Affordable Capsule Wardrobe

Spring is the first season of the new year, and with four seasons of fashion trends promised over the next nine months, it can be really tempting to splash out on new clothing items: causing serious harm to our spring budget (which could be better spent on holidays, dinners out, date nights)!

From mob wife and office siren to ballet core and coastal beatnik (the cooler, older sister of last year’s coastal grandpa), fashion trends in 2025 are landing thick and fast.

To give things a little perspective, the UK apparel market was projected to generate more than £85 billion in revenue by the end of 2024, with the women’s clothing market worth £47 billion of that alone.

But also more than ever, fashion influencers are waking up to the effortless cool of a “personal brand"; in which no item or aesthetic is ‘trending’ and having a unique identity when it comes to style is the way to gain likes, clicks and follows.

Part of this fashion consciousness is the awareness of the harm of the fast fashion industry on the environment. Owning an extensive wardrobe a-la Cher from Clueless is decreasingly aspirational and people are turning to the ‘capsule wardrobe’ to maximise cupboard space and cut down on the carbon impact of their wardrobe.

The capsule wardrobe market is set to double by 2030, and as of February 2025, #capsulewardrobe has been used 1.3 million times on Instagram and 190,000 times on TikTok.

So what is a capsule wardrobe, and how do you go about creating one that is unique, stays true to your personal style, and creates dozens of great looks without needing a huge budget?

Rachel Clinkard, E-commerce Director at Charles Clinkard explains: "Capsule wardrobes consist of fewer items than the average person’s clothing collection, emphasising versatility over number of pieces. They can also be easily adapted for the weather, with a few seasonal items rotating around a collection of core pieces."

The name of the game is functionality and versatility; if you’ve heard of the 333 method (choose 33 items to wear for three months) then you’ll already have a good idea of what a capsule wardrobe should look like.

Read on for more tips on how to build your capsule wardrobe, what the essentials are, and more ways to keep to a tight budget.

How can I make sure I'll still love the clothes in my capsule wardrobe when styles change next season? I answer:

It's great to stay up to date with trends if you enjoy fashion, but there is a fine line between following trends and incorporating them into a style that is still yours. For example, mocha brown, butter yellow and cow print are trending.

So imagine that you have leopard print staples in your wardrobe already, and you don't think yellow suits you so you don't own any. A) can you find another pastel like powder blue or pistachio green in your wardrobe, instead of purchasing an item you won’t like once the trend cycle has moved on?

And B), instead of cow print, can you swap for a different animal print you already have, or another pattern like stripes or polka dot? By recreating the shape of an outfit (EG baby tee and palazzo trousers) and playing with colour and pattern, you can create outfits that follow the season’s trends with items you already own.

Contents:

1. Before you start buying
2. • Culling what you already have
   • Colour seasons can be helpful
   • Kibbe’s body types
   • Capsule checklist

3. The core essentials
4. Other tips
5. • Accessories
   • Shopping sustainably
   • Clothes shopping on a budget

   
   

   Before you start buying

   Culling what you already have

   Make space in your wardrobe for your new buys. Have a look through all your clothes and have an honest discussion with yourself about what you haven’t worn in a long time. Separate your clothes into a “definitely keep", “definitely sell" and “unsure" pile. I like to keep my unsure pile in a separate bag away from circulation and see if I find myself reaching for the pieces in there. If the “unsure" pile remains untouched for several months; well there’s your answer!

   Don’t do this with winter clothes in the summer and vice versa: just focus on the season you’re in. It’s way too easy to under estimate your use of that oversized and slightly ugly fleece, for example, when the sun is shining and it’s 25 degrees every day.

   For your “definitely sell" pile, here are some options for making some extra cash on the side:

   • Depop
   • Vinted
   • Vestiare Collective
   • Klekt

   You can also, of course, give them to your local charity shop, or donate them to a women’s shelter accepting clothes donations near you.

   Star tip: As a general rule, go for the one-in-one out approach to ensure you never end up with an overflowing wardrobe and clothes all over the place.

   
   

   Colour seasons

   What are the colour seasons?

   The colours are split into four core colour groups named after the seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Each season is then further divided into cool or warm, bright or soft, light or deep. There are 12 categories in total.

   This theory also relates to the jewellery finish that best suits you: gold or silver. Warm undertones look best in gold (typically) while cooler tones suit silver.

   What colour season am I?

   To find out which colour season best suits you, take a photo of yourself in natural lighting with no makeup (that part is important). Look at the undertone of your skin – is it warm or cool? Analysing the colour of your veins under your skin can help with this: green veins indicate a warm undertone, and blue or purple veins indicate a cool tone (according to Healthline). Winter and Summer work with cool tones, and Autumn and Spring work with warmth.

   Have a look at the contrast between your features: are they all light, all dark, or a combination of the two? Winter and Autumn work better with high contrast, and Summer and Spring with low.

   Or save yourself the hours of analysis and use a TikTok filter. I used the one named “COLOR ANALYSIS" by gracemchoi (pictured). Tap through until you find the one that makes you look most alive, brightens and evens your skin, emphasises your bone structure, and even makes eye circles appear less prominent. That is what wearing the correct colours can do for you!

   Lastly, if you’ve got the cash to spare, you can go for a professional consultation. From my brief research, I’ve found services in London to range from around £100 to £200+.

   
   

   Kibbe’s body types

   Want all your outfits to look magically harmonious and stylish on you? No it’s not a scam, at least not according to David Kibbe. In the 1980’s, Kibbe came up with the Kibbe’s archetype. This is a scale of five primary archetypes and eight ‘secondary’ archetypes for those who fit somewhere in between.

   Yin and yang are the underpinnings of this archetype, which is based on “essences" (a balance of a person’s masculine and feminine features). While yin is soft and round, yang is angular and sharp. Yang-heavy features don’t mean a person looks like a man, rather that they are tall, willowy, angular, and have a low amount of body flesh.

   A person’s bone structure, body flesh, and facial features have their own essence (yin or yang, or a combination) and these three combined make up a person’s Kibe type.

   A person’s bone structure, flesh, and face has its own essence, yin or yang, and these combined make up a person’s Kibbe archetype

   You can also sit between two of the types. For more detailed information on the Kibbe body types, read these two articles by Gabrielle Arrude, an introduction to the types and a Kibbe body type test you can take.

   Admittedly, the theory is disputed by some. But others claim that figuring out their Kibbe type and the clothes best associated with enhancing or complementing their archetype has meant that their outfits fit more harmoniously on their body and accentuate their best features.

   Once you’ve read these, have a look at how your newfound knowledge can help you pick clothes for your capsule wardrobe that’ll suit you longer than just sticking to trends. I like this article about how to dress for your Kibbe body type from The Concept Wardrobe.

   
   

   Capsule checklist: does it belong before you click ‘buy’?

   ▢ Timeless

   ▢ Versatile

   ▢ Fits your colour season

   ▢ Works for your Kibbe essence

   ▢ Has layering potential

   ▢ Is made of quality fabric (leather, cotton, rayon, silk)

   
   

   The core essentials

   Now you know what to be looking for in your capsule wardrobe buys, I’ll run you through the must-haves with help from the experts! I spoke to Catherine Lovell, Head of Design at Simply Be, designer Deborah Sheridan-Taylor, and Rachel Thomson, Managing Director at Humes Outfitters, to find out which items are essential in a capsule wardrobe.

   
   

   A white or neutral-toned t-shirt

   Ruby: “I buy all my t-shirts from H&M, Arket, and Okay to Rest. They are the best quality that I have been able to find, and I wear mine practically every day."

   Deborah: “Palette-wise, I lean towards, what I call ‘chameleon tones’, burgundies, browns, charcoals, taupes, black and navy. These colours adapt effortlessly to whatever they’re paired with. I always use the example, if you had to get dressed in the dark each piece would come together seamlessly. When editing a client’s wardrobe, the hard-working neutrals will always survive the edit, getting re-styled, re-worn and reinvigorated season after season. If you’re looking for a print or pattern, stick to a polka dot, a stripe for timeless appeal."

   Catherine thinks, “You can't go wrong with [a striped t-shirt]; a super chic staple, and with coastal looks emerging, this is the perfect piece."

   
   

   Denim jeans

   Deborah: “Jeans should feel lived-in, authentic and worn. I often recommend Levi’s 501s or 550s (slightly more tapered) to my clients, as they exude that understated effortless cool. A trench coat is another must-have, it's perfect for all seasons and you can make a significant saving by opting for a vintage version. There are thousands out there, just make sure you get the colour right - Opt for a classic beige, khaki or maybe a rich inky black?"

   Ruby: “I agree, Levi’s is a classic choice! I buy my denim secondhand since it tends to be very durable. Apparently the best material isn’t 100% cotton like you’d think, but a cotton blend with a small amount of elastane (2% or thereabouts); this stops the knees from getting baggy when you spend long periods of time sitting down."

   
   

   Shirt

   Deborah: “An oversized crisp white cotton-poplin shirt is another key piece, which can also double up as a light jacket. Add another more 'mensey’ shirt, option in a darker tone and/or a vintage silk blouse, maybe with a pussy-bow, to add that chic "je ne sais quoi,".

   Ruby: “The three shirts I own are Djerf Avenue – they have a really flattering fit, which I buy secondhand through Depop and Vinted (to avoid paying import fees!) My most worn are white and blue which go with most outfits that have a white tee or trainer, or a blue jean. I love a put-together outfit that requires minimal effort."

   
   

   Knit jumper

   Deborah: “A marl grey sweatshirt, preferably vintage, but well-chosen if not, as is a perfect casual piece that gets better with age. A relaxed quality fine knit sweater, in a versatile colour is essential, as it’s the perfect accessory, thrown over your shoulders, tied around the waist of a dress, or indeed worn as an actual sweater!"

   Catherine: “[Cardigans] are so versatile, and if you buy them in a finer knit or pointelle, they look super pretty!"

   
   

   Blazer

   Rachel: “A tailored blazer is a must-have. Heritage-inspired blazers suit smart and casual outfits, and they are warm enough for chilly breezes yet light enough for when the sun does make an appearance."

   Deborah: “A black blazer is an absolute, it’s one of the strongest pieces you can own, a single-breasted style is your safest bet. It can be literally thrown over everything, creating that effortless modern silhouette. For more options, add a second blazer, something vintage, like a lightweight houndstooth blazer, or a 90s-inspired leather aviator jacket."

   Ruby: “I love a blazer as part of a two-piece. If you can match the colour of your blazer with a knit tee, a skirt, or a pair of comfy trousers, you’ve got three outfits that are pretty much guaranteed to work no matter what else you wear your two-piece with."

   
   

   Maxi or midi skirt

   Ruby: Deborah says, “My tip is to always consider going up a size, (or two), as a slightly oversized fit can instantly elevate the overall look of an outfit, by adding volume and fluidity," and I think that a maxi skirt adds the same effect to your outfit. Get volume from a tiered or gathered maxi if you’re a romantic body type, or create the silhouette your dramatic body type needs with a satin midaxi skirt. A skirt will always work both dressed up and dressed down, as long as you create harmony by having a combination of the two in the following: hair, shoes, bottoms, top, jacket.

   
   

   Jacket

   Catherine: “I like both a shacket (shirt-jacket) and a barn jacket for layering. Look out for jackets in suede or washed cotton twill."

   Ruby: “Remember, suede is leather, so genuine and quality pieces will have their leather composition listed. If you are vegan, as Catherine mentions, a cotton twill is a feel-alike swap. You can also try buying your suede secondhand instead of swapping for a polyester ‘vegan suede’ alternative."

   
   

   Longline coat

   Rachel: “[Pair] a lightweight trench, a tailored blazer, a versatile dress, a classic knit, and a few well-chosen accessories like a silk scarf or leather handbag can form the foundation of a wardrobe that goes beyond fleeting trends."

   Ruby: “My trench is single-layered wool from Mango, making it perfect for wearing alone on warm days and great to add layers under in the winter. It was costly at the outset but it’s lasted since winter 2016. Also, it’s a neutral stone/brown colour meaning it goes with absolutely everything and has never gone out of fashion."

   Deborah: “With these [core pieces] you can afford to spend a little more, because the cost-per-wear will decrease over time."

   
   

   A dress

   Rachel: “Whether you opt for a flowing midi dress for a weekend escape or a structured shirt dress for a polished daytime look, layering summer dresses with a fine merino wool or cashmere knit can help you stay warm without adding bulk like a chunky knit would."

   Deborah: “Speaking of dresses, a simple midi-length shift dress is an excellent option, ideally one that can be worn loose or belted. A cool vintage belt can take this to the next level, (I just found a vintage 90s Dior red leather double belt in snakeskin on Ebay for a client, which has added tremendous oomph to everything we've paired it with.)"

   Catherine: “Finally, a soft summer dress, like a Tea Dress is always a winner as it can be layered up in so many ways."

   Ruby: “I purchased my tea dresses on Depop by searching for the brands ‘House of CB’, ‘Free People’ and ‘Princess Polly’. For shift dresses, I like ‘Rat and Boa’, ‘Meshki’ and ‘Reformation’."

   
   Secret item 10: What about shoes? These are harder since the terrain you live on will affect which shoes are more appropriate for your capsule wardrobe.

   Consider having a pair of neutral coloured trainers. Trainers like Salomon’s and Merrells are a popular choice particularly if you live somewhere rainy. A sandal is a must if you live in a hotter climate, again stick to a neutral colour and something with insole support. Birkenstocks have been a popular city-to-beach-to-countryside option for the past few years. As seen with these three brands and others trending on Footasylum and Schuh, footwear does seem to be trending in a more practical direction, but there is also always space for a dressy heel or ballet slipper in your wardrobe for occasions.

   Rachel Clinkard adds: "A good “day-to-night" shoe is the Mary Jane. Sleek and elegant, you can pop them on in the morning to head to the office, then step out after work for some drinks with colleagues or dinner with friends. You might opt for a slimmer strap and silhouette or something sturdier for added comfort during long days."

   Will my clothes really last longer if I spend more?

   Unfortunately, the phrase "buy cheap buy twice" is true in some cases. While I'd never spend £35 on a white cotton tee I know will stain and need replacing in 12 months, items like shoes and jackets should be priorities for a higher budget. The increased price tag will improve the material, binding, fastenings and style of the garment you purchase: making it less prone to damage. I've had shoe soles fall off after less than a year's wear on a "cheap" £20 pair of sandals, but my £90 Birkenstock sandals I bought in 2013 lasted me ten years before they needed replacing.

   
   
   

   
   

   Other tips and tricks for building a cheap capsule wardrobe

   
   

   Accessories

   Small accessories are often cheaper than clothing items, and are a great way to add some interest to your outfit using colour. If your budget for re-vamping your wardrobe is very low, why not pull together some really simple outfits with what you already have and see which accessories could add dimension?

   My favourites that get the most wear:

   ✰ Claw hair clips (a patterned and a plain one in the same colour as your other accessories)

   ✰ Colour-lens sunglasses

   ✰ Bangles

   ✰ Colourful socks (my favourites are leopard print)

   ✰ Beaded and rope necklaces

   ✰ Lace shoelaces with attached charms

   ✰ A silk scarf that works for hair, as a belt, as a top, and tied around the neck in several ways

   ✰ Necklace charms that can be hooked onto hoop earrings

   ✰ My water bottle! A green House of Sunny and Chilly’s collab that goes really well with other green items

   
   

   Shopping sustainably

   As I mentioned earlier in the article, the saying “buy cheap buy twice" often holds true. If you find that pieces are falling outside your budget, try perusing in your local charity shops and on online reselling platforms like Rokit Vintage, GoThrift and Preworn. I like to travel to more affluent areas in which to shop and have found some charity shop great bargains on items I’d never have been able to afford new.

   More tips for sustainable (and affordable) clothes shopping include:

   • Purchase items that aren’t your size and learn to upcycle them! Whether you’re simply tailoring a pair of trousers to be the right length, or completely changing a dress into a skirt and top two piece, there are alterations that can be made at any skill level. Bonus benefit: you’ll have an item of clothing that no one else has!
   • Organise a clothes swap with your friends and family, or even colleagues! This one is a no-brainer.
   • Look for the closest kilo sale near you. These events allow you to fill a bin liner with preloved clothing and pay according to weight. But be careful: a kilo of clothes is less than you think! I’ve been caught out by this before.

   
   

   Clothes shopping on a budget

   Always use discount codes

   It’s a no-brainer as a Savoo employee I’ll always recommend using a discount code first of all. If one isn’t active right now then wait a few weeks as it’s likely one will roll around. Have a look at the codes we have here at Savoo, sign up to our newsletter to get a variety of discount codes sent to you, or sign up to the newsletter of the brand you are interested in to get targeted and specialised vouchers for your wishlist items.

   ASOS, NA-KD and Simply Be are known for having multiple codes available here at Savoo every single month!

   Shop out of season

   What are the benefits of shopping in the sale for next year? I share why it's my go-to strategy for getting cheap fashion:

   End of season sales often have some of the largest discounts as retailers try to shift excess stock before removing it from store; think 70%, even 80% off! I use this strategy to shop for items I know I'll need and love next year: whether it's a plain white vest top, some wellies, a black leather jacket, a bikini. I would advise against using this strategy to shop for trending items like a milkmaid top, cowboy boots, or anything crochet! While you might love it this year, it might be totally not your style next year and you might never get any wear out of it, making the big sale discount redundant!