Imagine having a wardrobe in which you can openly and honestly say that each item in there is loved and worn frequently. This is exactly what the capsule wardrobe aims to achieve. Consumerism is at an all-time high and I think that most of us can admit to taking purchasing new items a bit too far. From ‘must have’ fast fashion coats, to accessories that simply get forgotten about, being more mindful with your wardrobe is not only beneficial for the environment, but it is also great for your wallet. Use the following steps to create a wardrobe that you genuinely love, with pieces that you see yourself wearing for years to come!
Rehome instead of getting rid
First things first, you need to deal with the current situation, aka the mountain of clothes that have been left unworn and unloved. So, with that being said, spend at least an hour, or more depending on the severity of your closet, and see what clothes you currently have. You might be tempted to simply throw out what you don’t love, but where possible it is always better to rehome. Consider selling your clothes with apps like Vinted and Depop, and get yourself some extra cash to reinvest into capsule pieces. Or, instead, send your clothes to charity shops where the money generated from them will be used for a better cause.
Keep your piles separate, so start with a selling pile, then a donating pile, and then of course the selection of clothes you wish to keep. Be brutally honest with yourself about what to keep. Have a red dress that you love, but no occasion to wear it for the foreseeable future? Let someone else love it as much as you, and make room for functional pieces that you can wear every day.
Get inspired
Once you have a fresh slate to work with, you need to get inspired. Perhaps you want to completely reinvent your style, in which case you need to find inspiration from creators. You don’t have to look before you find people that you love. Use apps such as Pinterest and Instagram, and follow creators that have a style that you love. Avoid influencers that simply jump on trends and carry out fast fashion hauls. They will not be buying from brands that create timeless designs that last for years, and this is essential when creating a capsule wardrobe.
Create your dream closet.
Now it is time to bring your ideas to life. Creating your dream capsule wardrobe will not happen overnight. The best closets are created over years, if not decades. Finding the best quality pieces might take some travelling, heck it might even take you finding the most hidden charity shops in the heart of Budapest, but it will be worth it. Have at least 7 staple outfits to create with your new pieces, and be sure that they can be styled interchangeably with one another. Creating a list is often helpful, as you can check these items off as you go so you are reminded of what you have. For example, everyone should have one lightweight coat for spring/summer. This could be a trench coat to pair with a skirt, and once you bag the perfect one, you can tick this off.
Search second hand
Second hand has surged in popularity, many items now being labelled as ‘vintage’, when in fact they could be amazingly made pieces from just 5 years ago. The truth is that fashion today is cheap and poorly made. Items from just a few years ago can prove to be much more durable than those made today. So, shopping second-hand is often much more valuable than buying the same product new. Take faux leather for example. The amazing faux leather pieces made a few years ago (when it wasn’t trending) are much better quality. Now, to meet the demand of the masses, faux leather is extremely poor and both are guaranteed to last you the rest of your life. If you are lucky enough, you can even shop designer pieces second-hand at a much cheaper price. Just know the right areas to look at, and again use apps like Vinted to find hidden gems.
Let the thought marinate
Before you rush into buying anything you think is essential, let the thought marinate. What good does that do you might be wondering? Well, advertising firms are smart, and you might be scrolling on your phone at night thinking you have found the perfect item and purchasing without thinking. You then come to find the next day you have bought this item you likely didn’t need, but need to go through with the transaction regardless. Letting the thought marinate is the best way to decide whether you truly want something. Think about all those items of clothing you thought you ‘needed’ but never had. Did you need them or were you just trying to jump on the trends? You already know the answer, and a capsule wardrobe does not prioritise trends, it focuses on functionality and style, which will serve you much better!
Buy it cheap, buy it twice.
Last but certainly not least, always remember buying cheap means you will buy it twice. This goes for the higher priced items, such as your winter coats, and boots, and more premium materials such as cotton and silk. Buying items cheap might save you in the short term, but in the long run, you will need to buy these items multiple times within the time frame you could have had just one of the more premium items. Shop mindfully, and you will have a wardrobe that keeps you looking classy for years to come.
