How to: Build a Capsule Wardrobe (And Bra Drawer)

Purge. De-clutter. Streamline. Consolidate. Organize. Tidy. All words that boil up to the same concept: simplifying your life. Looking to clear out your closet but don’t know where to start? Want to rethink your personal style? Odds are, a capsule wardrobe can help.

We’ve teamed up with our friends over at Cladwell to break down what a capsule wardrobe is, how it can help simplify your wardrobe (and life!), and the one bra you need that works under every. single. look. Yes—seriously!

What is a capsule wardrobe?

According to Cladwell, a capsule wardrobe is a minimal, interchangeable wardrobe, using only the clothes you love to wear. To break it down even further, it just means that you love and wear 100% of the clothing in your closet—and that might be only 30 items (or it might well be more than that).

Just imagine: instead of having 20 shirts, having five you really love. Or, instead of having 10 coats, having three that work for every occasion in your life. Envision what your closet (and dresser drawers!) would look like if it was full of only the things you love most and get the most use out of—not a bunch of distracting clutter.

Bonus: a capsule wardrobe can also help streamline your shopping list. Instead of aimlessly searching for the next best thing, you can actually work toward something: a finish line. Imagine clearing your closet and making a list of the things that are actually missing: the crisp white blouse you’ll wear three days a week, or the pair of black ballet flats that will go with pants, skirts, and shorts. Having a capsule wardrobe and investing in true staples can help you regain control of your shopping habits and give you a sense of freedom—in both your closet and your life.

10 outfits—1 bra

When you begin building a capsule wardrobe, why stop at your closet? Open up those dresser drawers, and shine a light on the pajama set you haven’t worn since 2008 or the 12 bras you wear maybe once a year. Now’s the time to clear out the unnecessary, and replace with some high-quality basics you can rotate between.

Take a peek at how we styled 10 pieces (yes, just 10!) to create 10 outfits—all using one bra and underwear set: