My "Capsule Wardrobe" for 3 Months in Europe

And five rules to help you build your own

Paid subscribers, listen to the audio version - narrated by me - here

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If you’re one of the many people whose clothes are more a necessity than a form of self-expression, a capsule wardrobe — or some version of it — could be exactly what you need.

I have to admit, I am on the record saying that capsule wardrobes don’t work. I’m a firm believer in not throwing perfectly good clothes away just because they don’t fit into a coordinated closet.

BUT, I still love the idea and since being on the road, I’ve been forced into owning one. And I’m not sure I would return to my uncoordinated mess of a closet if I was living in just one place.

I thought it might be fun to document what’s in both me and my husband’s closet right now and give you some guidance to form your own capsule wardrobe, however, that might look for you.

Get your front-row seats to the Charlie and Sam Brown suitcase wardrobe collection AW22/23.

Rule #1 - Know what works for you and run with it

I’m a jeans and oversized sweater/cardigan kind of woman and always have been, so that’s what I focused on for the bulk of my clothes:

• 4 sweaters

• 1 pair of leggings and jeans

• 1 oversized cardigan

• 5 t-shirts

Three of these sweaters are second-hand, two from charity shops, and one was a donation from my younger brother. The single pair of jeans was a bit of a mistake because they have just developed a big hole in the crotch and I’m still a week away from being in a country with H&M (the only store whose jeans fit my weird skinny legs / wine belly combo). But hey, my husband tells me you can’t see the hole, so it’s hardly the worst thing.

And because I’m north of 35 years old, I of course have a pair of black leggings for traveling / sticking under dresses / hiking / lounging.

5 T-shirts are enough to last a week in the cold weather and the big oversized cardigan is there to layer up.

Basic? Yes. But it’s been my uniform since I was about 25. Once I realized this is what makes me comfortable, I ran with it. And that makes a capsule wardrobe so, SO much easier.

Rule #2 - Don’t skimp on the outer layer

Up until a month ago, I was lugging around three different jackets - a hiking jacket, a small denim jacket (still in my possession but not needed during winter so it’s back at my folks’ place) and an everyday coat.

Then I caved and bought what is all the rage in Europe - a feather-down temperature-regulating jacket. And wouldn’t you know, it replaces all three. PLUS it packs down into its own tiny little bag.

It wasn’t the cheapest jacket I’ve ever bought and frankly, it’s not the most beautiful. But I’m in love with it because finally, I’m the right temperature pretty much everywhere and it goes great with that jeans-sweater uniform. Top it off with a hat, scarf and gloves and, as we say in the UK, job’s a good’un.

One decent quality outer layer can replace myriad other jackets. If you can, don’t skimp on it.

• 1 coat

• 1 scarf

• 1 hat

• 1 pair of gloves

Rule #3 - when it comes to footwear, make use of the “decide once” principle

The decide once principle goes like this: