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Capsule Wardrobe My Way – A Year Without Shopping

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It’s a New Year and kind of a new beginning, I decided to set up the challenge for myself, not to buy any clothes for a year – A Year Without Shopping. I normally don’t write a post about myself, mostly it is a collection/shop/brand that I found and would like to share it with you, that’s why I named this website Pret a Collection.

Anyway, I like to live a simple minimalist life with my own rules especially when it comes to wardrobe. What does that mean? I don’t follow any strict rules for the exact number of clothes that I should keep in my minimalist wardrobe. I just add, keep and wear what I think is right. This is how I build my capsule wardrobe. I have to be honest, it took me a few years to come up with my own style and to be confident in what I wear. If I can make this challenge through all year my wardrobe should be made from the most loved pieces and what I look good at.

Capsule Wardrobe My Way – A Year Without Shopping

I am not really one who follows the rules, this is the way how I built the minimalist capsule wardrobe my way – taking a year without shopping and a few steps that I took to help me along the way.

How To Style Basics

How To Organize The Closet

As an organized freak, I love this part. But I was going slowly. Instead of pulling everything out of my  wardrobe, I was slowly adding pieces that suited my lifestyle and current personal style. But I never kept too many pieces in my closet. But not too little as well. We all change so as our style and life.

When I went shopping I was looking for pieces which are more versatile and timeless, the so-called basics. Simple minimalist style, without logos and in neutral colors. I kept adding pieces that lasts much longer than fast-fashion seasonal pieces. And to keep the closet neat and tidy once/twice a year I pulled out pieces that I did not wear for longer. Slowly I implemented a one hanger per item closet look. In this way, everything is much more visible, neat, tidy and easier to see/wear. I was always careful with money, and it’s hard to get rid of something that is still in a good condition, so I try to wear it more until it is not in a wearable condition or I passed it to someone who will love it and wear it more than I do.

Capsule wardrobe my way - a year without shopping

What Are The Capsule Wardrobe Basics

When the wardrobe is organized I can see what I am missing. As I said before I am very careful what I add, especially the last few years, so I try to look at my closet more often, but there is always something that can be added. Clothes get used, dirty and stained, so I can buy something new regularly but stick to basics.

My basics are:

  • White t-shirt
  • Black t-shirt
  • Grey t-shirt
  • Stripe t-shirt
  • White button-down
  • White Silk shirt
  • Black Silk shirt
  • Black jeans
  • Blue jeans

I don’t include in my basic capsule wardrobe stockings, socks, underwear, or vests. That are the pieces that can be added more often, but I like quality pieces in this section as well.

Capsule wardrobe my way - a year without shopping

Capsule Wardrobe Classics/Investment Pieces

I have classic pieces or so-called staple/investment pieces covered with:

  • Trench coat
  • Winter coat
  • Leather jacket
  • Black blazer
  • Denim jacket
  • Little black dress
  • Smart pants
  • Skirt
  • Sweaters
  • Black leather ankle boots
  • White trainers
  • Smart shoes – low heel
  • Black, Nude pumps
  • Leather sandals
  • Black slip-on

Everlane / Baukjen / Pret a Collection / Veja /COS/ Arket

Some of these items I have in multiple pieces, and by that, I mean more smart pants, more skirts. I need workwear as well, so more choices for me are welcome, but not too many. And you probably asking about the colour palette, I stick to neutral colour palette – black, white, grey, beige and shades of blue. After years of living in many colours, these are my grown-up colours.

Accessories

As with everything I keep it to minimal. Simplicity is the key. But I am ready for all seasons.

  • White gold stud earrings, bracelet, necklace
  • Black leather tote
  • Black leather crossbody bag
  • Grey scarf
  • Silk scarf
  • Black hat
  • Summer hat
  • Wool beanie
  • Sunglasses

I know it looks like I have only very few pieces in my closet, but that’s not true, I would like to shrink my wardrobe to only absolute basics. So I made a decision this year to stick to my wardrobe, this is a kind of sustainable way to reduce waste and to wear only clothes that I already own. As I just finishing my second pregnancy and I will need to get back into ‘my body’ this is the perfect time for a little challenge. I will use all my pieces if something doesn’t fit properly instead of buying the new one I will tailor it. And as I mentioned I have some pieces of multiple choices I will wear until I will replace them with a more sustainable item, which I definitely looking forward to. I will make this year count as my fashion challenge and a big step toward better fashion choices. I already started designing my own clothes. I will tell you and show you later on.  At least I found my style which I am comfortable. And a good point is that all the saved money from fast fashion I can invest in a better quality piece. But I have to be totally honest with you, anyway, my clothes last for a few years already, this is another good reason to replace them. But the next year.

If you want to see how my challenge goes along the year, keep checking for updates over here.

This is not a guide on what to do, this is the way how I came to the capsule wardrobe. But if you like a more intensive and quicker way to de-clutter your wardrobe and find your style, I recommend you my eBook How To Build a Minimalist Wardrobe that will help you to find your style and build minimalist capsule wardrobe. Also, I will go into more depth on my wardrobe with links to sustainable brands. It will be the year of something new.

Please share your thoughts with me about my very first post written by me and the capsule wardrobe.

Loads of love

Katarina

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