By Milly McKinnish

An online exclusive of REFINE’s 2019 Sustainability Issue. Read the complete edition here.

Photo by JULIE WHITE / REFINE Magazine ; Fall Sustainability Issue

Everyone’s totally into minimalism now, which is awesome for both our budgets and the environment. And minimalism at its finest is the capsule wardrobe.

While capsule wardrobes have been all the rage recently, the idea originated in the 1970s. Susie Faux, a British boutique owner, created the genius idea to limit your wardrobe to a handful of necessities and a few seasonal items.

At first, revolutionizing your closet can seem daunting. However, Americans on average buy 71 new pieces of clothing and shoes per year, but only wear 20 percent of their wardrobe.

Are you a shopaholic? A capsule wardrobe could be the cure. The beauty of it is that all that shopping is simply not necessary. You’ll only need to go shopping four times: once at the beginning of every season. During your quarterly shopping trip, you’ll purchase any items necessary for the season (for tips on that, skip to the last section).

where do I start? How do I create one?

It’s time to slim down your closet, sell all your unwanted clothes on Depop or Poshmark, and invest in some classics.

Streamlining your wardrobe is a time consuming investment—you should set aside a few hours to sift through your closet.

With each clothing item, ask yourself:

When did I last wear it?
Is it versatile?
Do I feel good in it?

If the answers are yes, keep the piece! If you said no to any items, it’s time to say goodbye. During this process of elimination, it is essential to be real with yourself. Yes, you may love how you look in your senior prom dress, but how often do you get the chance to wear it?

Once you’ve narrowed down your closet, it’s time to assess. Are you missing any essentials? Business casual trousers or a sturdy pair of sneakers, maybe? Now’s the time to fill in the gaps of your closet.

After that, you’re all good to go! The next time you’ll have to go clothing shopping will be when the season ends and it’s time to replenish your closet with seasonal favorites.

What do I even include?

Seasonal staple pieces are key for any capsule wardrobe. Below are some suggestions to get you started:

Winter: coat, sweater, snow boots, scarf

Fisherman Bell Sleeve Sweater, American Apparel, $58

Spring: sundress, rain boots, romper, midi skirt

Summer: sandals, shorts, bathing suit, tank

Fall: blazer, jeans, cardigan, hoodie

Jacquard Boyfriend Blazer for Women, Old Navy, $45

Basics: little black dress, white t-shirt, heels, blouse

Rayon Stand Collar ¾ Sleeve Blouse, UNIQLO, $29.90

Now is a perfect time to start your capsule wardrobe: prep for the upcoming cold winter months and take advantage of those sweet holiday sales.

How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe