Image: Viktoriaandwoods.com.au
We really know it’s time for a capsule wardrobe for work when we look into our wardrobes and see a confused overflow of clothes
but can’t find anything we want to wear.
I’m sure we’ve all been here at some point and know how irritating (and time consuming!) it is.
All that money spent on acquiring pieces we thought would help us dress more easily and enjoyably, but have, in fact, had the opposite
effect.
Instead, we’re faced with a disorganised and muddled collection of pieces we don't quite know what to do with.
For one, when there’s so much to see it’s hard to find the solutions, so even though the outfits might be hanging there we
can’t see them for all the distraction and confusion.
But there is an answer and it has more than one benefit!
So keep reading to find out how to create a capsule wardrobe for work and transform your experience of getting ready in the morning.
Eva
Astoul
from Sustainably Chic explains
the capsule wardrobe
well.
‘A capsule wardrobe is a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other. These are often classic
pieces that do not go out of style and are primarily composed of neutral colours. A capsule wardrobe allows you to create a variety of
different outfits with a small selection of clothes.’
This doesn’t mean you have nothing other than these core pieces, but encourages creating the foundations of your wardrobe with
versatile fashion, that suits your lifestyle and that won’t date for many years.
You might occasionally add a piece that isn’t core and doesn’t share the same longevity, but excites your styling and keeps your
capsule current.
And a capsule wardrobe for work may vary little from your everyday wardrobe.
These days, many of us include pieces when we're styling for social occasions that were previously for ‘office outfits’ alone.
Things like pencil skirts, blazers, tailored trousers and button-up shirts are regularly included in our social outfits.
One of the key benefits of using the capsule wardrobe method is that it ensures you have all the core pieces you need for your lifestyle,
which makes it so much easier to see and put together outfits, whether for work or play.
The reason for this simplification is that everything you have is there because you made a considered decisions when buying it.
You have far fewer spontaneous purchases that go with very little else that’s in your wardrobe.
With a capsule wardrobe you have only pieces you are comfortable wearing, pieces that fit you well, that work together and are easy to
style with the other clothes you have.
And having a capsule wardrobe will also mean your wardrobe is less crowded and overwhelming so everything is clearly visible, which also
makes creating outfit ideas easier.
Like most of us, you probably find it easier to concentrate and think clearly when things are in order, tidy and well organised.
Whether you’re at work or home.
And it’s the same with your wardrobe. Chaos equals confusion!
So when you’re looking to head down the path of creating a capsule wardrobe, the place to start is with a
closet clean
out.
This way you can tidy up your wardrobe by removing the clothes you no longer wear or need, that don’t fit or work for your lifestyle,
or pieces you’ve simply stopped enjoying.
After a closet clean out it's so much easier to see what you already have, as well as what you might need to buy.
It’s also the way to minimise and streamline your wardrobe and make it easier to see the potential outfits that are hanging there
waiting for you to wear them!
As I mentioned above one of the key benefits to creating a capsule wardrobe is that, even though you’ll have fewer pieces, it
becomes so much easier to find outfits.
But there are other benefits as well.
For instance, you’re much less likely to waste money buying clothes that never get used.
And because you’re saving money in this way, you might be able to buy pieces that are of better quality and will stay looking
good for longer.
It’s also an important way to minimise the amount of fashion that ends up in landfill, which is hugely important considering the
impact of fashion on the environment.
Cheap, trendy clothes are much less likely to remain useful in your wardrobe. They’re also not well made and will end up in landfill
much too quickly.
And a capsule wardrobe will also help you create outfits for any occasion as all your pieces work together and have been selected
because they suit your lifestyle.
All great benefits!
These are the pieces I believe are key to creating a capsule work wardrobe.
But they’re also essentials for any wardrobe, whether for work or your social life.
So many wardrobe pieces have evolved when it comes to the role they play in our lives.
In times gone by a tailored pant was either a piece for the office or for an important event. These days a tailored pant can be styled for a
casual lunch on the weekend, a dressy dinner out, or work.
It’s been the same for so many other pieces as well, such as t-shirts, knitwear and blazers.
And if you’re looking for ideas for styling these pieces then make sure you check out my blog from last week where I shared 20
ideas for styling
women’s work outfits.
Dressed up or down, for work or social, the 15 pieces you’ll find below are essentials on your capsule wardrobe checklist.
Keep scrolling!
Whether a tailored pant, loungewear or a relaxed pull-on pant there are so many option these days as to what qualifies for the office
wardrobe.
Each of the pieces I've included here are staples for any occasion and season. So easy to dress up or down and will work well with so much
else in your wardrobe.
In the past, jeans may not have been something you considered for the office. But for some, the work dress code has relaxed quite a bit throughout COVID making jeans a go-to.
With similar versatility to a tailored pant, the skirts I've included here can go from being paired with a singlet and some platform sandals to a trench coat with heels or boots. And they come in a variety of lengths as well, so you can pick the style that works best for your body.
Shorts are obviously not for everyone, but they are a simple way to add some variety to your wardrobe. And they’re very versatile, being suitable for the office or play, you could wear them with heels, flat sandals or sneakers.
Whether you’re wearing them with jeans or a more formal pant, they’re a key piece for simple styling.
Another piece of clothing that’s experienced changes when it comes to the jobs they fulfill, t-shirts can be so casual, but are also easy to pair with something a little more office-worthy like a tailored pant.
Another of the more relaxed wardrobe staples available to style up, whether for the office or a social event. A great piece for layering on those really cold days.
A simple pencil dress will never expire. They're solid wardrobe staples and are now another piece that works just as well in the office, as out.
I probably don’t need to say much about these ones. You can wear them anywhere and with anything. Pair with jeans, a pant, skirts or shorts and layer with cold-worthy pieces or just with something light under.
The key thing to consider when looking for coats or jackets is to make sure you look at ones in colours and styles that will work with the pieces you’ll be layering them with. As well as colours and styles that won’t date.
Another one of those timeless staples that will always have a place in your wardrobe. Perfect for the in-between seasons and valuable for casual looks, office outfits, as well as dressier occasions.
You may need both a heeled sandal for warm weather and a closed heel for cooler days. Yet again whatever you choose can be for work and social.
A little warmer then a closed heel, boots can work with just about anything if you choose the right pair. For instance, if you plan to wear them with a pant and jeans, consider if they'll easily and stylishly work with the pant leg. Will they sit under the hem or are they slim-line and will sit comfortably inside the leg.
And when it comes to skirts and dresses, consider where the top of the boot sits on your leg and whether this complements your figure and the outfits you'll pair them with.
Whether they’re ballet flats or something with a pointed toe, they’ll no doubt work for both your office outfits as well as your social looks.
Black and tan or brown are generally the key colours to have in you collection of bags. But this collection can grow as you need.
I hope you've found some great pieces that will help you create a capsule wardrobe for work.
And make sure you join my emails so I can let you know when more blogs arrive to help you discover styles you love, new brands, chic pieces and more.
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