Arriving at your new accommodation and squeezing your tumescent suitcase through your door is a university tradition. I remember leaving home with my suitcases, worried that I would regret not packing one more pair of fluffy socks, which would sentence me to shivering, frostbitten feet in the chilly British weather. Even after you manage to unpack all your clothes (discovering that you didn’t pack enough hangers!), you may still find yourself hunting around different charity shops or Vinted to find that item that will “finally complete” your wardrobe.
So how do you avoid this fashion frenzy?
A capsule wardrobe aims to minimise the number of clothes in your wardrobe while maximising the number of outfits. About 70% of a capsule wardrobe consists of everyday staples, and the rest includes your statement pieces. Your everyday items are going to be your most versatile pieces, which you can mix and match. Then your statement items will complete the look, and make the outfits uniquely you! This leaves you with an endless amount of looks, without needing a never-ending wardrobe or income!
Now that you’ve hopefully been convinced to build a capsule wardrobe, where do you begin? Use the guide below to build your dream collection!
Step 1: Declutter and clean out!
University is the perfect time to give you (and your wardrobe) a makeover! Take a look at your clothes, shoes, and accessories and take out everything that you always wear. Not only will this let you know what clothes you are guaranteed to wear regularly at university, but it will also give you great insight into your personal style. Are you currently leaning towards more comfortable and cosy clothes? Or are you noticing a pattern of bold colours and prints? Keep this in mind as you build your collection.
Next, take out the items you never wear. Organise these clothes into three piles: the ‘Absolutely Nots’, occasion wear, and items you love but rarely wear. You can sell, donate, or upcycle any items you have placed in the first pile. Try to see if there are similarities between the items that you have placed into this pile. Have you stopped wearing animal print? Or have you opted out of leather clothes and accessories?
These steps will give you a deeper understanding of what you like versus what you actually wear, and might prevent you from splurging on trendy items in the future!
Step 2: Stop, don’t shop!
After you have gained enough insight into items that you like to wear, now is not the time to indulge in new clothes. Instead, take time to consider what you will need at university. For example, if your subject requires lab work, you will need to ensure that you have clothes that provide enough coverage. Also, some sports clubs may require you to have the right sportswear, which will be another investment.
Another thing to consider is how frequently you will do your laundry. At my first-year accommodation, a wash cycle cost £3.10, and the dryer cost £2.10 per use! Investing in anti-odour and quick-drying clothing could help save you money and time!
Finally, the most important condition to keep in mind is the weather! Britain is known for its turbulent weather. In one week, you could be subjected to scorching heat, torrential rain, and powerful winds! So remember to include weather-specific clothes, like raincoats and summer hats.
Taking all of this into account can be extremely overwhelming. But it will be essential in helping you narrow down your wardrobe, which we begin in step 3.
Step 3: The foundation of a wardrobe
Start packing your suitcase with your most versatile pieces that are harmonious together, and with more bold items. This means selecting clothing with neutral colours, such as black, brown, navy, cream, white, and beige. You may also want to avoid eye-catching fabrics and prints, for example, leather and velvet. (Don’t worry, these bold items can be included in the next step!) These items must also be functional and high-quality. They should be comfortable, walkable, and able to endure British weather.
A good beginning guide is to follow the 54321 rule. This means that your wardrobe foundation consists of five tops, four trousers, three shoes, two dresses or layers (i.e. vests, base layers, cardigans), and one accessory. The five tops and four trousers alone can give you 20 outfits!
This should only act as a base plan, and you can add to it depending on your style. As a bit of an accessory connoisseur, I would include more jewellery in this stage of my wardrobe building. However, each piece will still be suitable and coherent with different outfits. Use that first pile you made of your go-to items (refer to step one) for your inspiration at this point! You could opt to swap out some of the tops for jumpers, or some trousers for skirts, if these items match your style and needs more!
Once you’ve completed this step, you will have built your wardrobe’s foundation! Don’t stress if you’re looking at your wardrobe, worried about the lack of colour and variety. This next step will add that spark your collection is currently missing!
Step 4: Add a splash of colour!
Now you can start to add those statement pieces to your wardrobe, to make it distinct and perfect your you!
To initiate this process, look at your third pile, the one with clothes you love but struggle to style (refer to step one). Experiment with these items to see if you can create outfits with the final selection of clothes from step three. Keep planning different options until you have narrowed down this third pile into a few items you know you can’t part with.
If you are still struggling to find your statement pieces, focus on the ‘final elements’ of an outfit (i.e. coats, jackets, jewellery, belts, etc.). I have noticed that most people of campus tend to keep the basis of their outfit simple, and add colour, an interesting texture, or a bold print with chunky jewellery, leather jackets, or a brightly coloured coat.
Step 5: The final pieces
This final step is all about adding those items that you won’t be wearing on a day-to-day basis.
After you’ve sifted through the statement-piece pile, you have had a look through your occasion wear section (see step one). There will be plenty of opportunities for you to wear more formal attire, including society events, department formals, and balls. From your second pile, choose a couple of your favourite occasion wear. I would recommend having one winter and one summer outfit since most of these events occur at the end of the calendar and academic year. Don’t forget to pack a pair of matching shoes or heels!
At this stage you should also pack and sportswear, pyjamas, and undergarments. You have now completed your university wardrobe!
Now that you have packed all your clothes, you can shift your focus to the millions of other things you need to pack! Remember that you can always alter and swap out your wardrobe so it accommodates your new lifestyle.