A slow fashion stylist on how to build a capsule wardrobe
WORDS BY KATE STREADER
“Essentially, you are building a collection of items that you love to wear and feel good in.”
It’s widely believed Albert Einstein wore the same outfit every day to avoid wasting brainpower on deciding what to wear. Whether that’s true or not is up for debate, but that hasn’t stopped thinkers and leaders – including Barrack Obama and Steve Jobs – from following in his (alleged) footsteps.
While there are many reasons for adopting a capsule wardrobe, like counteracting mass consumerism and the damaging effects of the trend cycle, the idea of simplifying the daily question of what to wear does sound enticing.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
A capsule wardrobe is a limited collection of clothing items that are timeless and work well together, with the idea being you can mix and match a small selection of pieces rather than buying new items constantly.
But where do you start? Which pieces do you need? And how many times can you cycle through the same clothing before you run out of new combinations? We asked slow fashion stylist Jenna Flood, aka the Ironic Minimalist, to point us in the right direction.
“I would start by working with what you own,” says Jenna. “Figure out the things you wear the most by documenting them. A quick snap or writing it down work best”.
“From there, look at what pairs best with your favourite things. Maybe you have a pair of pants that you love wearing… what else can you pair with them that makes you feel good? Build these outfits and then give them a test run to make sure you are comfortable with them throughout the day.”
View this post on Instagram
While this process may take some time, it’s a great way to road-test your capsule wardrobe and it will help you get a feel for creating looks incorporating specific pieces.
“Essentially, you’re building a collection of items that you love to wear and feel good in,” says Jenna. “As you build this collection, take note of what is missing. Could that outfit be completed with a great jacket? Or do you need more basic pieces to tie your looks together?”
The internet is bursting with ‘must-have’ lists that detail capsule wardrobe essentials, but fashion is personal and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. So why should a capsule wardrobe be any different?
“I find working with what you already have [is] a better option,” says Jenna. “It’s not sustainable to throw out what you already own and work from a list of clothing you may not like. I don’t like skirts, so they aren’t in my wardrobe.”
“For me, essentials include white T-shirts, linen pants, oversized shirts and a nice coat – all in basic colours like tan, white and black. I find this works well for me. However, not everyone loves wearing only basics or loves the look of an oversized shirt. It’s all about finding what you reach for day after day… they become your capsule wardrobe essentials.”
However, if you do need a bit of direction when it comes to compiling some core items for your capsule wardrobe, Jenna recommends basic tees, great-fitting jeans, classic cut jumpers and a top-quality, trench-style coat.
Capsule wardrobes typically consist of a neutral colour palette for ease of mixing and matching, though Jenna says prints and colours can still be part of your collection, “you just have to be smart about it”.
“Always look for patterns that have been through the trend cycle a few times. Things like stripes, floral print and sometimes even leopard print can add more interest to your capsule wardrobe.”
There’s no hard-and-fast rule about how many items of clothing can make up your capsule wardrobe either, though the idea is to keep it to a minimum.
“While many people say a capsule wardrobe should be around 30 to 50 items, I don’t think it is a strict rule. You may find that you work better with less or more. But I do think that having more than say 60 items, it’s not really a capsule wardrobe anymore,” says Jenna.
View this post on Instagram
But don’t go getting rid of all the pieces that don’t work as part of your capsule wardrobe just yet. “I find it’s best to pop the pieces you don’t feel work in your capsule wardrobe in a box for a month or two before you look at getting rid of them. Just to make sure you don’t actually need them,” Jenna explains. “If you haven’t thought about them within that time frame, look at letting them go.”
And if you do decide that parting with some pieces is the best course of action, think about how you can let them go in a way that prolongs their lifespan, like selling them on eBay, Depop, or via a consignment store (like Mutual Muse, where Jenna also works). You can also gift them to a friend or donate them to an op shop.
While cutting down your wardrobe may sound restrictive, Jenna attests to the opposite, saying that working with less pushed her to explore her style and approach building outfits in a whole new way.
“I do believe that stripping back a wardrobe to its basics allows us to be more creative. While I don’t mind a good outfit repeat (or ten), I know that some people can get bored. I think trying new combinations can be the key to unlocking creativity in a capsule wardrobe,” she says.
“Inspiration is all around us and when we start looking, we can make so many new outfit combinations. What Pinterest looks can you create with what you own? Make it a personal challenge to wear seven different looks during the week. Accessories, make-up and hair can also change the look of an outfit dramatically.” So what about special occasions or when you just need to spice things up a bit?
“Another option is to rent or borrow some items to freshen up your style. Maybe your best friend has a cool pair of shoes you can loan, or maybe a rental company has a cool top to explore your style with. Fashion changes and our wardrobes don’t need to be completely stagnant. You may find that your initial capsule wardrobe doesn’t work for you now, but you still love the concept.”
“Renting can allow you to explore new options before buying. Just remember to make considered decisions, buy the best quality you can afford and care for what you own.”
This article was originally published on October 12, 2022.
For more on building a capsule wardrobe, head here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
