Crafting the Perfect Capsule Wardrobe for Women Over 50 – A Complete Expert Guide!
Do you ever think about how much time you could spare in a day if you weren’t thinking about what to wear? And no, I don’t mean it in a lazy and negligent kind of way. Try to picture a closet so meticulously curated to your personality and your life’s dynamic, that getting dressed feels so effortless you don’t even consider it a task anymore. When you get to your prime, you start to understand the value of time, and the less you spend it in front of the mirror, the more of it you can invest in yourself and the people you love! Turn every dig into your closet into a child’s play with our guide for building a timeless and functional capsule wardrobe for women over 50!
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How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe for Women Over 50?
When you have a busy life, it’s important to be able to manage your time, and having a closet that works in your favor is a great advantage! Having a capsule wardrobe does not only make it easier to get ready on a day-to-day basis, but it also takes a huge burden off your shoulders when you’re packing for a trip, or moving houses.
However, social media is pushing a false narrative about what a capsule wardrobe actually is, so before we move forward, we need to clarify this. We’ve been led to believe that a “capsule” consists of only basic clothing items that have been marketed to us under said label. Practically speaking, our lifestyles and personal tastes are unique to us, so it’s impossible to put everyone’s essentials under one bracket. It would be more accurate to view the capsule wardrobe as a selection of manageable clothing that you like, which are selected per your personal lifestyle dynamic.
What we’re going to do in this article is give you a general guideline on how to select those pieces without boxing you into current trends. Of course, if you’re still looking for your style, there’s nothing wrong with trying out new things and dipping in and out of trends, as this is the practical way of what works for you, and what doesn’t.
Consider Your Lifestyle
If you are a businesswoman in the corporate world, your day-to-day attire will differ a lot from that of someone with a freelance job, or a stay-at-home mom. Immediately, you understand that you cannot have the same capsule wardrobe. The first thing that you need to take into consideration is how the clothes you buy can translate into every aspect of your daily dynamics. I find it really useful to think about garments that can easily transition from day to night wear.
Pick a Color Palette and Stick to It
You can never go wrong with a basic color palette of black, white, and gray, however, not everyone resonates with this approach. But where is the middle ground between comfort and versatility? Simply choose colors that go well together no matter how you combine them, such as navy, beige or camel, and khaki green. In terms of patterns, stripes, check, and tartan are a timeless choice.
Read also: How to Wear Colors Over 60? – A Complete Guide for Looking Fabulous While Aging Gracefully!
Choose Versatile Outwear
I believe that our outerwear makes 50% of the whole outfit. I can talk all day about the amount of great outfits that I’ve seen ruined by the wrong jacket. Remember that it’s best to buy less quantity with higher quality and bigger versatility, rather than piling up on overcoats that you’ve bought at a whim, or for a specific outfit that you never put on again. A classic trench coat, a long black wool coat, and a genuine leather jacket with your preferred fit can be layered and styled for various occasions.
Focus on Layering Pieces
Light sweaters, cardigans, vests, and blazers are all great for layering and experimenting. You can easily winterize a white T-shirt by adding lightweight knitwear on top and a blazer. That same sweater you can use to throw over your trench coat and use it as an accessory, or a scarf, and the blazer comes in handy for every season and occasion.
Don’t go Overboard with the Patterns
Oftentimes, people who don’t wear much color tend to gravitate more toward patterns to add character to their more basic outfits. It’s a tricky area to navigate in because, in your attempt to diversify your closet, you might end up with too many pattern pieces that you don’t have anything to style with. Instead, choose one or two classic ones, preferably on a sweater, that you can add as a statement.
I personally prefer textures to patterns. A high-quality garment with a flattering silhouette made from an organic fabric will not only last you longer, but will also elevate your appearance.
Read also: What Print to Wear Over 50? – Tips for Fun and Glamorous Ways to Jazz Up Your Closet
Have a Versatile Go-To Formal Look
I think that we are most prone to buying clothes impulsively when there’s an occasion where we want to make an impression, which causes us to panic. This is why it’s good to have one or two nicely tailored pieces of formal clothing that you can easily style with most of your other garments. A great example of such an item is the mid-length pencil skirt. You can dress it up with a blazer and a shirt or turtleneck, and dress it down with a spaghetti strap top.
It’s also important to have at least one dress that you feel comfortable and confident in and can style for any weather and occasion. For me, this is the classic long slip dress. In the winter you can pair it with a wool coat and an oversized scarf, for the transitional seasons you can style it with a blazer or a leather jacket, and in the summer all you need to add is a pair of strappy sandals!
