Cracking the “capsule wardrobe”: its why and how

The majority of us are always rummaging through the closet in the morning, attempting to decide “what to wear today?” It’s not reasonable to believe that one could resist the allure of emerging trends. A standout piece from your closet may add freshness and emphasis to your appearance for that particular occasion. Fast fashion, constantly shifting trends, and opulent internet shopping, however, may sometimes convert our closets into disorganized disaster zones filled to the brim with items we may have bought on impulse but seldom wear.

Capsule wardrobes are making a comeback because consumers are demanding sustainable and ethical clothes today as a response to the harm that rapid fashion does to the environment. Susie Fox, the proprietor of a wardrobe store in London, used the phrase in the 1970s to characterize a line of timeless, classic wearables that were easy to switch up and would never go out of style. The phrase, however, first appeared in popular culture in 1985 thanks to Donna Karan’s capsule collection “Seven Easy Pieces,” which promoted the idea of a simple transition from workwear to evening or party wear and included a dress, bodysuit, skirt, white shirt, cashmere sweater, tailored jacket, and leather jacket.

So how do we interpret capsule wardrobes? A capsule wardrobe is a collection of carefully chosen, edited articles of sartorial apparel that are meant to be quickly switched out, so nothing ends up unworn or hidden in the back of the closet. Opt for a traditional 20–25 piece wardrobe that goes well with your shape, preferred color scheme, aesthetics, and lifestyle rather than an overstuffed closet with 70–80 items.