Capsule Wardrobes: Death to Tragic Impulse Buys!
As we continue to bury ourselves deeper into the deep dark depths of fast fashion, greenwashing, and microtrends, the importance of consumer accountability when it comes to sustainable fashion, unfortunately, continues to grow. Not that large corporations and companies shouldn’t be held primarily responsible– they should. But that doesn’t mean that we as consumers can’t play a role in sustainable consumption too.
There are many ways to go about this, of course. But my favorite? CAPSULE WARDROBES!
You’ve probably heard this term before – or maybe you haven’t. Regardless, capsule wardrobes are truly an essential, not only for those looking to shop more sustainably, but also for those who are trying to cultivate their own sense of style or simply build a closet that is more financially sustainable.
I, for one, am a shameful victim of microtrends (and trendiness in general). Currently, I have multiple very loud sweaters and many pairs of ill-patterned pants that have all been worn once, or not at all, sitting in my closet: a melancholy reminder of the impulsivity of my quarantine days. Looking back, there are so many pieces that I bought simply for the sake of trendiness, fleeting taste, or even simply because I wanted to “fit in” (enter that one Brandy Mellville dress that was extremely unflattering and extremely expensive for no reason). I would like to think that I have experienced some growth since then, but the truth is I am still learning what exactly my style is, and what pieces classify as justified purchases. For now, though, I will share what I have learned, and what the rest of the world has to say about capsule wardrobes.
So, what is a capsule wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe is a set of simple, hopefully high-quality, pieces that can be mixed and matched in many ways to create a plethora of looks; think white T-shirts, your favorite pair of jeans, etc. Basics, but with a bit of spice to elevate simple outfits. Essentials. The term, although technically in existence beforehand, was first truly brought to collective consciousness by Susie Faux, a London boutique owner, to describe basics used for mixing and matching in the 1970s. And that’s exactly what it is; a collection of pieces that are able to be mixed-and-matched into oblivion. While the exact items contained within a capsule wardrobe are open to dispute, here are the 6 pieces I believe constitute one (as a college student very much on a budget and very little time to shop):
A pair of jeans. I feel like this one is pretty self-explanatory; everyone deserves a good pair of jeans that feel good and fit well. This is coming from the girl that spent two years in high school wearing exclusively leggings and sweatpants, and now owns denim that fits.
Neutral T-Shirts and/or tank tops. These are essential items for layering, and pairing with more unique pieces that may not be akin to pattern mixing.
A staple jacket(s). Excluding your Canada Goose puffer, a good staple jacket is so so important; for me it's black leather, but it can be anything really.
A couple of crewnecks. Realistically, this is what you’ll be wearing more often than not. I have a vast collection of hoodies and crewnecks that can be dressed up or down. I get made fun of for the quantity of them in my closet sometimes, but I literally wear them everyday.
Something fancy-ish. For me, it's a black dress, for my sister it's a striped jumpsuit. Just a little something in case you need to get dressed up for some reason.
A staple pair of sneakers, a staple pair of boots. Again, I feel like this is self-explanatory. Sneakers for conventionality, boots for fashion and wet weather.
And that’s it. Obviously, all of this should be taken with a grain of salt; I’m just sharing what I have come to appreciate as my own capsule wardrobe, as someone who wants to be more mindful of her purchases.
So, the next time you’re pondering your potential purchase of animal-printed pants, learn from my mistakes and really consider the impulsivity of your actions. Here’s to the gradual demise of microtrends and fast fashion!
