Do you know that feeling? It's early in the morning, you're still half asleep, and you're standing in front of a closet bursting at the seams - yet somehow you have nothing to wear. Putting together an outfit feels like an endless quest: the new shirt doesn't match the pants, your favorite piece is in the laundry, and you end up leaving the house feeling stressed and dissatisfied.

But why does this keep happening, even though your closet is overflowing? It's simple: too many pieces that don't really go together. Imagine if your closet were as carefully planned as your vacation suitcase - with just a few well-chosen favorites that can be combined in countless ways. That's the essence of the capsule wardrobe: a minimalistic collection that saves you unnecessary impulse buys, time and energy.

What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?

The concept of a capsule wardrobe has been around since the 1970s. It originated with British boutique owner Susie Faux, who wanted to help her customers navigate day-to-day style with ease and confidence. Her idea: a thoughtfully curated wardrobe made up of a few versatile items that all work together seamlessly.

In the 1980s, American designer Donna Karan picked up on the concept and popularized it with her “Seven Easy Pieces” collection - seven pieces that could be mixed and matched into countless outfits. In short, it's all about fewer items but more possibilities.

Why Is a Capsule Wardrobe a Good Idea?

Let's be honest - how many items in your closet do you actually wear regularly? Most of us return to the same favorites over and over, while the rest just take up space and frustrate us. A capsule wardrobe not only brings order to the chaos, it also has a number of other benefits:

• Sustainability: Consuming less means fewer resources used, less textile waste, and a reduced environmental impact.
• Save Money: Instead of constantly buying new clothes, invest once in high-quality basics that last.
• Less Stress: No more indecision in the mornings about what goes together - your wardrobe is already perfectly coordinated.
• More Style: With a well-thought-out selection, you'll always look put-together no matter the occasion.

How to Build Your Capsule Wardrobe - Step by Step

A capsule wardrobe typically consists of 30-40 pieces per season, including shoes and jackets. That may sound minimal, but it's more than enough when you pick the right basics!

(Underwear, socks, pajamas, and activewear aren't included. Doesn't sound quite so scary anymore, right? 😉)

1. Start with Timeless Basics

Think of your capsule wardrobe as a solid framework. Begin with simple, versatile pieces that always work:

• A well-fitting pair of jeans
• A white T-shirt and a black T-shirt
• A quality sweater
• A blazer or a cool jacket
• Comfortable sneakers and simple boots

2. Choose a Cohesive Color Palette

Most successful capsule wardrobes revolve around neutral colors like black, white, gray, beige, or navy blue. Then, add one or two accent colors to liven up your look.

3. Prioritize Versatility

Each item in your capsule wardrobe should pair with at least three other pieces.

4. Cover Different Occasions

You'll need outfits that work for everyday wear and also for special events. A good capsule wardrobe covers various situations:

• Summer: Light dresses, shorts, sandals
• Winter: Warm sweaters, boots, coats
• Business: A polished blazer, dress pants, loafers
• Casual: Comfortable jeans, sneakers, sweaters

Looking for Inspiration?

If you're unsure how to get started, take a look at people who have already perfected the capsule wardrobe. Many sustainable fashion influencers demonstrate how it's done. Some especially interesting examples include:

• Caroline Joy (Un-Fancy) - Minimalism & capsule wardrobe blog
• Capsule Wardrobe Guide (@capsulewardrobeplanning) - Capsule wardrobes & sustainable shopping
• Laura Summers (@mycapwardrobe) - Capsule wardrobe in your 40s

Capsule Wardrobe & Secondhand - A Winning Combination

A capsule wardrobe works best when you carefully select what goes into it. But that doesn't mean you have to buy everything new! Secondhand fashion is the ideal way to shop sustainably, uniquely, and on a budget.

Especially when focusing on a minimal wardrobe, it's worth investing in high-quality, long-lasting materials. These are often found in secondhand shops: timeless jeans, classic blazers, or well-preserved leather shoes - all for a fraction of the original price.

The best part? When you buy secondhand, you're saving money while also reducing textile waste. Every secondhand piece you buy doesn't have to be newly produced - saving valuable resources like water, energy, and CO₂.

Buy Less, Choose Mindfully - and Explore Secondhand

A capsule wardrobe helps you be more intentional about fashion, declutter your closet, and refine your personal style. Secondhand fashion is a fantastic way to find high-quality favorites without wasting resources.

If you want to discover sustainable secondhand pieces for your capsule wardrobe, be sure to sign up for the new secondhand platform Circlin - the test version will be launching soon, and you can still secure exclusive early benefits.

On Circlin, you'll be able to search specifically for premium basics and see items in motion through video listings before you decide. Shopping becomes not just more sustainable, but also simpler and more inspiring.