Rules for forming a capsule wardrobe, step-by-step collection for women and men

Many men and women have difficulty putting together casual, business and any other looks, despite the fact that their closets are literally bursting with a huge amount of clothes. A capsule wardrobe consisting of well-chosen items will help solve the problem. When successfully combined, they will favorably emphasize the advantages of their owner and significantly facilitate the problem of choosing an outfit for any occasion. This is an excellent solution to make life easier, save time and always look stylish, in accordance with current trends.

What is it

Despite the widespread and popular nature of the capsule wardrobe, not all people know what it is. Meanwhile, the concept denotes a fashionable way of organizing clothes. The essence lies in creating so-called capsules, which include 6-12 items, as well as shoes and accessories. The main feature is that each element successfully harmonizes with others.

Thanks to a competent, carefully thought-out combination of things, one capsule allows you to create from 10 to 15 original looks.

Simply put, a capsule is a set of models united by one reason or style. Each element goes well with each other. This concept should not be confused with a look - a complete image that includes clothes, shoes, additional accessories, makeup, and hair.

The advantages of this method include:

1. Reduced time spent on creating a stylish look. With a capsule wardrobe, you no longer have to think about a successful combination of things, they all go together flawlessly.
2. Saving money. By creating capsules, you no longer have to spontaneously buy clothes that never leave the closet. Each purchase is a well-thought-out, logical step.
3. Freeing up space. The method is optimal for connoisseurs of minimalism. The principle of creating a wardrobe is based not on quantity, but on the variability of sets.

A functional or smart wardrobe always consists of several capsules, on average their number reaches 7-9. First of all, universal sets are created for each season: summer, winter, off-season. Situational options are intended for a specific occasion or event. The most common types of capsules are: sports, evening, business, for travel and city rhythm.

Varieties

The needs and possibilities of each person are individual. That is why there are several types of capsule wardrobe for women and men:

1. Minimal. It includes only one capsule, which takes up a minimum of space. Includes basic items that reflect the main type of activity. The number of elements can reach 12, excluding outerwear and shoes. The main emphasis in this case is set by accessories that can refresh the image. The option is ideal for rational people who are often on the road, on business trips or traveling.
2. Optimal. A few more small situational capsules are added to the minimal wardrobe: 2–4. Will appeal to people who are involved in different activities or prefer to change their looks often.
3. Maximum. Includes sets for all occasions, consists of full-fledged situational capsules, the number of which is not limited by anything. Suitable for people who need a large number of things. Busy women and men will like it, since it allows you to quickly find harmonious combinations without wasting extra time.

All types of capsules have unique advantages and features - each person will be able to choose the ideal option for themselves.

Basic capsule

It is important to distinguish between a basic wardrobe and a capsule wardrobe. The first consists of universal items that can be worn for any occasion. The second involves dividing clothes depending on the field of activity or a specific situation. With its help, you can create ensembles for the office, evening events or everyday life.

The capsule can include a wide variety of clothing. For example, a wardrobe for a 30-year-old woman will consist of the following items:

1. Skirt. It can be a midi or cropped model, A-line, pleated or pencil, it all depends on the features of the body type.
2. Trousers. Straight, tapered, long, culottes or flared.
3. Jeans. The style is selected according to the figure.
4. Jacket. Should go well with trousers, dresses, jeans.
5. Cardigan. Long items are universal.
6. Blouse. Goes well with a variety of things.
7. Dress. Semi-fitted straight models and trapezoids are suitable.

A wardrobe capsule can include from 6 to 12 items, excluding shoes, bags and accessories. As for color solutions, the palette should be uniform so that the elements match each other. 2-3 neutral shades and several bright accent shades are optimal.

Color combination

When creating a capsule wardrobe, it is allowed to use up to 3-4 shades. A couple of items in pastel, light tones are a must: beige, milky, gray. You will need another 2-3 items in a muted palette: dark green or brown. A wardrobe for a 20-year-old girl cannot do without expressive accents, so several bright items are added to it. This could be a yellow jacket or a red skirt. Cheerful colors harmonize perfectly with muted and pastel tones, so the process of combining is not a problem.

The formation of colors is based on special schemes. There are four of them:

1. Monochrome. Includes shades and tones of one sector of the color wheel. Characterized by the restraint of the palette, allows you to create noble, elegant images. A neutral range is used as a complement.
2. Complimentary. Consists of two opposite colors that can enhance each other, creating a visual effect of vibration. With this scheme, you can create dynamic, attractive, memorable combinations. The colors presented do not necessarily have to be flashy; it is possible to work with muted, calm tones.
3. Split Complementary. In this case, one of the opposite colors is replaced by a pair of nearby ones. It is used to create cheerful, playful images that are more pleasing to the eye than the complementary scheme.
4. Triad. Implies a combination of 3 equally spaced colors in a circle.

The listed schemes help in choosing matching colors. Based on successful combinations, you can create an ideal capsule: everyday, office or festive.

Basic rules of formation

Before creating a capsule wardrobe, it is necessary to prepare, to clarify which items will suit the individual features of the figure, lifestyle, color type, style. For this, a list of special rules is used:

1. Making an employment chart. You will need a pen and paper. Draw a circle on the sheet of paper and divide it into areas of activity: work, sports training, leisure, going to the cinema and cafes, evening events. The size of the cells depends on how much time is devoted to each item. If work is in first place, the leading position is given to office clothes, if leisure and family - casual, smart clothes.
2. Definition of style direction. Elegance, restraint and presentability are important for classics, innocence, tenderness, femininity and grace are important for romantic looks. Dramatic looks are filled with sexuality, shock value and flashiness, natural looks are filled with comfort, freedom of movement and ease. Sports style is drawn to movement, simplicity and energy.
3. Selecting a style and cut based on your body type. Items included in a capsule set should highlight your best features and mask your flaws. "Pears" suit ensembles with a light top and dark bottom, shirts with puffy sleeves and ruffles, and a square or oval deep neckline. The "apple" type is recommended to wear clothes that lengthen the silhouette: dresses, straight or with a high waist, asymmetrical skirts. "Rectangles" should avoid flowing items; it is better to replace them with wide trousers with patch pockets, and the waistline is always emphasized with straps. "Inverted triangles" suit models with draperies, a combination of a dark top with a light bottom. "Hourglasses" do not need correction.
4. A color palette based on your own color type. Winning shades for "spring": gold, peach, bright green, beige; for "autumn": yellow, blue, purple, red, brown, orange. The summer type will become brighter with gray, cherry, blue things, the winter type - with burgundy, black, pink, white clothes.

Basic rules will help you figure out where to start when creating a basic wardrobe. Taking into account individual features of appearance, clothes will show off the figure of their owner most effectively

Assembling the capsule step by step

Each capsule is formed on the basis of one basic item. For business looks, this could be a suit, for casual looks - a skirt or trousers, for evening looks - a beautiful dress. The rest of the clothes, accessories, shoes are selected in accordance with the style, cut, color. To make it easier to create a wardrobe, it is worth using a step-by-step option for collecting:

1. Base. Depending on the purpose of the capsules, dresses, shorts, trousers or formal suits can act as a base. Jeans can be taken as an example.
2. Selection of basic items. Neutral items of clothing are added to the base: a jumper, a top or a sweatshirt. It is worth giving preference to single-color items that are easy to combine with each other. A checkered shirt, a single-color turtleneck, a white T-shirt are added.
3. Choice of footwear. Jeans will look harmonious with any models: shoes or ankle boots with stiletto heels, platform heels, thick heels, sneakers, sandals.
4. Expanding the base. Jeans alone are not enough to create a variety of outfits, so several interchangeable items are added: a skirt, loose trousers, overalls, a sundress or shorts.
5. Expanding the basic wardrobe. For expressive fresh looks, it is necessary to choose a worthy replacement for additional elements. A T-shirt can be replaced with a tank top of a different color, a vest - with a leather or denim jacket painted in calm tones, Converse - with slip-ons.
6. Selection of accessories. Bag, earrings, glasses, belt, hat, scarf and other attributes should match the color scheme of the wardrobe. Details should harmoniously fit into the image.
7. Adding accents. The finished capsule needs to add 1-2 more colors or prints. These items may not match the rest, but they will become the highlight of several sets. The simplest solution is to use a scarf or shawl with an original pattern, colors.

It is not recommended to use more than 3 accents in one look - a bag, sunglasses and a watch will be quite enough.

Examples of composition

Sometimes modern fashionistas have difficulties, not knowing how to approach the selection of things for a capsule wardrobe. Specific examples will help solve the problem: a basic capsule for men and a summer one for women.

For men

A basic set of casual items will suit any representative of the stronger sex. It includes:

• straight blue jeans;
• beige chinos;
• three shirts: classic, denim, checkered, short sleeve;
• a pair of plain T-shirts: white and red;
• blazer black;
• a chunky knit cardigan dyed in dark tones;
• two belts: wide and narrow;
• classic black shoes;
• neutral colored sneakers.

A capsule wardrobe consisting of 9 items of clothing, a pair of belts and two types of shoes serves to create more than 40 interesting looks. Rational use of things will help you always look stylish.

For women

The summer capsule is formed from clothes that are mainly intended for leisure. In warm weather, white is actively used, bright cheerful and calm pastel shades are appropriate. The wardrobe will include:

1. Dresses. A lightweight model decorated with a pattern for everyday use. Another interesting option is an outfit with a Peter Pan collar.
2. Tops. White with an unusual cut, bright red and yellow items are suitable for festive and everyday walks. Black polo is related to the sporty style, but will also be appropriate for office looks.
3. Shirt. A versatile item, suitable for work and leisure. It is recommended to choose models that are not too tight.
4. Shorts. Traditional black and light bright colors.
5. Jeans. Blue, skinny, high-waisted.
6. Trousers. Loose white, you can consider shortened options.
7. Skirt. Midi items with unusual prints look feminine.
8. Outerwear. Cardigan or jacket in black. Bright jacket of men's cut.
9. Shoes. Scarlet stiletto sandals, black ballet flats, espadrilles with a low wedge heel, white sneakers or trainers.

The suggested example will help when creating a summer wardrobe. On vacation, you can safely experiment with prints: polka dots, stripes, floral patterns.

Features of compilation taking into account the season

When creating a capsule wardrobe from scratch, the seasons are always taken into account. Other important factors include the type of activity, mode of transportation, number of trips, weather conditions, and style preferences. A special set of items is selected for each season:

1. The winter wardrobe is not very diverse. The basis is represented by outerwear, warm shoes and additional accessories: gloves, scarves, hats. Accents are placed using different textures of materials: leather, wool, cashmere, fur. The capsule can include a coat, a knitted dress, a plain sweatshirt, a sweater with an original pattern, leather and insulated trousers, boots, a snood.
2. A capsule wardrobe for spring is characterized by playfulness and romanticism. The period of awakening of nature is ideal for experimenting with images, using current trends. Emphasis is placed on light and eye-catching tones. A capsule can consist of bright trousers, a white shirt, a plain sweatshirt, a juicy-colored blouse, a lace skirt, a raincoat, and stiletto pumps.
3. A capsule wardrobe for the summer is characterized by the presence of a large number of things for leisure. These are all kinds of tops, T-shirts, dresses, skirts, sundresses, swimsuits. Clothes of light and bright colors, various prints are in demand. A capsule can include a feminine dress and skirt, a top, a T-shirt, denim shorts, sandals with tractor soles, a bikini, a bag with a strap.
4. The autumn wardrobe consists of complex sets, rich colors, contrasting textures, and layering. The capsule consists of a tweed coat, a midi-length sheath dress, a leather skirt, a knitted sweater, an original shirt, and suede ankle boots.

Thanks to the examples of a capsule wardrobe, every woman will be able to choose the best option for herself. If necessary, changes are made based on taste preferences, body features or individual color type.

Stylists' advice

The first step in rationalizing your wardrobe is careful selection. Things that do not suit your figure or color should be discarded immediately. The remaining items are laid out according to the spheres of real life, not the desired one. So, if a girl does housework, and the closet is full of business dresses, blouses and jackets, adjustments will need to be made.

It is recommended to check the availability of ready-made capsules in the wardrobe. If clothes related to the same area harmonize perfectly, there are 2-3 interchangeable elements, everything is great. If not, you will have to buy additional things.

It is not recommended to update your wardrobe in the middle of the season, it is much more convenient to do it in advance. About two weeks before the beginning of winter or autumn, you need to conduct an audit and determine what is missing. When choosing shoes, you should take into account the field of activity and the season. Classic pumps and ankle boots are suitable for the office, sandals for leisure, sneakers or boots for walks. For men, traditional shoes and boots are optimal, and loafers are for the summer.

A capsule is a great solution for creating a functional, practical wardrobe. Just 10-12 items that go well together allow you to create many original looks. When choosing clothes, you need to consider the season, colors, style, and the person's field of activity.

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