How To Create The Ultimate Spring Capsule Wardrobe
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3 weeks ago
Make spring dressing easy with a carefully curated capsule wardrobe
New season, new(ish) wardrobe. Amongst the decluttering and spring cleaning, make sure to give your capsule wardrobe a few seasonal tweaks here and there. Not sure where to start? We’ve pulled in the experts to get the ball rolling.
What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?
‘A capsule wardrobe is a thoughtfully curated selection of essential clothing items that are timeless, versatile, and can be mixed and matched effortlessly,’ explains Sinead Keary, founder and designer of Sinead Keary The Label. ‘This approach ensures you always have outfits that make you feel confident and stylish, without the overwhelm of too many choices.’
‘It’s about quality over quantity, focusing on items that work together to create a functional wardrobe,’ adds Conna Walker, founder and CEO of House of CB. ‘A well-thought-out capsule wardrobe means you’ll always have something to wear, whether you’re going to brunch, work or out for a night on the town.’
How To Create A Spring Capsule Wardrobe
And spring – aka, the season of decluttering, cleaning and clearing out – is the perfect time to set up a capsule wardrobe.
‘It’s the time for renewal and fresh starts,’ agrees Conna. ‘You can embrace lighter fabrics and colours while saying goodbye to heavier winter pieces. The season provides the opportunity to mix timeless essentials with trend-driven designs, all while staying true to your style. It’s all about creating a wardrobe that’s versatile for both warmer and cooler days, whilst making you feel comfortable in what you wear.’
Copenhagen Fashion Week Streetstyle SS24. Photo by @noorunisa
What Are The Steps?
- Evaluate & Assess: Start by assessing your current wardrobe and identifying the pieces you love and wear most often.
- Declutter & Streamline: Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit or complement the vision for your capsule wardrobe. Choose only the pieces that make you feel your best.
- Define Your Style: Think about your lifestyle, daily activities and personal preferences. In other words: what will you need and what do you want?
- Choose A Colour Palette: Pick your colours. (Tip: if you want a more flexible wardrobe, stick to neutral shades with a few accent colours.)
- Opt For Versatile Pieces: This means picking items that can be mixed and matched, dressed up or down and layered easily.
- Focus On Quality: Remember, it’s quality over quantity. Make sure to invest in well-made clothing that stands the test of time.
- Spring Add-Ons: If you find trends a big part of your personal style, then add in a few pieces that reflect the current cycle (but don’t limit your outfit choices). You can also tap into seasonal items that you don’t usually wear at other times of the year.
How Many Items Should You Include?
‘While there’s no strict number, a spring capsule wardrobe typically consists of 25 to 30 items,’ advises Sinead. ‘This includes tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear and shoes. The range of items you’ve picked out should offer enough variety to create multiple outfits without overwhelming choices.’
Let’s break down the individual components of a spring capsule wardrobe:
Outerwear
It might be spring, but don’t be fooled – British spring isn’t all sunshine and pollen. Expect rainy mornings alongside those sunny afternoons, with regular weather fluctuations calling for layers and jackets. This season, we’re tapping into trench coats, barn jackets, lightweight blazers and (when the sun does decide to shine) denim jackets. Joy jackets – the colourful, maximalist printed jackets – are also proving a hit this spring.
Tops
There’s also plenty to choose from when it comes to tops. No longer forced to bundle up against the winter chill, you can rid your spring capsule selection of your wardrobe’s bulkier knitted jumpers. Instead, opt for light cardigans, white T-shirts (with or without a graphic print) and a mix of structured and oversized shirts. Cotton gilets and tie-front waistcoats are also nice layering pieces you can fit into this category.
Bottoms
The bottoms selected for a spring capsule should be key in enabling the versatility of your wardrobe wardrobe. A tailored pair of trousers for the office, some straight-leg jeans and a denim skirt – maybe even a maxi skirt if you’re keen to invest in staples that can be used across spring and summer.
Dresses
A spring dress never goes out of style – and is likely to be one of the longest-lasting investments in your wardrobe. Lean fully into the season (florals, pastels, short sleeves) or give yourself some transitional options with neutral hues and silhouettes you can layer a T-shirt underneath.
Shoes
It’s a bit early for sandals still, but you can take a step in the right direction with ballet flats (mesh renditions seem to be the big trend this spring). Other seasonal classics include a preppy loafer, ankle boots and a good pair of trainers.
What Should A Successful Spring Capsule Wardrobe Look Like?
You know you’re onto a winner with your spring capsule wardrobe when ‘every piece is versatile and works well together,’ says Conna. ‘You should feel like you can effortlessly create outfits for different occasions with minimal thought. If your wardrobe is versatile, functional and reflective of your personal style, it’s definitely a success.’
‘It should allow you to dress with ease, confidence and minimal stress,’ adds Sinead. ‘You’ll find that most pieces coordinate well, making outfit selection straightforward and ensuring you feel appropriately dressed for various occasions.’
Featured image: London Fashion Week AW25 Street Style (c) Deborah Iona Photography, British Fashion Council
