Capsule Wardrobe Basics

When it comes to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best with your lifestyle you want to give some thought to colour and versatility as well as what kind of basics work with your personal style. Other considerations include the wisdom of purchasing quality items and how best to maintain your clothing so it lasts longer.

Let’s begin…
 

Keep things neutral
 
You want to look for neutral, versatile pieces that will pair with anything. The key here is to have a few items in your wardrobe that are subtle and don't distract from your statement pieces. These basics keep your wardrobe balanced.
 
Aside from complementing your statement pieces, your basics can easily be dressed up with accessories making them ideal for transitioning from day to night easily. Basics are also the key to travelling light and by having a few good quality basics in your wardrobe and some great accessories; it is unlikely people will notice you’re wearing the same clothing frequently.
 

Determine your style basics
 
When it comes to the ins and outs of basic wardrobe items there are several factors to consider. You'll want to give some thought to your preferred style. Your personal style is reflected in the neckline you like and in the style and length of your pants as well as the fabric (rayon, cotton) and the fit (fitted or loose) you prefer.
 
Not sure what style basics are best for you? Consider the basics you currently have in your closet that you wear most frequently and ask yourself why? Still not sure, whether you're more suited to a scoop than a V-neck? If that's the case, it would be good to go shopping, not necessarily to buy, but to try on a variety of styles to help narrow down your basic style preferences. It is also wise to consider the styles of the statement pieces you'll be mixing and matching your basics with e.g. crew and turtle necks accessorize well with longer, bulkier necklaces while V-necks work better with shorter ones.
 
 
Opt for quality over fast fashion
 
Invest in high-quality classic clothing items. The reason for this is two-fold. One, classic styles never truly go out of style and two, quality well-made basics will last longer and stand up to multiple washings than their cheaper counterparts will.
 

Wash your clothes less frequently

As personal stylist, I often get questions from clients re: how to make their clothes last longer. Personally I’ve found the key to having a sustainable capsule wardrobe is to wash my clothes less often. Aside from being better for the environment to wash less, my clothing lasts longer. When I come home from work I make it a habit to switch out what I'm wearing for more appropriate clothing for what I'm planning on doing next be that cooking the family dinner, house cleaning or just relaxing with a good book.
 
Sometimes I spot clean or in the case when something does need laundering, I hang it to dry versus throwing in the dryer. If it is something that wrinkles easily then I put it in the dryer for a short period of time, and then hang it to finish drying. Doing this also helps to preserve the fabric.
 
On an aside, if you look for basics that are a little roomier around the underarm area, you'll find they are less stinky after being worn for a day than basics that fit more snugly.