In recent years, sustainable fashion has come to the forefront as society has begun to turn its back on fast fashion. The reason for this shift lies in the fact that the industry causes a negative environmental impact with the hazardous chemicals created, as well as the amount of waste that piles up yearly. On top of this, producing these clothing pieces often means there are people working in unethical conditions for next to nothing in compensation. Brands like Stella McCartney and Levis, have been leaders in the movement towards sustainability, with more and more brands pledging towards the same goal yearly. But these brands are often above the average consumer’s price range, so how do you stay stylish while reducing your carbon footprint? A new way of organizing your closet has been making waves in the past year and it’s called- the capsule wardrobe.
This term was created and first used by London boutique owner, Susie Faux. Have you heard of the term “closet essentials”? Well, the capsule wardrobe consists of all these and then a few more pieces are added to align with the change in seasons. The standard number of pieces are between 25 to 50 and should include not only clothing, but shoes and accessories as well. This may not sound like enough, but once you lay everything out, you’ll see that you have plenty to work with. The key to cutting down is finding items you can mix and match easily. As a result of this, it is important to have a few basic pieces, such as that cozy black turtleneck or those blue jeans that fit like a glove. Since its winter, I’ve added my black grid coat that never goes out of style. One might think that a ton of basic pieces can become boring, but if you add some prints, such as polka dots, you can create some fun looks! Having a capsule wardrobe also allows you to experiment with your style, as you may find a perfect outfit with pieces you never thought to put together.
Another benefit of changing up your closet is that it allows you to be less stressed when deciding what to wear in the morning. If you are anything like me, finding the perfect outfit sets the tone for your day, but it can sometimes cause you to spend an hour rummaging through your entire closet and end up feeling rushed. With the capsule wardrobe, the morning process can become a breeze and maybe instead of being five minutes late to class like me, you’ll show up early with all that extra time you saved.
Capsule wardrobes have expanded from individual homes to social media and are popular on websites like YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest. More people are starting to realize they can reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining a fashionable, organized closet. A capsule wardrobe can be a drastic change and you may feel you’re not ready to part with some pieces that don’t make your essentials cut. As someone who can identify with this feeling, I bought a clothing rack to combat this dilemma. Not only does a white, IKEA rack look super chic on display in my room, but it also has allowed me to separate my true essentials from those that I don’t reach for often but just aren’t ready to give up yet.
Although I still run five minutes late to class sometimes, I have created fun looks just by combining simple pieces from my rack. Whether you want to give minimalism a try, or are seeking ways to reduce your environmental impact, capsule wardrobes have something to offer for everyone.
-Vanessa Valles, DWF
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