Hi Friends,
Having a capsule wardrobe is an essential concept in a minimalist lifestyle. I'll explain what a capsule wardrobe is, why you should have one, and how to create one. We often think we need an abundance of variety in every category of clothing.
However, did you know that we only wear less than 20 percent of the clothing we own? That's why a capsule wardrobe is a great system. By creating a capsule wardrobe, you identify your absolute favorite pieces and only keep those.
Why switch to a capsule wardrobe? As I've experienced with traveling, the fewer items we have, the more manageable it becomes. Once you narrow down everyone's favorite pieces, laundry becomes significantly easier because you have fewer clothes to take care of. Plus, every item of laundry is a piece you love and enjoy, so you'll want to take good care of it.
Do you feel overwhelmed when you open your closets? Of course, you do! Too many choices can be overwhelming. By getting rid of a large portion of your clothing, you'll eliminate many decisions you need to make.
HERE'S HOW TO DO IT:
Think about what you've worn in the past two weeks: Most likely, you've been repeatedly wearing the same 4 to 5 outfits. Those are probably the same items you would pack if you went away for a few days. These items will be the core of your capsule—the absolute favorites you come back to time and again.
Examine each of these items: What makes you love them? Is it their comfort? The colors that suit you? Ideally, you want colors that work nicely together. You want to have several basic outfits that can be mixed and matched.
Now, build upon your core: Add jackets, sweaters, accessories, and shoes. Keep the minimal number of accessories in each category, focusing on items that go with the greatest number of outfits. The goal is to get the most value out of each item you choose. Consider how you can layer your favorite outfits to enjoy them throughout the seasons and various activities.
Here's how I created our capsule wardrobes and how you can too:
I pretended that we were going away for an extended week. When we go away, I only take what fits and looks good at that moment, and i make sure every items can be mixed and matched. These are usually our favorite items that we've worn repeatedly in the past two weeks.
For a weekend vacation from Thursday to Monday night, I would pack the following for each person:
Thursday:
Weekday outfit #1
Friday:
Weekday outfit #2
Shabbos:
1-2 Shabbos outfits
Sunday:
Weekday outfit #3
Monday:
Weekday outfit #4
Additional:
Cardigan
Good sneakers for hiking, running, and rainy weather
Having 4 full weekday outfits provides enough flexibility, even if we don't have access to a washer and dryer. I have enough time to hand wash and hang dry an outfit. For washing Shabbos clothing, I have a full week of time to do so.
All we need are 4-5 full weekday outfits and 2-3 Shabbos outfits per person. This approach works even when we go away for a month or more. I know that with fewer clothes, I'll need to do laundry more often, but it's a sacrifice I'm happy to make. Having less to wash, dry, and put away is a win-win for me, and it will be for you too!
Once you've narrowed down everyone's favorite pieces, laundry becomes significantly easier and even an enjoyable experience in the laundry room because there's so much less inventory. And every item of laundry is something you love and enjoy and want to take good care of.
Embracing the Magic of Capsule Wardrobes for Travel
As someone who travels often, I can attest to the incredible benefits of capsule wardrobes when embarking on adventures. The concept of carefully curating a collection of our favorite clothing items allows us to travel with ease.
By focusing on a handful of versatile and well-loved outfits, you'll find yourself carrying lighter luggage, which opens up possibilities for more adventures without the burden of heavy bags. Laundry on the go becomes an easy experience too.
So, the next time you're planning a trip, consider adopting the capsule wardrobe approach. Embrace simplicity, versatility, and style, and watch as your travels become even more gratifying and liberating. Bon voyage!
P.s. Packing cubes, a must for minimalist travelers like me, effortlessly streamline suitcase chaos, keeping belongings compact and organized. Consider different colors for family members or each day of the week for ultimate simplicity! Here is a link to the ones we love- they are great quality and nice looking too!
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