Women’s magazines claim that a capsule wardrobe is the solution to all life’s ills, making you less stressed, more stylish and improving your life immeasurably in areas from work to love. While it’s not a panacaea, a capsule wardrobe can do an awful lot for you if you plan it carefully. So what exactly is this mythical capsule wardrobe?

It means having the minimum number of clothes and having every item go with almost everything else. The idea is to take clothes out of your wardrobe in the morning and have it not matter what you grab hold of because everything will look chic and flattering. It needn’t be boring, because you can always add ancillary clothes to your capsule wardrobe – they must simply be seen as extras rather than core components. Don’t worry – you can still go shopping!

Start with our section on what clothes you need to have in your capsule wardrobe to help you define what you should be shopping for. Then move onto how to edit your current wardrobe. Next, find out how to make colour work for you.

Discover how and where to shop for the most crucial items, and the best ways to store your clothes and keep them looking their best. Finally, make sure you keep your capsule wardrobe up to date with stylish new buys every month, and learn how to follow fashion without breaking the bank.

If you still need a little inspiration, try our sample capsule wardrobes for various lifestyles and tastes, or try the resources section for more books, websites and magazines to help you on your quest for the perfect wardrobe.