#FashionDiaries: I Skimmed Down My Wardrobe To Only The Essentials, Here's How!

Confession: I am a hoarder! I had held onto so many items of clothing that my closet had started to look like the reject pile on the weekend sale aisle. As a result, I was constantly struggling to find clothes in the morning, creating a mess of the orderly stacking, that had taken me hours to clean up!

As a fashion enthusiast, putting together a proper ensemble on a daily basis is one of my top priorities. I’d like my outfit to be on point, not just the look but also the functionality. And since I am not a celebrity, who has a personal stylist taking care of my everyday ensembles, I had to take matters into my own hands.

In order to fix this situation, I used the now popular approach, which is being touted as the future of personalised fashion, the minimalist’s wardrobe. The idea behind this is to only hold only 30-40 wardrobe staples at one point of time, which can be mixed and matched to create numerous outfits, and sticking to this curated collection until the next rotation. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your wardrobe every 3 months, depending on the seasonality.

Since there is a nip in the air, I decided to design my capsule wardrobe essentials around the Mumbai chill, which can be best described as slightly crisp mornings and pleasant evenings! Barring shoes and accessories, this is how I skimmed down my wardrobe…

1. Solid And Cosy Outerwear

Straight off the cuff, having proper outerwear is half the battle won when hoping to remain stylish with little choices. What I chose as companions for the winter is a black solid sweater, a tang longline cardigan, a casual sweatshirt and a chic office jacket. My idea behind the selections was to be able to have at least one option for a western or ethnic ensemble I create.

Slide into a longline coat this winter with this Point Zero Open-Front Cardigan for Rs 2,799. Buy it here

2. Well Fitted Bottowear

For bottom wear, I decided to go with my best-fitted pairs of jeans and trousers in bold solid colours. These bottoms can be paired with any kind of top or blouse, acting as blank canvases to showcase my elaborate tops. I made sure to pick the pants which I know can take a cold breeze, giving a close ratio to both casual jeans and formal trousers.

Get yourself a wintery bootcut with this 7 For All Mankind Stretchable Jeans for Rs 5,999. Buy it here

3. Versatile Topwear

Trying to add a little personality to my minimalist wardrobe, I chose a mix of solid and printed tops. Giving priority to plaid, gingham and striped details, I threw some base colours in there to create ‘filler pieces’ if in case the details become too overwhelming! I made it a point to add some lined blouses in there as well so that I can skip that jacket if needed.

Get yourself a versatile number with this Influence Plaid Peplum Top for Rs 1,599. Buy it here

4. Statement Ethnics

Desi girls can’t get go without our gorgeous ethnic wear! To add pops of colour in my winter wardrobe I chose to stock up on some statement ethnics, combining bright hued tops with basic bottoms. The choice of embellishments and silhouette was kept to a minimum so that I can opt to wear them even on casual Fridays!

Get on board with rustic orange! Get the look with this Fabindia Women Orange Solid A-Line Kurta for Rs 1,990. Buy it here

5. Multitasking Dresses

I love wearing dresses, so gradually I had to hold considerable space for my collection. Paired with the right outerwear or as standalone pieces, these dresses will serve the purpose of a casual engagement or a fancy evening do! The silhouettes I chose to go with are structured, with A-lines, shifts and bodycons in the mix.

Add a stylish shift dress in your closet with this MANGO Fringed Dress for Rs 3,590. Buy it here

In my opinion, the key to nailing this lifestyle choice is to try and adhere to it as often as possible. I did steer away from these limited choices on special occasions, but that’s how I learnt to improvise. The experience has been illuminating, I no longer spend time stressing about my daily outfits. Try it for yourself ladies, get your morning routines in shape with this styling hack!

Images: Shutterstock