Minimalist wardrobe

A minimalist wardrobe, starting with what you own.

A minimalist wardrobe is a deliberately small set of clothes you wear often and that work well together. It is less about a number and more about owning only what earns its place.

The four principles Capsule wardrobe guide

Four principles that keep it small

Own what you wear
Keep the pieces you actually reach for. If something hasn't been worn in a year, ask honestly whether it will be.
Make everything work together
A short colour palette and simple shapes mean most tops go with most bottoms, so fewer clothes make more outfits.
Choose quality over quantity
Buy less often and buy better: fabrics and construction that last, in cuts you know suit you.
Add one, think about one
When something new comes in, consider whether something old should go, so the wardrobe stays the size you chose.

Ten pieces most minimalist wardrobes include

Ten wardrobe basics laid out in two rows: a white T-shirt, an oxford shirt, dark jeans, tailored trousers, a navy knit, a navy blazer, a camel coat, white trainers, brown loafers, and a tote bag with a belt

Plain T-shirts in white and a neutral
A button-down or oxford shirt
Dark, straight jeans
Tailored trousers or chinos
A neutral knit
A blazer or smart overshirt
A coat suited to your climate
Clean everyday trainers
One pair of smarter shoes
A simple belt and bag

Adjust for your climate, work and life. The full list, with what to look for in each, is in our minimalist wardrobe essentials guide.

How to start this week

Take everything out, keep what you wore in the last season, and set aside the rest for a month before deciding. Then plan a week of outfits from what is left. If the week works, your wardrobe is already closer to minimal than you think.

A capsule wardrobe is the seasonal version of the same idea; see our capsule wardrobe guide.