For some people, capsule wardrobe might be a new word, while for others, it can be a familiar word. If you are new to this word and wonder what a capsule wardrobe is, then keep a little patience and keep reading as we are here to discuss and explain the complete guide about the capsule wardrobe. Building a wearable capsule wardrobe may be especially challenging if you prefer an alternative aesthetic in your style.
But, don't fret! In today's post, we are going to explore everything about a capsule wardrobe and see how you can build your own set for your exquisite alternative style.
What Is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe isn't something new, especially for hardcore fashion lovers. The concept can be shortly described as a short collection of clothes that needs to be coordinated well. The exhibition is thoughtfully curated, easily interchangeable items crafted to maximize the number of outfits you create. You can carefully select around 30 clothes for your capsule wardrobe and assemble a company you can love for any occasion.
A good capsule wardrobe will save you time, money, and closet space. In addition, you can also maintain a capsule collection of your handbags, like a vegan convertible backpack that can be used in different ways.
History of Capsule Wardrobe
The term capsule wardrobe goes back to the 1970s and belongs to Susie Faux. According to her, a capsule wardrobe contains a few essential and evergreen items, like skirts and pants, that you can carry with seasonal pieces. However, the concept of a capsule wardrobe took off with the designer Donna Karan's first capsule collection, Seven Easy Pieces. The group included a skirt, tailored jacket, dress, leather, a white shirt, and a sweater.
Capsule wardrobes have a revival primarily due to the increased public interest in reducing the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment and the greater demand for popular and alt fashion brands with sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
What are the Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe?
A capsule wardrobe has many benefits, here are only a few:
• You will have to decide on less
When you have limited options to choose from, it makes you stress-free. On the other hand, when you have so many choices, you can get confused, and it takes longer to decide. However, with a capsule wardrobe, it becomes easier to decide what to wear as you have fewer options. In addition, your capsule wardrobe can help you get more creative with your wardrobe compared to a cabinet with hundreds of items hanging in it.
• Capsule wardrobes are better for the environment
When you purchase fewer things, it can significantly impact the environment. Fewer clothes mean fewer chemicals released into the water bodies and air, fewer clothes dumped in landfills, and fewer carbon footprints.
• You can afford likable stuff
When you stop purchasing clothes, you don't need you have more money to buy more nice and fantastic stuff. This way, you can focus on buying high-quality pieces that can last for multiple seasons and years.
• You will reclaim hours of your life back
In your free time, think of the time you have spent buying clothes over the last few years, including online shopping, trying on, and making returns or exchanges. Then think of the time you have spent managing the clothes in your wardrobe. However, when you build a capsule wardrobe, you can invest less time on all these other things, which gives you more time to focus on other essential items.
• A capsule wardrobe can help you reduce unnecessary stress
When you see a mess around you, it is obvious to feel stressed, which can increase cortisol, the primary stress hormone of the human body. But when you shorten your wardrobe size will clear the mess from your home, and your room can become a relaxing and calming place. Moreover, getting dressed is stress-free when you have a wardrobe filled with the clothes you love; it can boost your confidence.
How to Build an Alternative Capsule Wardrobe?
Well, now it is time to follow a few steps to start building your versatile alternative wardrobe:
- Declutter your wardrobe
The foremost step towards developing a minimalist wardrobe is removing items from your current wardrobe that are not in use now. This will allow you to clear the mess and focus on creating a capsule wardrobe with the clothing items you love.
Still having your Barbie pink tops and bell skirts from high school, which simply do not match your current, alternative aesthetic? It may be a perfect opportunity to finally eliminate the mismatched pieces and substitute them with basic black tops, blouses, and simple skirts.
- Donate and recycle smart
Try to donate or recycle clothes that do not fit you, items that you do not like, and clothes that are similar in style and color. Things that don't go with your body shape or skin type, and lastly, the clothes that are damaged. Now make some space in your wardrobe for items left in the categories like- bottoms, denim, tees, tanks, tops, sweatshirts, dresses, jumpsuits, jackets, and coats.
For old clothes, there are a few ways you can give them a new life and style. For example, using embroidered patches. Because the patches can be easily applied to almost any fabric. You can customize unique embroidery patches at GS-JJ with pictures of your favorite elements. These patches have a novel pattern and excellent quality. Accessorize your clothing with these patches and you can rework boring clothes into something fresh. You'll be amazed at the one-of-a-kind outfits! Welcome to making custom embroidery patches!
- Select your core capsule pieces
Once you are done with the above step, it's time to select the clothes you want to include in your capsule wardrobe. While doing this, you need to look for both functional and versatile quality basics. An available piece of clothing is practical and valuable for the current lifestyle. A versatile piece of clothing can be paired with other clothes that can be styled in different ways and carried in your alternative fashion styles.
When evaluating items for their functionality, you need to consider the item's fabric, weight, physical type, and how manageable it is to clean and maintain. While evaluating the garment, consider how easily it can be matched with other clothes, colors, and patterns and whether you can wear it to different events.
- Create everyday outfits
Now that you have edited your wardrobe and selected core capsule pieces, the next step is to create ten or more everyday works with the garments you have put back in your closet. Including this step is helpful as having pre-planned outfits will make you feel more confident with a smaller wardrobe that can save you time and energy while getting ready. However, to create everyday outfits, you can get inspiration from Pinterest, take photos, start with one pair of bottoms, and find some suitable accessories.
- Don't forget about the accessories
Accessories always put a final touch on the outfit. Especially, since it is an alternative fashion look. Accessories are like a cherry on top of your current ensemble. The capsule wardrobe is not an exception!
Keep your accessories on the simpler side: patterned pashminas should be replaced with monotone scarfs, plastic earrings, and necklaces with simplistic jewelry from high-quality material. Of course, the new pieces should match your alternative fashion style and inner feel.
Final Thoughts...
A capsule wardrobe is a timeless trend that helps to save money, time, and energy. In addition, it also helps keep the planet because people who still follow fast fashion are likely to buy clothes frequently and dump them in landfills that remain for many years and release toxic chemicals that are life-threatening to nature.
But when you follow the trend of a capsule wardrobe, you can contribute to saving the planet by maintaining limited and functional apparel that can last longer.