What is a capsule wardrobe, and is it really the only way to have a sustainable wardrobe?
For the longest time, I have wanted to be one of those incredibly productive human beings who wake up at 4am, go for a run, sneak in some yoga and meditation, eat a healthy protein filled breakfast, and then go on with their day, being successful and fabulous. According to the legend, part of those unicorns’ success (because surely they must be mythical creatures) is to have a capsule wardrobe.
Now, the chances of me waking up earlier than what I normally do to go for a run are pretty slim. I’ve tried, I’ve cried, I failed. Hence, I thought that my productivity efforts would better be oriented towards creating a capsule wardrobe.
What precisely is a capsule wardrobe, you ask? Well, the term is now so popular that it has gained its own wikipedia page, (clearly a sign of lasting success). According to said page, the term was first coined by Susie Faux, owner of a London boutique in the 1970s, who defined it as a collection of essential, classic, items that would all match and look fabulous. Naturally this selection of items would eliminate the need for excess shopping, since a capsule wardrobe, par excellence, contains everything you will ever need.
This concept has been widely popularised in fashion and became quite the social media sensation when several authors launched challenges to their readers, most famously Project 333 by Courtney Carver. The idea is to wear only 33 items (a number which includes your clothes, shoes and accessories) for 3 months. The perfect wardrobe and less clutter? Sign me up. I immediately resonated with this idea and began to frantically assess what in my wardrobe could be worthy of this challenge
I am going to be honest here. In my continuous attempts to simplify my life and minimise my belongings (read more about it here), I have been attempting to perfectly nail the capsule wardrobe concept for years, with the ironic side effect of getting incredibly stressed by having to follow a set of rules for how many items are in my wardrobe. It turns out that I can’t have only 33, ok? I wish, but it’s just not happening. I feel that I have too many aspects in my personality to only have one style, and, most importantly, I live in a place whose climate begs for at least three layers a day, any time of the year.
So what is the solution to this dilemma? How to combine our desire for a (nearly) perfect wardrobe with our wish to shop more sustainably?
Enter the curated wardrobe
If, like me, rules stress you out, the idea of a curated wardrobe might work better for you. A curated wardrobe is precisely what is said on the tin – a wardrobe that contains an intentional selection of curated items. You don’t want your style journey to be a project in suffering, but rather a project in simplifying.
I have reached the point where I refuse to buy something unless I feel that it really deserves a spot in my wardrobe. Which means that I buy much, much less. I have entirely eliminated impulse shopping from my habits and I am working towards a truly curated wardrobe where everything is functional, beautiful and long- lasting. I no longer buy something that I am only half sure of (you know, because it’s on sale / it’s a charity shop jem/ it’s a Vinted maybe..). I have become very demanding with how clothes fit on my body, whether the fabric lets my skin breathe as it should, and most importantly, whether they make my heart sing. What is the point of holding on to stuff that is just meh/ uncomfortable/tight? Isn’t life too short to sit at your desk with a pair of trousers so tight that they are digging a crater into your poor wee tummy? Doesn’t your beautiful body deserve to be loved and cared for more?
I am completely aware that this is a process that requires time, which is a privilege that not everyone has. In our case, we are in the current situation where, not by choice, we are child free. This means that I am in a better position than a parent to look after my wardrobe with such intentionality. But don’t buy into the myth that sustainable fashion is unapproachable and too expensive (read more about it here). Think about it – you are paying for the quality that you receive, which means that you are paying for the labour behind the clothes that you are wearing, and you are honouring the work of the people who crafted them, designed them, and put their love and skills into making such special pieces. I rather pay for one, perfectly fitting pair of trousers, than five uncomfortable ones. A curated, smaller wardrobe, doesn’t mean a boring or an uninspiring one. In fact, it is quite the opposite. A curated closet has allowed me to really streamline my personal style, find outfit formulas that work for me, and really get out of the door much quicker. And who doesn’t like those extra fifteen minutes to sip your coffee in the morning, rather than frantically looking at your closet for something to wear?
P.S. If you are looking for style inspiration, or simply want to see what a curated closet is all about, follow me on Instagram (@i_owe_it_to_spaghetti). I share realistic, everyday outfits, stuff that I actually wear when battling with the crazy climate I live in (I love you Scotland).
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