When you are packing for college, you don't want to bring your entire room. More specifically, you don't need to bring your entire closet to college. You are going to pack a bunch of t-shirts, leggings, and shorts to wear to class, so why do we need to take the rest of the walk-in closet? Yes, we'll need other clothes for clubs, presentations, career fairs, greek life, going out, but how can we balance the regular clothes with the everyday-bum day class clothes? Let me show you the solution: capsule wardrobes.
Capsule wardrobes are wardrobes with under 30 staple items. The type of items to include are completely up to your style preference and body type. Plus, you can mix and match your staple items and create amazing outfits with them. Now, let's see how it's done!
Here's why capsule closets are important for college students.
1. It is the solution to overpacking, duh!
2. You can change things up when seasons and trends change.
3. You'll have something to wear for an event.
4. It's a great closet starter for college students, so you could build it up with more pieces.
5. MINIMALISM! Need I say more?
Let's get some closet inspo.
In order to start off your capsule wardrobe, let's find yourself.
First, it's best to know your body type and size. This article from Who What Wear, "The Foolproof Way to Find Out Your Real Body Type," defines different body types (inverted triangle, rectangle, triangle/pear, and hourglass) and what types of clothes that will look good. Also, it's important to measure yourself so you will know what size of clothes fits you the best.
Next, let's see what colors look best on you. The Chic Fashionista is an OG site that I use to find what colors look good on my skin tone. I use Seasonal Color Analysis to see which colors flatter me the best. First take the test on these pages (seasonal color analysis; for people of color, look here for more detail), then you find links to find what colors to wear.
Lastly, find your personal style. I like this article on Who What Wear because it encourage you to find inspiration. I also watch YouTubers, bloggers, and even Pinterest pictures on gathering inspo on personal style.
Stock up on some essentials.
To create a capsule wardrobe, we want to get some essentials first. You can use what you have in your closet, then buy some newer pieces for more outfit options. Here is my capsule wardrobe for the summer-fall transition (most are similar to what I have in my wardrobe):
Bottoms: White jeans, black denim shorts, denim skirt, fun skirt, nice shorts, dress pants
Tops: Fun tank top, bodysuit, cute blouse, t-shirt, business casual blouse
Outerwear: Denim jacket, sleek blazer
Other clothing: Dress in a cheery color, 2 pc set, jumpsuit
Shoes: Sneakers, sandals, wedges, slip on sandals, pumps
Now we got the capsule wardrobe, it will not be a hassle deciding what clothes to bring to college. Explore the different outfit combinations, experiment with accessories, and when you get sick of it expand your closet by buying a few new pieces to switch things up. Now, your closet just got much better.
