How to Have a Minimalist Wardrobe While Staying Stylish in 2024

In today’s fashion scene, waste is utterly out of vogue. Updating your closet when needed is perfectly fine, but constantly getting rid of clothes to make space for the next new collection is unnecessary. This is where a capsule wardrobe comes in — it’s about making the most of your limited clothes. 

Keeping your closet minimalist does not have to be boring. It just requires having versatile pieces you can mix and match for a greater number of outfits to choose from with fewer items. Discover what a minimalist wardrobe is and learn tips on making a more significant impact with your outfits.

What is a Minimalist Wardrobe?

This refers to having a hand-picked set of clothes you can mix and match to create many outfits. A minimalist wardrobe’s goal is to simplify your closet, investing in high-quality garments and eliminating items that don’t reflect your personal style.

Tips to Create a Capsule Wardrobe

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a capsule wardrobe and determining the number of items in a minimalist wardrobe.

1. Get Rid of What You Do Not Need

The first step to any minimalist closet is reducing the clothes you never wear. Do you still have an old Halloween costume you think you might wear again but never do? It’s high time to donate it. Do you fill your hangers with fancy blouses and dresses you love to look at but have nowhere to wear them to? You should probably ask a few friends if they’d wear them more.

At its core, it’s not about the number of items in your minimalist wardrobe — it’s about retaining or investing in clothes that make you happy. Practicing this lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to throw out everything but the bare bones, but it does ask you to challenge the hold particular objects have on you. Keep everything valuable, but consider starting your minimalism journey by giving away some clothes you don’t wear.

2. Buy Clothing You Can Wear Year-Round

You’ll naturally have some clothes that only work for summer and winter, but could you have more multi-season pieces? When learning how to have a capsule wardrobe, try buying more clothes fitting your style rather than what you can wear in the future. Perhaps you could buy shirts that work as their outfits and layers for the colder months.

Having stackable garments means fewer distracting elements in your closet or drawers. Does getting dressed sometimes feel like a chore because you have “nothing” to wear? More mix-and-match options might help you reduce the pre-work or party panic.

3. Shop Secondhand So You Can Spend on Bigger Pieces

You can keep a minimalist wardrobe stylish by saving money for more expensive yet multi-purpose items. It’s essential to remember to prioritize quality over the number of items in your minimalist wardrobe. Thrift stores and garage sales are treasure troves of high-quality clothes at more affordable prices. Shopping for pre-loved items is an excellent way to boost your wardrobe while saving the planet.

When you buy pricier staple pieces, try to shop from ethical brands to help the Earth with your shopping decisions. If you worry about not having the proper for a black-tie event, you could always save up to rent something from an online designer rental store. These fashion brands allow you to stay fashionable while keeping minimalism in mind.

4. Work Within Your Budget

Completing a capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Think about how versatile the clothes you already own are when you pair them with different clothing. Don’t feel bad for owning fast-fashion pieces, especially if they still serve you well. Try to pair essential and fast-fashion items interestingly to save money and spend it on higher-quality clothing later.

5. Take Care of Your Clothes

Accidents will happen — your apparel will probably get a stain or a tear. However, that doesn’t mean you should toss it in the trash and go out to find a replacement. Find a way to mend the damage to keep your items as fresh as possible. Learn how to sew and alter minor clothing issues to save money on costly alteration fees. 

However, it all boils down to how you care for your clothes. Remember to follow the proper cleaning instructions so they last much longer than throwing them all in a warm-water washing machine. It may require some ironing or even hand washing if you want to use less water, but it’s all worth it to extend the life of everything in your closet.

How Many Items Should You Have in a Minimalist Wardrobe?

The number of clothes in a capsule wardrobe depends on the year-round climate in your location. For instance, consider stocking up on more long-sleeved shirts if you experience more severe winter months. However, just to give you a benchmark, a typical capsule wardrobe commonly has between 30 and 50 items but can have as few or as many clothes as you want. 

Here’s a basic rundown of an average minimalist wardrobe:

• 10 to 12 shirts and blouses, ranging from basics, patterned tees, button-ups and blouses
• Four blazers and cardigans and two more if you reside in a colder area
• Six various bottoms, ranging from shorts, leggings, pants, denim jeans and skirts
• Four pairs of shoes for daily wear, special occasions, casual days and sports
• Five dresses for casual days, special occasions and formal events

Accessories and jewelry such as scarves, hats, belts and earrings don’t count in your capsule wardrobe. Fitness gear, sleepwear, undergarments and costumes for special occasions also don’t count.

The important thing is to create a set of basic items and a few trendy ones that align with your style and lifestyle. Build a foundation with the classics and add other pieces occasionally if they deem fit.

Combine Basics and Flair by Having a Minimalist Wardrobe

Focusing on minimalism in your closet doesn’t mean wearing the same five neutral shirts each week. Instead, imagine how you can create a year-long personal style while finding sustainable shopping options and caring for the items you own. Try following these quick tips on how to have a minimalist wardrobe to keep your closet — and mind — clear.

Original Publish Date Feb 22, 2023 — Updated 5/29/2024