CAPSULE WARDROBE 101
In 1930, the average woman had just 36 items in their closet. Today, it’s over 120.
WHAT IS A CAPSULE?
Capsule Wardrobe (n): a smaller wardrobe full of thoughtfully-chosen items you can easily mix and match
Before a Capsule Wardrobe
With a Capsule Wardrobe
Why wardrobe habits matter
Most of what we wear each day isn’t a conscious decision — it’s habit.
Over time, people develop clothing routines based on comfort, ease, and repetition. Certain items get worn the same way again and again, while others stay untouched in the closet. These patterns aren’t about fashion trends — they’re about behavior.
When a wardrobe grows without intention, habits take over:
You reach for what feels easiest
You default to the same combinations
You stop evaluating whether your clothes actually support your life
This is why many closets feel full but still don’t work. The issue isn’t a lack of clothes — it’s a lack of structure.
A capsule wardrobe helps break these cycles by reducing excess and making each item intentional. Instead of reacting to habits, you design a wardrobe that supports how you actually live.
How habits form in our closets
Clothing habits form the same way any routine does — through repetition and convenience. When there are too many options, decision fatigue sets in. When clothes don’t work together, people stop experimenting. Over time, wardrobes become reactive instead of supportive.
Understanding these patterns is the first step toward dressing with clarity and confidence.
Why a capsule wardrobe works.
IT STARTS WITH CLOTHES YOU OWN AND LOVE
Your wardrobe already has gems. You may just need to work to uncover them.
REDUCES THE NUMBER OF DECISIONS
Having a smaller wardrobe reduces your decision making, saving your brainpower for when you need it most.
CREATES A COHESIVE, SIGNATURE STYLE
Mixing and matching “signature items” with quality basics will define your style and help achieve an effortless look.
IT’S A PRACTICE, LIKE YOGA
It’s a new way of thinking about clothes that you engage in over and over again to become more mindful and free.
Live more, own less
“I wanted to get organized and more intentional with my wardrobe and stumbled upon Cladwell on Pinterest. I LOVED the simplicity and sophistication and decided to try it. Cladwell helped me see what I was really wearing, or better yet NOT wearing.”
— @malaikaskloset
A capsule wardrobe is rooted in who you are, not what you buy.
It’s a radical act against consumerism. It’s letting go of all the things you were told about style and embracing who you actually are (and who you can be).
It’s becoming fully untamed, ready to explore.
Join thousands of people who are living a bigger life with a smaller wardrobe.