The Financial Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe

We've seen it on TV shows, we've even admitted that it sounds like a great idea, but will the long-term financial benefits of creating a capsule wardrobe entice us into giving it a try?

I have more than two wardrobes full of clothes (I'm a teeny bit of a clothes hoarder) and I really can't help thinking of how much money I would have saved by planning what items I actually needed to buy. Sure my clothes can create outfits, but there's an awful lot that don't really co-ordinate with anything other than jeans, and that's meant that at least half of my wardrobe gets abandoned.

Capsule Wardrobe Tips

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this position, so here are my ideas for creating a capsule wardrobe:

• Make a list of your clothing essentials

Think about what items of clothing you wear all the time; at home and at work. My essentials would be blazers, shirts, jeans, fitted trousers and tops.

• Consider the outfit potential of your chosen basics 

So lets say you have shirts, trousers, t-shirts, and jumpers in your list, how many ways can these be worn together? In fact, there are five different outfit looks with just four items: shirt and trousers, jumper, shirt and trousers, a shirt open over a t-shirt and trousers, a jumper and trousers, and a t-shirt and trousers! Now think how much this increases just by doubling the number of items!

What you need to do is think about layering and versatility, what ways can I wear a shirt, t-shirt, jumper and a pair of trousers? Can my suit jacket compliment a t-shirt and jeans? Can those cigarette pants be dressed up for the office?

• Find clothes that fit and suit you. 

 Now that you have what items you need and an idea of how many of each you're looking for, make sure you buy clothes that fit you well! And, just because something is all over the high-street, if it doesn't suit you, don't buy it; personal style will last you longer than fashion fads.

• Opt for quality at an affordable price

Although better quality clothing is usually more expensive, it's likely to last longer and you're more likely to get more wear out of them. Although to save money, only pay a price that's affordable for you, and hit the sales!

• Accessorise!

Ladies, put a red belt over a pencil skirt and white blouse, and look at the instant transformation; accessories can have a huge impact on the outfit potential of your pieces of clothing. And men, I haven't forgotten about you, the same above principles apply for your capsule wardrobes and I'm not promoting the 'man bag' here; but you can easily change the look of an outfit with different belts, and the shoes you wear.

In Action

Here's a quick example of how a capsule wardrobe of seven items (totalling £127) can create four outfits:

Aiming for monochrome and neutral shades for the main items increase their outfit potential and these can then easily be adapted to different colour schemes with accessories! This can be done for a lot less as all the clothing items were each under £20, it was the accessories that were expensive, totaling £79, but you could easily half that by shopping around.

Hope you've found this useful! If you've ever embodied the savings behind a capsule wardrobe we'd love to know!

-Naomi :)