One of the biggest problems that modern women face is too much effort expended on figuring out what to wear, buying clothes unnecessarily, spending too much money on clothes, and contributing to textile waste. Without a lot of closet clutter, you will find it so much easier to prioritize your life.

You can alleviate things like synthetic fibers that clog up landfills, buy less clothing overall, and ultimately throw away less. By purchasing the right items you can have fewer clothing items that give you the biggest bang for your buck, long-term. This type of minimalist wardrobe is referred to as a capsule wardrobe.

What is it?

A capsule wardrobe is a timeless collection of about 30 pieces or so that are basic, classic, and flexible in the sense that they can be mixed and matched for any season and any occasion. All of these items are things that work together as well. The idea behind this philosophy is that if you cut out clothes you don't ever wear or clothes you don't need and focus instead on owning only high-quality, timeless pieces, you will get the most use out of every item in your wardrobe.

Wardrobe Checklist

Now that you know what it is, what should be in it?

The wardrobe you have will vary a bit based on your career, your lifestyle and of course, your personal taste. If you travel more than most or have a professional career, then adding some casual travel clothes or suits and heels to your list will be necessary.

The idea here is to declutter your current clothing. Recycle anything you haven’t worn in over a year. Do the same for things you can’t see yourself wearing in the future.

As you revise your closet, you will need to restock your inventory with some timeless capsule items. Remember that you can add a few trendy items to really flesh out the wardrobe you have. All of these basics serve as the foundation.

Women should have some basics including:

• 2-3 pants
• 2 sweaters
• 4 basic tops
• 2 button-down shirts
• 2 basic dresses
• 2 skirts
• A little black dress

Then, of course, there are the accessories that make each outfit convertible for the seasons like a trench coat, black pumps or nude flats, as well as sandals and sneakers.

Quality Matters

When you create your wardrobe, quality is one of the most important aspects. Just because you want to have a set of black pants, an olive green shirt, or a set of white shorts doesn't mean that you should pick the cheapest option or the one that is readily available from a mass-produced chain store.

These pieces are not meant to be ones you use or wear just a handful of times and then throw away. They are meant to be timeless, and items you can wear for years to come without having to add unnecessarily to your wardrobe.

The quality shows in the fabric you choose, the dye used, and the cut. High-quality clothing should have flattering cuts that make you feel beautiful and comfortable at the same time so that you are happy to wear all of the pieces all year round.

Cotton: The Fabric of Your Life and Your Timeless Capsule Wardrobe

The material that you choose for your wardrobe is very important. Synthetic fibers like rayon or polyester don't always offer the best quality and they won't offer the versatility that you need for a wardrobe that is intended to serve you functionally all year round.

 One of the most timeless fabrics is cotton. Cotton is versatile, breathable and it works for every season. More importantly, cotton is the easiest fabric to wash and maintain. It will never go out of style and you won't have to add to your dry cleaning bill in order to have stylish clothing.

Colour Matters

Block colours and prints are of particular importance. Black, navy blue, white, and olive green are the basic building blocks to a capsule wardrobe. White pants, shorts, or skirts make for spring and summer ensembles. When the weather changes, Autumn wardrobes can be livened up with basic pants or skirts mixed with a print top, even an orange top. During the winter months, outfits can be mixed and matched with blues, greys, greens, and blacks. Once spring rolls back around, printed tops and dresses make for an eventful outfit.

In the end, having premium-quality, staple items will last much longer than your average t-shirts and will be much more comfortable. All of the items in your timeless capsule wardrobe can be layered, they can be paired with boots, flats, or heels, to accommodate whatever the weather is. By having proper staple pieces in place you can create a stunning look easily, every day.