Minimalist capsule wardrobe checklist is a great help in guiding you to build a functional and stylish capsule wardrobe. Minimalist capsule wardrobe is owning less items and wearing more while feeling confident and looking fabulous.
Capsule wardrobe is a great way to live as you spend less time thinking about what to wear for the day. If you are looking for solutions to reduce your spending on clothes or declutter your current wardrobe, a minimalist capsule wardrobe is the way to go! It helps you to shop mindfully and only get what you need.
There are basics must-haves in every capsule wardrobe and I will cover all the staple pieces in the minimalist capsule wardrobe checklist. There are no restrictions on what to own or what not to own in a minimalist capsule wardrobe. Everything comes down to your lifestyle, preferences and needs.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
Capsule wardrobe is a collection of versatile clothing pieces that can be paired with one another to create a variety of outfits for different occasions. The important factor of building a capsule wardrobe is to buy less and wear more.
However, there are seasonal capsule wardrobes where you adjust your current capsule wardrobe to fit the seasons. You can also build an all year round capsule wardrobe that suits your lifestyle and personal style.
What are the Cons of a Capsule Wardrobe?
Capsule wardrobe is a life saver especially to those who want to look good and stylish but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the morning getting dressed.
You shop mindfully – You will consider buying new clothes and decide if you actually need them or not. This also helps you spend less on clothes.
Reduce decision fatigue – When you own less clothes, you don’t need to decide what clothes to wear when putting outfits together in the morning. Anything you choose will work well with one another.
Save time getting dressed – No time will be wasted when getting dressed. No struggle to pick clothes to wear for the day as everything is versatile and matches with anything.
Gain more confidence – When you own clothes that you actually like and have a signature personal style, you will feel more confident as you know you look good.
Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Checklist
There are no rules on how many items you need in a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It really depends on your lifestyle, preference and needs. This is a guide for you to create a minimalist capsule wardrobe that caters to your own needs! Feel free to add or remove any items if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle.
Let’s get started with the minimalist capsule wardrobe checklist:
- T-shirts x 4
- Button down shirts x 3
- Tie neck blouses x 2
- Sweatshirts x 2
- Blazers x 1
- Denim jacket x 1
- Straight leg trousers x 2
- Straight leg jeans x 2
- Midi skirts x 2
- Jumpsuits x 2
- Black dress x 1
- Sneakers x 1
- Chelsea boots x 1
- Ballet flats x 1
- Handbag x 1
- Totebag x 1
Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Essentials
T-shirts
T-shirts are evergreen. You can wear it any time any day of the year. Choose solid colors like white, black or grey t-shirts as they are more timeless and relevant. Pick any neckline you prefer but personally I find crew neck t-shirts to be more classic.
Button down shirts
A classic button down white or black shirt is a must in a minimalist capsule wardrobe checklist. You can never go wrong with them. You can dress it up or down by pairing it with a different bottom and shoes.
Blouses
Blouses especially tie neck blouses are one of the must-haves in a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It is timeless and effortlessly elegant. If you prefer patterns, make sure to pick timeless patterns like stripes or polka dots.
Sweatshirts
Sweatshirts are great during cozy weather. It is also very easy to style and look classic no matter how you wear it! Pair it with wide leg trousers or straight leg jeans. There is no wrong way to style sweatshirts.
Blazers
Blazers are one of the staple pieces you need to tick off in your minimalist capsule wardrobe checklist. They are relevant and evergreen. You can add blazers into any outfit and it will instantly elevate the whole look!
Denim jacket
Denim jacket is one of the easiest pieces to style. You can throw a denim jacket into any outfit and it instantly changes the whole vibe. You can choose the good old blue denim jacket or if you prefer black or white denim jacket, nobody is stopping you!
Trousers
Another staple piece you should have in your minimalist capsule wardrobe is trousers. You can dress it up or down. It is effortless and fashionable at the same time. You can pair it with a t-shirt or button down shirt, everything looks good with a quality pair of trousers.
Jeans
Jeans are one of the timeless pieces and relevant any time of the year. You can never go wrong with jeans! It is definitely a minimalist wardrobe essential. Opt for straight leg jeans because it suits almost any body type.
Midi skirts
Some prefer wearing skirts and some don’t. But if you are one of those people who like wearing skirts, midi skirts are one of the must-haves! You can pair them with anything. Midi skirts are flattering on all kinds of body shapes.
Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits look great on its own, you can add accessories to elevate the whole look. It is easy to wear and easy to style. You can wear it on a casual day out or if you are going to a formal event. Change the bags, shoes and accessories to fit the occasions.
Black dress
Every capsule wardrobe needs a little black dress. You can wear it for different occasions and style it the way you prefer! Add a little gold accessories and strappy heels for a date night or wear it with classic pumps and small jewelleries for a formal event.
Sneakers
You can never go wrong with sneakers. Sneakers can be paired with any outfit and it will give a different vibe to the whole look. You can wear it with jeans, skirts, or dresses. It looks stylish no matter how you style it.
Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are one of the timeless designs and they are evergreen. It is hard for it to be out of trend as it looks clean and smart. Chelsea boots especially in the color black will instantly elevate the whole outfit.
Ballet flats
Ballet flats are easy to wear and effortlessly fashionable. You can pair it with anything to give it a little bit of feminine touch in your outfit. Choose neutral colors like nude or black as they can match with most outfits.
Handbag
Handbags with adjustable straps are the best if you want to include them in your minimalist capsule wardrobe checklist. You can wear them as a shoulder bag or sling bag. Opt for evergreen colors like black and neutral.
Tote bag
Tote bags are versatile and multifunctional. You can use it for a casual day out, travelling, or shopping. There are a lot of spaces in a tote bag. You can choose if you want a canvas tote bag or leather tote bag, or both.
Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe Outfit Ideas
Styling the pieces in the minimalist capsule wardrobe checklist is the most exciting part, at least to me. You get to experiment and be creative by mixing and matching one another. Most pieces in a capsule wardrobe will match one another nicely.
I created a visual guide for your styling inspiration. I hope it helps you give an idea on how to style and match the pieces together.
How to Build a Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe?
Minimalist capsule wardrobe is easy to build when you know the steps. The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is it allows you to get to know yourselves and identify your own signature personal style.
You don’t need a big budget to create a minimalist capsule wardrobe. However, investing in quality clothing pieces could save you tons of money in the future as they tend to last longer. Capsule wardrobes focused on quality over quantity and wearing more and buying less.
Go through your current wardrobe
Look at your current wardrobe. What items do you wear the most? What colors or patterns do you mostly own? From there you can identify your own signature personal style. Keep the ones that you always wear and donate or sell the ones that you don’t.
Start with the basics
Start with ticking off capsule wardrobe basics checklist. Basics include t-shirts, shirts, jeans and trousers. Those are the foundation of most outfits. You put together outfits around the basics.
Identify your color palette
You can look through what colors and patterns you wear most and include those in your color palette. It is also suggested for you to go an extra step by learning color analysis. You will then know what colors suit you the best.
What Items do I Need in a Capsule Wardrobe?
The most important thing you need in a capsule wardrobe is the basics as it is the foundations of most outfits. Most basics can be styled as its own or as a layering piece. Opt for solid colors as it is easier to match and timeless.
Staple pieces include t-shirts, shirts, trousers, jeans, sneakers, ballet flats, a versatile handbag and a tote bag. They can be paired with one another to create different looks for different occasions. You may add jewelleries in your capsule wardrobe.
How Many Pieces are in a Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe?
There are no fixed numbers on how many pieces you should have in a minimalist capsule wardrobe. However, generally there are 25 to 50 pieces in a capsule wardrobe. It all comes down to your personal style, lifestyle and needs.
What Does a Minimalist Wardrobe Consist of?
A minimalist wardrobe consists of staple pieces that are versatile and effortlessly stylish. It consists of basic tops, bottoms and shoes. For example, t-shirts, trousers and sneakers. You can also add accessories like jewelleries and bags in a capsule wardrobe.
