Rather than endless opportunities to create new outfits, when faced with a closet full of clothes, choosing what to wear each day can become a chore. This is confirmed by research which reveals that the average woman has more clothes in her wardrobe than she wears as she considers 21% to be ‘unwearable,’ 33% too tight and 24% too loose.

The answer to this problem lies in streamlining its contents to create a closet containing items that have been thoughtfully selected to allow a seamless transition between outfits. To help you take the stress out of styling, this article has outlined some practical tips to create a capsule wardrobe.

Declutter

The aim of designing a capsule wardrobe is to curate a few essential items that can be worn throughout the year and that withstand the test of time. This will require a review of your current clothing choices, and whittling them down to the bare essentials.

To make the task easier, begin by sorting your clothing into piles. Perhaps one pile for clothes you wear, one for clothes you don’t wear, and another for clothes you are unsure about. There is likely to be some indecision when choosing whether to discard certain items, so it can help to ask yourself the following question:

• Does it fit me well?
• Have I worn it in the past year?
• Is it timeless?
• Do I feel comfortable and confident in it?

If the answers to these questions are more often a ‘no’, then it’s time to give them away.

Back to Basics

The essence of a capsule wardrobe is its focus on essential basics that can be effortlessly mixed and matched to create a range of outfits with minimal items of clothing. Whether it’s casual weekend wear or a capsule work wardrobe inspired by Dihsan, getting back to basics is key.

Basics are the foundation upon which your capsule wardrobe is built and can be easily added to and accessorized depending on the time of day, occasion, or season. Basics include staple items of clothing such as:

• Pair of jeans
• Black pants
• Bodysuit
• Blazer
• White button-down shirt
• Plain T-shirts
• Black dress
• Neutral-colored cardigan and sweater
• Trench coat

Curate Everyday Outfits

The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is the versatility of its elements which you can use to begin curating a selection of outfits to suit your needs. Experiment with different tops and bottoms such as jeans with a t-shirt or a more formal shirt to switch your look from casual to semi-casual or stylish.

Use layering with the help of outerwear such as a blazer to give your outfit a smart edge or soften it with a cardigan. The transition from day to night can be easily achieved with the help of accessories such as bold jewelry, a pair of heels, or a stylish clutch to instantly elevate your look.

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