Creating a capsule wardrobe can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With a few simple steps, you can streamline your wardrobe and make getting dressed in the morning a breeze. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your own casual capsule wardrobe:

Step 1: Declutter Your Closet

The first step in creating a capsule wardrobe is to declutter your closet. I recommend first dumping everything you own into a pile on your bed. Go through each item of clothing and ask yourself “is this is something I would happily put on right now and wear?”.

If the answer is yes, put it in your “yes” bin.

If the answer is no, put it in your “no” bin. After you are finished sorting your closet, go through the “no” bin and decide what you will put in storage for another season, donate, mend, sell, trade, recycle or trash. Bag and label accordingly.

This will give you a clear idea of what you actually wear, what you could wear, and what you can get rid of in the most sustainable way possible.

Step 2: Identify Your Personal Style

Once you've emptied your closet, it's time to identify your personal style. Looking at what is in your “yes” bin should give you some clues. Are you more of a laid-back dresser or a fashion-forward one? Do you prefer comfortable and casual or more sophisticated look?

Knowing your personal style will help you choose pieces that you'll actually wear and that work well together. If you find yourself always wearing certain favourite pieces of clothing, don’t be afraid to buy more of those. Keep it simple: there’s no need to come up with a totally new look everyday, unless you want to.

My style is comfy and casual - I could wear leggings, joggers and the occasional pair of jeans every day of the week, so having at least a few pairs each of these makes sense in my closet.

Step 3: Create a Color Palette

Once you've identified your personal style, create a colour palette. Choose a few neutral colours that you can mix and match with other items in your wardrobe, as well as a few accent colours that you love. Having a colour palette will make it easy to put together outfits without having to think too much about it. If you are adding a piece to your capsule, make sure it works with your colour pallet first.

My rule of thumb is that I should be able to get dressed in the dark and look great!

Step 4: Choose Versatile Pieces

When building your casual capsule wardrobe, it's important to choose versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down. A pair of comfortable leggings or joggers, a T-shirt and a hoodie are all versatile pieces that can be worn in many different ways. Look for items that are reversible and/or can have different uses (like our Reversible Embrace Bra which can be a bra, crop top or even a swim top).

Step 5: Add Accessories

Accessories are a great way to add interest to your outfits without taking up too much space in your closet. A baseball cap, a pair of sunglasses, or a favourite necklace can all be used to dress up or dress down an outfit.

Step 6: Organize Your Closet

Once you've completed steps 1-5, it's time to organize your closet. Group clothes in your “yes” bin by category (pants, t-shirts, etc.) and by colour. I recommend drawer organizers to keep various groupings separated and tidy. Items that are hanging should have space between them so you can easily see everything.

There should be plenty of extra space in your closet and drawers now - notice how nice it is to let everything “breathe”! Having a well-organized closet will make it easy to find what you need and will make getting dressed in the morning stress-free.

Creating a casual capsule wardrobe will take a bit of time and effort, but the end result is well worth it. With a streamlined wardrobe, you'll be able to get dressed in the morning with ease and feel great doing it.

Read next: Why less is more: 5 benefits of a minimal capsule wardrobe