Most people have a lot of clothes that they don’t wear often. You might find a lot of these clothes at the deep end of your closet, where they only see the light of day once a year, or maybe not at all! Oftentimes, we catch ourselves wasting money on clothing that only feels and looks good in the moment. Such practices not only empty out our wallets faster, but also have negative environmental impacts including more waste and consumption. Capsule wardrobes are becoming a widespread concept in the world of minimalism and environmental sustainability. Not only does this method of organizing your closet prevent you from wasting money on unnecessary clothing, but you are also helping the environment and saving a lot of time in the process.
Many articles will teach you how to construct a capsule wardrobe, no matter your budget or closet size, but some are easier to read and understand than others. After doing some research of my own, I have come up with a general outline that a lot of these blog posts follow when teaching readers how to start their capsule wardrobe journey with a bang!
Before I go on to explain the simplified steps necessary to have a capsule wardrobe, we can explore what it means to have one. Having a capsule wardrobe means reducing the number of garments in your closet to only include essential, versatile items that can be mixed and matched with other pieces to create a variety of different outfits. Capsule wardrobes allow you to shop less often and more intentionally, while also allowing you to wear clothes that you feel comfortable and confident in. The term was first brought up in American publications in the 1940s and the trend has only expanded from there.
Essentially, it all boils down to having clothing pieces that fit into three main categories: tops, bottoms, and outerwear. You can find many checklists and guides that will tell you what kind of pieces go in each category; however, it can usually be summarized into these three categories.
Let’s start with the tops category. You are going to include a total of ten pieces, but of course, you can alter this amount based on your needs or preferences. You will start by choosing three tees in basic colors such as black, white, and grey. You could also do nude colors like peach and brown. Either way, you want to pick three colors that you wear the most, look good on you, and blend well with the other clothing items you are going to have in your capsule. Then, you will need one button up shirt for formal events in either black or white. If you wear business casual clothing daily or more frequently, consider swapping one or two of your basic tees and replacing them with one or two button up shirts in other colors of your choice. Next, you are going to pick out two business-casual dresses or two simple, cotton sweaters. Now we are left with four more options. Usually, younger adults like to wear sweatshirts, and if this fits your style, then consider finding four versatile ones. You can also do combinations of sweatshirts and more sweaters, if that’s your preference. These last four options are really up to you, and allow for some statement pieces that can add a pop of color or design to your outfits. You can invest in a silk blouse or patterned button-up. You can also pick out a graphic tee or possibly a tank that looks nice.
Moving on to bottoms, which will basically be your jeans, pants, and other leg-covering pieces. Since we already have a lot of options for tops, it is best to keep your bottom choices as simple and multifunctional as possible. We want to go with basic colored pants, probably in the same colors as the three tees you chose. I recommend one pair of black pants and one pair of denim pants. Then, if you are comfortable wearing them, go ahead and pick out one pair of skinny jeans. If you don’t wear skinny jeans, then you can replace them with leggings or any business casual pants. For the fourth option, you can either choose a pair of shorts or a skirt. Lastly, pick out a pair of sweats that you would be comfortable wearing to sleep. The fifth choice should be something that you can wear on a more frequent basis, whether you are at home or simply running an errand.
So far, our closet consists of 15 pieces which are already more than enough for a whole month’s worth of outfits. However, we still have the last category left to fill, which is outerwear. My main tip for picking out the perfect outer attire would be choosing something that will keep you warm in the winter and then selecting another piece that is light enough to wear during the summer. This could mean buying a denim or leather jacket to serve as your summer piece and a trench coat or wool sweater for your winter piece. Either way, you should pick out two jackets or sweaters that you are most comfortable with. There are a few online stores that sell reversible sweaters with unique designs on both sides (which honestly sounds like a great deal to me because you are technically getting two pieces for the price of one)! The last piece of clothing you need to finish off your capsule wardrobe is a blazer, cardigan, or suit—whichever one suits you best.
By the end of the whole process, you have 18 pieces that can be used to create several clean outfits that not only make you look at the top of your fashion game, but also ready to face any challenge. It is important to keep in mind that you want to choose pieces that you are comfortable wearing in size, color, and style. If button-ups and blazers are not your vibe, try finding a dress or a new pair of leather pants. You can always replace or swap items for other pieces. Either way, you will be happy with how much more money you will save in the long run and how environmentally conscious your purchases will be. These capsule wardrobes will last you a very long time, and you won’t easily tire of wearing that same t-shirt five outfits in a row.
This idea sounds great and all, but there is also the concern of whether having a capsule wardrobe is affordable. It is important to understand that creating a closet that you are happy with is a process. With time, your wardrobe will gradually mirror the one you have always dreamt about. If your wallet is looking a little empty, but you still want to try out this technique, understand that you should not go on a shopping spree the moment some money flows in. There are ways to work with what you already have sitting in your closet. If you find yourself only wearing a few pieces, set those aside and try selling the clothing you haven’t worn in the past few weeks (or maybe even years). You can usually find someone who wants what you are no longer wearing. This is a great way to get some money which you can later put back into creating your wardrobe. Also, try to be mindful when you are shopping because that is the whole point of a capsule wardrobe. Before buying something, ask yourself whether you really need it or whether you see yourself wearing it regularly. More importantly, how is the quality? Remember that you always get what you pay for, so if you are paying a cheap price, expect cheap quality. Think of buying clothing as an investment; you want to make sure it is worth it.
The fast fashion industry is unethical because many companies don’t pay their workers minimum wage and sometimes, don’t even have safe working environments for their employees, such as sweatshops. This system is growing rapidly as fashion trends soar and then die out over the span of a few weeks or months. When you buy clothing, you want to make sure your money isn’t fueling brands like Forever 21 or SHEIN, because many fast fashion stores like these tend to have immoral practices or standards. Some economically and environmentally friendly places to shop for a capsule wardrobe would be from local small businesses. Thrifting is also picking up steam, and you can always ask to buy clothing from a friend or older sibling. Lastly, when shopping online, it is important to look for a fair trade seal. When a business is fair trade certified, it means that the company has ethical practices, appropriate wages for its workers, and safe working conditions. A quick Google search will provide many results, and just a few examples of fair trade brands include Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and Boden.
With the right planning and mindful choices, creating a capsule wardrobe can be easy and affordable. At the end of the day, you will be happy knowing that you are saving your money, helping the environment, and looking your best while creating a closet that is sustainable!