The term capsule wardrobe came to be in the 1970’s when a woman named Susie Fox had opened a boutique in London with a minimalistic style to all her clothing. Since then, it has gained popularity in the U.S., and people use capsule wardrobes to easily mix and match their clothing pieces.
A capsule wardrobe consists of a number of clothing items that can help build your closet. They are basic pieces of clothing that can be interchangeable with every outfit, so you always have go-to clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.
With a capsule wardrobe you can create multiple different outfits with a limited amount of clothes because they all can be altered to go together if you choose neutral colors.
Capsule wardrobes can help set a foundation for the rest of your wardrobe because then you can add in your personal style once you have all your basics. Capsule wardrobes should include timeless pieces of clothing that will always be on trend and pieces of clothing that will last a long time.
Capsule wardrobes are sustainable because if you are investing in quality pieces (which we will talk about soon) made from organic cotton/materials and innovative textiles, then the clothes should last you a long time. You could also thrift shop your capsule wardrobe and make it sustainable that way!
For example, if you’re buying a cheap white t-shirt it is most likely from a fast fashion brand, and you’ll need to replace it within a couple months to a year for a new one because it isn’t made with the best materials.
But, if you research and find a sustainable brand that uses organic cotton or possibly recycled materials, that white t-shirt could last you so much longer if taken care of correctly.
Capsule Wardrobe Pieces
So, you’re probably wondering, what makes up a capsule wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe could include a white t-shirt, a blazer, white sneakers, straight leg jeans, black turtleneck, jean jacket, leather jacket, etc. There aren’t necessarily any specific rules and you can totally build it how you want, but sticking to clothing that are neutral colors like white, black, cream, navy, or gray will help build your capsule wardrobe.
You can’t forget accessories too! Gold and silver jewelry are classic and timeless pieces to accessorize any look.
A basic t-shirt is always a staple to have in your closet; it goes with everything and any bottom. You can dress it up with a blazer, that I’m sure you can find at any thrift store near you, or dress it down with a jean jacket for a more casual look.
Same thing with a black turtleneck. It is another basic piece that will go with any pant, and you can also have fun layering turtlenecks by adding an oversized sweater over it when it is colder outside.
A pair of white sneakers is another piece of a capsule wardrobe that will go with almost anything. (do you see a theme yet? Everything can go with everything!). I personally love my pairs of white sneakers, and I wear them almost every day.
A couple pairs of jeans are good options to have to interchange throughout outfits. Having a few different styles is nice, but you can never go wrong with a straight leg. Different washes of jeans are good to incorporate too; at least one light wash denim pair and one dark wash denim jean is good to have.
There are a number of other pieces that can be included in a capsule wardrobe, these are just a starting point. But, from here you can look at what you’re already working with in your closet. Get rid of what you don’t wear often, clothing that does not fit well, and start to declutter the clothes you don’t need. Then, you can start building the ultimate capsule wardrobe.
Here is a link to a Pinterest board with many capsule wardrobe ideas.
Like I mentioned before, you want to feel comfortable in all your pieces, so you never have to stress again trying to figure out what to wear, and once you have perfected your capsule wardrobe you’ll be excited to find new ways to style each item of clothing.
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