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HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE AND SHOP FOR FOREVER PIECES

Hello everyone!

After asking for blog post requests the other day I got an amazing idea to put together a post about how to ensure you are only buying forever pieces. I used to be guilty of going shopping and buying pieces simply because it was a trend. This lead to wasting money and doing more harm to the environment in terms of fast fashion. As a lot of you know I have been talking a lot about investing in a few quality pieces and buying second hand therefore I thought that this post could not come at a better time. Here are all of my tips on how to build your capsule wardrobe and shop smarter for your forever pieces!

TIP #1: BUILD YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE FIRST

My first tip to ensure you are buying forever pieces is to build your capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that do not go out of fashion as years go by. To build your capsule wardrobe focus on quality over quantity. Curating the perfect capsule wardrobe for you takes time, it can’t all be done in one go. Therefore, this is the perfect thing to think about when shopping to ensure that you are only purchasing forever pieces. First invest in the pieces that will build the bones of your wardrobe that can be worn so many different ways then you can add in those fun and trendy pieces here and there. What makes up your capsule wardrobe all depends on your sense of style. I have listed what I think are essential wardrobe pieces and links to my favourites!

TIP #2: THINK OF 3 OUTFITS

When looking at a piece think of at least 3 outfits you can make with items that you currently have in your wardrobe already. If you can think of three off the top of your head then the item is right for you. If you can’t think of three and have think of all the items you need to buy to make this one piece work then odds are it is not in line with your style and will not be a forever piece.

TIP #3: STICK WITH CLASSICS

My third tip to ensure that items are forever pieces is to stick with classic colours and styles that are timeless. This would be neutral tones such as beiges, browns, blacks, greys, and whites. These colours never go out of style and can be worn with so many different looks. You will never regret buying an item in a classic colour. I do know however that some people love colour, therefore if you do want to get a less classic colour make sure that it is one you personally love and not one that is just currently trending. This will ensure that you won’t get tired of it by the time the next season rolls around. This tip also relates to the style of the item, for example buy a classic double breasted blazer first rather then the cropped version that is all the rage this season. These classic pieces can be worn again and again so many different ways, this will also make getting ready so much easier if you have staple items that all work together and that are in the same colour family.

TIP #4: QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

This tip goes hand in hand with building your capsule wardrobe. Yes it is always easier to buy the cheaper alternative but if you have to continuously buy the lower quality item after a few times of use it will just add up to the price of the more expensive quality item anyways. In addition to the quality item lasting you longer odds are that it will feel better on and have a better fit overall. You will feel like your best self in these items which means it is a forever piece. You will also be helping the environment as well. Therefore if you do have the means to do so buying quality over quantity is always the better option.

TIP #5: MAKE SURE IT FITS

When buying pieces always make sure to try it on. It may look cute on the hanger but look unflattering on. Taking the extra time to try on the item and being strict with yourself on how the item makes you feel is key to finding those forever pieces. Without trying it on you can be left with countless items in your closet that you ever wear because you don’t feel your best in them and they don’t fit your body type correctly. It really makes a huge difference. If you absolutely LOVE the piece but in some places it’s just not fitting right tailoring is always a good option as well. But make sure to actually tailor it right away to avoid it sitting in your closet for months with no wear. I know for me finding jeans that fit my waist and hips is almost impossible most of the time, with tailoring I can buy any jeans I like and make adjustments as I need. Although it is a little more money having a piece that is tailored to your body and made especially for you makes it that much more special. You will constantly reach for it and the item will be a staple piece that is in your wardrobe forever.

TIP #6: DON’T ALWAYS GIVE INTO TRENDS

My next tip is to stay true to you and don’t always give into trends. Now I am not saying to avoid the seasons new trends, but I am saying to take a minute to think if the trend resonates with you and your style. In other words although it’s a trend, is it the right trend for you? There are so many trends out there but there is no way to follow them all. Unless a trend fits into your personal style you are ultimently not going to wear it a ton and it won’t be a forever piece. For example, this fall metallics are in but I am not usually one to wear sparkly pieces as I like more classic colours and minimal bling. Therefore although I may find that a metallic dress is catching my eye it would be a waste for me to purchase. I would rarely wear it and it could not easily be styled with the pieces I currently have in my wardrobe.

TIP #7: YOU HAVE TO LOVE IT

I used to buy pieces that were “okay”. I would think they were nice in the moment, I was never in LOVE with them but would convince myself that I would wear it all the time just for the sake of making a purchase. This lead to countless items sitting in my closet with the tags on and then being donated without even being worn once. If this sounds familiar to you, take a minute to asses how you really feel about the item and go through all of the tips that I have mentioned previously in this post:

  1. Will the item add to my capsule wardrobe?
  2. Can the outfit be worn 3 different ways with items I currently own?
    1. How many outfits can I wear with this item?
    2. How many times can I wear this item?
  3. Is the item good quality? Is it a timeless colour and style for me?
  4. Does it fit me properly? If not, will I spend the extra time and money to get it tailored?
  5. Is this item sparking long term joy or am I only buying it for the trend?

I hope this post was helpful to you all! If any of you have any other shopping tips I would love to hear them in the comments below.

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