How to start a capsule wardrobe: a step-by-step guide

Every morning you stand in front of your wardrobe filled with clothes, yet you often feel like you have ​‘nothing to wear’. Sounds familiar? Then a capsule wardrobe is what you need. You’ve probably heard of it, as it’s been a popular term for several years now. And for good reason: a capsule wardrobe is a minimalist and powerful way to approach fashion more consciously, enhance your personal style and reduce your impact on the planet. But what exactly is it? What are the benefits? And how do you get started with a capsule wardrobe? We’ll explain it and show you how the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App can help.

What is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated wardrobe with a limited number of garments that easily mix and match. It’s the opposite of what many people struggle with in their closets: lots of separate, trend-driven pieces that don’t really go together. With a capsule wardrobe, you choose timeless pieces that align with your lifestyle, taste and values. The result is a more organised wardrobe, less stress about choosing, easier outfit creation and outfits that truly suit you.

The history of the capsule wardrobe

The term capsule wardrobe originated in the United States, where it appeared in American publications from the 1940s onwards to describe a small collection of garments designed to be worn together and that match well in terms of color and cut.

In the 1970s, boutique owner Susie Faux redefined the concept by defining it as a selection of timeless basics that last for multiple seasons and can be supplemented with a few seasonal pieces. Faux stated that a capsule wardrobe for women should include at least two pairs of trousers, a dress or skirt, a blazer, a jacket, a knit sweater, two pairs of shoes and two bags.

The idea became globally known in 1985 thanks to designer Donna Karan and her iconic ​‘7 Easy Pieces’ collection, which addressed the needs of working women for a stylish and practical wardrobe. She presented her collection with eight models dressed solely in bodysuits and black tights. The models then began adding pieces like wrap skirts, trousers, blouses and dresses to demonstrate the ease and versatility of her capsule wardrobe.

Since then, the capsule wardrobe has become a popular term in fashion magazines, TV shows and styling advice, and is seen as a smart, stylish, budget-friendly and more sustainable way to dress.

Why choose a capsule wardrobe?

According to the general Pareto principle, we wear only 20% of our clothes on average, while 80% remains untouched in our closets. This is such a waste! A capsule wardrobe breaks this pattern and offers many advantages:

• It saves time: you have fewer choices, so you quickly choose an outfit in the morning
• It saves money: you make fewer impulse purchases and save money because you wear the clothes you own longer
• It reduces waste: you buy less ​‘junk’, clothes you’ll never wear. Less fast fashion + more quality = less waste
• Less stress about making choices: this results in peace of mind in your head and in your closet
• You develop a clear personal style: because you have fewer clothes in your closet, you’re more selective about what truly suits you
• It encourages more conscious consumption: by being more mindful of your wardrobe, you automatically become a more conscious consumer

The COSH! Digital Wardrobe App makes is easier to create a capsule wardrobe

Imagine: you find a gorgeous pair of black pants at the store and come home feeling happy. But then you realise you already have three pairs of black pants in your closet, one of which you’d forgotten existed. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people have no idea what’s in their wardrobes.

The COSH! Digital Wardrobe App helps you change that. By digitising your wardrobe, you get a clear overview of what you own, what you wear often and how you can combine items to create new, surprising outfits. This makes creating a capsule wardrobe not only easier, but also more fun.

-> Download the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App

How do I start a capsule wardrobe? A step-by-step guide

Step 1: Determine your goals and style

Before you start, it’s important to define your goal. Am I doing it to reduce clutter and gain more peace of mind? Or for the environment? Or to save time? Knowing why you’re choosing a capsule wardrobe will help you stay motivated, especially when you have to make choices, if it gets difficult or if it takes longer than you anticipated.

It’s also important to reflect on your daily life, your work and your hobbies. Ask yourself a few questions to get a clear picture of your needs:

• What do you usually wear: at work, on the weekend, while exercising?
• What colors, materials and silhouettes appeal to you?
• What do you want to achieve: comfort, timelessness, sustainability?

Step 2: Analyse your current wardrobe

To get a clear overview of your current wardrobe, you need to know exactly what you own. Take everything out of your closet: from clothes and shoes to accessories and underwear. Then start with a thorough declutter.

• Keep: Items you love to wear
• Maybe: Items you’re unsure about but could work with the right combinations
• Donate/​Sell/​Recycle: Anything you haven’t worn in the past year or that doesn’t align with your goals

Pro tip: You can also do this digitally in the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App. Add all your garments to your digital wardrobe and add them to lists like donate, repair or clothing loop, and you’ll also find local repair and donation points.

-> Download the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App

Step 3: Choose your colour palette

A good capsule wardrobe has a cohesive colour palette that allows for endless combinations. Do warm tones suit you? Then choose a warm colour palette with basic colours like brown and beige, along with accent colours like rust brown, burgundy, moss green and ochre yellow. Do you prefer a classic and basic look? Then go for a colour palette of basic colours like black or navy and white, along with accent colours like light blue, red or pink.

• Choose 2 – 3 basic colours like black, navy, brown, or beige
• Choose 1 – 2 accent colours that bring everything together

Do you love trends, prints or colour? This is also possible in a capsule wardrobe, as long as everything can be combined well. With a warm colour palette, choose prints with colours that complement it. Or, for a classic wardrobe, opt for prints like stripes and polka dots. A well-thought-out colour palette ensures your wardrobe feels intentional instead of chaotic.

Step 4: Select key basic items

After analysing your wardrobe in step 2, you’ll have an overview of your favorite basic items. This overview is even easier to get when you use your digital wardrobe in the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App.

A capsule wardrobe typically contains:

• Tops: T‑shirts, blouses, sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, blazers
• Bottoms: jeans, trousers, skirts, dungarees
• Outerwear: a jacket for every season that goes with everything
• Shoes: comfortable basics like sneakers or boots that you can wear every day
• Accessories: bags, belts, scarves, hats, caps

The number of items in your capsule wardrobe depends on your needs and lifestyle, but a general target is between 30 and 40 garments, including shoes and accessories.

Step 5: Consciously add items that are still missing

Knowing what you already have in your closet allows you to shop more effectively for what you truly need. Follow the ​‘one in, one out’ principle: for every new item you add, you give one item another destination. Ask yourself questions like:

✔ Do I need a neutral blazer/​trousers/​blouse for work?

✔ Is a classic trench coat, bag or shoe a good investment?

✔ Can I find this garment in a higher quality?

✔ Is there a brand that sells this garment and produces it more ethically?

✔ Can I also find this garment second-hand?

Looking for a new or second-hand piece to add to your capsule wardrobe? Use the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App to find local stores near you where you can find beautiful, more sustainable and more ethically produced clothing. It’s a win-win situation, because this way you not only create a capsule wardrobe, but also a more sustainable wardrobe that’s better for people, animals and the planet.

Step 6: Take good care of what you have

Taking good care of your clothes significantly extends the lifespan of your wardrobe. You’ll need to replace garments less often and less textiles will end up in landfills.

Here are some tips for taking better care of your clothes:

• Wash less often and at a lower temperature. For example, hang your clothes outside to air
• The same goes for drying. Use the dryer as little as possible and air-dry your clothes. Or choose a very energy-efficient dryer
• Store seasonal clothing in a garment bag
• Repair small tears or replace buttons (you can easily learn how to do this yourself!)
• Take damaged clothes to a professional tailor near you

Pro tip: Soon, the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App will also show you local repair and second-hand shops in your area. This makes caring for your clothes even easier!

Ready to get started?

Starting a capsule wardrobe might sound limiting or like a lot of work. But trust us, it’s totally worth it! A capsule wardrobe feels liberating. It helps you make more conscious choices, get more enjoyment out of what you wear and make a positive impact. And with the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App, you have all the tools you need to get started today.

-> Download the COSH! Digital Wardrobe App and discover how easy more sustainable style can be