What if we told you that by choosing certain wardrobe pieces, you could save time, money, and the environment? It’s true. Welcome to the world of capsule wardrobes. Your next question is, what exactly is a capsule wardrobe, right? In short, you choose a limited collection of staple essentials with the intent of keeping your closet tidy, low maintenance, and long lasting. You accent your look with seasonal accessories like hats, winter scarves, and jewelry, and you got yourself a winning and flattering capsule wardrobe.
Take a look at five ways a capsule wardrobe can promote sustainable fashion and be a win-win for your closet and unmatched style.
Who doesn’t like having options? With a go-to capsule wardrobe, try to choose pieces that can all work well together. Alternatively, you can choose five to seven specific outfits that you pair together each time. This helps eliminate the daily panic of trying to figure out what to wear for your in-person or video meeting, allowing you more time to enjoy your morning cup of coffee. Best of all, your simplified wardrobe pieces allow for each item to burst with personality. When you factor in a fun color scheme and signature pieces, your style will shine through every day.
From spring to summer and fall into winter, capsule wardrobes deliver a variety of style options. By being intentional with the garment pieces you select, you’ll be able to mix and match your wardrobe appropriately through each season. Think about your favorite shirt or cardigan sweater. With the right accessories, you can rock your faves from the office to lunch with friends regardless of the month.
Your capsule wardrobe should include items you wear outside your home for work and personal time, including the types of shoes you need. Make sure the pieces you decide to have are suitable for the weather (where you live), flatters your body, and accommodates your lifestyle, and most importantly, make sure you love wearing them.
When you opt for high-quality pieces over simply amassing a ton of clothes, you will naturally get more out of your wardrobe. You’ll be able to thoughtfully curate a style that speaks to your vibe without sacrificing the types of garments you like. Capsule wardrobes help you to evaluate what you currently have in your closet, so you don’t waste money looking for new garments for every season.
When you opt to purchase fewer clothing items and focus on purchasing higher quality items, you’re guaranteeing a long-lasting capsule. Natural fibers like cotton or linen shirts for women are classic, natural, and easy to care for, and they create a lot less waste during production and use. Plus, choosing gorgeous, long-lasting clothes means you’ll be excited to wear them every day. That way, you don’t run the risk of keeping clothes that collect dust in your closet; it’s a win-win for sure.
Trends come and go, but signature staples last forever. Before you start shopping for new garments, take inventory of the items you already have available in your closet. Choose your most prized pieces that deliver consistent comfort and versatility for work, play, and everything in between. The goal of your wardrobe is to reduce the need to purchase “fast fashion” so you stick with items that are sustainable and timeless. If you’re into fit-and-flare dresses with a hint of modern touches, be sure to select options that won’t go out of style next season.
If you rock a more casual vibe during the year and your favorite go-to is a pair of sleek skinny jeans and a button-down shirt, make sure you have a reasonable number of each to fill your capsule wardrobe. Whatever the case, make sure you’re not losing your style in the name of simplicity.
Once you’ve decided on your core capsule wardrobe, it’s time to let go of garments you don’t typically wear and are just taking up space in your closet. For items that don’t spark joy or that live in the back of your closet and never get worn, consider donating your old garments to Goodwill instead of throwing them away. Start from head to toe; if you have hats, scarves, etc., that you won’t be using, put them in a donation pile. Do the same for your tops, bottoms, and shoes too. Keep in mind that you don’t have to give away everything. If a few pieces still speak to you, keep them and see how you can incorporate them into your capsule style. If you absolutely can’t think of parting with that once-a-year-but-fabulous top, feel free to hold on to it for a bit longer.
Creating a capsule wardrobe will take some time, dedication, and effort. Have fun planning out your intentional outfits, and figure out which garments you can let go of to make space in your closet and mind. Once you have your vision in mind, your capsule wardrobe will be a snapshot of style all year long.