What is a capsule wardrobe?
Although the name might make you think of the pharmacy, a capsule wardrobe is all about minimalism. The goal is to limit your wardrobe to basic garments you can't do without. On average, you'll end up with around 40 garments, excluding underwear, socks and accessories. This doesn't mean, by the way, that you limit yourself to drab clothing. On the contrary; it's nice to be able to vary with a striking pattern or a bright colour.
What are the benefits of a minimalist wardrobe?
The reason to put together a capsule wardrobe differs from person to person, but there are several advantages that everyone can appreciate:
- You save time in the morning because all the garments go together anyway.
- You need less (wardrobe) space.
- You save money because you have to buy less clothing.
- You save time, money, water and electricity because you have less laundry.
- You keep an overview so that you can replace the right garments in time.
In addition, there are people who reduce their wardrobe to lessen their impact on the environment. By buying less clothing and paying no attention to trends or fashion seasons, you don't play into the hands of fast fashion. That's why people also choose sustainable garments that are produced under fair conditions. For this you can look for recognised certification marks such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Better Cotton Initiative and Oeko-Tex.
What’s in a capsule wardrobe?
There is no perfect example of a capsule wardrobe. Let your personal preferences in terms of style and colour be the guideline. That way you can be sure your minimalist wardrobe keeps suiting you. The list below is therefore a suggestion and a good starting point:
- White T-shirt
- Polo shirts: (white polo and blue polo)
- Shirts: (white shirt, light blue shirt and striped shirt)
- Formal sweaters: (grey pullover and blue pullover)
- Casual sweater
- Dark jeans
- Light jeans
- Chinos: (beige chino and blue chino)
- Blazer
- men's jacket
- Suits: (blue suit)
- Sneakers
- Smart men's shoes
How to build a capsule wardrobe?
Before you start rummaging through your wardrobe, it's important to have a clear goal in mind. You don't want to have regrets halfway through and spend a fortune buying your clothes back. Roughly speaking, you can divide up your minimalist wardrobe by year, half-year or season. You're completely free in this. In addition, it's a matter of gradually breaking down and building up. Furthermore, it's important to realise that you're never finished refining your capsule wardrobe. To help you on your way, here are the following tips:
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Don't be afraid to prune
What can go, what will you definitely keep and what do you have doubts about? Think carefully here about what the purpose of a garment is. For which occasions do you wear the most clothing? Set doubtful cases aside for a few months. Haven't you needed them during that period? Then you can get rid of them. By the way, don't throw the clothing in the bin, but give it to a thrift shop or hand it in to be recycled.
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Don't underestimate the importance of colour!
Choose a colour palette that you not only find beautiful, but that also suits you. It's wise to include base colours (for example red, yellow and blue), accent colours (bright base colours) as well as neutral colours (for example black, white and brown) in your capsule wardrobe. For this you can look at your colour type. These are attuned to the colour of your eyes, hair and skin. Limit yourself to just a few colours per category.
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Invest in quality
If you're forced to buy or replace items, it's advisable to choose garments that last longer. For instance, woollen clothing is not only durable, but also self-cleaning. By taking this into account, you make your minimalist wardrobe (ecologically) responsible. Don't forget to take good care of your clothing too. That way you extend the lifespan of your clothing. For this, read the washing instructions on the label.
