Read This Before You Recreate That Capsule Wardrobe
One evening you are scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest and you see it. The answer to all of your wardrobe struggles: The Capsule wardrobe. It’s simple, everything matches and there are only 10 to 30 pieces.
“A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing that is composed of interchangeable items only, to maximise the number of outfits that can be created.The aim is to have an outfit suitable for any occasion without owning excessive items of clothing. This is usually achieved by buying what are considered to be "key" or "staple" items in coordinating colours.”
These capsule wardrobes are organized, aesthetically pleasing and incredibly soothing to the eye. Shown in perfectly folded flat lay outfits or hung on a minimalist clothing rack, they are gleaming, fresh examples of how our lives could be.
So, what’s the problem? Why am I putting a pause on you from buying thousands of dollars of wardrobe staples to create your perfect capsule wardrobe? Let’s unpack scrolling versus reality.
What I saw in my “capsule wardrobe” feed and what to do instead:
Lack of color. Black, gray, white, tan and denim blue. That’s your rainbow, folks. Sometimes you will see an influencer throw in a trendy color to shake things up (or to get you to purchase), but 99% of the posts use this neutral color palette. Some of this has to do with the beige trend which is a symbol of white women’s wealth and status But, mostly this is about how soothing it looks on the screen. In real life, however, these colors can be incredibly boring to wear and depending on your coloring, will wash you out. What to do instead: Find the colors that make you pop. Do you have cool or warm undertones? Do you look better in darker or lighter colors? Brighter or softer? Choose the neutrals that suit you and then pick a few accent colors that you love to sprinkle throughout your wardrobe. You will be surprised how many outfits can be created when you stick to a color palette.
Lack of patterns. The only pattern I spy is stripes. That’s it. Every capsule wardrobe has some version of a striped sweater in black and white. Maybe navy, if they are feeling saucy. Solids and stripes can work for some, but most need more patterns in their wardrobe to really reflect their style. What to do instead: Try holding different patterns up against you. Do small patterns or large patterns look better? Rounded shapes or angles? Concise and evenly spaced or irregular? Finding the patterns that look best on you can be hard, but when you do find them, they make your wardrobe sing. Stripes are a hum at best on most people. Bonus points: Choose patterns that have your colors for the most successful mix and match wardrobe.
Not body inclusive. These capsule wardrobes are not flattering on most body types. The minimalist styling seen in these images are going to look very different depending on your body type. For example, long ankle sweeping coats are very difficult for those who are petite. Form fitting crew neck sweaters will be harder for those who have wide shoulders or a large bust. And, high-waisted, pleated trousers can be tricky for those who are straight or rounded in the waist. Many of these clothes look best on a hanger, not on a woman. What to do instead: Take a photo of your outfit every day for a week or look back at photos from the past. Which outfits do you feel you look good in? Really dissect those outfits. What pieces are in them? What part of your body do they highlight? Use those outfits as a template to create a few style uniforms. Repeat the silhouettes that work.
Trend Tendencies. These “wardrobe basics” and “classic pieces” are frequently trends in disguise. The shape of the bag. The cut of the pants. The “it” shoe or belt. Even the classic white tee changes from year to year. If you think that you can buy all the pieces of that Instagram capsule wardrobe and coast through the next few years looking “on trend” you are wrong. Try a few months, tops. Trends are cycling faster now than they ever have in the history of fashion. Take a minute and search capsule wardrobes from a few years ago. They look a lot different than they do now. What to do instead: Buy the trends that work for you. Now that you know your colors, patterns and silhouettes, keep an eye out for pieces that work for you that are in style and available. Love lavender on you? Great! Get out and shop because lavender is hot right now. Use social media to help you spot the trends that work for you.
Just another advertisement. Most capsule wardrobes have links to purchase. When you buy these items, the influencers (usually) get paid. If an influencer gets successful enough they will be sent free items or credit to buy items from brands. These items may then show up in the influencer's newest capsule wardrobe, creating a cycle that is 100% about getting you to buy new items. What do instead: Unfollow influencers that are pushing overconsumption. Shop second hand. Borrow from others. Wear the clothes you have. Take care of your clothes. Add items to your closet slowly and thoughtfully. As consumers, it is all about slowing down and being more purposeful about our purchases.
Capsule wardrobes as a concept are not bad. They provide feelings of control, save time and money. They also prevent decision fatigue. The key is understanding that a capsule wardrobe needs to reflect you and your lifestyle, not just look good hanging in your closet.
Need help finding the color, patterns, silhouettes and styles that best work for you? I have a free 25 minute consultation to get you started.
Love, Lisa