If it takes you hours to get ready in the morning and you hear yourself saying ‘I have nothing to wear’ on a daily basis, then creating a capsule wardrobe might be the solution for all of your fashion dilemmas.

A capsule wardrobe is a selection of around 30 interchangeable pieces (give or take) that capture the true essence of your style, suit your lifestyle and can be pulled together quickly and for any occasion. Think of them as the bare bones of your wardrobe or the pieces you absolutely can’t live without.

Building the perfect capsule wardrobe is all about planning and restraint. Curate your wardrobe so you are only left with the key items you wear most regularly, there is no room for ‘maybe items’. If you are not ready to throw out all the other items, put them into storage to sample this new way of living or each season rotate items in and out to keep your look fresh and seasonal.

The 30 items should include tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear and shoes and should not include workout clothes, swimsuits, underwear, pajamas and accessories. The challenge is to then only wear these items for the next three months. It’s pretty much like planning your outfits for the next three months all at once, which is going to save you endless amounts of time and energy and stop you from feeling like you have nothing to wear. Keep in mind the goal for this exercise is to strip your wardrobe back to basics, so keep your purchases to a bare minimum if possible, and only purchase at the start of the season – you need to be frugal here ladies! Once you have invested in the building blocks it will be easy to add in key pieces and on-trend accessories each season to keep your look interesting.

Living out of a capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to be dull. Instead you will end up wearing your best clothes all the time and not only just for special occasions. It will also eliminate your morning headache and ensure that you have ‘less quantity, more quality’ when it comes to your style. To make the transition easier, just remember that less is always more.

Originally published on TheTrendSpotter 28/08/2015