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So you’ve committed to creating a capsule wardrobe and simplifying your closet… You’ve made it through “Simplifying Your Wardrobe” and “Why is it Hard to Let Go?” You may feel liberated, being able to see everything in your closet. Your morning routine may be simplified with how easy you can pick out your outfit.

Or you may be feeling that you don’t have anything to wear…

Why is that? Well first off, you’re so used to having a full closet! Even though you’ve simplified your closet it’s different and takes some time getting used to. The more time that passes, the easier it gets.

The second reason you may be experiencing this is because you don’t have enough of the “correct” clothing items. You may have selected some of your favorite pieces to include in your capsule wardrobe, but they pair well only with other specific items. This can severely limit the amount of outfits you can create.

The secret to creating a successful wardrobe is to curate a timeless wardrobe. So how do we do that?

• Start with a Neutral Palette
  • Make sure your staple pieces are neutral (this includes beige, white, black, grey, and navy)
  • this can include pants and/or shirts and shoes
  • I tend to stick to neutral colored pants and shoes

• Give Your Outfit Personality
  • if you think having a closet filled of neutral colors is boring, use colorful accessories to create your outfit
  • this can include jewelry and/or shoes
  • with different accessories, the same outfit can take on a whole different look
  • Since I don’t wear jewelry often, I tend to invest in colorful tops

• Clothing to Ensure an Outfit for Any Occasion
  • Jeans
    • very versatile
    • you can create many different looks with the different styles and washes available
    • can be worn with flats or heels
    • can be dressed up for a night out or dressed down for a day around the house
  • Dress pants or skirt
    • neutral colors go well with colorful tops
    • there are also many different styles of pants and skirts
    • works well for professional or evening attire
  • Tops
    • There are many different types of tops (button-ups, blouses, etc) to choose from
    • they are good for work or a night out
    • can be neutral or colorful
    • I tend to gravitate towards any top that pairs well with jeans and dress pants and can also be layered
  • Sweaters
    • range from lightweight to heavy
    • In addition to regular sweaters I also have a collection of sweaters to layer over other tops (I can’t help it, I’m always cold!)
    • Consider personal preference and climate when choosing
  • Blazers
    • classic and professional
    • neutrals work well with skirts and pants
    • can double as a coat in a chilly atmosphere
  • Trench Coat
    • can be worn with a t-shirt or a more dressy top
    • pairs well with jeans, or a dress/skirt for any occasion
    • A neutral color would work best
    • I only ended up purchasing one last year and absolutely love it! It’s very feminine and works well whether running errands around town or wearing over a dress for more formal occasions (like a summer’s eve wedding)
  • A little black dress
    • great for an evening out, office parties, weddings, and last minute occasions
    • I also just recently acquired one of these too and can’t believe what I was missing! I’ve never been a “dress girl” and having many weddings to attend these past couple of years, I struggled with what to wear. Having a proper fitting little black dress has been a lifesaver and I wish I had gotten one sooner! No matter the occasion (wedding, vacation, random party, etc.), I now have the perfect dress.

• Invest in Quality Clothing
  • When you are trying to be frugal and live a simple life it can be difficult to choose between what’s cheap and what’s more expensive, but higher quality
  • If you invest in cheap items, you’ll need to spend money more often to replace them
  • If you take the time to save for quality items, you’ll appreciate them more and they will last longer

I often struggle with this last concept, but there are ways you can save and still invest in quality clothing

• Don’t buy new clothing! It’s better for the environment anyway!
• Thrift stores aren’t a new concept, so use them!
• Since I don’t really enjoy retail shopping, I use THRED UP
  • They offer “slightly used” or “new with tags” items
  • You set your price range when browsing for items
  • I’ve expanded the clothing brands in my closet (before, new was too cost prohibitive for some brands)
  • I sometimes have a hard time with fit, so I hate to purchase anything I haven’t tried on first, but if an item doesn’t fit or is not what you expected, you can return for store credit or a refund.

You may be thinking that if everyone with a capsule wardrobe followed these guidelines we’d all have the same primitive outfits. That’s ridiculous! Even if we did have all the same clothing serving as the foundation for our wardrobe, we are all drawn to different colors, styles, and accessories, that each of our personalities will still shine through!