How to Create a Men’s Capsule Wardrobe
Creating a capsule wardrobe is both an art and a practice. The practice comes from its methodical nature of it: you need to dissect your current wardrobe and consider what you’ll need for all seasons, locations, occasions, events, and climates. Capsule wardrobes are almost always associated with women, but men can take advantage of this practice just as much as anyone else. Read on to learn more about creating a men’s capsule wardrobe.
What is a Men’s Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated selection of clothing items that you’ll use to create a variety of outfits for all occasions throughout the year. It might be an entire year’s worth of clothing or just a subset of your current wardrobe.
Why Create a Men’s Capsule Wardrobe?
If you’re like most men, you probably have a small collection of casual and formal clothes. However, you might not have many pieces that can be worn in a variety of settings. This is where the capsule wardrobe comes in. By creating a small collection of quality pieces that can be worn in various situations, you can dress for any occasion and keep your closet under control!
How to Create a Men’s Capsule Wardrobe
Identify what you have
Before you can curate new items, you first need to figure out what you have. Pull out your entire closet, drawers, and any stashed away items. Before you even start to organize, donate or recycle items that have holes, don’t fit, or that you simply don’t like anymore.
Organize by type
Once you’ve got everything out, it’s time to organize. Think about what type of clothing you have: jeans, shorts, t-shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, shirts, etc. Make piles if you need to but make sure you have a full account of all the items you have to work with.
Choose your favorites
Take a look at what you have and choose your favorites. Items that are less loved or rarely worn should probably be donated. If you need a hard and steadfast rule make sure to keep no more than 2-3 items per category, including shoes.
Finally, choose and set aside the essentials! With your favorites you’ll wear regularly in hand, you can move on to adding the essentials.
3 ESSENTIAL Pieces to Build Out A MEN’s Capsule Wardrobe
2-3 PAIRS of Well-fitted pants (Including Jeans!)
Whether you choose dress pants or chinos, you’ll need a pair of pants that are versatile and well-fitted. If you find a brand or style you like to wear, be sure to get them properly fitted. A seamstress can take in the pants so they fit specifically to your body. Don’t need something so formal? Consider a pair of joggers or classic Levi’s jeans!
A casual button-up shirt
A casual button-up shirt can be dressed up or down. You can wear it with jeans for a casual look and dress it up for more formal spaces: job interviews, meetings, dinner dates, etc.
A lightweight jacket
A lightweight jacket will be useful year-round. It can act as a light windbreaker in the spring and fall, a bomber jacket in the fall and spring, and a warmer winter coat in the winter.
3 pairs of shoes
When it comes to capsule wardrobes, it’s all about the shoes. A good pair of shoes is essential for any wardrobe, but they can be tricky to find. Luckily, there are lots of options out there.
You can find a wide range of styles from sneakers, to boots, to loafers and everything in between. Consider a classic pair of converse or vans. Boots are another great option, especially those that can be dressed up or down like these chukka boots.
While the above shoes work well in warm weather, a pair of cold-weather boots will handle the harsher weather changes especially if you live in an area that gets lots of snow and rain.
A warm, lightweight sweater
While a neutral shirt makes a great go-to item in any season, a warm, lightweight sweater is best for the winter months.
Quality Pajamas and Under Garments
Pajamas
Consider investing in a quality set of pajamas to sleep in our lounge in the house!
Under Garments
Quality underwear and undershirts are key aspects of a capsule wardrobe. Again, the fit and quality aspect is crucial in building a capsule wardrobe with items that you won’t have to replace year after year.
Accessories
Don’t forget accessories like beanies, belts or hats if you like to wear these items. Stick to 102 items per accessory so they don’t overwhelm your closet.
A Men’s Capsule Wardrobe is a carefully curated selection of items that you’ll use to create a variety of outfits for all occasions throughout the year. With the right items that will last you for years to come, building a capsule wardrobe is not overwhelming at all!
