Building a capsule wardrobe: How to turn an overflowing wardrobe into a functional one

We’ve all been there, staring into the wardrobe, just waiting for something perfect for the occasion to jump out at us. Even with a wardrobe bursting at the seams, over time, your collection of clothes can become a bit "meh". Wading through rails and shelves is a mission in itself, making it hard to see what's in there. A wardrobe shouldn't be a daily battleground; it should be a creative space where you achieve your personal style, so you walk out the door feeling confident and empowered. Making a capsule wardrobe offers a way to be more considerate in how you dress and also to save space.

What is a capsule wardrobe – and why does it work?

A capsule wardrobe is a curated selection of versatile, fundamental pieces. Instead of an excessive collection of clothes – most of which are collecting dust on shelves – a capsule wardrobe focuses on quality. It should allow you to create a wide range of outfits with fewer items. Think of a capsule wardrobe in the same way you would the foundations of your home. It's the building block on which everything else stands or falls.

Building a capsule wardrobe is all about prioritising longevity and flexibility, which in turn makes outfit planning easier and provides more stylish bases for your looks. In many cases, people who have a capsule wardrobe also shop more intentionally. This limits unnecessary purchases and reduces contributions to the fast-fashion problem.

Step 1: Empty, edit and evaluate

Before building a capsule wardrobe, it's best to have a clean slate. Sort your clothes into these four categories:

1. Keepers

2. Alterations

3. Donations

4. Seasonal storage

This will help you to get rid of pieces you never wear and create space to work with in your wardrobe. Creating your wardrobe in accordance with the seasons will also make it easier to pick out outfits every day. Remember, don't be precious! If you haven't worn it in the last 12 months, you likely won't wear it any time soon.

Step 2: Define your personal style and core colour palette

Identify what you need from your wardrobe. Do you require formal office wear, or do you work from home in comfies? Do you exercise often, or do you prefer getting dressed up? When you consider your lifestyle, you'll clearly see what basics you need.

From here, choose three base colours and a few complementary accent colours around which you'll choose your capsule pieces. For example, you could choose brown, black and cream as your bases and khaki and burgundy as your accents. By choosing bases and accent colours that work together interchangeably, you make pairing items easier.

Build around versatile foundation pieces

Remember, building a capsule wardrobe means quality over quantity, so choose your staple pieces carefully. Well-made items that can be easily paired with others should be your focus. For example, a staple pair of jeans, a structured blazer, thick, cosy knitwear and smart boots are all easily matched with other items to dress a look up or down.

Rethink your storage to support your capsule wardrobe

You might have a capsule wardrobe fit for the pages of Vogue, but without the right bedroom clothes storage to keep it in, you won't reap the benefits. Ensure you have a variety of storage in your wardrobe, such as shelving for tops, rails for trousers and drawers for socks. This will help you know exactly where everything is when getting dressed each morning.

If you have limited space, or you require a specific internal layout to suit your capsule collection, look at fitted wardrobe ideas, like the clever bedroom storage options at Hammonds. Not only does built-in bedroom storage maximise your space and work around awkward room layouts, but it also means you can store clothes in a way that suits your lifestyle. For example, your capsule pieces could be hung on rails for easy access. Or if you have more jumpers than trousers, you could swap out a rail for additional shelving. Ultimately, your bedroom clothes storage should be an extension of your capsule collection, making access and organisation as easy as putting together outfits.

If you'd like to transform your storage and align it with your lifestyle, book a free design visit with Hammonds today.