CURATE THE BEST CAPSULE WARDROBE
CURATE THE BEST CAPSULE WARDROBE
What is a “Capsule Wardrobe”?
A capsule wardrobe usually consists of 30 - 40 pieces of clothing. These items are interchangeable, versatile, and can outlast the fleeting trends that occur each season.
Why is it worth considering?
A capsule wardrobe is worth considering if you’re looking to build a closet you absolutely love, for a way to spend and consume less (yay for mother nature), and / or want to be more mindful of what you’re purchasing.
Where to start?
Starting the process can be the most intimidating step. Yet, it’s actually pretty easy and fun! When building a capsule wardrobe, you want to keep items that are pragmatic and interchangeable.
Now go to your wardrobe and analyze each garment with these 5 Questions:
1) Do I LOVE this item?
2) Do I feel confident in the garment?
3) Have I worn this garment within the last year?
4) Does it go with the other items in my wardrobe?
5) Does this item represent who I am or who want to be?
*** If you answered “no” to at least 2 of these questions, it’s time to say “bye-bye” to this garment that no longer suits you and “dispose” of it in a proper way that’s eco-friendly.
How do I find balance in my new wardrobe?
When curating your capsule wardrobe, it’s important to have a balance between your tops, bottoms, shoes, layers, and accessories. It also helps to have staple, timeless pieces that never go out of style. Some of these staple items can be a leather or jean jacket, a neutral t-shirt, a little black dress, a blazer, a turtleneck, and a pair of white sneakers.
Choose neutrals for easy pairing options, accompanied by a few colors that compliment your complexion. Also, hold onto the silhouettes that hug you in all of the right places and make you feel most confident. The rest of the garments that don’t fall into these categories— say it with me, “bye-bye”.
What happens with the “bye-bye” garments?
Next, it’s time to PROPERLY dispose of your “bye-bye” items. You can upcycle your old garments into new items or give them a simple update to extend their life cycle. Here is an article from Brightly.eco that has some upcycling ideas for inspo!
You can also send your items to companies like ThredUp, where they pay you for your unwanted clothes and properly dispose of all of the other unwanted items by upcycling them. There is also the possibility to resell your clothes in person to second-hand shops such as Plato’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, Beacon’s Closet, etc. And lastly, you can try reselling items with online platforms like Depop, Poshmark, or Vestiaire Collective. If none of this sounds appealing, simply give your items to people you know (friends, siblings, cousins, neighbors, etc).
BUT PLEASE, whatever you decide, do not throw away your garments.
What if I like to have variety and experiment?
If you are still a person that likes to experiment with fashion, there is a solution! You can use fashion rental companies like Nuuly, Stitch Fix, Armoire, or Rent The Runway to diversify and play with your capsule wardrobe to really grasp the idea of your ideal forever wardrobe.
Personally, I fall into this category of wanting to experiment with fashion. After taking the capsule wardrobe plunge, I experimented with new colors, garments, and accessories from Rent The Runway. I used RTR to fill in areas that were lacking in my capsule wardrobe. Using a fashion rental service helped me identify what silhouettes flatter my body type and what colors work year-round with the wardrobe colors that I already had. For me, the main benefit of using RTR was the experimental aspect without actually purchasing any additional garments.
Using a fashion rental company allows you to be experimental without actually growing your core wardrobe (unless you really, really love the item). Admittedly, fashion rental services could improve on other sustainable aspects in their business models (like dry cleaning, ecological shipping methods, etc). Yet, it can be a great way to really get a grasp on how to curate the best wardrobe for you to love and wear over the years. If you’re curious and want to give fashion rentals a try, here is my personal link for $30 off your first order through Rent The Runway: https://rtr.app.link/e/NYoPjPzGfeb
Creating a capsule wardrobe is a fun way to define your personal style, a way to consume and spend less, as well as a way to be more mindful of the items you purchase.
Focus on investing in quality items that are everlasting and durable. It’s okay to splurge on items that are going to last for many years, so take your time and be picky. Look into options that are unique and that can hopefully stand the test of time when cared for properly, allowing you to treasure these items forever.
Have fun with it and remember to properly dispose of your “bye-bye” items!
xx,
Iz
