Simplify your Style: How to build a capsule wardrobe for women over 50
If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of clothing in your wardrobe and feel like you’re struggling to pull an outfit together every day, then the capsule wardrobe might be for you. Creating a capsule wardrobe is a great way to get the most out of your favourite clothing items and to simplify your style. No matter what your style preferences are, a capsule wardrobe can make curating your own personal look simple.
Keep reading as we share our nifty little tips on how to build your capsule wardrobe for women over 50, and breakdown the key clothing items you need to get started.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
For those who haven’t heard of the concept, a capsule wardrobe is all about creating a wardrobe full of interchangeable clothing pieces that can complement one another. It is believed to be a more organised method for storing clothing that can help you easily assemble stylish outfits without spending hours trying to decide what to wear.
Depending on your personal style, most people choose to stick to a specific colour palette, a popular choice being monochrome or neutrals so that the outfits you put together will always match. However, this does not mean that your style is limited, you also have the freedom to pick out patterned or colourful pieces such as a statement jacket, skirt or trousers that can then be paired with other neutral items in your wardrobe.
How do you start a capsule wardrobe for beginners?
Although the idea of building a capsule wardrobe may seem overwhelming, getting started on streamlining your wardrobe couldn’t be easier. At first, it may be tempting to throw away the majority of your wardrobe to start fresh, however, we would advise against this as it is not a sustainable choice to make. Instead, follow these few simple steps to curate a capsule wardrobe for beginners.
Step One: Assess your current wardrobe
Taking a step back and looking at your wardrobe as a whole allows you to take inventory of your current items and assess which pieces you feel best align with your style. We recommend trying clothes on to see if you like how they fit, assessing their condition and being realistic about how much wear you will get out of each piece. This will help you to get familiar with your wardrobe and see what is missing and what pieces you should now invest in to make a cohesive collection.
Step Two: Clear out your wardrobe
A good wardrobe clear-out of the items that no longer fit you or align with your style will give you a nice blank canvas to start building your capsule wardrobe. Only keep items that you feel comfortable and confident in that can be worn multiple times to achieve various looks. We also recommend setting aside clothing which is in good condition and donating to charity to help reduce clothing waste.
Step Three: Define your style
Before picking out pieces to start building your capsule wardrobe, take a moment to try and define your style. The best way to do this is to consider your day-to-day lifestyle and what clothing pieces work with your daily activities. This will then help guide you to making the right choices when picking out new pieces that are practical and that you know will be worn time and time again.
This includes figuring out what kind of style and fit you prefer for your wardrobe staples, for example, do you prefer more formal trousers or jeans, loose-fitting t-shirts or blouses etc. This is also the right time to try and narrow down your colour palette. Take note of what colours you are naturally drawn to and how they can work together to create a stylish and cohesive wardrobe that reflects your personality.
Step Four: Start building your capsule wardrobe
Now that you’ve gotten rid of all the clothes that no longer serve you and you have had time to define your style, it’s time to start shopping for the pieces you are missing from your wardrobe.
It’s important to keep in mind that the key to building a capsule wardrobe is to reduce the number of garments you have, therefore we recommend only buying what is necessary. This includes ensuring you only have all of the basics and key seasonal pieces that you know can be worn in many different ways. It’s important when stocking up on these staples that you prioritise quality over quantity. Investing in well-made clothing pieces will ensure you create a capsule wardrobe that will stand the test of time, make you feel confident and it will also help you save money in the long run.
How many outfits should I have in a capsule wardrobe?
There is no specific limit on how many outfits you should have in your capsule wardrobe, as it can vary from person to person, depending on your lifestyle. However, the general rule we suggest sticking to at first is the rule of 5. The rule of 5 means that you should pick out five pieces from each category of clothing - 5 dresses, 5 skirts, 5 trousers, 5 tops etc. This will help to make your capsule wardrobe feel balanced and make it clear to see the various outfits you can pull together using each piece.
Over time, if you feel like your capsule wardrobe is limiting your style too much, there is no rule against buying new pieces to add to your rotation. Just make sure that the pieces you are buying are well thought out, good quality and versatile enough to mix and match with your other garments.
How can I look stylish in my 50s?
By the time you reach your 50s, you’re likely to have cycled through every popular fashion trend as they’ve come and gone, and now have a good sense of what your personal style is. Knowing what shapes, materials and colours work best for you will help you create a curated wardrobe of garments that will make you look and feel your best. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to look stylish during this milestone decade, we’ve got a few helpful tips to help you own your style and look fabulous in your 50s.
Invest in classic pieces
Investing in garments that fit you well and are constructed from high-quality fabrics will ensure your capsule wardrobe stays timeless. We suggest spending more on basics that you will wear every day such as t-shirts, blouses, and trousers. so that you always have a solid rotation of versatile, classic items.
Embrace colour and patterns
Life is too short to not have fun with your style. A capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to limit your style to a monochrome palette, you can easily create a clothing collection that is filled with colourful, patterned pieces that you love. While you can never go wrong with neutral, bright hues and bold patterns can add excitement to your wardrobe. To keep things timeless we suggest investing in colourful pieces that will never go out of style such as pastels and more muted colourful tones. If you’re nervous about dipping your toe into wearing more colour, we recommend starting small with accessories or basic pieces in a new shade.
Highlight your shape
There is nothing quite like the feeling of wearing clothes that fit like they were tailor-made for you. Choosing clothing that fits and flatters will help you feel confident in whatever you wear. Whether you want to define your waist, show off your legs or décolletage, we recommend opting for silhouettes that highlight your most loved features, to ensure you always feel your best.
