Quick insight into the world of capsule wardrobes and how to get yours started.
What is a capsule wardrobe you may ask? Essentially, it's an efficient edit of items that all work well together. A capsule wardrobe makes sure that no item goes unused or unworn. Ordinarily it is made up of 10 - 20 items which are staples such as jeans, a classic blazer, trench coat, knits, and t -shirts which can be worn in many ways depending on the occasion. The colours are normally more neutral so when the season comes and goes it doesn’t mean your clothes have too as well.
In more recent times however, a capsule wardrobe is more to do with the individual. Building a capsule wardrobe for yourself will never be the same as anyone else’s. You need to assess what you already wear to death in your wardrobe and always gravitate towards, whether that’s a pair of jeans or a tracksuit.
Lifestyle and comfort are the most important factors to consider when starting your capsule wardrobe journey.
So why a capsule wardrobe? Well since a capsule wardrobe doesn’t depend on the latest trends, they promote slow fashion. By reducing our cost per wear, they also reduce the carbon footprint of our clothes as we purchase one good quality item for the long term.
So, what to invest in? like I said this will differ depending on your wants and needs.
I believe in if you have a perfect pair of jeans, they will last you a lifetime. Finding a brand or a fit that flatters me or wears well is difficult, but once you find it it's life changing.
Jeans are an investment, but they will be worth it. My go to are the Djerf Avenue ‘Relaxed jeans in washed blue’. They are mid-waisted and loose fitted which resemble the classic boyfriend style. A staple in my wardrobe. They can be dressed up or down and are a perfect example of a crucial piece in a capsule wardrobe.
You can never go wrong with some basic t-shirts. The best fit, style and price point for me are the Adanola short sleeve tops. They wash well and wear even better. These are great with leggings, jeans or even a skirt for the evenings. The perfect top for the perfect capsule wardrobe.
Again, looking into more ‘statement’ timeless pieces I am a strong advocate of the blazer. Djerf Avenue, Sisters and seekers and &other stories offer so many different styles and cuts of the conventional oversized dad blazer which works well with so many outfits day or night.
Sticking with the outerwear, trench coats and puffer coats will always be of use. Investing in these pieces will always elevate your outfit. Brands such as COACH, Ralph Lauren and Max Mara will always be perfect places to browse for the perfect trench. However, I found mine in a charity shop 5 years ago and still wear it now. Investing doesn’t always mean paying the top price for the top quality.
My go to piece will always be a tracksuit. I've tried every tracksuit that brands have to offer, so I have a good idea of which tracksuits are good investments. How they wash is very important. My favourites will always be anything Sisters and seekers, I have not found a brand yet that washes as well as their products. They look brand new however many times you wash them. My favourites are their viral ‘YOGA’ hoodie and their best seller ‘Gear sweatpants’ in Passive. Always a go to. They also have some amazing graphic oversized tees that pair well with a pair of jeans and an oversized blazer.
My other favourite tracksuits must be the Adanola sets, though I must be honest, they don’t wash as well as sisters and seekers. But the quality of the material is very high. With the soft touch French terry, no one does the finish quite like them.
For something a bit pricier yet still completely worth it is House of CB. For some reason, not many people rave about these tracksuits, but I think the standard of these are the best out there. You can feel the price point in these. The colours, finish and details are perfect.
So, the big question, can I still wear trend-led items and keep a capsule wardrobe?
Having a personal style is a must when it comes to a capsule wardrobe. Having pieces that reflect your style and make you feel comfortable is what it is all about. Trend-led ‘Fad’ pieces will always be hard to say no to when it comes to feeling like you’re missing out on ‘New Fashion’.
But you don’t have to miss out. You also don’t have to buy. This is where renting comes in. Rental services such as HURR or By Rotation are amazing business concepts that allow you to rent items from dresses to bags that are more trend led. You can rent them for a certain amount of time at a fraction of retail price and then return them as easy as that. Again, moving towards the slow fashion concept and being a more conscious consumer doesn’t mean you have to be any less fashion forward.
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