Building a Capsule Wardrobe with Brooke

For my first two posts I talked about how to shop sustainably, whether it be the thrift store or an eco- friendly label. This week I wanted to focus on the most sustainable option, which would be to work with what you already have! Whether or not you choose to actually implement a capsule wardrobe over a full closet, sorting through your clothes in this manner is great for organizing a suitcase when preparing to travel, and could also be a great way to prepare outfits ahead of time to alleviate stress in the morning.

So what is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is an assembly of carefully curated clothing items from which you can create a multitude of different outfits. A capsule wardrobe should be on the smaller side, and the idea is that you take only a few items of clothing and maximize them to build as many outfits as possible.

Why a capsule wardrobe?

There are a variety of reasons to create a capsule wardrobe, and the first of which is to declutter. I don't know about you, but as someone with a passion for all things fashion, I have racked up an impressive amount of clothing. Whether it be a practical pair of jeans, or a frilly pink vest, when I see something I like I have to get it. And while there is nothing wrong with buying clothes, the problem arises from the overconsumption of clothing. If your closet is full to the point that you are running out of room, switching to a capsule wardrobe, or at least minimizing your wardrobe is a necessity. Another area a capsule wardrobe is helpful in is finances. If you are content with having several core garments worn in different iterations throughout the week, there is really no need to spend a great deal more on clothing. That's not to say you can never spend money on new pieces ever again, but rather that if you're looking to curb your spending, look first to your wardrobe. Lastly, many people feel the need to form a capsule wardrobe to make getting dressed easier. Simplifying the process of getting ready makes mornings smoother and less frenzied.

Getting started

Some research you may want to do before hand is trying to figure out what your personal style is or what colors and fits look best on you. This may seem like daunting task, but just taking some time to really evaluate what you are actually wearing in your closet is a great start. Just because something sparks joy doesn't mean it deserves to stay, especially if you haven't worn it in a few years. You can take countless online surveys or watch videos on Youtube to try and best figure out what you like to wear. It is also important to think about what your lifestyle is like (do you work a corporate job, are you a busy parent) and what you feel best in. For me, someone who doesn't work out regularly and hates athleisure wear, one pair of leggings is sufficient and anything else would be excessive. Once you are somewhat confident in what you feel good in and what you actually wear, it's time to reduce. Get rid of anything you don't love to wear, whether it be because of the material or because you simply don't love how it looks on your body. Say goodbye to anything you haven't worn in recent memory because chances are, you aren't going to wear it again.

Picking your pieces

Once you have sufficiently reduced your wardrobe to a manageable size, it's time to pick what pieces will actually be a part of your wardrobe. While the exact number of pieces is completely up to you, try to center your wardrobe around a few bottoms, a few tops, a few versatile outerwear pieces, and a few pairs of shoes. Once you have selected these pieces, try and work out different outfits that you can create using those core items. By choosing pre- planned outfits, you can further see what goes with what, what doesn't seem to go with anything, and what is missing. A great piece of advice is to box up or store away any pieces you are undecided about, and revisit them at a later time. Some time away from those pieces will provide more clarity as to whether or not you truly need them in your wardrobe or if you even noticed they were missing.

Wrapping it all up

As you can see, starting a capsule wardrobe is not necessarily the easiest thing to do, but will ultimately save you time and stress in the future. Whether or not you actually plan to implement a capsule wardrobe into your life, these steps can be useful in cleaning out your wardrobe and making room for clothes you actually love and gravitate towards. Shopping sustainably doesn't just mean you are shopping reputable, eco- friendly brands, it also means that you are reducing the amount you are buying so as not to lead to waste. This process, regardless of what you do with it, is great for really getting to know yourself and your style. Once you know that, it is far easier to shop sustainably and avoid falling in the trap of the latest trends and fads. After all, fashion is supposed to be fun and if your closet brings you more stress than joy, something needs to change.

Stay tuned next week for Kaileena's post about the harms of the fast fashion industry!