How to build a capsule wardrobe

01. Know your style

Before you can even start to think about putting together a capsule wardrobe, it’s essential to know your style. If you have a very defined personal style, this should be relatively easy, but if not, you’re going to want to sit down and think about what kind of image you want to present to the world, and how your clothing choices can help you achieve that.  Are you a rock chick? A boho babe? A classic dresser? (If you’re really not sure, the internet and fashion blogs can come in really handy: rather than thinking about the kind of clothes you want to wear, it can help to think about the type of people whose dress sense you most admire, and take it from there…)

When you’re thinking about this, you’re also going to want to take into account not just your personal taste, but your lifestyle: there’s no point filling your capsule wardrobe with glamorous evening dresses if you know you’re never going to have an opportunity to wear them.

02. Know your shape

When you have a limited amount of clothing to work with, every single piece should be perfect, and that means every single item should FIT perfectly. Before going shopping, be completely honest with yourself and spend some time working out which styles look good on you, and which ones just don’t work. When buying clothes, meanwhile, ignore the size on the label, and choose the size that fits: if you find it difficult to find items that fit perfectly, track down a good tailor and have them alter your purchases – sure, it’ll cost more, but it will also save you money in the long run, because when you have a closet full of clothes that fit like they were made for you, you won’t feel the need to run out and buy more.