Comfort, cohesion, and character: how to start a capsule wardrobe

With the prevalence of social media, fast fashion has evolved into spewing out micro-trends that people become convinced they need in order to feel fashionable. However, this is not sustainable for the planet, the welfare of garment workers, or for people with a student budget. Instead, a fantastic idea to try would be a capsule wardrobe, which would be more ethical and encourage you to find your personal style. Essentially, this is a condensed version of your wardrobe that is fit for the season. 

Some people suggest a specific amount of pieces for this, but the most important thing is that every piece is utilised. In order to understand the necessities for a capsule wardrobe, I decided to try one for my December holiday period, and I only allowed myself thirty items. These items included my shoes, pyjamas, belt, and jacket, but not things like underwear, which I would need to wash after each use, or jewellery, which I utilised to give some more character to my outfits. 

At the beginning of my capsule wardrobe experiment, I hardly noticed that I was doing it, as I was able to wear something reasonably different each day and not feel hindered. However, as we reached Christmas Day, I began to feel more restricted as I felt like my outfits offered me less joy than they normally do or that I was restricted to only one or two colour schemes. 

I’d hoped that Christmas would offer me some consolation, as I would typically get some items of clothing as a gift. Of course, this year was the year without such gifts (besides a set of pyjamas), and the concept of dressing nicely for the preceding social events of the coming week made me feel worried. I am someone who worries about wearing similar items around the same people consecutively and thus felt uneasy picking out my attire for New Year’s from my small selection. 

The capsule wardrobe shouldn’t feel like a restriction if you feel yourself in what you wear

Regardless of my anxieties, I think the experience has made me realise which items I am drawn to and what is needed for a typical capsule wardrobe, so here are some things to consider:

Which items can be re-worn with many different other items in your wardrobe? 

For example, pick a pair of trousers that you know matches most of your tops rather than a co-ord set that you will only wear together.

What weather are you dressing for?

Make sure you pick clothes that offer you enough warmth for the temperature, but ensure that you choose a jumper that you enjoy wearing. Otherwise, you will not be drawn to it when it comes to getting dressed.

It’s important to remember that the person who probably cares the most about what you are wearing is you

What items are the most authentic to you?

Though you want the majority of the wardrobe to be cohesive and all be able to be worn with many things, that should not prevent you from adding the texture that makes it your wardrobe. Ensuring that you have that dress that makes you feel good or the boots that make you feel powerful is what will make having a capsule wardrobe feel easy, instead of chore-like. 

Another way to change up your items can be doing your makeup and hair differently or to use a multitude of jewellery pieces to add some extra vibrance to your wardrobe. The capsule wardrobe shouldn’t feel like a restriction if you feel yourself in what you wear. With the impact of consumerism and fast fashion on the environment, it is important that we love the clothes we wear and utilise them as much as we can. It’s important to remember that the person who probably cares the most about what you are wearing is you, and you should never feel embarrassed to be seen in something twice. It is unlikely that anyone would even remember that you had worn it before and if so, clothes are made to be worn again and again! 

Furthermore, as a student, a capsule wardrobe could save you time putting together what to wear, as you already have an understanding of the items you have and the way they can be utilised. Therefore, you have more time to do work or to do the things you enjoy and be social. A capsule wardrobe can be a good start into finding your personal style and loving what you wear.