BUILDING A CAPSULE WARDROBE FOR COLLEGE

My capsule wardrobe of the week.

Introduction

College is very hectic. With the stresses of class, maybe a part-time job, internships, and just staying sane, choosing outfits every day can be a hassle. Building a capsule wardrobe can help ease the stress of looking “put-together” when you are in a rush for everything else. Here are simple steps you can take to build your wardrobe for each week.

Step 1: The Basics

Every capsule wardrobe has a set of basic items, and this looks different for everyone. Maybe you’re the type of person who HAS to have a leather jacket in their options. Or maybe you just HAVE to have a pair of blue jeans. It doesn’t matter what the item is. As long as it is an essential for YOU, it has to be included in your capsule wardrobe.

For me, I have to have my leather jacket, a pair of cargos, a black top, and a white top. Doesn’t matter what the occasion or the weather is like, I MUST have those pieces.

Feat. my essential leather jacket.

Step 2: The Weather

As a college student, the most important thing you need to worry about is the weather for the week. With the constant walking around campus and unexpected weather changes, it is crucial that you are prepared for anything. For example, I always make sure to check the weather at the beginning of the week to get a SENSE of what it’s like. If there’s a lot of rain, sun, or snow, I use that information to pick out my pieces accordingly.

For example, if the forecast has a lot of rain, I make sure to include a rain jacket in my wardrobe, or a puffer jacket for if it’s cold/snowy. Or shorts if it’s sunny.

But don’t be fooled by the forecast that you see at the beginning of the week. It’s crucial that you check the weather everyday and see what it’s like hour by hour so that you can plan accordingly. We all know that the weather can be very unpredictable at times.

This step will help fill out your capsule wardrobe even more, in addition to the basics.

Step 3: The Occasion

Another crucial thing to consider is what you have going on during that week. For example, if you’re attending a career fair, PUT A BLAZER IN YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE. Or if you have some sort of sporting event, include necessary pieces for that. This will also help you be more organized in figuring out what you have going on in a given week.

Ex. I had a meeting on this day, so I dressed a little fancier in the sense that it's more "professional".

Step 4: Layers

This kind of goes hand in hand with step 2 (the weather), but like I mentioned before, when you’re walking around campus all day, the temperature can vary dramatically throughout the day. It’s currently early fall-time in New England so the temperature variance is anywhere between 40 degrees in the mornings to 75 in the afternoons.

That is why it’s important to include versatile pieces that you can layer. Think about things like lightweight jackets, button-ups, or an even a thin winter coat that you can easily use if it gets too cold or take off if it gets too hot. For example, I always keep a hoodie or a light jacket with me at all times.

Step 5: Shoes

Shoes can make or break an outfit, but if I’m being completely honest, I literally just wear a pair of white sneakers everyday. My college campus is NOT made for having cute shoes or heeled boots or whatever because of ALL THE WALKING. I’m sorry, but I’d rather have comfy shoes than a pair that matches my outfit. But, that is definitely something you should think about as well. How much walking do you do on a certain day? Can you afford to wear shoes that are uncomfy yet cute on a day like that? These are just some things to think about.

Conclusion

Building a capsule wardrobe doesn't have to be complicated. Focus on your essentials, check the weather, consider your weekly events, mix in versatile layers, and you’ll always have the right outfit on hand. Not only does this save you time, but it also reduces stress during your busy college life. With just a little planning at the start of each week, you can look and feel your best, no matter what the week throws at you.