Are you looking to build a capsule wardrobe but don’t know where to start? This guide will teach you how to create a minimalist men’s wardrobe ready for anything.
Whether you’re a hardcore minimalist or a total clotheshorse, you’ve probably asked yourself, “How much clothing do I need?” It’s a valid question. While it’s okay to experiment with trends, maintaining a minimalist wardrobe requires you to pare down aggressively (and regularly).
With the exception of two-in-one shampoo conditioners, I like efficiency. I like things with multiple functions, like a Swiss Army knife. And that’s exactly what a men’s capsule wardrobe offers. Taking a capsule approach to your clothes is like turning your closet into a comprehensive multi-tool.
The ultimate goal? Imagine walking into your closet blindfolded, picking any top and pair of pants, and coming out looking great. Believe it or not, this is entirely possible. If you want to make dressing up easier, reduce clutter in your house, and save more time overall, read on. This concept is all about that.
But first, let’s answer an essential, fundamental question so we’re all on the same page. Exactly what is a capsule wardrobe? And what are the benefits of having one?
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential clothing that allows you to mix and match to achieve ultimate versatility while minimizing closet space. It allows you to have a variety of outfits for every occasion with as few garments as possible. Doing this requires choosing key pieces that you can get a lot of mileage out of. A capsule wardrobe should consist mainly of basics and essentials, perhaps solely of basics and essentials. However, you may sprinkle in statement pieces and colors depending on your style.
So, regarding watches, a capsule watch collection would include a dress watch and a sport watch, and that’s it. Of course, clothing is a lot more complex.
One person’s capsule may differ from another based on lifestyle, personal preferences, and location. For example, someone living in Aruba certainly won’t need as many jackets as someone who lives in Moscow. A banker will need more suit varieties than a logger. Someone who works for a fashion magazine and needs to look a particular way? Well, that person’s capsule wardrobe may differ in size compared to someone who works in engineering.
I know this minimalist wardrobe concept sounds ideal. However, it’s easier said than done, right? Maybe not. Let’s move on to the benefits of a minimalist wardrobe.
Benefits of a Minimalist Men’s Capsule Wardrobe
Are you feeling overwhelmed every time you walk into your closet? Or maybe there’s so much stuff packed in there that getting dressed is always a chore. If this sounds like you, you might benefit from building a fluff-free and versatile wardrobe. Here are a few outcomes of having a minimalist capsule wardrobe for men.
1. Getting Dressed Is Quick and Easy
With neutral colors, you can put together 100+ outfits with less than 20 wardrobe items.
This means that you’ll still look great no matter what you grab. Sounds pretty sweet, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want that kind of versatility built into their wardrobe?
2. More Closet Space
Most closets are full of clothes that never get worn and shoes that just collect dust. Imagine having a minimalist closet with plenty of space to see everything you own and enough room to avoid smashing your clothes together. This is good for anyone, but especially those with limited storage space in their home.
3. Less Mental Effort
A minimalist wardrobe makes getting dressed easy. It also frees up that extra brain space you would otherwise use every morning (and before every big event). There’s also an emotional weight we carry around when we own a bunch of stuff we don’t need (or even want). Unburdening yourself of this weight by getting rid of useless clothes feels great!
Minimalist Men’s Wardrobe: How to Build One
Now that you know what a capsule is, let’s discuss how to build one. But first, a quick caveat. I briefly touched on this earlier, but every man is different. We all have different preferences and lifestyles. Therefore, one man’s capsule wardrobe is different from the next.
For the sake of simplicity, as we discuss building a minimalist wardrobe, we’ll assume the following about your lifestyle:
- You wear business or smart casual outfits during the week.
- You wear casual clothes on the weekend.
- You wear a suit several times a year.
- You live in a temperate climate (so no extreme weather).
These criteria may not resonate with you, and that’s okay. Not everyone has this assumed lifestyle, and that’s okay. We want you to use these steps as a starting point to build your capsule wardrobe. If you need to, make adjustments according to your lifestyle and situation.
Furthermore, as you work your way through the list and need a deeper dive into a category, check out our Minimalist Collection Series:
All that said, let’s get started.
Step 1: Review Your Closet
If you’re making the shift to a minimalist or capsule wardrobe, the first thing you should do is assess your closet. Decide what you should eliminate and what to keep. If you haven’t worn something in the last 6 to 12 months, you should donate it. With everything remaining, invoke your inner Marie Kondo. If it doesn’t spark joy (or you don’t like it), get rid of it.
Step 2: Determine Your Needs
After you’ve purged and assessed your closet, you’ll need to determine your needs. We’ve already mentioned that your needs depend on your lifestyle. While we think every guy should own a suit, if your daily lifestyle is casual, you may not need more than one suit. Alternatively, if you spend your days in a suit and tie, you don’t need five pairs of jeans in your closet.
Step 3: Identify the Items You Need to Buy
Ideally, a capsule wardrobe contains 30 to 40 clothing items. This includes shirts, pants, jeans, athletic/athleisure wear, sweaters, and outerwear. After reviewing and purging your closet, you may need to refresh your pants collection. Or, perhaps you’ve realized your T-shirts are a few years old. There’s no time like the present to refresh and replace the items you need.
Step 4: Update Your Wardrobe Gradually, Without Drastic Changes
Restocking your closet can be expensive. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all at once. Consider the season–If it’s winter, restock your cold-weather wear. Conversely, if you’re short on tees and shorts in the summertime, it’s the perfect time to buy a few new pieces. If you don’t have the budget to splurge at once, it’s perfectly reasonable to wait until the appropriate season.
Tips on How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe for Men
The most universal way to build this concept is to focus on business casual styles because they are so wide-ranging. No matter how casual your life is, there’s always room for collars and structured tops. No matter how formal it is, you’ll always have weekends and after-work events to attend.
Starting with business casual when creating your capsule is like living in a centrally located neighborhood. With business casual as your nucleus, you’re equidistant from all other dress codes.
Here are other important things to consider.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
We all have different budgets, and that’s okay. However, when and where you can go for high-quality items in moderate fits that will last you a long time. For example, choose full-grain leather over fake leather. Silk blends are good because silk is a long-lasting textile. When it comes to aesthetic quality, you want cuts that are either slim (not skinny) or a bit looser. Regardless of the fit you choose, you want clean lines meaning your pants shouldn’t bunch at your shoes.
Consider Your Personal Style and Lifestyle
A capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring. However, if you want it boring, remember that conventional looks are also the most flattering. But, if you want your specific personality to shine through, there are ways to inject that into your closet. I already mentioned choosing your favorite colors, both base and accents.
Accessories are also a great way to personalize a minimalist outfit for men. You might prefer a dress watch over a sports watch—or vice versa. Maybe you like the sleek luxuriousness of a silk scarf or the coziness of a cashmere scarf.
Outerwear is another excellent way to express yourself. Do you prefer a utilitarian tan trench coat over an urbane black peacoat? Or perhaps you want a down-to-earth waxed jacket? Whether you’re in a t-shirt and jeans or a suit, any classic piece of outerwear will do.
How Many Items in a Minimalist Wardrobe? Centering Your Wardrobe Around Necessities
One of the points of a minimalist wardrobe is that you have all the necessities and nothing more (unless you want them, of course). Most minimalist wardrobes have 30 to 40 items, but you can get away with the bare minimum. Here is a list of 16 essential wardrobe items you should have:
- Neutral two-piece suit
- Dark wash jeans
- Light wash jeans
- Tan chinos
- A pair of shorts
- White dress shirt
- Light blue dress shirt
- Solid color button-up shirt
- Solid T-shirts (2)
- Solid sweaters (2)
- Leather dress shoes
- White
sneakers - Charcoal necktie
- Dark brown leather belt
Again, this minimalist men’s wardrobe list is the absolute bare minimum. Undergarments, activewear, etc., are not included in this list. But, if you’re a smart business casual guy, this short list makes getting dressed a breeze. Additionally, if you don’t own any of the items in the above list, they should be at the top of your list.
Expand on Essentials
If you took a peek at the absolute essential list and determined you need more, we have you covered. Here are a few more things to add to your men’s minimalist wardrobe list to round out your capsule wardrobe.
- Sport coat or blazer
- Wool trousers
- Another pair of neutral chinos
- Patterned dress shirt
- Patterned casual button-up shirt
- Short-sleeve button-up shirt
- Solid wool v-neck sweater
- Solid polo shirt
- Leather boots
- Leather loafers
- Mid-weight jacket
- Cold weather jacket
- Accessories–casual belt, everyday wristwatch, sunglasses, necktie, etc.
You want your wardrobe to be versatile and interchangeable. Sticking to neutrals helps best with this. However, don’t shy away from adding a dash of color to liven up your look.
Think About a Color Palette
Let’s discuss color a little more. You should have mostly core menswear colors: black, navy, gray, white, tan, brown, and olive—neutral colors. In fact, depending on your style, you might want to choose between black and brown instead of having both. If you prefer a more casual, Americana, English countryside, or even Western vibe, go for brown. If you like a chicer, urban, or formal look, black is the way to go.
You don’t have to choose between the two. Most of us will need both at some point. It’s just one way to minimize the paradox of choice in your closet since brown and black don’t always pair well together. However, every other color will pair well together.
To add seasonality, you might have different shades of the core colors. This might make up 20-30% of your capsule. Think sage green, light slate blue, cloud gray, etc. Then, if you want, you can add some pops of your favorite colors or patterns. This should make up less than 20% of your wardrobe. Technically, maroon falls into this category, but it goes well with most menswear neutrals.
How to Create a Minimalist Wardrobe on a Small Budget
The best thing about minimalist or capsule wardrobes is that they are ideal for guys on a budget. You don’t need a lot of things to feel or look your best. You just need to ensure that you can interchange everything in your wardrobe. Down the road, you might want to splurge on high-quality pieces. But for now, you can certainly build a capsule wardrobe relatively inexpensively.
Plan Your Purchases
You don’t have to buy your wardrobe all at once. Especially if you have pieces that work for you now. Think about the year ahead. Is your favorite white tee looking a bit dingy? Or maybe your jeans are starting to show considerable wear. If so, make a plan. You can aim to buy seasonally appropriate pieces when you need them. Pick up a new tee or two when the weather starts to warm up. Or stockpile your jeans and pants when the leaves change in the fall.
Stick to a Neutral Palette
We talked quite a bit about color a little bit ago, but if you’re on a limited budget you’ll want to lean into neutrals. Why? It’s because neutrals always pair seamlessly with one another. Therefore, owning a neutral capsule wardrobe maximizes the number of outfits you can create.
Take Your Time: Buy Gradually and Don’t Rush
Building a great wardrobe and improving and refining your style is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and enjoy the process. Determine your monthly budget and build your capsule little by little. Rome wasn’t built overnight, and your wardrobe doesn’t need to be either.
FAQs About The Minimalist Wardrobe
Here are your common questions about putting together a minimalist or capsule wardrobe.
What Is a Minimalist Wardrobe?
A minimalist wardrobe primarily focuses on having the fewest pieces. The terms “minimalist wardrobe” and “capsule wardrobe” are often used interchangeably, as we did in this article. At the end of the day, both of their goals are the same. They aim to declutter and simplify getting dressed by having essentials.
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
The purpose of a capsule wardrobe is to have a curated collection of clothes that you can easily mix and match. Often, capsule wardrobes have more items than a men’s minimalist wardrobe. Are Capsule Wardrobes Realistic?
Yes, having a capsule wardrobe is very realistic. You’re good to go as long as you have your clothing needs covered.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Capsule Wardrobes?
There are various pros and cons to having a capsule wardrobe. One of the main pros is the ease and time savings of getting dressed. With fewer options, tossing something on and walking out the door is certainly easy. Additionally, a capsule wardrobe is environmentally friendly, as you invest in fewer clothing items, minimizing your clothing waste.
On the other hand, you may get bored with a capsule wardrobe. Especially if you keep things to an absolute minimum or have a collection free of prints and color.
Men’s Minimalist Style: It’s Easier Than You Think
Creating a men’s capsule wardrobe seems intimidating. But if you use this guide as a starting point, you’ll have a foundation. Then, based on your experiences, you can personalize, update and remix it.
Building a capsule wardrobe makes getting ready in the morning a cinch, and it may also build your confidence. Also, it’s a sustainable choice that helps reduce fashion waste to minimize your environmental impact. Not only are you looking and feeling your best, but you’re saving the planet at the same time. That’s something to embrace and celebrate!
Do you have a capsule or minimalist wardrobe? We want to hear about it in the comments below!
