We’ve all been there. Crawling out of bed after having slept through our alarm(s), and jolting to our closet in a frenzy to look put together in under five minutes. Despite clothing hauls and the mini shopping sprees we often treat ourselves to, it is easy to find ourselves in a pickle of never having the proper essentials to build an outfit base. In comes the magic of a capsule wardrobe: a quality set of 20-50 items, AKA staple clothing pieces that are versatile and conducive to your daily lifestyle. 

For a basic guideline of incorporating this into your regiment, consider the steps below.

1. Begin documenting what pieces of clothing you gravitate towards the most. Oftentimes, there will be a cozy sweater or well-fitting tank that we always default to in our everyday lives. 

2. Now it is time to figure out what style of clothing is most suitable to your needs. Are you in the office most of your days, sporting slacks and blazers? Do you find comfort in hitting the gym, wearing athleisure and yoga pants? Perhaps, you wear Sunday brunch dresses more often than you realize. Deciding the type of outfit you will wear on a day-to-day basis is beneficial to concocting your dream wardrobe. 

3. After all of your consideration and note-taking, take a peek inside of your closet and set aside the pieces that you feel fit your practical desires but also make you feel the most confident. P.S. This is the time to leave out the pair of pants that you have neglected to wear for months because of its undesirable fit.  

4. Once you have picked out the lucky pieces, do a double take to make sure that they are all pieces that a) suit your everyday needs, b) can be incorporated into various outfits and, most importantly, c) make you happy to get dressed in the morning. If it does not check all the above boxes, consider scrapping it from your curated wardrobe to make room for a  different article that belongs. 

5. Divide your remaining clothing into two collections. The first should consist of what has been hiding in the back of your drawers, anything that you deem unnecessary to keep. As Marie Kondo likes to preach, if it does not spark joy in you, scrap it. These are items that could be donated to a thrift shop, but you could even sell to a consignment store or an online resale avenue like Curtsy and Depop for a possible profit. The second collection should consist of statement pieces that you strongly desire to belong in your wardrobe for special occasions, festivals, or nights out. 

6. It is time to reap the fruits of your labor. Next time you get dressed in the morning, hopefully, any difficult decision-making is squashed as you now have a curation of pieces that are versatile yet cohesive. 

In an era of microtrends and ever-changing fads, the idea of one set of everyday staples may feel limiting. While tempting Shein pieces appear stylish and convenient, these often find their way to the back of our dressers, never to be seen again after a couple of wears. That is not to say capsule wardrobes block you from ever buying new threads. However, they are intended to help you be mindful of how you spend and identify the pieces that make you feel timeless.

If there is an upcoming gala or wedding that you would like to sport a designer item to, there is no reason to feel limited. Clothing rental companies like Armoire and Rent the Runway are a blessing; these offer you the option to rent designer pieces of clothing without spending a fortune on an item you may never wear again. 

Furthermore, fashion mogul BestDressed, suggests that a seasonal capsule wardrobe may be the ideal medley of variety and minimalism. With the turn of every season, selecting a smaller set of clothing for these upcoming months will grant you the assurance that you have reliable outfits ready for every morning, while still wearing fresh pieces frequently. 

Fashion is a pleasure but it can also be daunting. Peculiar accessories and idiosyncratic patterns on a mannequin may complicate putting together a connecting OOTD. However, keeping a collection of quality, timeless staples ensures that you feel put-together for every occasion that may come your way.

Written by Hannah Toy, Photographer: Grace Weng, Social Media: Camila Ponce