Nowadays, the capsule closet is mainly an online phenomenon that is talked about by youtubers, tik-tokers, fashion bloggers and their followers in sorts of online communities. The concept is mainly done by women of almost any age group.
Capsule closet is the kind of compact closet that holds the minimum number of clothing. They are selected with care to match easily to each other and you will wear them for ages. The result is a clutter free closet, with a strong focus on quality over quantity, including different essentials, long lasting and versatile pieces that reflect your personal style.
Making of capsule closet is not that easy as it sounds, it is a very personal task—one that takes time, perseverance, lots of creative ideas and perhaps some analysis.
Minimalism in capsule closet
There is no doubt that minimalism takes a big part when talking about capsule closet. Minimalism can be defined as a lifestyle, philosophy, a mindset which concentrates on simplicity and reduction, so is the capsule closet. Benefits of minimalist lifestyle concepts are less environmental footprint, more money saved, more time and in some cases, even more happiness and less anxiety.
Among the minimalist ideas, the capsule closet is probably one of the most popular and widespread phenomena, focusing on sustainability, quality and long-lasting clothing. The reasons for the increased interest in minimalism differ.
Some says it is an act against mass consumption, increased social responsibility and interest in sustainability or simply an urge to live simpler life.
Where to start
Begin with a simple clear-out. Limiting your wardrobe to a 20-40 of pieces might help you. Take a time-out before refilling your wardrobe. Instead of buying new clothes right away, give yourself some time and space for thoughts, live with your wardrobe as it is for a week, a month or however long you like.
Perfection can wait. Trying to assemble the perfect capsule wardrobe too quickly might mean you end up buying more than you need. There will be time and place where eventually you will be happy with results.
A capsule closet is usually done for one season. Be careful, don’t throw away your winter items, they might come in handy.
Build a capsule closet
What can you find in a capsule closet? There are hundreds of articles which are describing necessities, rules, do’s and don’ts of a closet, but some are repeating.
- Clothing should be made of high-quality and preferably natural materials such as silk, wool, natural leather
- Clothing must be sustainable
- It has to be stylish, no matter what new trends appear on the horizon
- The garments must be easily switchable, so you can have a different outfit every day
- Selected clothes will be comfortable in everyday life, but will also come in hand at official events.
Starting pieces of clothes
So the question is – which are those 20 to-40 items that you need. You will find proven classics and maybe something that could surprise you.
- A forever biker jacket
- Tailored trousers
- An easy sweatshirt
- A smart skirt Black ankle boots
- Relaxed true-blue jeans
- A white shirt
- A versatile scarf
- Midsized heels
- A chic, wear-everywhere dress and some more.
And what about colors? Capsule closet can be full of quality clothes, but it will never be complete without the right shades. You will find the most wearable colors in classic shades – sand, black, white, dark blue, gray. These shades will combine well with each other – we call them base colors.
Living in the age of mass consumption
As the idea of capsule closet sounds wonderful, we still live in mass consumerism obsessed world. There are two kinds of possibilities why we are over consuming fashion: our ego and entertainment. Ego is a large nuisance which affects our shopping ways. Nowadays, the consumption of fashion is seen as, expression and maintenance of identity and self-portrait.
People are willing to overspend only to look in a certain way. Shopping is seen as a diversion from the routine of life, family entertainment, a way of learning about trends, a self-gratifying activity or a stress therapy.
Consumer goods have gone beyond their initial aim to fulfill personal needs and are instead often used as identity creators can explain consumer’s desires to consume beyond necessity.
Final thoughts
A capsule closet is an easy way to streamline your wardrobe and save time and money. By investing in timeless, versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched and accessorized, you can create endless looks with just a few key items.
We hope that our article will inspire you along your way to capsule closet making. Remember, less is more.
