20 Reasons Why a Capsule Wardrobe is the Solution to Downsizing Clutter

One of the biggest perks of de-cluttering your closet is justifying a shopping trip to treat yourself to a few new pieces.

One major staple of any solid capsule wardrobe is a healthy collection of breathable, all-year cotton t-shirts. From short to long sleeve, crew neck to v-neck, pick the style in these basics that will work best for you. Grab a few of these go-with-everything basics in neutral colours and varying fits, like Aritzia's Dillon T-Shirt, $30.

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Tucked behind that shelf stacked with knits, buried beneath all that heavy fabric, might just be the new favourite blouse you’d completely forgotten you own. Trim the fat in your closet and unearth all the clothing you didn’t even know you had with a streamlined capsule collection.

From cool summer nights and crisp fall days, to layering up in the winter and easing into the spring – nothing quite works like a super-soft knit, like this HM Knit Sweater, $14. Cardigan or pullover, choose whatever flatters you best and stick to a range of easy-to-match shades.

If you’re someone who likes to shift clothing around with each season, a capsule wardrobe is ideal. A scaled-back selection of pieces means an easier time pulling and substituting certain items as the temperature dips or climbs each season. It also means being able to carry more of these carefully-curated pieces into each season without being stuck for how to wear them.

A fitted blazer, like the Nordstrom Stretch Cotton Twill Blazer, $189, is a no-brainer. Whether for work or play, a tailored blazer is always flattering and works with almost everything – all year-round. Go for one in a darker, solid colour to create a flattering silhouette on your torso.

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Less chaos in your closet means less strain on your closet. Why? Because when you have so much of everything, you’re likely to just keep adding to the pile, versus facing the mess and digging through to see what you might already have. Spare the unnecessary purchases and bite the bullet.

A pair of tailored suit trousers, cropped at the ankle to be worn either with flats and pumps in the warmer seasons or boots in the winter months, is a must. Work this style with a dressy blouse or mix it up with sneakers and a crisp white tee for that blogger-chic style. If possible, pick a pair that match the colour of your fitted blazer to wear as a full suit and create another easy outfit option.

Try the Zara Straight-Cut Stretchy Pants, $50.

Feeling like you’re in a fashion rut? Overstuffed closets will do that to you. Free up some space, scale back on your stock and tap into your creative side as you create some of your best new outfits, remixed with the same pieces.

A boyfriend blazer may seem like a trendy pick, but a slightly oversized blazer is a classic – and a necessary component for the ultimate capsule wardrobe. Wear it belted for an of-the-moment look or wear it as a coat, layered over warmer pieces in the colder weather.

Try the Mango Check Structured Blazer, $129.

Ever feel like just looking in your messy closet is enough to get your day started on the wrong note? If your cluttered closet is making you crabby, it’s time to make a change. Free up those shelves and clear out some room in your mind while you’re at it. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel walking into an organized space each morning.

For dressy occasions or casual outings where you want to go with that feminine vibe, you’ll need a flattering midi dress. A jersey wrap dress in a midi length flatters every body type and works dressed up or down. Go with whatever colour flatters your skin tone the best.

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HM Creped Wrap-Front Dress, $40

Those piles of clothing collecting dust on your shelves might mean little to you, but to someone else, they could make all the difference. Donating pieces that are still in good condition to places like the Salvation Army (who offer easy drop-off locations) or your local centres is good karma and a great way to contribute positively to your community.

A black or grey turtleneck is a must from fall through to early spring. In a lightweight knit and snug fit, this item works layered or on its own and is the perfect basic to pair with skirts, trousers and denim.

Le Chateau Viscose Blend Turtleneck Top, $40

Swap party, that is. While you should aim to donate the bulk of your unwanted clothing, make the effort to sort through and pull a few special pieces that you think would look great on friends or family members. Then, ask friends and family to do the same and set up a “swap night” where you can all get together and swap those pieces amongst one another.

One basic you’ll never want to swap is a great lightweight tank top or camisole. The perfect solution to staying cool in the summer and the ideal base piece for layered looks in the winter, these are staple items that no capsule wardrobe should be without.

Nakd Deep-V Singlet, $23

Trimming the fat on that closet will help you in eliminating some of the “fluff” pieces that you may realize you never liked to begin with. In getting rid of all the things that just aren’t “you” anymore, you’ll be one step closer to unearthing the unique sense of style that resonates with the most.

Treat yourself to one trendy item for your closet per season. Our suggestion for the splurge? A pair of vintage-feeling straight-leg jeans with a high waist. This hot denim trend is a nod to the 90’s and while it may not last forever, is both flattering and comfortable.

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Zara Mom-Fit Jeans, $46

Have you ever bought a piece of clothing on impulse, only to return home, forget about it, and then find yourself feeling guilty every time you eye it collecting dust in your closet? Skip the shopper’s remorse and adopt the capsule wardrobe method for a selection of pieces you actually like, can wear in multiple ways, and will never regret buying.

Invest in the ultimate all-year wardrobe staple with a leather jacket. Whether fitted or slightly oversized, this iconic piece of clothing is a must and works with everything. Spend a little extra for that quality leather and fit, and you’ll be enjoying it for years to come.

Massimo Dutti Biker-Style Nappa Jacket, $375

Decision anxiety is very real, and the time you spend mulling over what to wear from the heaps of clothes in your closet each morning may be causing you unnecessary stress and fatigue. Start your mornings off right with a closet of clothing specifically curated for easy-to-assemble outfits using pieces that are easy to mix and match.

You’ve got one trendy pair of denim in your capsule-inspired closet, but what about a go-with-everything pair? We suggest a pair of comfortable slim-fit jeans in a flattering dark wash.

J Crew 8” Toothpick in Classic Wash, $144

When your closet is in chaos, it can feel as though everything from digging around for stray pieces to folding and putting away clothing can take so much longer than it should. Do yourself a favour, unload all that dead weight and get organized once and for all. A well-assembled capsule wardrobe takes the work out of getting dressed, leaving you with more time to focus on other things.

Now that you’ve shown your closet you mean business, it’s time to look the part with the classic staple button-down shirt. Scoop these up in black and white for the business-casual piece that’s always in style.

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HM Fitted Shirt, $20

Being able to easily look through and enjoy the clothing that you have may seem like a simple pleasure, but it will absolutely impact your day-to-day life in a greater way. With a closet of pieces that you can easily access, enjoy, and will actually wear, will come a deeper sense of gratitude for those belongings and encourage being less wasteful in other areas of your life as well.

Pick out a versatile button down in an oversized or tunic-style fit for a shirt that can work tucked into pants or belted and worn with stockings as a dress. The preppy style is a classic and super easy to wear in different ways.

ASOS Design Cotton Mini Shirt Dress, $42

This one’s obvious. Less bulk equals less effort and time spent doing laundry for clothing you don’t like that much to begin with.

A pair of shorts is a must in any wardrobe. Go for something in a flattering dark shade (black works with almost everything) and comfortable cotton fabric. Tip: pick a length that’s not too short – a Bermuda fit is ideal and can be worn with bare legs or layered over stockings in the colder months.

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Zara Shorts with Belt, $46

Those too-small jeans you’ve never worn? That awkward blouse that never looks quite right on? For all the pieces you can’t let go of – but never seem to wear – there’s a piece out there in the perfect fit with your name on it. When the pieces in your closet are a guaranteed fit, that translates to less guesswork in the morning – and the perfect ensemble, every time.

Take the winter on in style with a warm and luxurious wool coat. A no-brainer when it comes to classic cold-weather style, a wool coat in hues like forest green, navy blue or cognac is sure to make a statement, and will look fabulous year after year.

Aritzia Connor Wool Coat, $350

Yep, we said it. For those of us splitting our coveted closet-space with our significant others, the struggle of storage space (and hangers!) is all too real. Getting ride of some of that unwanted bulk will free up some shareable space in your closet, creating a little more compromise – and a little less chaos.

A mini and a midi skirt, in whatever fabric you feel flatters you best (jersey, cotton, denim – whatever you feel blends best with the rest of your clothing) is a must for a versatile capsule wardrobe.

Massimo Dutti Ribbed Skirt, $115

Does the thought of bagging up and switching out your clothing from season to season make you cringe? We can’t blame you. All that swapping around – what a pain! A well-assembled capsule wardrobe that considers all seasons will allow you to keep the majority of your pieces in circulation year-round – minimizing the need to pull and pack whenever the temperatures begin to shift.

A capsule wardrobe should include a solid collection of footwear. A great pair leather boots, some comfortable flats, a go-with-everything pair of nude pumps – and depending on your lifestyle, some shoes that compliment your personal interests. Comfy sandals for the jetsetter, duarable lace-up boots for the avid hiker, sneakers for the gym-goer, etc.

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HM Knee-High Boots, $79

If the idea of scaling back and living a more minimalist lifestyle appeals to you, consider a capsule wardrobe to be the first steps in that direction. Learning to be more discerning about your collection of clothing will allow you to flex that part of your brain that needs to adapt to less versus more.

Delicate and simple jewellery in your metal of choice is always a safe bet when hunting for the perfect accessories for a capsule wardrobe. Simple bangles and cuffs look great on a bare wrist or stacked over the sleeve of a knit. A delicate chain can be worn on its own or layered under several strands, and even the simplest rings can make a statement when stacked or worn on several fingers at once.

Sequin Virgo Astral Cuff Bracelet, US $78.

If nothing else, giving the capsule wardrobe concept a try will provide you with a challenge and leave you with some insight as to shopping and styling behaviours you may not have noticed before. You might discover many of those regret-purchases were ones you made when you were feeling stress at work or home. Or you might realize you have a habit of buying the same style over and over… Whatever the takeaway, it’s worth a shot!

If you include just one bag in your new capsule wardrobe, make it a classic leather handbag or tote. Great quality and a classic shape mean you’ll be able to pair it with every ensemble and enjoy it for years to come.

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Oak and Fort Bag 1913, $48

Getting organized with a capsule wardrobe may minimize your style-stress, but it goes beyond just your clothing. The skills you put into practice when de-cluttering your existing space and the conscious choices you make as you select new and old pieces to keep will find their way into other aspects of your life. When you begin to trim the fat on your closet-life, don’t be surprised to find the benefits of your new perspective creep into other areas of your life as well.

Designate one small area in your closet to lounge and athleisure-wear. Life is tough, and we all deserve to come home and get comfy, or spend our weekends in some off-duty gear. Stock up on comfortable fabrics and easy-fits for go-to pieces that can be worn as a set or worked into other outfits as separates, like this Onzie Wrap Jacket, US $95.