Who hasn't experienced it? You stand in front of your wardrobe in the morning and think: "I have nothing to wear". We can't see the forest for the trees. The capsule wardrobe is supposed to solve this problem by clearing out and buying basic clothes. For some, it's sheer horror, for others, it's absolute liberation. Here you can find out everything about the capsule wardrobe. What it is and where the idea came from, how you can build your own capsule wardrobe, how you can avoid mistakes and whether you really need to do more laundry if you have a small wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe is a seasonal wardrobe with carefully selected apparel. It contains a collection of timeless and versatile pieces that can be combined well with one another. The principle of the capsule wardrobe comes from the idea of ​​minimalism. In a capsule wardrobe you should have essential pieces that both create a stylish outfit on their own and reflect current trends. Stylistically, the focus should be on simple, versatile pieces that make it easier for you to get dressed every day. An equally important aspect is quality: high-quality materials last for several years if well cared for and stored. The general idea is: away from fast fashion and 100 pieces in the closet, towards good pieces that can be worn for a long time.

The idea dates back to the 1970s and comes from Susie Faux, a London boutique owner. But the capsule wardrobe gained a lot of attention in the 80s thanks to the designer Donna Karan (DKNY) and her "Seven Easy Pieces" collection.

• Less stress: With fewer items of clothing to choose from, it's easier to make a decision.

• More space: A minimalist wardrobe is tidy and organized, which creates space for other things.

• Time saving: Planning and choosing your outfits is easier because all the pieces can be combined well with each other.

• Sustainability: By reducing your consumption to essential and high-quality essential pieces, you reduce your consumption. This is more sustainable and reduces your ecological footprint.

• Cost efficiency: In the long run, you save money because you have to buy new clothes less often.

For a typical capsule wardrobe, you need around 30-40 essential pieces per season. Including sneakers . In our team, we turn a blind eye to this and prefer to concentrate on reducing clothing and accessories ;-). Of course, the number can vary depending on your personal style, lifestyle and other needs.

A capsule wardrobe should be sustainable by nature. This is because you rely on long-lasting, high-quality pieces that, ideally, were produced under fair conditions. Second-hand shopping and upcycling old clothes can also contribute to sustainability and also fit perfectly into a capsule wardrobe. By consuming less and more consciously, you are helping to make the fashion industry more sustainable.

The goal is to create a minimalist wardrobe that consists of a limited number of essential pieces, but still covers all your needs. To achieve this, we have created a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Clean out your closet

The first and certainly most painful step to your capsule wardrobe is to clear out your closet. Go through all your clothes and get rid of everything you haven't worn in a year, that no longer fits or that doesn't match your style. Donate or sell your pieces to make room for the new essentials.

Tip: At this point it is important that you find out for yourself what your style actually is and which pieces and cuts you see yourself wearing in the next few years.

Step 2: Inventory and planning → Find your personal style

Take stock of the remaining pieces in your closet. Think about which pieces are missing and which need to be replaced. Make a list of the items you need to have a functional and versatile wardrobe. Most importantly, take your lifestyle, your professional requirements and your leisure activities into account.

Step 3: Choose colors and styles - find your colors

Choose a color palette that harmonizes well with each other. And most importantly: suits you and your type. At this point, it might be helpful to get some color advice. A classic capsule wardrobe usually consists of neutral colors like black, white, gray and beige. Because they are perfect for creating versatile outfits. Of course, you can complement the neutral tones with a few color accents that match your personal style.

Step 4: Essential clothing items

At this point you can reinvest your profits from the items you sell. Buy high-quality basics like T-shirts, shirts, pants, hoodies and jackets. Also think about versatile sneakers and accessories that round off your outfits.

If you follow these steps, you will have a super minimalist wardrobe and lots of space sooner than you think.

Sure, for some people a capsule wardrobe doesn't seem to be a good idea because they just don't like minimalist pieces. But a capsule wardrobe doesn't mean that you have to give up your own style. In fact, it's the opposite. Once you've found your style, you can have a totally crazy capsule wardrobe. It's just important that you feel comfortable in your clothes and that they reflect your personality.

Having a capsule wardrobe doesn't mean that you can no longer follow trends. You can of course always expand it or replace pieces if you feel that the piece no longer suits your current taste. New pieces can also refresh a capsule wardrobe, but they should be added sparingly, otherwise the principle loses its meaning. Perhaps choose one or two trendy pieces per season and combine them with your basics. This way your wardrobe will remain timeless and versatile without you having to constantly buy new pieces. Make sure that the new pieces match your color palette and your style.

If you still don't know exactly what you need in your closet to make ends meet with your capsule wardrobe, we'll now go into more detail about the important pieces. We want to recommend unisex pieces here that also match our style at Asphaltgold. We are known for modern, urban and sporty style that is strongly inspired by streetwear culture. Our range is characterized by classic, timeless and trendy pieces that are both functional and fashionable.

Shoes
If you want to buy new sneakers for your capsule wardrobe, white classics are the best choice. For example, the Adidas Samba , an Air Force 1 or a grey New Balance 990 series. A Converse Chuck Taylor All Star or an Asics running sneaker are also great for a small wardrobe. It is important that your shoes can be combined well with different styles. If you like wearing all-black, it is a good idea to buy a completely black leather sneaker.

Tops
Depending on your personal requirements for your capsule wardrobe, you should have at least 5 T-shirts. 2-3 hoodies and 2 sweatshirts and possibly undershirts or cropped tops. For a more chic look, you should also have a shirt that's perfect for you. Find your favorite brands that you feel comfortable in here.

Jackets
For us, absolute classics: bomber jackets and windbreakers. For your year-round capsule wardrobe, it's worth having two jackets that you can wear across seasons. We're also fans of a really good vest that you can usually use all year round.

Bottoms
An absolute must-have is THE ONE pair of jeans that you would like to wear every day. Add cargo or pleated trousers and jogging pants. And of course a skirt if necessary.

accessories
Here you can let your creativity run wild. It depends on what you like to wear. It could be a cap or a beanie. But also 2-3 pockets that meet your daily needs.

For each season you should add parts accordingly:

Spring :

As soon as it gets warmer, you can opt for airier pants, such as linen or silk pants. And you can get yourself a pair of sandals (Birkenstock, Crocs, etc.). You can combine them really well with airy shirts and long pants.

Tip: You can often find clothes made of expensive materials (silk, cashmere, for example) in second-hand shops.

Summer:

When it's really hot, you should have 2-3 short bottoms, whether shorts, skirts or dresses. For your vacation, it's worth getting a pair of open rubber shoes that you can wear on the beach. But cropped T-shirts or shirts are also perfect for hot days.

Autumn:
A classic trench coat is perfect for fall as it is both stylish and functional. A thick knit sweater will keep you warm and pair well with jeans or skirts. Add some sturdy and stylish boots for the fall weather.

Winter:
In winter you need thicker jackets or coats and warm accessories like scarves and hats. We are fans of a long wool coat combined with a shorter down jacket. Add a really cozy cashmere sweater, thermal underwear, thick socks and boots for the winter.

When you go on holiday, you usually pack your own little capsule wardrobe. So not much changes for the holiday. Either way, your suitcase should be packed with multifunctional pieces that are easy to combine and suitable for different activities. A travel capsule wardrobe typically consists of around 10-15 pieces. Pack pieces that are comfortable, easy to care for and suitable for the climatic conditions of your destination. Try to create several outfits at home from a few pieces to save space in your luggage.

A capsule wardrobe can make life a lot easier and promote sustainable consumption. However, there are some common mistakes you can make. That's why we want to warn you at this point.

Don't keep too many pieces . It's tempting to keep more pieces "in case you need them." But that goes against the principle of the capsule wardrobe. Be honest with yourself and get rid of anything you haven't worn in the last 6-12 months. Limit yourself to 30-40 pieces per season. If you have pieces that have a high emotional value, keep them and store them outside of your closet.

Lack of versatility: Some pieces are difficult to combine and only suit a certain look. If you have too many of these pieces, you will have difficulty putting together versatile outfits.

No clear color palette : Without a well-thought-out color palette, it can be difficult to create cohesive outfits. Too many different colors can ruin the minimalist approach.

Neglecting personal style: While a capsule wardrobe should be minimalistic, it should still reflect your personal style. If you only choose basics and don't include statement pieces, your wardrobe can look boring.

Poor quality of clothes: It is important to pay attention to the quality of clothes. Cheap, poorly made pieces do not last long and have to be replaced frequently, which goes against the idea of ​​sustainability.

Ignoring your own lifestyle: Choose clothes that fit your daily routine and job.

Too few accessories: Accessories are an important part of every wardrobe. They enhance outfits and give you a personal touch.

No seasonal adaptation : A capsule wardrobe needs to be adapted seasonally. If you don't adapt your wardrobe to the different seasons, you may have difficulty finding outfits that fit.

Yes and no. With a capsule wardrobe, you may have to do laundry more often because you have fewer items. But by choosing high-quality materials, wearing clothes multiple times, and treating stains carefully, you can minimize the number of wash loads. Ultimately, it's about being more conscious of your clothes and developing more sustainable habits. Depending on the colors you have, it's enough to put just two loads of laundry in the machine at a time. You can usually wear your clothes more often than you think. Air your clothes after wearing them and treat stains immediately. If you can only fit half a load of laundry, use express washes at a low temperature.

Your capsule wardrobe can help you save time, money and stress while being stylish and sustainable. Through careful planning, focusing on high-quality materials and considering your personal style, you can combine functional and stylish pieces that fit perfectly with your everyday life. Sustainability also plays an important role: secondhand and vintage pieces can add a unique touch to your minimalist wardrobe. Above all, putting together your capsule wardrobe should be fun and not stressful. Experiment with different looks and find out what works best for you. We hope that with our tips we can help you put together a versatile and practical capsule wardrobe that reflects your personal taste.

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