Why a Capsule Wardrobe is The Ultimate Solution for a Sustainable Lifestyle

Raise your hands if you love a good fashion reel! Don’t be shy, it’s not a trick question. We love our fashion try on hauls, too, but it can be tricky to combine a love for trying out new looks with a commitment to a sustainable lifestyle. 

If you’re trying to strike that balance, this article is for you. Here, we explore why a capsule wardrobe is the perfect solution to help you combine style and sustainability. We’ll also take a look at how capsule wardrobes first came into being and how you can start building one for yourself. 

How Capsule Wardrobes Conquered the Hearts of Environmentally Conscious Women

Do you know that feeling of standing in front of your wardrobe and having nothing to wear? The problem is not that you don’t own enough clothes, or that everything happens to be in the laundry. In many cases, the problem is quite the opposite. Your wardrobe may be bursting with clothes, but few of them were chosen to complement each other. 

As you start looking for the perfect outfit for a job interview, a night out, or a family occasion, you struggle to fight the impression that there is simply nothing quite right. That’s when capsule wardrobes offer an excellent solution. 

Let’s start by defining what we mean when we talk about capsule wardrobes. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a capsule wardrobe is “a small collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways and includes everything you would normally need to wear.” 

Today, the idea of a capsule wardrobe is gaining popularity once again with the rising cost of living! The reason behind this resurgence is both practical and influenced by the environmental impact and longevity of their pieces. A well-chosen capsule wardrobe allows them to combine classic base pieces with fashionable touches. The goal is to have a versatile core wardrobe that transitions easily between daytime and evening, from the gym to hanging out. 

How to Build a Versatile and Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe

Is your wardrobe one of those that is overflowing with clothes, yet you’re still struggling to find something to wear? Transitioning toward a capsule wardrobe is easier than you think. 

Start by tracking the items you actually wear over the course of the month. You could keep a spreadsheet or simply take a picture of your daily look to get a better idea of your favorites. Within a few days, you’ll notice that there are some pieces you wear over and over and others that stubbornly remain in the back of your closet. Once you’ve identified your favorites, set them aside. Some of them are likely going to be part of your capsule wardrobe. 

Now spend some time going through the clothes that you don’t wear often and dividing them into categories. Seasonal items deserve their own category, as do clothes that you haven’t worn in over a year. These are good starting points for simplifying your active wardrobe. Ask yourself why they’ve been neglected for so long. Some outfits may no longer fit your lifestyle, others simply may not fit anymore. 

When that’s the case, put these clothes in a box ready to donate to friends or a charity. Remember that one person’s unwanted items are another person’s treasure, and don’t be shy to make space. We all make mistakes when shopping. 

Speaking of shopping, now it’s time to identify the base items of your capsule wardrobe. For many people, these include:

• A well-fitting coat
• A pair of classic lounge pants, with love the Nova Pant in black 
• A flattering skirt that works with the jacket
• Several classic t-shirts in different colors, check out our Side Swipe Tee
• One or two pairs of shoes, including a classic trainer 
• A well-fitting pair of jeans
• Relaxed oversized pullover or sweatshirt 

Additionally, consider incorporating gym clothes like core leggings, athletic tops, and sports bras to ensure you have comfortable and functional attire for your fitness activities.

If any of those are missing from your wardrobe, it’s time to go shopping or visit a tailor. Having clothing tailored may seem old-fashioned, but nothing beats a made-to-measure trouser suit and skirt. If that’s not an option, look for fashion brands that are embracing sustainability already by choosing materials with a low carbon footprint or working with charities to offset their environmental impact. 

Opting for a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean foregoing your own personal style. Adding items like a hat, sunglasses, and other accessories to your basics helps you change your look from day to day and keeps you from getting bored too quickly. 

The Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe: Simplify Your Life and Support a Sustainable Lifestyle

There are practical as well as wider-reaching benefits to creating a capsule wardrobe for yourself. From the perspective of practicality, a capsule wardrobe allows you to combine all the styles in your closet with each other. Putting together an outfit becomes a matter of seconds rather than long periods spent staring at your wardrobe! 

Choosing only a few high-quality pieces that complement each other saves you money. It may be tempting to pick up cheaper fast fashion items, but few of them wear well or last long. Quality clothing lasts for years, and if you’re choosing the basics for your capsule wardrobe well, you’ll notice that they’re not going out of fashion overly quickly. 

Building a capsule wardrobe also helps reduce waste. If you choose clothes that last for years, you’ll automatically throw out fewer items, thus reducing the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills every year. 

As the entire world is struggling with a lack of resources and supply chain difficulties, building a capsule wardrobe is an excellent way to limit waste and create a more sustainable lifestyle for yourself. In addition, by choosing socially and environmentally responsible brands, you are helping to provide a better future. Once you’ve established your capsule wardrobe fully, the feeling of having nothing to wear will simply disappear. Instead, you’ll enjoy greater simplicity and the knowledge that you’re contributing to the well-being of our planet.