Imagine this: you have an important test, an essay to hand in, and a job interview on the same day. Naturally, you study for the test, write the paper and research the company all night. In the morning, you miss an alarm and wake up only when you should’ve left the house already. You have no time to brush your teeth, let alone put together a decent outfit.
Unfortunately, this is a widespread situation many students find themselves in. And the most obvious solution would be to stop pulling all-nighters and get your schedule organized. But we’re all humans and we cannot be perfect all the time. So, next time you feel the need to pull an all-nighter, order a paper from essay writer at EssayPro and consider building a custom wardrobe. How are the two connected? Just think about how much time you can save when you don’t have to think about what to wear in the morning!
The main feature of a capsule wardrobe is that it’s not just a collection of clothes but a collection of outfits. Ideally, every piece of clothing matches with all the other ones. That is a great way to save lots of time and trouble choosing. But how do you create a capsule wardrobe on a student budget? Let’s walk through the steps
one needs to take and see if it’s even possible together.
Step 1. Define Your Style, Get Rid of the Rest
First and foremost, you need to understand what you wear and what you don’t. You may be drawn to lots of cuts, patterns, and prints but still find yourself wearing only one particular style of clothes. For that, you need to completely dissect and analyze your current wardrobe. You may or may not follow a global fashion trend. Prepare lots of space to lay stuff out and call a friend you often see—a second opinion may be more objective.
If defining your style is too hard, you might need to spend some time researching online. There are lots of tests you can take to help you find your style. Other than that, having a style icon is extremely helpful. This way, you can have someone to look up to for inspiration.
Collect moodboards, share them with your college friends, ask people for their opinions if you’re unsure. Building your custom wardrobe is no easy task, and it will take time. There’s no use in trying to rush it. Otherwise, you’ll just end up with a bunch of stuff you don’t wear (again). Ask yourself the following questions:
- What clothes do I wear the most?
- Which tops/bottoms do I reach for the most?
- How many tops/bottoms do I need to feel comfortable?
- What colors look best on me?
- What fabrics do I love the most?
Once you’re done with the analysis, start categorizing things. If you haven’t worn an item for the last 30 days, you should probably let go of it. However, you don’t have to create waste. Donate, give away to friends or sell online the things you don’t wear anymore.
Students constantly circulate clothes around. Chances are, someone in your dorm will love your clothes and give them a second life. Also, consider tailoring the items that fit you poorly. Sometimes, a slight alteration like adding or removing darts can change the feel of a clothing item entirely.
Step 2. Find Your Basics
Once you analyze your wardrobe, you might find that you haven’t been wearing certain pieces because you have nothing to pair them with. This is what the analysis was for in the first place—to find gaps to eliminate.
A capsule wardrobe is all about reusing the same items, making them shine in different arrangements. On the other hand, it doesn’t have to be boring. Putting together a capsule doesn’t mean getting rid of all your favorite clothes to wear jeans and a white T-shirt for the rest of your life. Some ideas for a female capsule wardrobe basics for fall are as follow:
- Light wash jeans
- Black jeans
- Knit dress
- Sweater
- Sweatshirt & sweatpants
- Cardigan
- Blazer
- Turtleneck
- Blouse
- White t-shirt
- Chelsea boots
- Sneakers
- Accessories
Keep in mind, though, that someone else’s essentials are not necessarily yours. Think about your body type, shape, and personal preferences. If you’ve never in your life worn a turtleneck, don’t go out buying it just because someone said it’s a staple piece. Trust your gut first.
When going out shopping, always keep your style or aesthetic in mind. If you’ve chosen the one that truly fits your personality, it shouldn’t be too hard since you should be naturally drawn to that stuff.
Step 3. Get Ready to Invest
Building a capsule wardrobe is thought of as expensive, but it’s kind of the point. You get higher-quality pieces with the idea that you will be wearing them for longer and more sustainably. This is why capsule wardrobes are somewhat unpopular among students. The truth is, you don’t need to buy a $2,000 designer trench coat. Even if you are going to wear it for 10 years, it’s not something that you, as a student, can afford.
Instead, plan ahead, try to save some part of your initial wardrobe and build on that. This is why we told you to analyze first—the best way for a student to create a capsule is to build it up gradually.
Still, creating a capsule means no more fast fashion. Since you want those clothes to survive for as long as possible, you should look for higher-quality items. For a student, that means taking time. Don’t rush the process. Ideally, you should start collecting your Summer wardrobe somewhere around Fall or Winter. This way, you will be giving yourself enough time to consider everything, save some money and find the most perfect pieces for the upcoming season.
Wrapping Up
A capsule wardrobe is everything but boring. It helps you save time; it ensures you look put together and feel confident. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not constraining, either. First of all, you choose the pieces you want to wear yourself, relying on your preference. It’s not like someone gives you a list of things you must wear, no. Besides, who said you can’t leave room for some wild fashion items? You absolutely should not feel limited by your wardrobe. Even if you’re an impulse shopper, it’s okay to indulge sometimes.
But think twice before you go for something as grandiose as revamping your entire wardrobe, though. Check all your items carefully before you get rid of them, as well. Analyze, give yourself time, and don’t rush this process—it’s not supposed to be quick.