Capsule Wardrobes: Mornings Made Easy(er)

Whether you’re constantly running out of the house behind schedule or just find choosing an outfit a tiresome task, we’re here to help. Using the tips in today’s blog, you’ll learn everything you need to know about creating a capsule wardrobe, so you can get dressed in 10 minutes (or less) while still looking fabulous, reflecting your personality and most importantly of all, feeling confident. 

Let’s get started!

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

Capsule wardrobes have been around since the 1940s but have made a big comeback over the last decade. Essentially, a capsule wardrobe is a small collection of complimentary clothing that can be interchanged to create new outfits. By combining a few staple pieces with bolder statement pieces, maternity and mum-style become a lot less complicated, saving you time and energy. 

Notably, a capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be monotone or void of personality. The trick to a killer capsule collection is injecting personality with your tops, knowing that anything else you grab from your wardrobe can be thrown on to turn it into an outfit.

How To Create A Capsule Wardrobe

The good news is that you probably already have many of the essentials you need to create your very own capsule wardrobe. That being said, there’s nothing that slows you down more than being overwhelmed when you open your wardrobe doors. The trick is to remove anything that isn’t “you”, that you never reach for or that isn't right for you at the moment and either donate it, sell it or put it into storage. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, assess which items don't fit or aren't breastfeeding-friendly and put them away until you can wear them again. You’re aiming to have a handful of well-made “basics” that work well with your other items and tops that reflect your style and personality.

It might seem like hard work having to go through your entire wardrobe but, trust me, you'll save yourself a lot of time and stress getting dressed each morning, so it's well worth the time!

Step 1 involves removing anything that isn’t “you”, that you never reach for or that isn't relevant to you at the moment. 

Things to include in your capsule wardrobe…

• An amazing pair of leggings
• Blue and black jeans in a style you love
• Comfortable trainers in white or black
• Black, flat ankle boots for autumn/winter
• Sandals for summer (we love Birkenstocks and treat ourselves to a new pair every so often to stay on-trend with the colour palette)
• Tops and sweatshirts in colours that make you smile
• Jewellery that can dress outfits up or down 
• A stylish, sturdy changing bag (you’ll be carrying it for years potentially, so choose well)
• A light jacket for the warmer months (denim or leather are great choices)
• A classic wool coat for layering in winter

Your bottoms, shoes and coat should be in neutral colours that can be paired easily with any other colour, so black or navy are great choices. Meanwhile, your tanks, tees and sweatshirts are where you can go wild, safe in the knowledge that anything you pair them with will work effortlessly. 

Accessories are another area you can branch out, choosing jewellery, bags and scarves to suit the latest trends or that you love the look of. Best of all, by selecting the right accessories, the outfits you choose can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. 

Accessories are a great way to dress up or dress down an outfit. 

Are you a maximalist or a minimalist? 

Top tip: Life’s too short for sorting socks. Instead, bulk-buy one colour for each family member, so whatever you grab is guaranteed to match. 

Things To Avoid…

• “Aspirational” pieces that don’t fit you
• Anything uncomfortable
• Synthetic fabrics that trap heat and sweat
• Fast fashion that will wear out and lose its shape
• Prints or colours that are difficult to pair

When building your capsule wardrobe, remember that less is more. It may go against what you’re used to, but you’ll find that with a capsule wardrobe, the fewer pieces of clothing you have to choose from, the more outfit options you have. By reducing the clutter and loving what remains, you’ll free up more time in the mornings for the things that fill your cup. 

Want help choosing statement pieces for your new capsule wardrobe? Learn more about dressing for your personality in “Finding Your Mum Style”.

Originally from New Zealand, Sarah is a mother to two boys and has lived in the UK for the past ten years. She is a home educator, freelance writer, Netflix-binger and has a penchant for strong black coffee.