Begin with five outfits you already reach for, note the pieces they share, and fill only the gaps that stop those outfits from working. A useful capsule has no universal item count.
Start with the week you really have
Write down the situations you dress for: work, school drop-off, errands, dinners, walks or time at home. A wardrobe that suits a photograph but misses your week will not feel small or efficient for long.
Pull out the comfortable pieces you wear repeatedly. Lay them on the bed as full outfits, including shoes. Notice the colors and shapes you already combine easily.
Find the missing connection
A useful gap is specific: a layer that works over two tops, a shoe suited to your commute, or a bottom that matches the jacket you already wear. Start there before adding a whole new color story.
Try a simple palette such as ivory, denim, chocolate and burgundy if you like this autumn palette. It is an optional styling exercise, not a rule about which colors belong on your body.
Let repetition be the point
Photograph the combinations you like and save them in one album. Repeat them. Rewearing a favorite outfit is exactly what makes this approach useful.
Before buying a replacement, check care needs, movement, sitting comfort and whether the piece works with what you own. Your ideal number of garments will depend on your climate, laundry routine and daily life.