Why A Quality Capsule Wardrobe Is A Necessity For 2022
Investing in classic staples such as a blazer and statement belt will transcend years and even decades.
Sustainability in fashion is a huge topic right now. As our awareness of the impact of fast fashion increases, we’re looking for more ways to make our wardrobes greener.
The capsule wardrobe as a theme is growing in popularity on social media as users put together a closet full of timeless essentials that can be mixed and matched in many ways.
Here, we’ll discuss why building a capsule wardrobe can help you be more sustainable with your fashion. As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to overhaul your wardrobe, so we’ll show you how you can put yours together.
What is a capsule wardrobe and why should you have one?
A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist collection of clothes that are designed to be long-lasting and high quality. Capsule wardrobes comprise of timeless pieces that can be combined in endless ways to create a huge number of chic looks. A capsule wardrobe encourages us to focus on clothes that are always considered stylish instead of buying into seasonal looks that might be considered out of fashion within a few months.
A good pair of jeans in your favourite paired with a classic white T-shirt will always look stylish and ‘on trend’.
Putting together a capsule wardrobe allows us to be more sustainable in our fashion choices by focusing on long-lasting pieces that will stay stylish throughout the seasons. Its rise in popularity is being driven by Gen Z on TikTok, with related hashtags including #capsulewardrobe and #capsulewardrobestyle generating over 70 million views at the time of writing.
It makes sense that this trend is being driven largely by the 18-25 age group, because the most important issue to those of us in this generation is climate change. In a world of overconsumption, being more environmentally conscious in our fashion choices is a great place to start.
How can you build out your capsule wardrobe?
So now we know what a capsule wardrobe is and why we should have one. But if you’ve never had this level of focus on your clothing options, where do you start? We have some handy tips.
Review your current wardrobe and identify trends
The first step in building your capsule wardrobe is to look through your current wardrobe to see the most commonly occurring pieces. Do you have a lot of bold, printed dresses that you turn to season after season? Maybe you have more pairs of dark bootcut jeans than any other trouser style in your wardrobe.
Whether your wardrobe is filled with fast fashion items that might not see out the end of the year, or you’ve got some key quality pieces that you know will last a while, identifying your favourite types of clothes will give you the starting base for building out your capsule wardrobe. Try out a few of these items together to see if you can mix and match them easily.
Plan around your favourite items
Pick out a few key items that you wear the most – or own the most of – and start mapping out the items that will always be stylish when paired with them. A floral print dress will always look timeless and chic with a biker jacket. Bootcut jeans paired with plain tees or knitted jumpers is a look that will stand the test of time. A straight-cut blazer can be thrown on over any number of outfits to dress them up.
Decide on your statement piece and dress around it. A red pair of trousers or skirt can be used to amplify your staple pieces.
While you can use platforms like TikTok and Instagram as inspiration, it’s important to build a capsule wardrobe that works for you. Neutral-hued tailohttps://www.cathkidston.com/en-gb/prints/shop-by-print/rose-revival/red trousers may never go out of style, but if they don’t fit into your personal style, they shouldn’t be in your capsule wardrobe.
Go beyond just your clothes
Your capsule wardrobe shouldn’t end at the clothes you wear but also your accessories, bags, and shoes. The good news is that many of us have already invested in statement bags that were designed to last a lifetime, but if you haven’t, there’s still time.
Look for bags that are made out of sturdy materials that won’t fall apart after a few outings, like recycled twill, fruit and vegetable leather, and repurposed polyester. These materials are not only durable but have a lower environmental impact than other textiles because they’re recycled or biodegradable.
Investing in a hardwearing luxury piece such as a handbag is a great addition to your capsule wardrobe. Your well chosen investment pieces will wear well across the years and can even become collectors items.
Quality over quantity
When a new seasonal trend takes our fancy, it can be all too easy to fall into the habit of buying frequently based on new styles and current trends. But the whole philosophy of a capsule wardrobe is to focus on clothes that will last a long time style- and quality-wise.
Making an effort to shop with brands that have made a commitment to sustainability, or have dedicated sustainable lines, is a good ethos to have. Luxury fashion house Stella McCartney focuses on sustainable materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester, while quintessentially British designer Cath Kidston recently launched Recycled Rose as part of its Rose Revival collection, which features timeless bag styles made from sturdy, recycled materials.
As more initiatives are put in place to work towards our target of net-zero emissions by 2050, we’ve never been more aware of our personal impact on the planet. It’s the most pressing issue for our generation, and we’re seeing capsule wardrobes and other sustainable actions rise in popularity as we fight overconsumption and fast fashion. Building a capsule wardrobe is a great way to build sustainability into your life, and there’s never been a better time to do so than the upcoming new year. We hope these top tips help you put your capsule wardrobe together if you don’t yet have one.