What is a capsule wardrobe?
Apartment closets exactly spacious, especially if you’re living in West Chester University off campus student housing. With all the seasonal clothing, shoes, jackets, and accessories you end up with, things can get pretty cramped fast. You may end up digging through a lot of stuff just to find your favorite shirt.
Fortunately, you don’t need a bigger flat to solve the problem. A capsule wardrobe is a perfectly viable solution. It’s essentially a wardrobe of versatile pieces that work as a group. Instead of having 30 or 40 outfits you only wear once or twice a year, you have fewer pieces you can actually use.
The idea isn’t about abandoning your personal style. It’s about getting the most out of what you already have in your wardrobe. You’ll spend less time hunting around for clothes and more time actually doing things.
Build a Minimalist Wardrobe for Small Spaces
First, take everything out of your closet. Get it all out! That way, you can see exactly what you own and sort the clothing into everyday wear, occasional wear, seasonal wear, and ‘I can’t be arsed to wear this’ wear.
Next, assess each item honestly. Does it actually fit? Have you worn it in the last few weeks? Does it work with the clothes you already own?
A minimalist wardrobe (small space) approach is all about making considered choices. Start with a core range of versatile basics you can mix and match to create a variety of outfits. Neutral shirts, jeans, a couple of good sweaters and some sensible footwear form the basis.
But don’t strip away everything personal. Keep your favorite colors, patterns, and accessories. Your clothing should still be you.
Try These Capsule Closet Ideas
Now comes the fun bit. Start building up combinations with the clothing you’ve decided to keep. Look for pieces you can wear in a variety of situations.
A comfortable sweater works for class, dinner, or a weekend trip. Dark jeans would go with several different shirts. A jacket is the ultimate in versatility when it comes to Pennsylvania’s ever-changing weather.
These capsule closet ideas also make getting dressed much easier. You won’t be spending twenty minutes deciding what matches.
Think about building your wardrobe around a few core colors. That way, you can create a whole range of combinations without buying any more clothes. You can also just take photos of your favorite outfits for when you need a bit of inspiration.
Small Closet Wardrobe Tips That Actually Work
Having fewer clothes is an advantage, but closet organization matters just as much. Your very best wardrobe is of no use if everything is just piled up.
Start off by swapping out the bulky hangers for the slim ones (they take up a lot less space). Then use shelf dividers to separate out the folded clothing and stop you having big messy piles.
Under the bed, you also have storage space. Store seasonal clothing in labeled containers until you need it again. Over-the-door organizers are excellent for shoes, belts, and all sorts of accessories.
For further apartment closet organization, consider using matching storage bins. They create a much neater look and make it far easier to find what you’re looking for.
Also keep your frequently worn clothing within easy reach. The less frequently worn items can go higher up or further back. That simple arrangement makes the whole thing so much easier.
Maintain Your Wardrobe Without Adding Clutter
Here’s where so many people get it wrong. They get it all sorted out in the first instance and then slowly drift back into their old ways.
Instead, just go through your clothes every few months and get rid of anything that no longer fits your lifestyle. Before you buy anything new, think about whether it will work with what you already have.
A capsule wardrobe really works best if you keep things reasonably modest. You don’t have to be exactly like someone else in terms of their clothing count. Find the right balance for your own lifestyle, your own preferences and the amount of storage you have.
Apartment living does require a certain amount of ingenuity. Your wardrobe shouldn’t be another area of life that becomes a source of stress. With a bit of creativity and good organization, you can have more outfits and less clutter.
After all, having a smaller closet doesn’t mean sacrificing personal style. It simply means making better use of the space you have.
