In the last few years, capsule wardrobes have been the craze among conscious fashionistas and slow-fashion lovers. However, to the average fashion lover the term ‘capsule wardrobe’ may be unfamiliar…

So, what is a capsule wardrobe?

In basic terms a capsule wardrobe ‘is a small collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways’ according to the Cambridge Dictionary. Yet, if we dive deeper the capsule wardrobe is more than just a collection of clothing, it’s an affordable and sustainable way to build your wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe allows you to look beyond the fast-fashion trends but develop a collection of quality clothing that will not only benefit your wallet but the planet too.

So now you know what a capsule wardrobe is we can guide you through the process.

How to Start Your Capsule Wardrobe?

There is no right or wrong way to start your capsule. However, before you start, you should review your current wardrobe. It’s essential to assess the clothes you already have and question whether you really need them. You can do this through a series of simple steps:

1) Create three piles labelled: ‘keep’, ‘maybe’ and ‘throw’

2) Flick through your wardrobe, ask yourself what items mean something, which ones are good quality.

3) The items that are meaningful and good quality (which should be one or two) keep.

4) The ‘maybe’ or ‘throw’ clothes, you will need to remove from your wardrobe, but don’t throw them away in the bin, if they are torn repair, them and then donate or resell it or check whether it can be recycled.

Discover Your Base Outfits

Once you have sorted through your current wardrobe and left with 10 – 20 items; you will need to decide on your base clothes to start your capsule wardrobe. It is suggested that you should start with five tops, eight jumpers, three jeans, four pairs of shoes and one coat. This is only an example as this depends on the climate you live in, for instance, you may want less tops and more jumpers. Overall quality is key, therefore avoid fast-fashion purchases.

There is no set amount of clothes you should have in a capsule wardrobe, but it’s advice between 30 – 50 items in total. Remember you capsule wardrobe will be the only clothes available to you during the next 6 -12 months, but you will be able to mix and match as you go on.

At first, you may feel restricted however over time you will realise the time and effort trying to choose different outfits will be significantly reduced and the energy can be put into much more meaning areas of your life.

But why do you need a capsule wardrobe?

Overall, there are a few benefits of creating a capsule wardrobe, so we have selected the top four reasons why you need a capsule wardrobe….

1) By reducing the number of clothes you have in your wardrobe it reduces the amount of time you take to choose your outfits which means less stress and time taken from your life.

2) Keeping to a set amount of clothes allows you to mix and match saving you money in the long run.

3) We all have clothes that we haven’t been used, a capsule wardrobe helps you move on the clothes you’re not using to others that may need it. By circulating clothes, you are keeping them from going to landfills.

4) Slows down the amount of clothes you are purchasing that ultimately helps contribute to the slow fashion movement.

Ultimately, creating a capsule wardrobe is a great way to edit and remix good quality clothes meaningfully while contributing to not only to your lifestyle but towards a greener future.