My 30 item wardrobe | by founder Elena Ekström

In a world full of things and constantly changing trends, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. We are surrounded by constant messages that we need more and more to be happy and successful. But what if there is another way? What if we focus on quality over quantity and on creating a more minimalistic lifestyle?

In this blog post, I want to introduce you to the concept of the 30 item wardrobe, a minimalistic approach to your wardrobe that can give you more freedom, time and joy. I will share my own experiences of living with a 30 item wardrobe, and give you tips on how to create your own minimalistic wardrobe.

A 30 item wardrobe is a wardrobe consisting of a maximum of 30 items, including shoes and accessories. It means clearing out anything you don't use or love regularly and focusing on building a wardrobe of pieces that are timeless, versatile and of high quality.

Living with a 30 item wardrobe has many benefits, including the following:

• Less stress in the morning: Having fewer clothes to choose from makes it easier to decide what to wear. You won't have that feeling of decision anxiety that can come from standing in front of a full wardrobe.
• More time and money: With fewer clothes to buy and maintain, you save both time and money. You can invest in higher quality pieces that last longer, which is in the end more economical.
• More conscious clothing choices: When you have a limited amount of clothes, you are pushed to choose pieces that you really love and that work well together. This leads to a more personalized and cohesive style.
• More sustainable wardrobe: Minimalism encourages you to buy fewer, but better clothes. This favors more sustainable consumption and reduces your environmental impact.
• Flexibility and creativity: Despite having fewer items, you can still create a wide variety of outfits by mixing and matching items in different ways. This can actually increase your creativity when it comes to styling yourself.

Rarely do we think about the fact that celebrities also embrace a minimalistic wardrobe. In fact, several of them do. Here are some examples:

• Victoria Beckham: The one time Spice Girl and fashion designer is known for her sophisticated and minimalistic style. She has said that she cleans her wardrobe regularly and only keeps pieces that she really loves and wear often.
• Olivia Palermo: The fashion icon Olivia Palermo is known for her classic and timeless style. She believes that you should invest in key pieces that can be worn in many different ways.
• Steve Jobs: Although he was not known for his fashion style, Steve Jobs had a minimalistic approach to clothing. He often wore a black suede shirt, jeans and New Balance shoes. This became part of his brand and signaled simplicity and focus.

These are just a few examples of people who encourage a minimalistic wardrobe. Owning fewer clothes is a trend that is growing in popularity, and there are good reasons for that. With the benefits mentioned earlier, a 30 item wardrobe can be a smart and sustainable choice for everyone.

Check out Who What Wear to read more about celebrities who embrace a minimalistic wardrobe. 

I am inspired by minimalism and strive towards a minimalistic lifestyle. To keep my wardrobe simple and get the most out of every item I've created my 30 item wardrobe which I rotate every quarter. Part of the quarter-approach is necessary because Sweden has four seasons where the weather varies a lot. But it also gives me more of a creative feel about my own wardrobe since I try to shop as little as possible.

To keep it simple and comprehensible I use an Excel sheet to track the different clothing types I need within the 30 item wardrobe. Then I use an app to view the items before I take them all down from the attic. It's easier to decide what I want in the app instead of getting overwhelmed by taking it all out.

It varies a little bit from season to season, but tops are always the most. Then I have about half as many lower parts and then finally about half as many "middle parts" (read dresses).

Here's my  30 item wardrobe spreadsheet  :)

The spreadsheet is under constant construction and improvements but I'm super happy if it can help someone find more inspiration in owning less but better.

Creating a 30 item wardrobe may seem like a challenge, but it's a process that can be both rewarding and fun. Here's a step-by-step guide based on my own experience to help you get started:

Step 1: Clean out your closet and document it

Start by cleaning out your closet and getting rid of anything you don't use or love regularly. Be honest with yourself and ask yourself: Have I worn this item in the past year? Will I wear it in the coming year? If the answer is no, it's time to get rid of it.

I took photos of all the items I cleared out and saved them in an app. This helped me visualize how many pieces I had and what categories I needed to focus on when building my new wardrobe.

Step 2: Identify your style and plan it

Once you've cleaned out your wardrobe, it's time to identify your style and what you like to wear. Think about what colors, patterns and occasions suit you best. Personally, I took a good look at how much I really wanted to have in my wardrobe each quarter and came to the conclusion that 30 items is the maximum for me.

I store the items that I don't use in transparent boxes on the attic organized after winter, summer, lower parts, middle parts and tops.

During an ongoing quarter I add small comments and notes about what I miss or want to add to the upcoming quarter. To be clear, these are things that I already own and are stored on the attic.

Step 3: Invest in high-quality items

Once you know what your style is, you can start investing in high-quality pieces. These pieces should be timeless, versatile and wearable in many different ways.

One tip is to prioritize neutral colours such as black, white, grey and beige, since they can be easily mixed and matched. But you should also invest in a few statement pieces that come in your favorite colors and patterns to give your outfits a personal touch.

Step 4: Add accessories for extra sparkle

Accessories can be a great way to elevate your outfit and give it a personal touch. Bukvy offers bags that are perfect for a minimalistic wardrobe, and with a few well-chosen accessories, you can create a whole new look with the same basic pieces. Experiment with different combinations to create unique styles.

By following these steps and my personal tips, you can create a 30 item wardrobe that you love and that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Remember, this is not an exact science, and you can adjust the concept to suit your individual needs and desires. The most important thing is that you create a wardrobe that makes you happy and makes you feel like the best version of yourself.