Unlock the Power of a Capsule Wardrobe: Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style

Welcome to our guide on what a capsule wardrobe is and how to build one. If you're looking to streamline your fashion choices, reduce clutter, and make more sustainable clothing decisions, a capsule wardrobe is the perfect solution. In this article, we will delve into the concept of a capsule wardrobe, its origins, and provide practical tips on creating your own curated collection of versatile and timeless pieces. Let's embark on a journey towards a more intentional and stylish wardrobe.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

Capsule wardrobes are not a new concept. The history behind capsule wardrobes started with Susie Faux’s boutique ‘Wardrobe’, which she opened in the 1970s. The minimalist style of clothing that showed just how diverse it could be by easily being mixed and matched. By the 1980s, the concept had spread to the USA where Donna Karen’s ‘Seven Easy Pieces' fashion line showcased seven clothing items that were all transformed into different outfits. 

Essentially, what is now known as a capsule wardrobe is simply a limited selection of clothing items that are easily interchangeable and can make up part of different outfits. 

The Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a great way to prioritise ethical and eco-friendly fashion consumption. Consumption goes down and the amount of textile wastage goes down too. In addition, you don’t have to worry about constantly buying new outfits which can be expensive and time-consuming, simply take items from your capsule wardrobe and create a new outfit.  

How to Start a Capsule Wardrobe?

Re-organise your current wardrobe 

The first step of building a capsule wardrobe is re-organising your current wardrobe. Your wardrobe might have years of clutter built up, with a lot of clothing items you never got around to wearing or don't know what to do with. Re-organising your wardrobe can help with identifying the items that you don’t need or wear, and categorising your clothes. 

Choose your ‘capsule clothing’

Your ‘capsule clothing’ will essentially be the core items in your capsule wardrobe. It’s important to include long-lasting and versatile clothing items to make sure you utilise your capsule wardrobe to the fullest extent. It also makes for a more sustainable fashion closet. If you find that your current wardrobe doesn't have everything you’re looking for, you can always buy an item or two to complete your capsule wardrobe - however, try to limit your consumption where possible and buy from fashion brands that prioritise sustainable methods and have good quality clothing.  

Plan your outfits

What’s your style? What do you wear often? What do you like to wear? These are just a few things to ask yourself when planning your outfits. This part is purely up to you and what you decide you’d like. Your outfits can be styled thematically, or could be based on the colour palettes of your ‘capsule clothing’. This is where your passion for fashion can shine through in how you choose to pair each outfit. 

Recycle, sell and donate

So there might be a lot of excess clothing after creating your brand-new capsule wardrobe. No need to fear, there are various sustainable methods that can easily help get rid of this excess. Firstly, recycling is always a great option. This keeps the clothes away from the landfill and means clothes will be used to make another useful items. Secondly, try selling your clothes on marketplaces such as Vinted and Depop. The second-hand market is a growing one and there's a big audience out there for second-hand clothing. On a related note, donating your clothing to second-hand shops is also an option if you’re not interested in selling them. The clothing items are kept in circulation and are being used again, giving people a chance to discover new and unique items. 

Now that you know the foundations of a capsule wardrobe, the last step is to simply have fun with it. Style your outfits the way you’d like, using the staple pieces from your wardrobe.

Written By Onikepo Abudu