I love creating capsule wardrobes and putting a new theme together for every season. Being able to adjust my style to the season and my mood is fantastic. Yes, I know many people think that a capsule wardrobe should be timeless. I think a capsule wardrobe should be timeless according to your own style. That’s why I (for example), do not have a neutral colored capsule wardrobe. Today I want to share my tips and video on how to create a capsule wardrobe theme. So that you too can enjoy a capsule wardrobe that fits your style, let’s go!
What’s your style?
If you have trouble figuring out your personal style, this article will help you do it. If you already know your style, it’s much easier to figure out a theme. Here are some quick notes on how to find your personal style. First, your style is supposed to help you spread your message for the world through your outfits. Figure out what you want people to know about you and then match up your clothes. That’s easier to do if you wear items that you naturally gravitate to.
You probably have a mix of colors that you like to wear, write them down. Finally there are silhouettes and shapes that you keep coming back to because you like how they make your body look. In short: Your style should be a mix of your message to the world, your favorite colors to wear mixed with your favorite shapes. If you want to take it a step further, you can get into accessories, make-up, hair and statement pieces too. These things can be changed quickly according to your mood, love it!
What’s the season?
As I’m writing this article it’s fall in the Netherlands. It’s not very cold yet, but it’s very windy and it rains a lot. If you want to create a capsule wardrobe theme, the seasons do matter. Because wearing shorts and sandals might not be a good idea during winter. Every season comes with its own trends, vibes and moods. Figure out what those are for you and how you can incorporate them with your personal style. I personally love seventies and eighties leather jackets and overknee boots during this time of the year.
I love browsing Pinterest for inspiration and you can follow my Pinterest account if you like to see what I’m pinning. I usually make a new Pin board where I store all the pictures that inspire me for my new capsule wardrobe theme. I pin clothes and accessories from my favorite stores as well, so I can make a wish list. My full wardrobe still contains some very outdated clothes that have to go. Therefore I’m slowly buying new items to replace them. But I’m also a minimalist and that’s why I make lists so I don’t buy anything I don’t need for the upcoming season.
Time to pull
Some people only have one capsule wardrobe because they live in a place where the weather is steady. If you don’t, then creating a capsule wardrobe theme starts by pulling from your full wardrobe. Meaning the wardrobe where you store clothes for seasons yet to come. So for this fall I’m putting away my summer clothes and I’m pulling out fall/winter clothes from my full wardrobe. It’s fun to ‘shop’ your own closet. After a year not seeing my winter clothes I always rediscover my favorite pieces.
I pull clothes according to my theme for the coming season. Today I’ve been pulling warm sweaters, dark jeans and long dresses with balloon sleeves. I’m taking out my overknee boots and I’m looking for seventies colors. Think browns, dusty pinks, blues and oranges. I tend to pick some pops of colors as well, like my new lilac blazer. I love that color so much! My closet also has a lot of black basics, like turtlenecks and t-shirts. When I’ve pulled all of my (basic) pieces, I hang them on my capsule wardrobe rack and see how far I’ve come.
Make a wish list
You might already have everything ready to go for the coming season. I’ve been struggling with my weight and style for a few years now. So I have a lot of missing pieces in my full wardrobe. Which means I have to buy something every season to complete my capsule wardrobe themes. This is where I go back to my Pin board, see what I really like to buy and match it up with what I really need. I start by making a wish list so I don’t end up buying trendy things that won’t make it to next year.
I also like to create sets on the rack. This is something I learned when I worked in Retail. You always make sets on the rack to see what your outfits will look like and if they actually work. After making at least five sets for five work days, I know I’m on the right track. I like wearing a different outfit every day, that’s why I like working with sets. This way I don’t have to constantly think about what I’m wearing, because my outfits are ready to go. I think this is a good way to make sure you don’t miss a thing in your wardrobe.
Shop, add and wear
After making sets and a wish list, it’s time to shop! I tend to search the internet for the pieces I need and I like looking for the best deals. I’m Dutch and that means I LOVE a good discount, haha! Either way, I search for the items on my wish list based on my budget and quality. When I shop for clothes I always try to search for items that are high in quality, so I can reuse them for years to come. Many of my clothes are super old, but because they’re made of quality fabrics they still look good.
I always advise people to buy clothes that are timeless according to your own style. Don’t just buy pieces because someone on the internet said that they’re supposed to be in your capsule wardrobe. I know a lot of people tend to fall for that black/white/neutral aesthetic. Mainly because that’s what they see online. But a capsule wardrobe isn’t meant to be that kind of esthetic, it’s meant to be you. If black/white/neutral clothes fit your style and esthetic, go for it! If not, break the mold baby!
Now you know how to create a capsule wardrobe theme. Tag me on Instagram @KayaQuintana if you share a picture of it so I can like it.
See you on the gram,
Kaya-Quintana
P.S. Subscribe to my Youtube channel for more capsule wardrobe videos!
