There is a growing interest in sustainability within the fashion industry, and a lot of consumers are looking for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of their wardrobes. In addition to this, simplicity and minimalism have also seen a rise in popularity. When these concepts are combined from a fashion standpoint, the answer is obvious: a capsule wardrobe. Read on to find out more.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a pretty simple concept. It refers to the careful curation of your wardrobe made up of pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched endlessly to produce outfits for any number of events. The pieces are often largely regarded as timeless classics which won’t go out of style. Capsule wardrobes are not a new concept, in fact, the idea is thought to have originated in the 1970s, and it is largely attributed to Susie Faux. She opened a clothing store where the inventory was designed to be mixed and matched.
The Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe
There are multiple benefits to building a capsule wardrobe for yourself. Firstly, all of the clothes are designed to be mixed and matched and worn together, which reduces some of the stress of having to find clothes that go together to make a matching outfit. In addition, this means that you are less likely to experience decision fatigue.
Along the same vein, a capsule wardrobe also saves you time both when attempting to pick out your outfits in the morning and when you are shopping too. Most of the time, a capsule wardrobe is designed to be timeless, which means you can bypass the trends to purchase exactly what your wardrobe has been missing.
A capsule wardrobe is also a much more sustainable approach to fashion; you aren’t continually throwing out and replacing your clothing. Instead, the clothing that you have in your capsule wardrobe is designed to be with you for years to come because it doesn’t subscribe to the transient nature of trends.
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe
Building a capsule wardrobe is pretty straightforward. You should start by looking at what you currently have in your wardrobe. This can be a long process because you do need to go through every piece of clothing you own. If you haven’t worn something in the last four months, you should donate it.
Pick out your favorites and try to think about why you like them. Is there a theme running through them? Are they linked by color, style, or material? This can help when it comes to looking for new pieces. Although you should try to avoid going for things that are too similar to what you already own.
There are a number of resources online that you can explore to help you when it comes to building your capsule wardrobe. They are lots of lists online about what you should include in your capsule wardrobe, although obviously, you can customize them to your particulars. You don’t have to follow the rules to a fault, but an awareness of them can help.
You should think practically; choosing clothes that are mostly in neutral colors allows for them to be mixed and matched more easily. Consider your body type and what styles of clothing look more flattering on you. Try to incorporate a mix of materials to provide your outfits with more interesting textures. Think about where you live and what weather you are likely to experience. Do you live in a four-season weather area? This will also inform the types of clothing that you should include in your capsule wardrobe.
It is also worth considering the brands too. For example, cheaper clothes are usually of a lower quality which often means that they don’t last as long, which means that they will likely need replacing more often. It might be worth investing in a few pricier pieces like the designer brands available at SSENSE.
Overhauling your wardrobe can take time and money. However, if you are on a budget, there are no rules which say that you have to do it all in one go. You can donate clothes and replace them as and when you have the budget to. Try not to throw clothes out if you can because it’s a waste and bad for the environment.
The Bottom Line
A capsule wardrobe does represent a much more sustainable approach to fashion; however, more than that, it does also make your life easier by helping you to save time and effort in the mornings as well as being cheaper. Additionally, a capsule wardrobe does not necessarily mean your sense of style needs to stagnate. You can still choose to add in pieces or swap them out as you see fit. However, a capsule wardrobe is all about avoiding impulse purchases. If you want to add to your wardrobe, make sure you think the purchase through. A lot of people tend to follow the three-month rule. If you don’t want the item after three months, then you never wanted it enough to purchase it anyway.
