How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe For University

Image edited by Kelly Lai

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your wardrobe lately, maybe a capsule wardrobe is what you’ll need. Trust me, this makes getting ready that much easier, especially when we’re busy students juggling classes and other activities. Plus, it keeps your space tidy and saves time packing for travel. It’s time to express yourself without all that stress, so let’s dive in!

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

(Image from @classyyettrendy Instagram)

A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist curation of clothing options suited to the owner’s style and fashion choices. The key to one is the ability to mix and match classic and essential pieces to create various outfits to suit multiple occasions and seasons. A few versatile pieces focus on quality over quantity and can be experimented with statement pieces or bold additions.

Why Is A Capsule Wardrobe Useful?

Having a capsule wardrobe simplifies your getting-ready process. This is helpful for us college students who want to look presentable for class but don’t want to go through the stress of picking what to wear every morning. Especially for those staying in hall or packing for SEP, it’s much easier to choose what to bring when you have a smaller wardrobe, and it also helps you to pack light. Besides, you can compensate for the quality of your clothes over quantity by spending your money on timeless pieces that’ll last longer.

1. Assess Your Personal Style

   

   (Image from Pinterest)

   
   

Knowing your style is important to create a wardrobe that you’ll love and feel confident wearing every day. Think about what you’re drawn to. Is it nude or bright colours, patterns, soft or bold; the styling options are endless. You can also look for inspiration on current trends.

I think Pinterest is a great place to start. Create folders or boards of outfits you like, or browse through colour palettes to see how certain colours go together. Ideally, you want the pieces you pick to weave into your daily life, so they should be comfortable to wear and suit your day-to-day activities. For instance, you could dress fancier if you’re going to class in air-conditioned rooms, perhaps a more formal office look if your company has a stricter dress code, or a comfortable fit if you have flexible working schedules and must be on your feet all day.

2. Have A Look At Your Current Wardrobe

Now, go to your wardrobes and have a quick scan. Take a look to see what you have to work with. It’s like spring cleaning came early (if it’s not CNY when you’re reading this). To speed up the process, sort your clothes into three primary piles: Keep, Donate, and Unsure. For the keep pile, gravitate towards pieces you’re already wearing regularly, ones that fit your current body type and are close to your style. Leave a mix of plain and bolder pieces that you wear on fancy days out.

I completely understand that getting rid of clothing is tough, especially since we’ve once paid money for it. As a rule of thumb, if you’ve not worn that shirt or patterned pants in more than a year or, even worse, completely forgot about its existence until you started digging in your closet, then it’s safe to say you’ll probably never reach for it again. So, chuck it in the donation pile.

For the ones you’ve been staring at for 10 minutes undecided, set them aside and wait about a month. If you find yourself reaching into the pile for a specific piece, then keep it. If not, the rest can be added to the donation pile instead of collecting dust in your revamped wardrobe.

3. Pick Out The Essentials

Let’s build your wardrobe, starting with the basics. You’ll want to start with the essential pieces, as these will be the core of every outfit. However, depending on your working lifestyle, these could be flexible. You could switch up plain cotton tees for more breathable options like tank tops and camis, tube, workout tops, or long sleeves.

To keep things simple, here’s a list of essentials I feel everyone should include:

• Cotton tees: I recommend getting a few in basic colours (black, white, grey). They are good to be worn alone with jeans or as a staple base piece when layering.

• Button-down tops are for days when you need a more formal outfit for events, meetings, etc. They’re also good for wearing with shorts for a more summer weekend style. For the guys, you may want to have a few of these in your closet, and you can play around with the colours and length of the sleeves.

• A pair of jeans: Never underestimate the power of a good-quality, fitting pair of jeans. I recommend finding a cut that fits you because jeans can be worn for every occasion, and you’ll be surprised at how confident you’ll feel when they fit right. Keep the basics simple without the rips or ruffles, and go for straight cuts instead of skinnies.

• Oversized cardigan/sweater: for days when you’re going to be in an air-conditioned space. These can elevate your look and put you together.

• Plain ol’ white pair of sneakers: easy to throw on for casual days or everyday wear. Will typically go well with any fit.

• Bermudas/shorts/skirts: for more casual outings.

4. Jazz it up with statement pieces

The difference accessorising adds to an outfit. (Images from Pinterest)

The next step is the fun part - it’s time to get creative and personal! Try incorporating more colours and patterns at this stage to bring pops of colour to your outfits since our basic pieces are leaning towards neutral palettes.

These can also be pieces that you’ve always wanted to experiment with! Our style changes constantly, so don’t be afraid to try new styles or rock a new colour out of your comfort zone. Statement pieces are what show off your style, and it depends from person to person, but here are a few ideas you can start with:

• Chunky shoes: these are so fun and add a rock-n-roll vibe to your outfits. Try chunky platforms or knee-high boots. They work well with shorter skirts or oversized jeans.

• Overalls/dungarees: I think these are so cute to throw over any plain T-shirts, and they bring out a youthful and artistic side.

• Jewellery: this one’s my favourite. Whether it’s a bracelet stack or a necklace with a chunky pendant, it changes the look of a simple outfit. It’s also highly versatile and can elevate an outfit anywhere from elegant to street style.

• Bags: Tote bags, small slings, or carry-ons can also be an added accessory to your fit. You can try bolder colours like wine red or baby blue to contrast with your black-and-white fits. Or, if you’d prefer safer colours, you can also coquette-fy your bags with keychains and trinkets (we see you, labubus) for a more personalised touch.

• Denim/leather jackets: excellent investment pieces for fashionistas who don’t mind SG’s insane heat. They're great for escaping to colder countries during the holidays, and they’ll make for the nicest fit check pics.

• Experiment with clothing pieces in addition to the basics! Think vintage graphic tees, patterned jeans, etc.

What About Old Clothes I Don’t Wear Anymore?

(Image from The Luggage Market Facebook)

Give your pre-loved clothes some love and donate them! There are a few in Singapore, like ReFash, The Salvation Army and Cloop. Or, if you’re trying to earn back your profits, post them on Carousell for $5-$10. You can also host a booth at thrift markets like The Luggage Market or The Hammock Market for better chances. These usually require paying to rent a space so you can reel some of your friends to sell their clothes and split the rental cost.

Have Fun With It!

There’s absolutely no right or wrong in a capsule wardrobe. Fashion is such a form of expression, and these are just a few tips to get you started. But really, it’s your style to play with. As long as it makes your life easier and you feel confident in the pieces you’re wearing, I’d say you’re off to a great start.