics that don’t express your narrative is terrifying.

The concept of a capsule wardrobe is not one-size-fits-all. To put together a capsule wardrobe, you don’t have to wear only one hue, throw out all of your shoes, avoid all prints, and spend hundreds of dollars on a bunch of stuff you’d never pick out otherwise, all in the name of a notion that is both appealing and terrifying.

Creating a capsule wardrobe entails shopping your closet first before hitting the stores, refining your personal style so that it shines through in every piece and ensemble, mindfully selecting products you truly adore, and streamlining your life. It doesn’t have to be intimidating if you follow a few basic instructions.

HOW TO BUILD A WARDROBE THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU

Determine Your Personality Type

Consider your favourite pieces of apparel in your closet first. Your go-tos, your wardrobe workhorses, and the regulars in your washing basket. Do you prefer traditional styles that are timeless? Do fitted, basic clothes make you feel the most at ease? Do you want a little bit of whimsy and excitement in every outfit? Or perhaps you like an appearance that is both edgy and sophisticated? Perhaps your wardrobe needs to keep up with your athletic lifestyle, or it needs to be a little more feminine. Consider which outfits and elements make you feel the most beautiful and unique.

Consider that for the same amount of money, you could have spent more per item on fewer things you actually love and wear instead of a closet full of things you don’t love…or wear.

My signature style is usually a mix of neutrals with a flash of colour, such as black, white, brown, flax, and blue (which I consider a neutral). Usually crimson or pink in colour. I’m looking for a Minimal Classic base with some edgy elements thrown in. Learn how I came up with my unique colour pallet and how to find your own personal style.

 START WITH THE BASICS

Begin with the essentials and add embellishments that show off your personal flair. Don’t be scared or bored by this before you begin. The core of every wardrobe, but especially a capsule wardrobe, is the basics. They’re named foundational elements for a reason: they provide a solid base on which to build. The rest of your outfit is supported by foundational components.

Flour, water, and salt may appear uninteresting on their own, yet they form the foundation of all breads and pastries.

The fundamentals don’t have to be boring! When I first started studying how to put together a capsule wardrobe, my biggest fear was that I’d get bored or that my ensembles would become too boring. These are the top 12 products you should have in your capsule wardrobe.

This costume is simple, consisting of a v-neck sweater and black ankle trousers, flats, and modest jewellery, yet it is far from boring.

CHOOSE A COLOR PALETTE – AND STICK TO IT

Color doesn’t have to be avoided entirely in a successful capsule wardrobe; the key is to adopt an unified colour palette that flatters you. Look for hues that complement the current season as well as your personal skin tone.

The use of colour theory is one way. Hues (pure colour, think primary colours), shades (pure colour with black added), tones (pure colour with grey added), and tints (pure colour with grey added) are the four types of colours (pure colour with white added). This is very much the same as the seasonal colour analysis method. Winter is represented by hues, Autumn by shades, Summer by tones, and Spring by tints.

I’m a Winter, and I only wear that colour palette (along with a few additional neutrals like brown leather that I’ve reintroduced). That implies my outfits are all very similar. Because all of the colours in my wardrobe complement each other well, I can wear almost anything with them and don’t have to limit the colours in my capsule. You’ll know what colours to wear in your closet from now on once you know your season or colour pallet.

SHOP YOUR CLOSET

Go directly to your closet now that you know what you like and what colours you look best in. Look for items in your closet that reflect your particular style and flatter your figure. Choose items that you’ll enjoy wearing on a daily basis. Look for apparel that complements your chosen colour scheme. It’ll work together if it matches your palette. Find clothes that allow you to express yourself rather than suffocate you.

Hint: If you put something on and take it off right away, it’s not your style for one reason or another. Fit and flare skirts were my choice. I admire them on others, but when I put them on, I feel like a five-year-old. Now that I know they’re all wrong for me, I don’t even think about them. Anything loose and drapey makes me feel the same way. It’s not for me, but it could be ideal for you!

INCORPORATE YOUR CLASSIC STYLE TWISTS

Now that you know what your Twist (or Twists) are, you can practise them. Look for the details that will convey your style tale (you can be a mix of several). The essentials in your wardrobe don’t have to be boring. A classic striped tee can feature leather trim for an Edgy Classic style, a peplum hem for a Cute Classic look, a cowl neck for a Soft Classic detail, a moisture-wicking fabric for a Sporty Classic design, and if you’re Minimal Classic, it’s already a timeless look.

FILL IN THE REST

Examine what you now have, limit it down, and determine what is missing. Do you have a lot of tops but only one decent pair of season-appropriate pants that fit well and look well on you? Do most of your shoes go unworn or make you feel uninspired? Do you have a few staple accessories that you can wear with almost any outfit? Make a shopping list for the items that are lacking from your capsule outfit.

In fact, I’ve already done a lot of the legwork for you — check out my seasonal capsule Wardrobe Guides for a piece-by-piece, outfit-by-outfit guide dedicated to your Minimal Classic style, with buying links labelled by Classic Style Twist so you can pick the products that best suit your personality.