What is a Capsule Wardrobe & How to Start One
The concept of a capsule wardrobe has become incredibly popular with the growing minimalist lifestyle movement.
The idea of simplifying our wardrobes, focusing on classic styles, leaving behind decision fatigue and creating a more sustainable wardrobe is a great idea that appeals to a lot of consumers.
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What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is an edited collection of clothes that can be mixed and matched with one another to create many different outfits.
This way, you have a smaller wardrobe- varied with different combinations to choose from.
Instead of keeping up with fashion trends, this minimalist approach encourages consumers to value what they have and live in a more sustainable way.
How many clothing items are in a capsule wardrobe?
The recommended number of items in a capsule wardrobe varies on the source but should be between 25-50 pieces including clothing, shoes, and accessories.
A capsule wardrobe is an intuitive way to simplify one's closet, focusing on a few high-quality items and focusing on quality over quantity.
Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe
Living a less cluttered life
With fewer options it is easier to choose what to wear everyday
Not feeling pressured to keep up with the trends
Purchasing less which is more sustainable
Focusing on the garment quality and practicality more rather than always buying something new for the latest trends
Encourages you to be creative when creating outfits with fewer clothes
Where to start creating your capsule wardrobe?
At first creating a capsule wardrobe can seem overwhelming, but let's explore some tips & tricks to consider. Before you start building you capsule wardrobe be sure to consider your body type and your current wardrobe staples currently in your closet. Reflect on styles and a color scheme that make you feel confident.
This is a great way to make sure you feel confident as you begin to cut down your wardrobe. Figure out what you LOVE and make that the inspiration as you create your capsule wardrobe.
How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe
While creating a capsule wardrobe can seem overwhelming these are a few easy places to start. You could also just start by creating a seasonal capsule wardrobe.
This means you would focus on creating a minimized wardrobe for a single season instead of for the whole year. This is a great first step when explore the capsule wardrobe concept.
Pick a Base Color for Your Capsule Closet
The base color is the main point of a capsule wardrobe, generally one that could be paired with other colors. Navy, black and brown are usually good choices for this as they can match most outfits.
Timeless Styles are Key
By choosing timeless styles this ensures that your outfits will always be fashionable. Consider picking items that feature neutral colors such as white, black, or brown as those are colors that are always in style no matter the year or season.
Add a Bit of Color
Capsule wardrobes don’t have to be boring! Accent colors are a great place to start showing your personal style. Choose bright or dark versions of your favorite color like such as different shades of blue, pink, etc. Remember that these accent pieces should be paired with more neutral base color pieces so they work together nicely.
Pick a Few Patterns to Feature in Your Clothing
Keep it fun with your favorite pattern. Consider adding a patterned coat or blazer which is great for layering and showing your personality. This is a great way to show your individual style!
Keep Your Capsule Wardrobe Fresh with Accessories
A fresh outfit look can be achieved with accessories, making them key to a capsule wardrobe. Don't be afraid to add some statement necklaces, a bold bag, or a stylish belt to accessorize your outfits.
Don't Forget Shoes
A capsule wardrobe should have one pair of black flats, a few pairs of nude shoes, and a couple pairs of sneakers. It is important to keep in mind where you are going to be wearing the clothing. For example, it might not make sense for work clothes to include sandals or sneakers; however these shoes would be great for every day use.
Top 11 Essential Items to Start Your Capsule Wardrobe
To start your own capsule wardrobe, you may want to consider buying white t-shirts, a few dresses for more formal occasions, winter jackets, and some basic essentials. To get you started consider the items in this check list.
Jeans, blue and black jeans in particular, are a versatile wardrobe staple. They can be worn as is for most of the year and they pair well with many kinds of tops.
A crisp white shirt pairs easily with jeans, skirts, or other bottoms. This can be dresses up for business meetings or dressed down for everyday wear.
The timeless denim jacket is a wonderful for layering as seasons change. Denim jackets are easy pieces to use when dressing down a more formal dress or shirt.
A classic black dress is perfect for date nights and can also be dressed up or down for other occasions.
A crisp white shirt or blouse is the wardrobe staple for formal and professional events.
A black or neutral midi skirt can be paired with a variety of clothes, from graphic tees to blouse making this a versatile piece that can be used for both casual and formal occasions
A few pairs of casual leggings or shorts for workout wear
White sneakers can go with a wide range of outfits
Low heel sandals as these can be used for casual and more formal events.
A neutral sweater is perfect for layering during the colder months
Accessories such as bags, belts, and jewelry for keeping outfits fresh
Where to Purchase Clothes for a Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe?
After you evaluate the current items in your closet, if you decide you need to purchase new items for your capsule wardrobe these ethical and sustainable fashion brands are a great place to start. These sustainable brands focus on creating good quality clothing that will last for a long time.
Malaika New York’s Zero Waste Clothing
Malaika New York is an ethical fashion brand that focuses on zero waste design and seasonless style. Their eco-friendly clothing is ethically made in partnership with a Turkish factory focused on sustainable production, fair wages, and safe working conditions.
Malaika New York uses sustainable materials such as GOTS or OEKO certificated cottons, deadstock fabric, ECONYL, and RWS certified wool.
FAIR INDIGO FAIR TRADE CLOTHING
Fair Indigo’s fair trade fashion only uses premium-quality organic clothing to respect the environment by using fewer resources. From tops to jumpsuits, fair trade fashion is available for both men and women who are trying to start their capsule wardrobe.
ABLE’S TIMELESS STYLE
ABLE is a sustainable, ethical lifestyle fashion brand that seeks to empower women. This ethical brand sells high-quality clothing apparel, bags, shoes, and jewelry that never go out of fashion, and are just perfect for your capsule wardrobe.
ABLE strives to be a sustainable brand, both in terms of their clothing and for their employees. Their timeless style features jeans and dresses made from ethical denim, and shoes that will go with any outfit.
Quince’s quality clothing Perfect for Capsule Wardrobes
Quince is a minimalist clothing brand committed to making exceptionally high-quality essentials at a price within reach. Because everyone deserves to fill their life with the finer things. Quince strives to create clothes that are affordable and sustainable.
Select clothing items feature eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, modal, and recycled materials. The have a wide range of clothing that is perfect for starting any capsule wardrobe.
THE GOOD TEE'S FAIR TRADE MINIMALIST CLOTHING
The Good Tee is an ethical clothing brand focusing on high quality Fairtrade Certified organic cotton basics. This social responsibility brand's website displays videos and outlines manufacturing processes to help shoppers understand how their clothes are made.
Not only are their garment factories, Fair-trade certified, but also the actual cotton is Fairtrade. That means they've gone the extra mile to ensure fair treatment and payment of the farmers AND garment workers.
The Good Tee's sustainable clothes feature organic cotton t-shirts, dresses, and basics for men, women, children, and babies, The Good Tee strives for sustainability with classic designs; low-impact dyes; the use of organic, fair trade cotton, and eco-conscious packaging.
TENTREE EARTH-FRIENDLY MINIMALIST FASHION BRAND
tentree makes Earth-First essentials using sustainable (and comfortable) materials such as TENCEL, recycled polyester, organic cotton, and hemp. Every time you purchase an item, tentree plants 10 trees.
tentree is proud to be a certified B-Corporation and ethically crafts their clothing around the world. Consumers can learn more about the certifications for each individual factory on their Ethical Manufacturing page.
Taylor Jay’s sustainable clothing for creating multiple outfits
Taylor Jay is a Black owned sustainable fashion brand creating an intersectional approach to fashion through ethics, sustainability, and inclusion. Taylor Jay partners with a factory focused on ethical sourcing and fair labor in Oakland, CA to produce environmentally safe garments from certified eco-friendly textiles.
Taylor Jay focuses on the versatility of clothing ensuring single Taylor Jay piece can be combined into multiple outfits. This is perfect for creating capsule wardrobes. Conscious consumers can shop jumpsuits, dresses, tops, bottoms, and more when creating a capsule wardrobe.
ENCIRCLED’S VERSATILE CLOTHING
Encircled sells comfortable, stylish, and sustainable clothes to help select the first pieces for your capsule wardrobe.
On their website, you can do the quiz, “What's your ideal capsule wardrobe?” that helps you pick out the pieces for your perfect capsule wardrobe plan. With “kits” for different occasions like “The better basics kit”, “The work from anywhere kit”, “The carry-on kit” etc., they help to put together looks for different occasions.
KNOWN SUPPLY'S ORGANIC COTTON CLOTHING
KNOWN SUPPLY is humanizing the apparel industry through collaborative partnerships. This certified B Corporation is crafting ethical clothing while creating employment opportunities in Peru & Uganda through their partnership with Fair Trade Certified.
KNOWN SUPPLY’S collection is made with GOTS ertified organic cotton creating significant water savings during the production of their sustainable clothing.
Eileen Fisher’s High End Sustainable Fashion
Eileen Fisher is a high end fashion brand focus on sustainability and circular fashion. This certified B Corporation uses organic, natural, and recycled materials to craft minimalist sustainable fashion perfect for creating a capsule wardrobe.
Eileen Fisher partners with factories that pay livable wages and treat garment workers with respect. Discover women’s workwear, tops, sleepwear, bottoms, dresses, and more.
PACT'S AFFORDABLE CLOTHING MADE WITH ORGANIC MATERIALS
PACT Apparel specializes in affordable basics. PACT Apparel is made with organic cotton and created in Fair Trade Certified factories. PACT's minimalist essentials for men, women, and children featuring t-shirts, polos, shorts, leggings, and more.
If you're looking for an affordable and convenient way to find some statement pieces for your capsule wardrobe consider checking your local thrift store. This is typically one of the most affordable ways to find new pieces and give them new life.
Hopefully this guide helped you understand what a capsule wardrobe is, why it’s beneficial, and a few tips to kickstart your capsule wardrobe.
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