Capsule Wardrobe 101: Why You Should Simplify Your Summer, Winter, and

Do you ever feel like you have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear? Are you tired of throwing out dozens of shirts and pants every year?

With the right mindset and a few key pieces, you can curate a versatile and sustainable wardrobe that fits your lifestyle and makes getting dressed fun again.

If you're ready to upgrade your wardrobe without making a single purchase, a capsule wardrobe might be just what you need. In this article, we'll examine why a capsule wardrobe is valuable and how you can create one for summer, winter, work, and every occasion.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

Instead of having a lot of clothes that you don't wear very often, a capsule wardrobe focuses on a smaller number of items that you love and that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. Some capsule wardrobes have 30-50 pieces, but there are no rules; rather, there is a mindset.

The philosophy teaches you to be intentional with your wardrobe choices and choose items that align with your style and personal needs, unlike fast fashion, which encourages overconsumption and waste.

Wait, Why Would I Choose To Own Less Clothes?

A capsule wardrobe is a no-brainer, and here's why:

Reduced environmental impact: Australians buy an average of 56 new clothing items yearly, most of which end up in a landfill. By purchasing and owning fewer clothes, you can reduce your carbon footprint and decrease the waste you produce. (When done right, clothing can be sustainable. Check out our blog post about sustainable fabrics.)

Money saved: In the United States, households spend an average of about $120 monthly on clothes. Who doesn't want more money to spend on what they love? By creating a minimalist wardrobe, you can save money in the long run by buying fewer, higher-quality items that will last longer.

Time saved: By having fewer clothes, you can save time and reduce decision fatigue when getting dressed for work or play. With a capsule wardrobe, everything you own is something you genuinely enjoy wearing, so you'll spend less time sorting through clothes you don't wear or don't like.

Lower maintenance: Simplify your spring/winter cleaning, because with a capsule wardrobe you do not have to constantly remove and add clothing to your collection.

Satisfaction: You can free yourself from the constant pressure to keep up with the latest trends. By prioritizing quality over quantity and choosing versatile, timeless pieces, you can feel more confident in your style and be happier with what you wear.

How to Build A Capsule Wardrobe (For Summer, Winter, Work, and Any Occasion)

Step 1: Remove. Look at your closet and get rid of what you don't need.
Removing clothes can be challenging and even emotional. Here is a list of tips for choosing what you really love:

When looking through your clothes, make "remove" the default. If you have many clothes, you may only wear some regularly. When you are sorting through your closet, only keep an item if you know you will wear it again and again. For summer, keep shorts you really love, and for winter pick turtlenecks and jeans.

Know the difference between a trend and a staple. A staple is a piece you would feel confident in now and in five years. A trend is something that will come and go.

Example of a staple, shop on Velvety

Ask yourself practical questions about every piece. Questions such as "What is the quality of this item?", "What would I wear this for?" and "Do I have similar items that serve the same purpose or function?". For example, you do not need ten blazers for work, you can make many outfits from three.

Step 2: Sustainably dispose. Dispose of your unwanted clothes sustainably. Donate them to an organization like Upparel, or recycle them.

Step 3: Intentionally grow. Maintain your capsule wardrobe by being mindful of new purchases. Avoid impulsive buying and choose classic, timeless pieces that are high quality, such as the items we sell at Velvety. Add new pieces to your wardrobe slowly and intentionally. (Check out our blog post on sustainable clothing brands to shop from.)

A simple guideline to follow is what we call "the rule of 15". In the United States, on average, clothes are worn only seven times before being discarded. As a rule of thumb, before adding a piece to your collection, ask yourself if you will wear that item at least once per month within the next year.

Conclusion

Simplifying your wardrobe and creating a capsule wardrobe may initially seem challenging, but the benefits are well worth it. By reducing your environmental impact, saving money, and freeing up time, you can experience greater satisfaction and confidence in your style choices. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can curate a sustainable wardrobe that looks great and contributes to a better world. So why not try it and see how a capsule wardrobe can transform your wardrobe and your life?