How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe

Here at theUNDONE, we believe in the power of a good capsule wardrobe. You don’t need a closet bursting to the brim. All you need is a selection of considered and elevated pieces that you love and wear, season after season. In other words: a pared-back capsule wardrobe. 

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is an edit within our wardrobe that holds the minimum number of pieces that will create the maximum number of outfits. These pieces are mainly made up of wardrobe essentials, but you can tailor your capsule depending on your personal style and what you like to wear on repeat.

You can create several capsules within your wardrobe depending on what makes getting dressed easier for you. For example you could create a workwear capsule, pregnancy capsule or holiday capsule. Simply put, you’re creating an edit, and this edit will help you get dressed quickly and easily. 

|If you’re just starting your capsule wardrobe journey, welcome. We’re excited to help you along the way.  Here are our tips on building an effortless capsule wardrobe, no matter your budget.

Define Your Capsule

What are you building your capsule for? Workwear, holiday, pregnancy, everyday outfits?

Different capsules will need different essentials and we have helpful starting lists for multiple capsule options.

Workwear Capsule
Summer Capsule
Winter Capsule
Maternity Capsule

Take Stock of What you Have

Once you know what capsule you’re looking to create, pull out the items that you love to wear on repeat. If there are multiple versions of the same item, choose your favourite, you don’t need multiples in a capsule.

Use our capsule lists above or our list of 40 wardrobe essentials to identify what you have and what you’re missing that might be helpful in forming up a highly functional capsule wardrobe.

Refine Your Wishlist

With a list of items that you’re looking to add to your wardrobe, create a list of pieces that you’re going to keep an eye out for. Don’t rush the buying process, we want you to make good, long lasting decisions.

Section Off Your Capsule

Capsules work best when we physically separate them from the rest of our wardrobe so when we go to get dressed we’re presented with just the essentials and don't feel overwhelmed. Capsule wardrobes practise restraint, and when we give ourselves parameters it unlocks creativity as we then think about how we can style these pieces in a new, refreshing way.

Represent Your Personal Style

A discussion that comes up when talking about capsule wardrobes is that they can lack personality. It’s important to remember that even though we’re providing helpful lists, the items within those lists can be found in multiple variations. A pair of blue jeans can be straight, skinny, relaxed, wide, high rise, vintage, cropped or full length, and this isn’t even an exhaustive list or variations. It’s up to you to decide what style you like. The same can be said for the style of t-shirt you like to wear, your favourite knit or a black coat.

And then there is the way you choose to style those pieces together, the jewellery and accessories you choose, the way you do your hair and makeup. All these considerations amalgamate to create your unique personal style.

Care for Your Clothes

Items within a capsule wardrobe get a lot of wear, which means we need to remember how to take care of them to ensure we get the years of wear that we intend to. 

Get up to speed on the basics on how care for your wardrobe, or download our full guide that will make you a pro.  

Some key tips: Wash less, wash better, repair, restore, know how to store and most importantly, love your clothes.