Can you build a capsule wardrobe on a small budget?
Yes - start from what you own, and buy a maximum of five pieces per season to fill real gaps.
The cheapest capsule is the one already in your closet. Pull everything out, keep only pieces that fit now and pair with three others, and box the rest for 90 days rather than donating immediately. Then shop the gaps only. Thrift and consignment cover the basics well: wool coats, blazers, and denim are categories where secondhand quality routinely beats new fast fashion at the same price. Spend your real budget on the two things that touch the ground and your skin all day: shoes and knits.