What is a Capsule Wardrobe and Why You Should Consider Starting One?
Do you struggle every morning to decide what to put on only to find you have “nothing to wear” despite having tons of clothes in your wardrobe? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. Many people with overstuffed closets find it hard to come up with things they want to wear throughout the day.
Too many options can confuse and complicate the mind. So, paring down your wardrobe is a popular solution recommended by many style experts. In a nutshell, they suggest simplifying your morning routine by streamlining your daily fashion choices.
However, building a minimalist capsule wardrobe is easier said than done. So, here we have put together a simple guide to help you simplify your wardrobe. Let’s dive in.
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist collection of interchangeable fashion pieces that can be mixed and matched to create daily ensembles. They usually feature classic styles and colors that complement each other. So, neutral tones and timeless pieces are often staples in capsule wardrobes.
The idea is to thoughtfully put together a limited selection of clothes that you love wearing and will reach for regularly.
History of Capsule Wardrobes
The term “capsule wardrobe” was invented in the 1970s by author Susie Faux. She started a London boutique called “Wardrobe” that sold minimalist, versatile, high-quality fashion pieces that buyers could easily mix and match.
The concept went mainstream in the USA in 1985 when designer Donna Karan introduced her Seven Easy Pieces capsule collection. Her models presented seven clothing items and created different outfits with them. The fashion show became a hit and people started incorporating interchangeable minimalist wardrobes.
Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe
If you’re looking for a reason to build a capsule wardrobe, we’ll give you a handful of them! Here they are:
Less Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue is the feeling you get after making a lot of decisions throughout the day. Our brain is programmed to make a limited number of decisions every day. Too many choices mean too many decisions which makes our brains feel tired after a certain point.
This is why we often struggle to make decisions in the afternoon or evening. One way to beat decision fatigue is to start a capsule wardrobe. This means that you’ll have fewer clothes and fewer decisions to make.
More Time on Your Hands
A capsule wardrobe saves a lot of time. Wondering how? Once you understand your personal style, you’ll know what is missing in your closet and what you need to buy. So, you’ll no longer spend hours shopping for new clothes that you won’t wear or digging through piles of clothes to find an outfit. This frees you up to do other things you love.
Saves Money
Capsule wardrobes mean more money in the bank! When you pare down your closet to a few stylish and interchangeable pieces, you won’t have to go shopping frequently. You can easily mix and match them every day and enjoy showing off your fashion sense while saving big.
You can also use that extra money to buy well-made clothes that help you stand out from the crowd.
Reduces Stress
A curated closet means less stress in your life. You’ll no longer worry about clothing items that don’t fit you or having to organize a cluttered wardrobe. Fewer clothes also mean fewer returns, exchanges, repairs, and maintenance. You can use the closet organizer to make everything organized.
You may also end up choosing clothes that are easy to maintain. It is also easier to pack your limited clothes when you travel or move house.
Better for the Planet
Last but not least, a capsule wardrobe is fantastic for the planet as it reduces your carbon footprint. If you wish to lead a more sustainable and eco-friendlier lifestyle, it makes sense to build a minimalist wardrobe. This will ensure you mostly own timeless, high-quality pieces that you’ll wear for years and won’t go out of style anytime soon.
This reduces waste that is generally associated with fast fashion and helps you become more intentional with your fashion choices.
How To Start Your Capsule Wardrobe
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building your own capsule wardrobe:
Audit Your Closet
The first step to starting a capsule wardrobe is to audit your current wardrobe. Bring out all the clothes you have and assess what you regularly wear and what you never touch. Sell, donate, or recycle clothes that don’t fit, don’t work for you, are damaged beyond repair, or that you don’t like.
Also, consider your lifestyle and routine to understand what type of clothing you regularly wear. Depending on whether you work from home, commute to the office, or work out regularly, you will need a limited selection of certain types of clothes.
While you’re at it, analyze why you love your favorite pieces. This will help you understand your personal style, favorite colors, materials, and cuts. This can then guide your decision as you rebuild your wardrobe and buy new clothes.
Pick Your Core Capsule Pieces
Now, you can plan your capsule wardrobe! Choose a number for each kind of clothing item depending on your local climate, lifestyle, and how often you do the laundry.
Select a color scheme with neutral tones like black, grey, white, navy, or cream. These go well together and with other colors. You can also add a few favorite accent colors that you can pair with your neutral-colored clothes.
Select clothes in your favorite styles while keeping your body type and skin tone in mind. Include tops, tees, bottoms, skirts, jeans, dresses, seasonal outfits like sweaters and coats, and whatever else you need and like.
Don’t forget footwear: heels, sandals, boots, sneakers, and flip-flops. Also, choose accessories like bags, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and so on.
Finally, choose the fabrics that you want in your wardrobe. It’s best to go with natural fabrics like organic cotton and linen as they are more sustainable and breathable.
Here are some of our suggestions for your capsule wardrobe:
Nisolo BOOTS
Rugged yet elegant, we designed these chelsea boots to be versatile in style and wear-well for years to come through whatever life throws your way.
ÉTICA Jeans
The Tyler Vintage Jean is a high-rise straight with authentic vintage styling. Fitted through the hip, easy in the thigh, then straight down to a raw hem just past the ankle.
Made with Refibra, an upcycled cellulose fiber made from recycled cotton. Low impact wash process uses 90% less water, 70% less energy and only clean chemical alternatives.
THE KNOTTY ONES Sweaters and Cardigans
This knit is loose and twisted, made from wool and alpaca with a hand-knitted plaited design, each is ever so slightly unique. Designed to throw on spontaneously to keep you cozy and warm through the seasons. Twisted Erik is a longer style cardigan which means extra comfort and warmth.
Nisolo Tote BAG
Minimalist on the outside, maximalist on the inside, meet one of the best-selling Nisolo bags. This high-quality, everyday catch-all bag will have you looking pulled together wherever you’re headed.
Allbirds TEES
Allgood Cotton tee is made with 100% organic cotton that’s grown without harsh chemicals to keep the planet and its people healthier.
Choose Your Daily Outfits
It’s time to pick your daily outfits. Planning your outfits in advance is key to saving time and reducing stress. You can pick 10 or more everyday ensembles for different occasions and even seasons if you feel inspired.
Wrapping Up
Building a capsule wardrobe may seem like a farfetched idea but with the right approach, it can make your life easier while being better for Mother Earth. Just follow our steps and you’ll soon enjoy how much simpler dressing up can be!