Having worked from home during the pandemic, a lot of us find it challenging to “dress the part” after returning to the office. Heading to work means you have to spend some money on the right attire. However, you do not need to spend all your savings on a new wardrobe. Forget what Instagram or TikTok has to say and look for a way to build a wardrobe on a budget that lasts.

All of us have reached a point in life where we do not want to spend a lot of hours wondering about what to wear. When you narrow down the wardrobe to a few selected essentials, you will be able to save multiple decisions daily. This also means you are less likely to turn towards impulse buying whenever you are getting dressed. The benefits of a capsule wardrobe are many and it can have a positive impact on your life and fashion style. Let’s take a look at a few tips to help you create a capsule wardrobe that fits your style and budget.

1. Declutter the current wardrobe

To start building a capsule wardrobe on a budget, you need to first begin removing things from the current wardrobe. Take a good look at everything you own and look for items you are ready to part with. This will allow you to clear the clutter so that you can focus on building a capsule wardrobe with the pieces that you absolutely love. Identify your clothes into different segments, the ones that no longer fit, the ones you do not like, those that are duplicates or in similar colors, the ones that are stained, and those that do not work with your body type or skin tone. Once you have different piles, you can donate, recycle or sell them. Now that you have enough space, organize the remaining clothes into different categories like bottoms, tops, pieces of denim, jackets, etc.

2. Identify core pieces 

After the initial edit, you need to pick clothes that you want to include in your daily wardrobe. Irrespective of the type of job you are in, a capsule wardrobe is suitable for everyone. Whenever you do this, look for quality pieces that can be versatile as well as functional. When it comes to union clothing, you do not need to compromise on color or style, there are several options for you to choose from. Investing in versatile pieces that pair with other clothes is a great way to build your wardrobe. They can be worn in different ways and styled in different contexts. Keeping your profession in mind, evaluate the items for their weight, fabric, functionality as well as other attributes like the sleeves and length. Look for garments that can be easily mixed and matched with other patterns, colors, and pieces and the ones you can wear to work and to different events.

3. Buy the right shoes or accessories

While you are creating a capsule wardrobe, it is important to invest in the right type of shoes and accessories. Men can add a pair of black or brown shoes but if your profession demands a certain quality and type of shoes, you might want to stick to them and just have another pair of running shoes. Women do have a wide choice here. They can consider a pair of heels, a pair of flats, and maybe boots or sandals. It could be in a base color like black or navy and the sandals could be a brighter color for the days when you need to step outdoors. Women also have a wider choice when it comes to accessories. It could be jewelry or a handbag that cuts for you. Men often like to wear a watch as a staple accessory.

You can complete your capsule by adding accessories that match your style and requirements. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Once your wardrobe is ready, it will become much easier for you to get dressed for work each morning. As against the common notion that a capsule wardrobe costs a lot of money, you will actually end up saving money by buying only those pieces that you actually need and will use.

This will stop the temptation of buying things you do not need. A lot of people stick to their capsule wardrobe for years since it consists of quality clothes and designs that last longer. You can either create a capsule wardrobe for each season or you could have one that runs throughout the year. Whenever the clothes do not fit or are damaged, you can sell or donate them and invest in another quality piece that works for your professional as well as personal life. Switching to a capsule wardrobe is a huge decision but it is something you will not regret since it will save you time and money.