Looking to Minimize Your Clothing Footprint? Try the Capsule Wardrobe Method

Every morning, you struggle to decide what to wear. Your closet is full of last season's trendy pieces, but just aren’t classic enough for this year's occasions. You have so many garments stuffed in together, you can’t even find your favorite clothes.

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. A recent study discovered that Americans only wear less than a fifth of what they have in their closets.

Overstuffed closets aren't just a problem for your morning routine: 85 percent of our discarded fast fashion clothing ends up in landfills. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to look in your closet and easily find what you actually want to wear? Wouldn’t it be easier to have a closet full of clothes you actually like, not filled with some garments you may (but probably won’t) ever wear again?

This is the basic premise of the capsule wardrobe method, a method that encourages you to create a small, seasonal wardrobe of high-quality pieces designed for mixing and matching. Here, we’ll discuss what building a capsule wardrobe could look like for you.

Creating a Capsule Wardrobe Based on Your Personal Style 

Though the capsule wardrobe has become trendy again in recent years, it isn’t actually new. In fact, the term was coined in the 1970s to describe seasonal wardrobes consisting of about 30 to 40 pieces that could be easily mixed and matched.

However, the term takes on new resonance in the age of fast fashion, where some people feel they have to purchase a new outfit for every occasion. In our age of throwaway consumption, building a capsule wardrobe of high-quality, versatile pieces that will last for years can be revolutionary.

Why You Should Consider a Capsule Wardrobe

How many outfits did you try on this morning? Did you worry that your blouse didn’t match your blazer, or that those pants you just purchased didn’t actually fit well?

It can be exhausting to comb through your closet in search of just the right outfit. When your closet is packed full of hundreds of dresses, separates, and accessories, you can face decision fatigue when confronted with yet another choice.

The best capsule wardrobes have pieces that match with each other, so you can throw a blazer over a dress or button-down, or pair a blouse with a skirt or a pair of pants. Plus, if you’re committing to well-made garments that can be worn in many different ways, they’ll not only fit better, but they’ll last longer, which is a boon for the environment.

How Should I Start Building My Perfect Capsule Wardrobe? 

The key to constructing your capsule wardrobe is finding neutrals that you’ll like from year to year and that won’t go out of style. Most garments should come in neutral colors like black, navy, grey, khaki, and white, as well as in basic fabrics like cotton, chino, and denim.

Here’s a list of some of the core pieces you’ll want for your capsule wardrobe. Use this as a checklist to get started!

• Knit sweater.
• Jean shirt.
• T-shirt.
• Button-down blouse.
• Striped long-sleeve t-shirt.
• Silk blouse.
• Slim-fit skirt.
• Upscale dark wash jeans.
• Casual light wash jeans.
• Leggings.
• Trench coat.
• Blazer.
• Jean jacket.
• Ankle boots.
• Sneakers.
• Flats.
• Heels.
• Tote bag.

Caring for Your Capsule Wardrobe

Purchasing high-quality garments and wearing them regularly will require more care than the throwaway items you used to stock in your closet. Well-made wooden hangers, rather than plastic or wire ones, will prolong the longevity of your garments. 

Butler Luxury’s women’s hangers are designed to preserve the life of each of your pieces, including skirts, shirts, suits, and coats. A well-chosen hanger ensures that your clothing will keep its shape and that its fabric will never be damaged by rips, snags, or pulls.

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