Fall Capsule Wardrobe

With fall upon us, it’s the perfect time to recreate your closet and wardrobe for the new season with a Fall Capsule Wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe makes life simpler while still offering choices and creativity.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a mini wardrobe created for a specific season in mind. It’s intentionally curated with items you love that are versatile and can be utilized in multiple outfit combinations.

Why a Capsule Wardrobe?

The number one reason a capsule wardrobe is beneficial is decision fatigue. A study done by an online shopping company showed women spend, on average, 16 minutes a day pondering what to pull from their closets to wear. A capsule wardrobe can reduce decision fatigue and save time because the pieces are curated to assemble an outfit in little to no time. Of course there is always the option to get creative within the boundaries of a capsule wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe also reduces impulse purchasing and spending. The average American woman spends $150-$400 a month on clothes. With a capsule wardrobe, shopping happens at the front end of each season instead of every time a sale comes across the inbox. (Note: unsubscribe, unsubscribe, unsubscribe.)

A capsule wardrobe can reduce waste, as it promotes quality over quantity. An average consumer throws away 70 pounds of clothes a year. A capsule wardrobe can reduce waste as it reduces shopping and promotes buying intentionally.

Curating a Capsule Wardrobe

Curating a capsule wardrobe can take a bit of time, depending on the size of closet. However, it’s doable if taken in small chunks over the course of a few days or a week.

Step 1

Pull down everything in your closet that could possibly be worn this fall. Box up everything else for other seasons and put out of sight. Go through each piece of clothing and ask: Do I love it? Would I buy it again? Does it fit? Be honest answering these questions. Make two piles: one for KEEP and one for DONATE/CONSIGN.

Step 2

Take inventory of what you have. If you want, choose a color scheme of colors you love to wear, around 3-4 colors. Create outfits with the pieces you have by sketching them, putting them physically together, or visually creating them in your mind. (This may seem like a silly step, but is quite worthwhile.)

Step 3

Decide if there are any pieces you need to purchase for fall. Make a shopping list and commit to shopping now and not again until next season. Choose quality over quantity for the pieces you need to purchase. Here is a great round up of ethical, quality shops: My Favorite Ethical Brands.

Step 4

Hang and fold clothes neatly you will use for your Fall Capsule Wardrobe. Donate or consign the unwanted items and box up out of season clothing.

Note: If you’re wanting a bit more information and a printable on curating a capsule wardrobe, see this post: How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe.

My Fall Capsule Wardrobe

1 vest

1 zip up jacket

1 jean jacket

1 dress

3 cardigans

3 sweaters

5 sweatshirts

3 button ups

1 long sleeve top

7 t-shirts

3 tank tops (These will get put away when the temperature drops.)

3 pairs of leggings

2 pairs of joggers

1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of black jeans

2 pairs of boots, 1 pair of sneakers

My Fall Purchases

When I put my Fall Capsule Wardrobe together, I had a few things I wanted to add. I purchased a pair of leggings, a sweater, a sweatshirt, and a winter jacket. My leggings and sweatshirt purchases were specifically for bike rides this fall, a new family hobby. The sweater purchase was something I have been looking at for awhile from Everlane. Last year my winter jacket made it to the donation pile because it had been on it’s last leg for a few years. I knew the only way to make it happen would be to donate what I have. I made these purchases intentionally and don’t plan on buying any other clothes until I piece together my winter capsule wardrobe.

The changing of the seasons is the perfect time to finally edit your closet and create a wardrobe you love. Tell me: will you create a Fall Capsule Wardrobe?