Should You Buy a Capsule Wardrobe? 3 Tips to Set You Up for Success

Should You Buy a Capsule Wardrobe? 3 Tips to Set You Up for Success image snippet

When deciding whether or not to buy a capsule wardrobe, there are some timeless tips you should keep in mind. Aday made this guide to help ensure you're not wasting money on clothes you don't need, and utilizing the best part of a capsule wardrobe: owning fewer pieces of clothes, and wearing those pieces more.

1. Versatility

How can you actually create a capsule wardrobe of high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits? Versatility is key. When buying a capsule wardrobe, look for pieces that can be dressed up or down, and that can be worn in multiple ways. These pieces should be timeless, not trendy, so that you don't have to worry about losing interest in them after a few months. 

One of the most versatile pieces in your closet is a little black dress. It's been a staple for decades because it's appropriate for every occasion: from work, to formal events. A dress with an a-line silhouette is also flattering and will last for longer than something formfitting because as you grow, change, and your lifestyle does as well, you'll still be able to wear this piece with regularity and ease. 

Little Black Dress from Aday in Pinstripe


"Fits perfect and in a no wrinkle crisp fabric" 
- Lori S., Verified Aday Customer


2. Quality 

Capsule wardrobes are the best value for you (and your closet!) when they last a long time. So it's important to choose items that are well-made and durable. How can you tell? Look for brands with sustainability or fabrics sections of their websites and see where they make their clothes, what raw, or recycled, materials they are using, and how they approach quality. 

Capsule wardrobes are the anti-thesis of fast fashion, so if a brand or website has no information about their fabrics, but is constantly pushing out new pieces, that's a pretty good sign that they aren't proud of their quality. This normally leads to trendy pieces that will rip or tear after just a few wears and washes, which is exactly what you want to stay away from when building your capsule wardrobe. Instead, look for fabrics that will hold up well over time, such as natural materials like cotton, wool, and silk. 

You can also look at a products reviews to make sure that verified customers have found the clothing to be as advertised. Reviews can also help you determine whether or not the clothes run true to size, how they look on different body types, and how they feel on the skin. You can get all this information before you purchase, just by looking at reviews! 

"The essentialist tee is perfection. I now have 4 of them! They are long so can be worn with leggings and so soft and drape in the perfect way. I’m obsessed."
- Nicole S., Verified Aday Customer


One of the best high-quality staples to add to your capsule wardrobe is a t-shirt made from natural materials. T-Shirts are capsule wardrobe staples because of how many different ways you can wear, layer, and accessorize them. T-Shirts also need to be replaced very often if they aren't high quality, because you'll wear and wash them so much. Finding a t-shirt that has a flattering fit, and is made of natural materials will feel better on your skin for longer. 



3. Comfort 

Another important factor to consider when buying a capsule wardrobe is comfort. Since you'll be wearing these clothes frequently, you want to make sure they feel good and fit well. Look for items that are tailored to your body and that allow for a range of motion. The best pieces for a capsule wardrobe should also be easy to care for, likely by being machine washable. If your capsule wardrobe in inconvenient, you'll wear those pieces less, which is the opposite of what you want. Finding machine washable, classic pieces will make your life so much easier.

"I really like the versatility of these pants. You can fold the hem to make it shorter. I love the stretchy and high quality fabric. I love the high waist. I recommend these pants to those who care about their comfort as much as being stylish." 
- Sarap E., Verified Aday Customer


You don't have to sacrifice comfort for style, either. You can have a capsule wardrobe that's stylish as well as comfortable by focusing on classic silhouettes with added stretch. For example, think about how you buy pants. You'll need a pair of classic pants in your capsule wardrobe, so what does a classic pants silhouette look like? Avoid skinny jeans, trendy distressed pants, or an unflattering cuts. Try something like a straight leg, which is a polished, timeless, and versatile cut. A mid-rise or high-rise pant will be both stylish and flattering, and you can look specifically for an elastic waistband to allow for maximum comfort. A pant that fits these criteria will be stylish for years and comfortable for wearing often. That makes it an excellent choice for a capsule wardrobe. 



Expert Tip: Finding travel-friendly pants can save you time and space when packing a capsule wardrobe for a trip. Wrinkle-free items, or again, machine washable pieces will be lifesavers when you arrive in a new place and can wear your clothes right away as opposed to having to find an iron or steamer in a new place. 

Now, you're ready to buy a capsule wardrobe!

You know exactly how to find the pieces you're looking for: checking for versatility, quality, and comfort. Remember these tips when shopping and you can rest assured that you won't be making any unnecessary impulse purchases. If you don't feel like you're ready to buy capsule wardrobe pieces one at a time, you can also look for pre-designed capsules that are built with these tips in mind.

This  Stretch Classics Capsule is a great capsule wardrobe starter pack. It includes 5 pieces made from a high-quality Italian fabric, all of which are machine-washable and designed with flattering comfort in mind. You can buy the items separately or as a capsule, so you can find exactly what you're searching for without fear of buying too much.