The Capsule Wardrobe: How to Reduce Your Closet to 37 Pieces

August 3 2016  HOW TO
The Capsule Wardrobe: How to Reduce Your Closet to 37 Pieces
  By yanga klasique
Is it us or does it suddenly seem like less is so much more? While the minimalist lifestyle has been gaining traction for a while now, lately it seems the trend has narrowed in on an area dear to our hearts: the closet. Whether it’s Marie Kondo’s often wardrobe-focused tidying technique or Matilda Kahl choosing to wear one outfit to work for three years, many are looking to trim the fat in their closets. After all, who doesn’t have a large selection of unworn, often low-quality items? We know we’re guilty.
One closet-reducing program that’s especially buzzy as of late is the capsule wardrobe. While many have jumped on the clothes-purging bandwagon—blogger Harben Porter has whittled her wardrobe down to 40 pieces, and popular lifestyle blogger, Oh Happy Day, has cut her closet down to an impressive, yet terrifying, twelve pieces—the authority on the capsule wardrobe movement is Caroline Rector of Unfancy. Below we explore what a real capsule wardrobe looks like, Rector’s methodology, what it’s done to change her life, and how to start your own capsule collection.
Scroll down to start simplifying your closet and your life!

What a 34-piece spring capsule collection looks like:

In the words of Rector, a capsule wardrobe is “a mini wardrobe made up of really versatile pieces that you totally love to wear.” Each season (spring, summer, fall, and winter), you clear your closet except for a set number of pieces to be in your capsule wardrobe. Rector’s golden number is 37 items, but it varies by season. Your capsule collection is made up of a combination of items you already own and love to wear, as well as new, quality items that you can shop for once a season.
Learn more details about how it works on Unfancy.

According to Unfancy, a capsule wardrobe represents more time, more money, and more energy for the things in life that really matter (aka not your clothes). By shopping only once a season, you save money on frivolous items that add up. Rector also says that by narrowing her wardrobe, she was actually able to define and understand her style more. Plus, she always feels like she has something great to put on, as every single item hanging in her closet is something she would love to wear right at that moment.

Rector has a five-step approach to building your own capsule wardrobe.
1. Pare down your closet to 37 items.
2. Wear only those 37 items for three months.
3. Don’t go shopping during the season until…
4. During the last two weeks of the season, plan and shop for your next capsule.
​5. The amount you buy for the next capsule is up to you, but less is more.
Check out Rector’s additional tips and rules for paring down your closet.