5 Tips for Creating a Capsule Wardrobe on a Budget

capsule wardobe

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of versatile clothing items that can be styled in various combinations in order to create numerous items for different occasions. It is usually based on classic, essential items, mixed with some trendy seasonal pieces, in order to reduce clutter and stress over outfit choices and make looking incredibly chic and stylish every day a breeze. If you strive for a minimalist wardrobe, but you can’t afford to buy all the pieces at once, here are some tips on how to create a capsule wardrobe on a budget:

Think about your lifestyle

The biggest mistake people make when trying to construct a capsule wardrobe is copying someone else’s. While it’s perfectly fine to look at fashion bloggers to inspire your capsule wardrobe, you need a wardrobe that is suited to your personal lifestyle. Look through your calendar and think about activities that take up most of your time, such as work, date nights, time at home, etc, and how many times you needed an outfit for each activity. Make a graph or a pie chart of your findings and use it as a base for constructing your capsule wardrobe.

 Construct your ideal wardrobe

With your lifestyle in mind, start sketching out your ideal wardrobe. For example, if you work long hours every day, then spend the rest of your time at home, most of your clothes should be business appropriate, with additional casual and loungewear pieces. Think about the overall look you are going for and base your wardrobe around it. You don’t need to have every single detail planned out – just concentrate on your personal taste and style and think about the colors, fabrics and proportions which suit you the most. Before you do anything else, try to declutter your wardrobe of unnecessary items, in order to have a clean base that is easy to work with.

Focus on versatile key pieces

Now that you have a better understanding of your lifestyle and the wardrobe you are striving for, think about the items that would represent the idea of your personal style and ones you know you will get a lot of wear out of, such as jackets, shoes, bags and versatile pieces you can wear anywhere, such as Urban Sport women’s denim shorts. Opt for basic pieces that are neither too fancy nor too casual, because they won’t make a big difference to your personal style and they are versatile enough to be worn on many different occasions.

Buy the best quality you can afford

Once you know which types of items you want to include in your wardrobe, the next step is to buy pieces that fulfill all of your criteria, but that are in your price range. Make it your goal to find the best quality your money can buy, but remember that price is not always an indicator of quality. That is why it is always best to assess the quality of the item yourself, especially if you are on a limited budget. You will most likely have more luck finding simple, basic pieces in more affordable stores than items that are well-tailored and intricate. When it comes to things you can’t find in your price range at a good quality, such as jackets and coats, a good idea might be to try second-hand or vintage stores.

Continue building your wardrobe at your own pace

Once you have the basis of your wardrobe set, you will be a lot more satisfied with your clothing options and you will be more motivated to continue building your capsule. Just set a flexible budget for yourself and continue to work towards your ideal wardrobe, at whichever pace your budget allows. Instead of ten new pieces a month, you may only be able to afford one or two. But if they are chosen carefully, these items will slowly add up to something more – a cohesive wardrobe filled with high-quality items you love and will wear for many years to come.