I am always looking for ways to simplify my life. Over the years, I’ve found that one of the biggest ways to do so is to streamline my clothing, and go with a capsule wardrobe for my outdoor adventures.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is essentially reducing your wardrobe to a collection of a few essential pieces that can be combined to create a variety of outfits based on your plans for the day. It means paring down your clothing from what could be tens or hundreds of items to perhaps just 10 items total.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of excess with any number of things, not just clothing. And it can be hard to part with things that we once loved or spent a lot of money on! However, it’s worth looking into and considering. Here are some of our favorite items for a capsule wardrobe for outdoorsy women.
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What Does That Mean for Outdoorsy Women?
Whether you are a skier, a cyclist, a hiker, or mainly a kid-chaser, clothing for active outdoor women often starts from an identical base. Creating a capsule wardrobe for yourself as an outdoorsy woman means that you are ready for just about any adventure that comes your way.
Some very specialized activities may require a little bit of specialized apparel, but this way, you will be well on your way to be properly outfitted for just about anything, and can add just one or two items for your special interests IF needed.
Why a Capsule Wardrobe?
Statistically we wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time, so let’s get rid of the 80% we barely wear and turn that 20% into 100%! Take the time to choose items you truly love and gradually downsize to a wardrobe you both wear AND enjoy.
There are also some great practical benefits of a capsule wardrobe. Dressing in this manner results in a lot less waste, in a number of ways.
Less Laundry
First of all, reducing what you own and wear by 80% means that you have far fewer items to wash, fold, and put away.
Even if you wash those items more often, your laundry time will drastically decrease with a capsule wardrobe. Additionally, many quality items are made from materials that can handle more wears before being washed.
Less Money Spent
Okay, you can’t go back and unspend that $40 on 8 clearance shirts that only held up for one use apiece, but you also can’t save any money by looking at them in your drawer either. However, next time you can choose a great tank top for $35 from a quality company and get 50+ wears out of it.
You will ultimately spend less on fewer quality items that cost more per item, partly because they hold up better (and quite likely have a good return policy), and partly because you will be choosier about making sure you actually purchase one you like and are planning to wear often.
Also, if you end up not wearing out the items before you are done with them, you may be able to sell your gently used quality clothing pieces at a consignment shop or on an online resale marketplace.
Fewer Decisions
Decision fatigue is a real thing, and certainly affects women and moms significantly. From morning rise until bedtime, we are faced with a litany of little decisions that have to be made. I could type them out, but it might just add more stress to see them all in print. 🙂
Clothing can be a smaller piece of that decision-making pie chart. I don’t want to search through 20 t-shirts just to settle on one my handful of favorites anyway, it adds clutter to my mind that adds nothing to my life.
Reduced Environmental Impact
There is so much textile waste worldwide, a lot of it because we collectively cycle through cheap clothing like it’s nothing. I feel this temptation too–it’s only $12! Not a big deal if I only wear it once or twice!
Except that those “wear once” items really add up when it’s millions or billions of people contributing to it. By wearing our clothes frequently and getting full use out of them, we can reduce the impact of clothing production and clothing disposal (not to mention saving that semi-monthly $12 for something else!).
In that vein, it’s great to work your way to a capsule wardrobe gradually. Since these are pieces you plan to use and wear for years to come, be choosy about them, and keep wearing your current clothing while weeding out the items you never or rarely touch.
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe
Below are several key clothing categories that are a fit for just about kind of outdoor activity. Whether you plan to go down ski slopes or playground slides, choose one item from each category to build out your capsule wardrobe. I’ve got great recommendations for all of them!
- Base Layers
- Shirts
- Shorts
- Pants
- Leggings
- Dresses
- Mid Layers
- Outer Layers
- Socks
- Shoes
- Undergarments
- Hats
- Other Accessories
If you wear something truly all the time, it’s fine to pick a few options or colors within the same category, especially for the pieces closest to your body, like a shirt or bike shorts.
And on the counter side of that, if you know you wouldn’t ever wear a particular category (maybe shorts or dresses), go ahead and skip it. Remember, you want to stick to what you know you will wear frequently to build this base for your wardrobe.
Base Layers
Base layers are a key category for any kind of outdoor capsule wardrobe. They are super versatile, wearable alone or layered below other clothing, in three seasons–fall, winter, and spring–and possibly even in summer depending on the activity and conditions.
We have a great article detailing the benefits of base layers, as well as providing an extensive list of options for women. I’ve also included a few team and personal favorites here!
Iksplor
This is a tried-and-true brand beloved by many TMM families. Created by women who love to adventure outdoors with their kiddos, they make both a traditional merino wool base layer set, and one that is designed for nursing moms.
Smartwool
I love my Smartwool base layer top. It’s a great thickness, and as someone who does not like to be cold, I’ve been really happy with how comfortable it is in both moderate and quite chilly temperatures. It’s 100% merino wool, but Smartwool also makes blended options.
Patagonia
Multiple TMM moms love the Patagonia Capilene base layers. It’s a blended fabric, therefore can capture the best features of both natural and synthetic materials for great comfort and moisture-wicking properties.
32 Heat
If you’re on a tight budget or live in a climate where you wouldn’t ever use heavier-duty base layers, this is a great option. I wore these for several years while backpacking even in early spring and late fall, and while they are not as warm as wool layers, they are effective layers in temps above freezing. You can also find these at great prices at Costco!
Shirts
This is a category where you may end up springing for more than one. It’s possible to wear the same shirt for many days in a row, but it’s fairly reasonable to use a few, and it’s not too hard on your space or your finances to have a tiny collection of quality shirts.
Akova Tank Top
I love the Akova graphene material. It is so soft and lightweight! The tank top is linked above, but Akova makes a great long-sleeved shirt as well, both of which can stand alone or serve as layers.
Valid for any order at full price (not including Outlet and Renewed items that are already heavily discounted).
REI Sun Shade Hoodie
This shirt is actually on my personal wish list because I’ve seen it on multiple friends and it looks so good! I love the pretty pastel colors and it’s really flattering on various body types, and they say it’s super comfortable.
Patagonia Cool Trail
Another Patagonia winner. The capilene material is quick-dry and so great for outdoor activities. It’s another that comes in a pretty color–I love the plum! There’s no reason that a capsule wardrobe has to be bland.
All in Motion Seamless T
This is good budget option! I own one, and my teenage daughters own a tank top apiece. They have lasted well, and the biggest difference I notice is that stains don’t come out of the nylon fabric as readily as other materials.
Shorts
I went to the TMM team for this category as I’m not typically a shorts person. Shorts are a great outdoor adventure piece though, especially for high-movement activities like mountain biking and climbing.
Wild Rye Freda Bike Shorts
Not just for biking, these are really great for active moms, and not only are they comfortable and flattering, they come in a couple of fun patterns. Also available in timeless black.
Vuori Villa Shorts
These are great lightweight shorts that are perfect for adventures during travel. They are moisture-wicking and wrinkle resistant, with a comfortable elastic waistband and a flowier fit for those warm summer days.
Title Nine Clamber 2.0 Shorts
I love that these are made from almost entirely recycled material. They also come in two lengths (5″ and 10″ inseams) to give you great selection. The mostly elastic, wide waistband makes for a superb fit.
Pants
Whether you are in pants only when required by weather, or love to wear pants on nearly all outdoor adventures (hi, it’s me), below are some great choices.
Patagonia Quandary Pants
These are my absolute favorite outdoor adventure clothing item. I wear them on literally every hike I ever go on, even wearing them every day when on extended multi-day backpacking trips. They are quick dry, lightweight, and have a zipper pocket that really comes in handy for storing car keys while out on a trail.
Kuhl FreeFlex Roll-up Pants
My teenage daughter wears these like I wear mine above–every single hike. It’s another pair you really can’t go wrong with; they’re sturdy enough to last for years, but comfortable enough that you’ll get tons of happy use out of them during those years.
Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants
Another TMM team recommended item, these are an excellent lightweight and stretchy choice for your outdoor capsule wardrobe. I love the colors available! They also come in regular, petite, tall and plus sizing.
Leggings
Leggings are a great component of an outdoor capsule wardrobe. They are useful as a pants or shorts replacement, or to wear underneath other clothing for support and layering.
Patagonia Maipo Shorts
These shorts stay comfortable even under wet or sweaty conditions, helping to prevent an unpleasant chafing experience.
Cotopaxi Muevo Tights
A high, wide waistband and pockets that are actually useful are a couple of the perks of these leggings.
All in Motion Everyday High Rise Leggings
A budget option if you are in the market for that! These are comfortable and quick-dry as advertised. The midweight is noticeable compared to pricier lightweight options.
Dresses
Dresses are perhaps surprisingly versatile in an outdoor capsule wardrobe for women! They make it possible to be adventure ready while also looking classy and put together for other settings.
Mountain Hardware Summit Grid Dress
This dress not only looks chic, but it also is a warmer insulating layer. You can be active in a t-shirt and leggings all day, then toss this over the top for date night stroll with your husband in the evening.
Nuu Muu Utopia Scoop
A dress option with tons of fun patterns to choose from! This dress is short enough even to easily bike in but long enough to be tasteful in just about any setting. Quick dry, and stretchy but not see through.
Mid Layers
Mid layers are ideal for staying cozy at home or for invigorating sunny winter hikes! I have two that I honestly wear almost every day in the winter, whether inside or out.
Outdoor Research Trail Mix Pullover
I love the cowl neck on this pullover–it’s amazing how much a warmth difference it makes to have the neck covered. It comes in some great neutral colors as well as a couple more feminine shades.
Milk x Whiskey Grid Fleece Hoodie
A hood is another way to keep necks warm (and heads of course). This one comes in great fall colors, but my favorite part is the zipper pocket. I know I mentioned it already, but those things are lifesavers for car keys.
Patagonia Down Sweater Vest
This is sort of a cross between a mid layer and an outer layer because it is water resistant and can go over other mid layers, but without arm coverage, it’s not really fully protective for outwear. It is a super cozy way to beef up some of those long-sleeved shirts or base layers tops though!
32 Heat Lightweight Vest
This poly-fill vest option isn’t down like the vest above, but the price is certainly more budget-friendly, and it comes in a wide range of both colors and sizes. It’s a great one to toss into a backpack just in case.
Outer Layer
Your outer layer of choice will be different if you live in a snowy or super cold area, or if you live in the Sun Belt. Consider the conditions of all your seasons before jumping in, so you can come away with limited and versatile outer layers that suit all your needs.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell
I love this rain jacket. It has served me well under some very wet conditions while backpacking. I’ve worn it in both hot humid settings and cold rainy settings, and been happy. It just needs the right layers underneath to make each circumstance comfortable.
Patagonia Down Sweater
I don’t usually take this backpacking because it is slightly less versatile than my rain jacket, but I do love it for snowy adventures and other chilly winter outings close to home. It’s warm, comfortable, and even repels light snow or rain.
Akova Legacy Hardshell
If you are a skier or spend a lot of time in really harsh cold weather, you may need to level up from a rain jacket or even a down sweater and get a sturdy hardshell like this one. It’s ideal for layering underneath, and despite the “hard” in the name, it’s actually got great stretch and movement!
Valid for any order at full price (not including Outlet and Renewed items that are already heavily discounted).
Columbia Arcadia II Jacket
This budget option holds up decently well on rainy days. In my experience, it doesn’t last as long as more expensive jackets, but it’s a good choice for the money, and I do love the color variety.
Socks
Good socks are worth their weight in gold, or at least golden yarn. Wool is an ideal choice for long-lasting, versatile socks.
Darn Tough Socks
Darn Tough says a forever supply of their socks is seven pairs, because with their lifetime warranty, you will only need one pair per day for life. I can confirm, their warranty is great! And equally important, you will actually enjoy wearing their soft merino wool socks every day.
Smartwool Socks
I have these popcorn crew socks, and they are so cozy and comfy. Some of my other woolen socks are tighter, and I really appreciate how easily these slip on, but aren’t saggy.
Shoes
My husband and I sometimes laugh about how few pairs of shoes I have compared to him. For outdoor adventures I consistently wear one pair of hiking boots and one pair of sandals, until they wear out.
Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Boots
I actually currently wear the Targhee III, but I’m excited to try the IV for my next pair. I wear them pretty hard and love how comfortable and freeing the wide toe box is, while still giving great support for rugged hikes.
Oboz Sawtooth Waterproof Shoes
My oldest daughter doesn’t like boots, but she is a big fan of these. Because footwear fit can be so different, try on shoes in person if you can so you can figure out what you prefer.
Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandals
These sandals are famously durable and comfortable. They are great for warm weather wear in dry or wet conditions, or for emergency creek crossings year round. Perfect versatility for an outdoor capsule wardrobe.
Undergarments
Near the bottom of our list within this post, but don’t take that to mean anything negative. Quality undergarments are a valuable addition to your streamlined wardrobe.
Yonderwear
Whenever I’m going backpacking or doing anything particularly active, I always make sure these are ready to go. They really do move with the wearer, and are my favorite adventure undergarments.
Branwyn
This brand is great as well, and also makes bra tops. They just released a more extensive clothing line as well, which features base layers. I haven’t tried those yet, but have been really happy with the innerwear.
Hats
Head coverage is both style and function, the perfect criteria for an outdoor capsule wardrobe. Protection from sun, heat, cold, and bugs are all important aspects of the function side.
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat
Coming from a person who burns easily and gets tired of dealing with sunscreen (or always manages to miss a spot), this hat is great for outdoor adventures.
Iksplor Merino Beanie
For those chillier weather days, this soft merino wool beanie is warm yet light. It fits under a ski helmet too!
Patagonia Trucker Hat
These never go out of style, and are a great fit with the also-timeless adventure mom hairstyle–a ponytail.
Other Accessories
There are a handful of other accessories that are important pieces in an outdoor capsule wardrobe.
Smartwool Merino Gloves
I love having a pair of wool gloves. They can fit under mittens for extra cold or snowy outings, or they stand alone for many cool weather adventures, and include all the perks of wool.
Buff Neck Gaiter
It is amazing how much of a difference a little piece of fabric makes in regulating temperature. Soak it in cold water to help keep you cool on a hot day, or wear it dry for added warmth on a cold day.
Eddie Bauer Stowaway Backpack
I have other bags, but none as versatile as this one. It works as a personal item for air travel, a snack bag for hikes, or just a basic grab-and-go bag for any sort of adventure, and it stows away easily, as the name suggests.
Caring for Your Capsule Wardrobe
If you’re going to limit how many clothing items you own for adventures, it’s helpful if you can care for them well so they last as long as possible. Of course follow the care instructions on each item, but here are some soapy suggestions as well.
Nikwax Tech Wash (and More)
Nikwax is great for washing waterproof or down clothing items, and even reinvigorating outerwear that has lost its waterproof mojo. It’s pricey for soap, but can substantially extend the life of even more expensive outdoorwear.
Campsuds
This ultra-concentrated biodegradable soap is good for clothes, dishes, and people while out on adventures. Just remember that a little goes a long way, and dispose of it away from water sources!
Branch Basics Oxygen Boost
Similar to OxyClean, but without harmful chemicals. I’ve been amazed at the stains this has been able to remove.
Decrease to Increase
It truly is a lot simpler to get ready for an outdoor adventure if you know exactly where you are starting with getting yourself ready. Try an outdoor capsule wardrobe for your kids too, and simplify getting ready for everyone!
By decreasing your clothing options, you can reduce the stress of getting ready and actually increase your time spent just enjoying your family adventures!
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Capsule Wardrobe for Outdoorsy Women
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