I’m going to say something mildly annoying: most wardrobes aren’t short on clothes, they’re short on combinations. That’s why you can have loads of things and still feel stuck.
When we’re helping someone choose glasses, it’s the same problem in a different form. People don’t necessarily need “more”; they need the right few things that work together and then life gets easier. So when I first saw the Japanese 9-piece “sudoku” capsule wardrobe idea a few years ago, I loved it straight away. It’s simple, it’s practical, and it stops you doing that morning spiral where you try on three outfits and end up late.
Why is it called the Sodoku method?
It’s called “sudoku” because it’s basically a little grid. Everything fits with everything. You don’t have to be a minimalist, you don’t have to throw your wardrobe away, you don’t have to buy a beige life. You’re just building a small set that behaves itself.
What it is (and what it isn’t)
The classic version is 9 pieces:
– 3 tops
– 3 bottoms
– 3 “third pieces” (the layer that makes it look finished – blazer, cardigan, overshirt, light jacket)
That’s the structure. But you can bend it – it just requires a little more thought. If you live in dresses, swap a bottom for a dress. If you’re always cold, make two of your third pieces knitwear. If you never wear blazers, don’t force one in because someone on the internet told you to.
This isn’t about being “good”. It’s about being ready.
Why it’s so good for packing
Packing is where you really see the problem. You throw in bits you like, then you arrive and realise half of it doesn’t go with the other half. So you wear the same two outfits anyway and the rest just sits there, creased, judging you.
The 9-piece set fixes that because it’s designed for mixing. You can pack less and still have options. And you don’t need a fancy packing cube system or a spreadsheet. You just need nine pieces that get on.
How I’d do it quickly (without turning it into homework)
If you want to try it, do it like this:
1) Pick your colour “safe zone”
Not the colours you wish you wore. The ones you actually reach for. If your wardrobe is navy, cream and denim, that’s your base. If it’s black, grey and white, fine. If it’s tan, olive and soft pink, also fine.
2) Choose the bottoms first
Bottoms do the heavy lifting. If your bottoms are right, the rest is easy. I’d usually go:
– one smarter option
– one casual option
– one in-between option
3) Add tops you genuinely wear
If you never wear a crisp shirt, don’t put one in your nine and then feel bad about it. Pick the tops you’d wear on a normal week.
4) Choose third pieces that make you feel pulled together
This is the secret bit. Third pieces are the difference between “I got dressed” and “I threw something on”. A blazer, trench, denim jacket, cardigan, overshirt – whatever feels like you.
5) Do the annoying test (it’s worth it)
Lay them out and check: does each piece work with at least two others? If something only works with one outfit, it’s not a core piece. It’s a “nice extra”. Leave it out for now.
That’s it. You’ve built a mini wardrobe that behaves.
“I’d rather have nine pieces that make twenty outfits than thirty pieces that make me late.”
Boujie Buddha’s Amiee
A real example (so you can picture it)
Let’s say your base is navy, cream and soft olive.
– Bottoms: navy trousers, light denim, olive skirt
– Tops: cream tee, striped knit, navy blouse
– Third pieces: denim jacket, lightweight blazer, cosy cardigan
You can dress that up, dress it down, wear it to work, wear it on a weekend. Add shoes and jewellery you already own and it doesn’t feel restrictive – it feels like you’ve finally made your wardrobe cooperate.
The part I care about (because I’m me) – your glasses are part of the outfit
If you’re doing this capsule thing, your glasses matter more than you think. They sit on your face all day. They’re in every photo. They’re an accessory – and honestly, they can do a lot of the heavy lifting when your outfit is simple.
A “sudoku” capsule wardrobe is usually built around neutrals – black, white, cream, navy, denim, soft greys. And that’s exactly why eyewear works so well with it. When your clothes are calm, most frames and accessories pop. You can look really put together without having to try very hard.
So instead of one pair you wear for everything, I love the idea of having a few capsule wardrobe frames you can grab on the days you don’t want to think too hard.
If you want a simple starting point, I’d choose three:
– A plain neutral pair (easy everyday – works with everything, never argues with your outfit)
– A metal pair (lighter, cleaner, a bit more polished – great for work and “I need to look sharp” days)
– A tinted pair (the fun one – the statement piece that makes a simple outfit feel intentional)
That little trio covers so much. And once you’ve got your “capsule” frames sorted, you can still have fun with bolder pairs too – but you’ve always got something easy to reach for that just works.
If you want a simple starting point, I’d choose three:
– A plain neutral pair (easy everyday – works with everything, never argues with your outfit)
– A metal pair (lighter, cleaner, a bit more polished – great for work and “I need to look sharp” days)
– A tinted pair (the fun one – the statement piece that makes a simple outfit feel intentional)
(See some examples from our Ahlem range below and see the full Ahlem collection here)
That little trio covers so much. And once you’ve got your “capsule” frames sorted, you can still have fun with bolder pairs too – but you’ve always got something easy to reach for that just works.
If you want help choosing your capsule frames, message us – we’ll make it simple and we’ll be honest about what suits you and what you’ll actually wear.
If you want to try it this week
Pick nine pieces you already own. Give it seven days. Don’t make it deep. If you love it, refine it. If you hate it, you’ve still learned what you reach for when you’re busy and that’s useful.
If you want a hand choosing glasses that fit your style and your real life (or even your fantasy life), message Eyediology to book an appointment with an eye stylist or dispensing optician who are very happy to help.
Happy styling!
Amiee – Dispensing Optician and your Boujie Buddha
