5 Tips for Curating an Accessory Capsule Collection

In recent years, capsule wardrobes have become increasingly popular among fashion enthusiasts looking to take a more minimalist approach to style. A capsule wardrobe is a relatively small, flexible collection of interchangeable pieces of clothing. Instead of being trend-bound and seasonal, the clothes you’ll find in a capsule wardrobe are more likely to be classic, timeless pieces. They usually come in versatile cuts and neutral colors to make them easier to mix and match. The rationale behind a capsule wardrobe is that it allows you to create a wide array of outfits with fewer clothes.

If you’re looking to build or enhance your own capsule wardrobe, bear in mind that you can curate more than just your clothing. Any fashionista will be familiar with the ways a good accessory can pull your overall look together, make an outfit more eye-catching, or help you meet a practical need. In light of this, you’ll definitely want a well-organized accessory capsule collection to help you make the most of your simplified wardrobe.

Here are five helpful tips for curating your accessories like a master:

Clarify What Counts as an Accessory

Generally speaking, the term “accessory” can refer to any item that you can add to an outfit to make it more beautiful, versatile, or practical. Unlike clothing, accessories aren’t typically considered essential for compliance with particular dress codes. To illustrate, while you’re unlikely to be admitted into certain places if you show up without shoes, a shirt, or even pants, you probably won’t face the same prohibitions if you aren’t wearing jewelry or carrying a handbag.

Because accessories are so loosely defined, you’ll often find that what items are considered accessories may change depending on your lifestyle, culture, and even the times. For instance, if you simply collect sets of quality tights for women, hosiery, and socks because you love the way they look and feel, these would count as accessories. However, if you had to wear stockings every day as part of a professional uniform, it would make sense to see them more as necessities. 

If you need more of a starting point, the following items are also considered accessories in most contexts:

• Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, watches, and other jewelry
• Hats
• Scarves
• Neckties
• Handbags and purses
• Headpieces and hair accessories
• Sunglasses

Declutter Your Accessory Collection 

The first step to curating an accessory capsule is to declutter the collection of accessories you already have. Pool together all the accessories you own, then start sorting them into two piles: one for things you want to keep and another for things you should get rid of, whether you ultimately decide to give them away, resell them, or simply dispose of them.

The sentimental or monetary value of certain accessories can make decluttering tricky, but try to be as ruthless as possible when you’re sorting through your collection. Do your best to keep only the accessories that you love and can still see yourself wearing frequently.

Sort Your Accessories into Categories

Once you’ve successfully downsized your accessory collection, you may find it helpful to separate what remains into different categories:

• Everyday accessories – These are items you like, wear often, and would consider part of your signature style. If you feel most put-together when wearing a pair of earrings or a pendant necklace, these pieces of jewelry would count as everyday accessories for you.
• Practical accessories – These are items you need because they fulfill some kind of practical purpose. Purses, watches, and sunglasses are good examples of practical accessories.
• Occasional accessories – These are items you wear purely for fashion, such as non-prescription glasses or statement jewelry.

Which accessory fits into which category may change depending on the season or on your personal preferences. You may not often need hats to keep your head warm or protect it from the sun, for example, but they might still have a place as occasional accessories in your collection if you just like the way they look.

Have a Mix of Basic and Statement Pieces

While statement accessories are meant to draw the eye, basic accessories will pull a look together in subtler, more understated ways. You’ll want to have a good mix of both in your capsule collection to ensure that you can accessorize appropriately for every occasion. For instance, classic pearl earrings are a fail-safe addition to any jewelry box, but you may want to also hold on to some gold hoops or a pair of intricate chandelier earrings in case you ever want or need something flashier.

Prioritize Versatility

Like your capsule wardrobe, your accessory capsule should be composed of pieces that you can mix and match to produce a range of different looks. Pieces in neutral hues are generally the most flexible, but you may also want to include a few more brightly colored items, especially if you already tend to go neutral with your clothing choices. This way, you’ll be able to introduce a pop of color into your outfits when you want it.

At the end of the day, you don’t need a huge collection of accessories to maximize your capsule wardrobe. In fact, a well-curated accessory capsule will help you save money, style yourself more efficiently, and do your part for the environment while still looking great.