Guide · Wardrobe
How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch
To build a capsule wardrobe: take out all your clothes, keep the pieces you wear and that suit you, choose a short palette of colours that go together (ideally your colour season's), fill in a basic list of around 30 to 40 pieces per season and put the rest away. What makes it work is that almost everything goes with almost everything else.
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Step by step
- Take everything out and split it into three piles: what you wear and like, what you're unsure about and what you haven't worn in a year.
- Choose your palette: two or three base neutrals and two or three standout colours. If you know your colour season, take them from there.
- From the first pile, keep what fits the palette. Put the unsure pile in a box for a season: if you don't miss it, let it go.
- Compare with the basic list below and note the gaps. Buy only those, slowly.
- At each change of season, review: swap coats and short sleeves, and keep the base.
Basic list for women
- Tops: 3 plain T-shirts, 2 shirts or blouses, 2 fine knits and 1 chunky jumper.
- Bottoms: 1 straight jeans, 1 pair of tailored trousers, 1 midi skirt.
- Dresses: 1 or 2 that work for day and evening.
- Outerwear: 1 blazer, 1 trench coat or light jacket, 1 winter coat.
- Shoes: white or neutral trainers, ankle boots, a flat shoe or loafer and one dressy pair.
Basic list for men
- Tops: 4 plain T-shirts, 2 shirts (one light plain, one textured), 2 polos, 2 knit jumpers.
- Bottoms: 2 pairs of jeans (one dark), 1 pair of chinos, 1 pair of suit trousers.
- Outerwear: 1 unstructured blazer, 1 jacket, 1 coat or pea coat.
- Shoes: white or neutral trainers, boots, loafers or dress shoes.
Which colours to choose
Neutrals don't have to be black, white and grey. If your season is warm, camel, chocolate brown, off-white and olive work better; if it's cool, navy, grey and pure white. Keep standout colours to a few pieces, ideally tops.
FAQ
How many pieces are in a capsule wardrobe? Between 30 and 40 per season, counting shoes and coats, is typical. Some people use fewer. What matters is that almost everything goes together.
Do I have to throw out what doesn't fit in? No. Put it away for a season; if you don't miss it, donate it or sell it.
Is there an app that helps? Yes. In Vestiarium you add your clothes with photos, see which part fits your palette, which pieces you wear most and which you've forgotten, and get outfits built from what you already own.
Guides
- What is colour analysis? The 12 seasons explained
- How to find your skin undertone
- How to build a capsule wardrobe from scratch