As a self-proclaimed fashion experimentalist and a die-hard fan of statement pieces, I never found myself drawn to—or capable of—adopting a capsule wardrobe. But as I packed for the fall semester, my closet overwhelmed me. I’d taken to thrifting and online shopping while spending the summer in my small hometown, and it showed. My shelves were chock-full; clothing rods threatened to give way to the weight of a hundred hangers.

I remembered a tweet that suggested following a color scheme when packing for vacations, a strategy designed to erase the pressure of creating individual outfits by compiling a collection of matching options. It was essentially a fashionable take on the Steve Jobs black shirt, blue jeans routine. I’d never tried the strategy, but I had two days to pack and no other options.

So I chose my color scheme—black, white, brown, pink, and green—and the packing process became infinitely easier. Slowly, I felt the pressure for perfection dissipate.

When I arrived at Emerson, the pressure returned. Emerson students wear everything from one-of-a-kind thrift finds to top-notch designer clothes. My closet felt simple, and I felt inferior, yearning for the variety I left at home.

But I knew the clothes I brought would be the ones I wore all semester, and I needed to make the best of them. So I started experimenting with color combinations, piling on layers, trying my hand at minimalism and maximalism and everything in between. My closet’s limited color selection eliminated the challenge of matching and gave me freedom to play with accessories, aesthetics, and silhouettes.

I had several small epiphanies. I dabbled in monochromatic outfits, especially for my 8 a.m. class, because monochrome is effortless but appears collected and chic. My cohesive closet reduced the time I spent choosing outfits and allowed me to spend more time curating my whole look, from jewelry to makeup to hair. And shopping—especially thrifting—got easier. The once-overwhelming racks of clothes now feel far less intimidating since I only shop for certain colors.

The best part about the color capsule is it’s easy to personalize. You don’t need to pare down your wardrobe to a certain number of items or buy a closet’s worth of new clothes.

This semi-compact wardrobe continues to give me more options, freedom, and fun than any closet I’ve ever had. My new color palette helped me build confidence in my own style and worry less about other people’s wardrobes. It turned the pressure to compete with others into a desire to be inspired. And, as silly as it sounds, it made a positive impact on my mental health. The time I spend choosing my outfits now feels creative instead of stressful. I’m excited about my outfits, satisfied with my style and confident in myself.

So, next time you find yourself swimming in sweaters or simply searching for a wardrobe shift, try a color capsule wardrobe. Who knows? It just might change your life.

The Color Capsule