Have you noticed how many new storage facilities are being built? In 1984 there were around 6,600 storage facilities in the United States. Now, in 2025 there are over 52,000. Americans have so much stuff.

In today’s day and age, materialism has become the new religion. People are consumers, but often, while consuming, we become hoarders. Worse, many people with an overflowing closet know that they want to change, but don’t know how. We become convinced that we need all these clothing options.

You know. Just in case.

Trending Trousseau

Enter a new trend: capsule wardrobes. People are donating or selling most of their clothes and choosing to live with as few clothing items as possible (not as simple as a nun’s wardrobe – but getting pretty close!). 

While capsule wardrobes aren’t for everyone, they can make life simpler and more free in the long run.

What is a capsule wardrobe and why make one? Is it even possible in today’s day and age? How does one even complete such a task? Do I get to keep my shoes?

All valid questions. Let’s enter the wardrobe to find out. 

Into the Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of interchangeable clothing items and accessories. Usually, the wardrobes stick to a certain color scheme and are functional, simple, and made of durable materials. 

For example, a capsule wardrobe could include a nice pair of jeans that can be dressed up or down depending on the blouse. Those same blouses could be worn with a coordinating pair of dress pants or a matching skirt. Each item can be worn with every other item to create a cohesive and elegant outfit. 

Why?

People have different motivations for creating a capsule wardrobe. Some suffer from decision anxiety and want to make getting dressed in the morning a more stress-free experience. Others are students, ambitiously hoping to bring just one suitcase for their study abroad – with room for souvenirs! Others want to be mindful of stewardship for the earth and live more sustainably by reducing waste. Finally, there are the lovers of St. Francis who just want to embrace lady poverty and a simpler lifestyle. 

Whatever the reason, capsule wardrobes can be a good way to simplify your life and save time in your mornings so you can get on with your busy day building up God’s kingdom!

How to Craft Your Wardrobe

1. Pick your base colors. To create an interchangeable wardrobe, you need to be consistent with your color choices. Pick a neutral color: white, tan, brown, black, etc., and pair it with a few accent colors. Another way to start is to pick out the clothes that you wear most often and put them to one side. Note what colors you lean towards and make those the basis of your future capsule wardrobe.

   
   

2. Divest. Next, pull out any clothes you don’t wear regularly, those that don’t match your neutrals, and those that just don’t fit anymore. For example, if you wear a lot of blacks and grays, get rid of that chocolate brown sweater you never wear. Discard repeats. Do you have two nearly identical shirts? Pick the one you like better. Put these items aside to donate. 

   
   

3. Divest more. Next on the chopping block is anything worn out or unwearable. Throw it away and start looking for replacements for your favorite pieces. Is your button-down white shirt stained? Start budgeting for a replacement. Did that one pair of pants shrink in the wash? Give it to a younger sister or daughter, or add it to the donate pile. Clear out the denizens of your dark closet corners.

   
   

4. Build back better. Your closet, at this point, hopefully, has shrunk quite a bit. At this point, start assembling your outfits. Keep in mind that you want to pair versatile things. One top should go with each one of your pants and skirts. One skirt should go with all your tops (or at least most of them). Start to assemble your remaining wardrobe into “yes,” “no,” and “maybe.” If you’re like me, and have a hard time making decisions and letting go, put the “maybes” in a bag and out of sight. 

   
   

5. Work with purpose. Don’t focus on ending up with a certain number of things, so much as creating a wardrobe that is functional on a day-to-day. Do you work in an office? Make sure that your outfits are work appropriate. Are you a stay-at-home mom? Maybe you include more casual chic in your chosen wardrobe. Are you studying abroad? Make sure to account for the climate of your destination. Farmer? Hang on to those overalls! Try things on, take photos, and ask for other people’s opinions. You want fashionable and functional!

   
   

6. Try it out. Take your new capsule wardrobe for a test run! Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is your wardrobe. Take time to test it out, a month or so, and see how the wardrobe is working for you. Dig into your “maybes” bag to pull out something you wear more than you thought. Move a “yes” item to “maybe” if it’s not regularly useful. Notice where there are holes in your wardrobe and start to look for durable options.

   
   
   

7. Say ‘hello’ to the new you! When you feel the time has come, donate that “maybe” bag and enjoy your new capsule wardrobe! Be attentive and discerning in your future shopping endeavors. Do you need it? Is it interchangeable with items you already own? Will it last for years or fall apart in the wash?

   
   

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pieces should be in my capsule wardrobe?

It can be helpful for some people to set themselves a limit to the amount of clothing items they own. I’ve heard some people say thirty, others forty (including shoes!). The difficulty is what do you count? Do you include accessories? Shoes? Unmentionables? The most important thing is catering your wardrobe to your life and needs. Some can live with only five pairs of pants, others need ten. I recommend cutting down as much as possible, giving it a month and then cutting some more. When you are happy with your wardrobe, count it up and use that as your official number, replacing instead of adding.

Is my capsule wardrobe supposed to be for summer and winter? What do I do if I live in a state with all four seasons?

If you are studying abroad, sometimes you do include a layered look into your capsule wardrobe, to account for the changes in season. If you are stationary however, some people have found it helpful to create capsule wardrobes for each season. Pulling out a new wardrobe every season is a great way to de-clutter, keep you from being bored with your wardrobe, and keep track of wear and tear. Just as mother Church shifts her seasonal garb, so can you!

Formal wear? Exercise clothes? Are you saying I need to get rid of all of my fluffy socks?

There are some gray areas when it comes to the capsule wardrobe. Some people insist on living with as little as possible (I assume this means they do a lot of laundry). Others have parts of their wardrobe that simply “don’t count” – socks and exercise clothes, for example. What counts is the spirit of the law, not the letter. Do you need to buy a new bathing suit? Do you need ten T-shirts with your college logo? It is important make decisions based on what you actually need and use, as well as what simply brings you joy.

What do I do with my maternity clothes?

For those pregnant mamas out there, having a maternity capsule wardrobe could be very helpful, not just for you, but for other moms in the neighborhood. Having a cute, durable set of clothes ready and waiting for your pregnancy can help to smooth the transitions that any new addition brings. First-time mom? Try to be intentional about the maternity clothes you purchase. Select durable, comfortable, timeless, coordinating pieces that will look just as good for baby number four as for baby number one!