Creating the Perfect Capsule Wardrobe: A Sustainable Approach to Fashion

Written By VIM Mazagine

Who feels like they have a million clothes in their closet, yet nothing to wear? In today’s fast-paced world of fashion, trends come and go at lightning speed, leaving us with a closet overflowing with clothes that rarely see the light of day. But what if I told you that there is a helpful solution to this dilemma, which reduces clutter while ensuring you have the latest fashion of the season? Let me introduce you to the capsule wardrobe - a generous approach to curating a collection of versatile pieces, that satisfies your style and allows you to embrace sustainability throughout the season. 

What is a capsule wardrobe? To build one, you must first understand the concept of a capsule wardrobe and what it entails. The main goal when creating one is to have a smaller, more intentional wardrobe that reduces clutter, saves time, and promotes sustainable fashion choices. They typically consist of pieces that are versatile, and can be worn in different seasons and various occasions. The benefits of such a wardrobe are unrivaled. You will save more time, more money, and more energy for the important things in life. By refining your wardrobe, you might even be able to gain a better understanding of your true style.

Selecting items that can be mixed and matched seamlessly for multiple outfit combinations can be tricky. When doing so, stick to the basics. According to Un-Fancy, the golden number of pieces to have is 37. Caroline Joy, creator of Un-Fancy, said to pare down your closet to 37 items, including tops, bottoms, outerwear and shoes; discluding loungewear or workout clothes. Pick essentials that make sense for the season, e.g. For fall, I would pick a cozy sweater, layering pieces, and versatile bottoms. Need help narrowing down your closet? Read these additional suggestions on how to pare down your wardrobe. 

One of the benefits of having a capsule wardrobe is saving money. But how do you keep yourself from constantly shopping throughout the seasons? A good tip on how to achieve such a lofty goal, is to follow the second rule in Joy's guide on building a capsule wardrobe. Split up the seasons into months, e.g. Fall (october-december, and so forth). Stick to only shopping at the end of each season to prepare for the next season’s wardrobe. The amount of items you buy is up to you, but when it comes to a capsule wardrobe, less is more! Learn more about building a perfect capsule wardrobe on Un-Fancy.  

Some suggestions on what to include in your wardrobe: 

Olivia Ogle

VIM Mazagine
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