If you are wondering how to create a capsule wardrobe that lasts, this article will help. Some may worry that a capsule wardrobe is more disposable or because you are wearing the same things over and over, they may wear out faster or boredom will set in. After twelve years of having my own capsule wardrobe that has not been my experience. There have been many more upsides than downsides in dressing with less.
In this article about how to create a capsule wardrobe that lasts, I’m going to …
- tell you how I do laundry with a capsule wardrobe
- answer other questions about how to create a capsule wardrobe
- tell you about my latest capsule wardrobe experiment
- share my current capsule wardrobe
How to do laundry with a capsule wardrobe
My clothes don’t wear out any faster with a capsule wardrobe even though I wear the same items more frequently. The best way to make your clothes last longer is to be gentle with them. When you wash your clothes, use a gentle detergent and cold water. Then, line dry your items. If (like me), you aren’t sure where your iron is, give them a quick wrinkle-free spin in the dryer.
I wash all of my clothes together, lights and darks, workout clothes and regular clothes, towels, etc. Life is too complicated to make laundry complicated.
Other questions about how to create a capsule wardrobe
Here are some answers to questions I’ve been asked recently:
How exactly do I start a capsule wardrobe?
Here’s the ultimate guide with everything you ever wanted to know. If you want to know more than everything you ever wanted to know about how to create a capsule wardrobe, read this.
How do you find your style for a capsule wardrobe?
I stopped thinking about my style or colors or other things that make no sense in my brain. Instead, I ask myself, “what do I want to wear?” and I wear that. After years of limiting my choices in my closet I was able to create a capsule wardrobe full of my favorite clothes. You’ll find out what you like to wear when you dress with less.
What else can you tell me about how to create a capsule wardrobe?
There are answers to great questions about how to create a capsule wardrobe when you are pregnant, how to create capsule wardrobe for toddlers, and what do to about weather, work and vacation when considering how to create a capsule wardrobe here.
How do you pick what pieces are essential and which do you spend the most money on?
I probably spend the most on shoes and coats because comfort while walking long distances and staying warm is really important to me. The essential piece of the question doesn’t really go towards one piece but instead to the idea that everything kind of goes with everything. That essential element removes even more decision fatigue.
How to you manage with fewer clothes when traveling?
Traveling with less will encourage you to dress with less all the time because you realize that carrying less is better, no one notices what you are wearing (especially when traveling), and the clothes you want to bring with you pack easily, wash easily and mix and match easily. Those are great things for your at home wardrobe too. To put this all to the test, pack as you normally would on your next trip and keep track of what you wear. If you don’t wear it all, you are bringing too much. Next time, only pack for half your trip and see what happens.
How do you cope with size fluctuations?
Leggings and joggers have a lot of flexibility. I always recommend only including items in your capsule wardrobe for the size you are today. If that changes and you need to change your clothes, do it without any guilt or self loathing. Our bodies change. It’s ok. We don’t have to change our bodies to fit in our clothes. We just have to change our clothes sometimes to fit our bodies. Again, it’s ok.
How do you create a capsule wardrobe if you have lots of weather changes?
Factor weather changes in when you create a capsule wardrobe. My current 5-month capsule can accommodate snow to a 90 degree day. Be honest about how long you’ll have extreme weather though. It won’t be too hot most of my five months so I can feel comfortable only including a few items for warmer temps.
What do we do with out of season clothes?
I put them out of sight. You can put them in a different closet, a small box, a drawer or anywhere you don’t have to think of them. This is especially helpful when you are first starting to create a capsule wardrobe. It’s a great way to sample simplicity! If you are looking for ways to store all of your clothes together, here’s an option.
What do you do with the pieces you love but don’t fit in with your capsule?
If I don’t think I’m ever going to wear it again, I let it go. If it might work in a different capsule, I’ll keep it. After dressing with less for a few years, you think differently about what you wear so there will be fewer “but I love that” pieces.
I work as a yoga teacher, do my work clothes count as part of a Project 333 capsule wardrobe?
Typically workout clothes don’t count as long as they are mostly working out. If most of your day-to-day wardrobe is yoga clothes, I’d count them.
Do you coach people to create a capsule wardrobe?
I did it here.
How often do you typically need to purchase or replace things?
This is different for everyone. For me twice a year or so I might add something and I assess quarterly.
What about layering?
That’s a good strategy (one I’m focused more on this round). You’ll never guess how many different outfits you can make when you create a capsule wardrobe.
Do you ever switch items out midseason if you find they aren’t working for you?
No, but I’ve been doing this a long time so I know what works for me. Give yourself that flexibility if you need it.
The biggest reasons people don’t try Project 333 or another way to create a capsule wardrobe is because of fears around laundry, weather and weight. In countless surveys I’ve done over the years, most people say that’s what stopped them from starting, and once they did start, they discovered these were not issues at all.
My new experiment with a capsule wardrobe
Until now, I changed my capsule wardrobe every three months and followed the Project 333 rules.
I’m taking a new approach on how to create a capsule wardrobe this time. Because I’ve been doing this for so long, a capsule wardrobe of 33 items or less comes pretty naturally for me (Thanks Project 333), even if I don’t count my items. While I usually start with a list when I create a capsule wardrobe, this time, I started with my suitcase. I traveled for most of October and what I brought on my trip was most of the capsule wardrobe I’ll be wearing for 5 months.
I usually create a capsule wardrobe every 3 months but because the weather doesn’t change much from December to February, I only end up changing out a few items to accommodate warmer temperatures in March. This time I factored that in and am focused on layering.
I’m not counting jewelry this time around but I don’t wear much jewelry. I have two permanent (zapped on) tiny bracelets and a necklace I wear most of the time. I may add a pair of earrings.
My full list is below and here’s a video of my current capsule wardrobe on Instagram and Tiktok.
My current 5-month capsule wardrobe (October-February)
- Purse
- Tote
- Gloves
- Hat
- Scarf
- Sunglasses (not shown)
- Boots
- Booties
- Sneakers
- Clogs
- Trench (not shown)
- Winter Coat (not shown)
- Black V-Neck T
- White V-Neck T
- Black Ruffle Short Sleeve
- Black Sleeveless
- Black/Gray Long Sleeve T
- Black Turtleneck
- Floral Mid Sleeve
- White Button Down
- Black Blouse
- Blue Chambray
- Black Sweatshirt
- Gray Sweater
- Olive Sweater
- Black/Gray Wrap Sweater
- Olive Sleeveless Sweater
- Skinny Jeans
- Boyfriend Jeans
- Black Leggings
- Plaid Leggings
- Black Joggers
- May add in a dress later
When you think about what you’ll include, consider your lifestyle and what will work best for you. Create a capsule wardrobe that lasts to make even more time and space for what’s really important to you.
For more Project 333 capsule wardrobe inspiration, take the course or read the book.
