Written by: June 25, 2023
If you want to streamline your mornings (and look sharp), try a capsule wardrobe.
Principle-First
Black turtleneck, blue jeans. Classic Steve Jobs.
From iconic entrepreneurs to U.S. presidents, many outlier performers have pared down their decision-making around getting dressed.
The reason? It lets them direct their limited energy to activities that matter most to them.
Personally, I don’t want to wear the same outfit every day.
But there’s an attractive alternate option—building a “capsule wardrobe.”
Let me break it down.
SUPERHUMAN SCORING
In every edition of System Sunday, I assess the featured system across three superhuman dimensions: impact, setup, and maintenance.
Unlike your typical review, I focus on factors that influence personal growth. Get to know the evaluation system.
Impact (8.5/10)
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of 30-50 essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched (effortlessly) to create a variety of outfits.
4 benefits of a capsule wardrobe:
1) Reduce decision fatigue: Our willpower is like a battery drained with each decision. Fewer decisions mean more energy you can direct toward high-value activities.
2) Reclaim free time: Most people can save 10+ minutes daily with a capsule wardrobe. This adds up to over 60 hours every year.
Pro Tip: Combine a capsule wardrobe with other one-time decisions that reclaim time. Here’s a popular post I wrote on 21 ways to streamline your life.
3) Limit physical clutter: Own too many possessions, and your possessions begin to own you. A minimalist wardrobe means you can prioritize quality over quantity. (It’s also better for the environment.)
4) Look smart every time: People love consistent brands. With a capsule wardrobe, you’ll be able to create a cohesive personal brand (that always matches and brings out the best in your appearance).
Onwards to the setup.
Setup (7.0/10)
- Take inventory of your wardrobe.
- Choose a color palette that works together. I like monochrome (black, white, shades of gray).
- Create a list of your favorite signature items. Include items for work, leisure, and exercise.
- Pare down to 30-50 items.
- Box up the rest. Consider storing these excluded items until testing out your capsule wardrobe. Then donate or sell them (once you realize you don’t need them).
Maintenance (8.0/10)
Want to dive deeper into building a capsule wardrobe?
I recommend checking out Project 333™ by Courtney Carver.
It’s a minimalist fashion challenge to dress with 33 items or fewer for 3 months.
BRINGING IT HOME
If you’re passionate about having an extensive wardrobe, keep doing what you love!
Conversely, if you’ll get satisfaction from reducing decisions around clothes, a capsule wardrobe is for you.
My takeaway is this:
Eliminate decisions you don't care about so you can focus on those you do.
All systems go,
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