Humans are kind and resourceful, but they are also waste-creating machines. We don’t say it; our environment reports do. When our waste clothes amount to 57% of landfills across the globe, it's telling how much harm we cause to our environment by simply existing.
Facts like this are the reason why we need to think of smart ways to function everyday. This includes everything- starting from organic foods-based diets, down to smart wardrobe solutions. Capsule wardrobes are one of such smart sustainable methods.
We have used the rest of this article to shed light on the following:
- Capsule wardrobe meaning
- Why should you be choosing?
- How can you build a capsule wardrobe for yourself?
- Some wardrobe essentials
Read ahead to meet a new way of living.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
You can probably guess by the name, but a capsule wardrobe is a minimal way of owning clothes. It is all about only owning a few high-quality statement pieces and building a range of clothing out of it, instead of owning an excessive amount of garments.
The term was coined in the 1970s by a boutique owner named Susie Faux. Susie believed that owning a few high-quality pieces should be enough to be dressed for all parts of your life. In her concept of a wardrobe, you delegate the nature of your daily looks to styling, and not inventory.
While Susie brought the term to attention, Donna Karan, an American designer, took it further in the mid-1980s when she introduced a special collection showcasing the efficiency of a minimal wardrobe.
All this is great, but why should you bother?
Fast fashion has convinced us that we can "never have enough" clothes. There's almost a silent trend of never repeating the same outfit ever again. In such times, why would you want to be left behind, maintaining a minimal wardrobe & being forced into repeating the outfits?
Well, you have good reasons to:
When you have less clothes to choose from, you have less to think about while getting dressed in the morning. You can quickly pick an outfit because all the clothes you own are good in quality, & as per your style.
And of course, in the process of simplifying your life, you are also helping Earth heal. When we start consuming less, brands will eventually begin to realise that they don’t just have to produce as much- just a few good quality pieces.
Capsule wardrobes are also lighter on the pocket because they eliminate the need to spend money every few days. If you invest in good quality and durable clothes, they can even last you a few years.
That’s all cool, but how do you build a capsule wardrobe?
It’s not rocket science. You just need to be careful and mindful about your selection of clothing, and you can easily reduce fashion clutter from your life. If you don’t know where to start, you can follow the following steps:
The concept of Capsule wardrobes hinges on the careful assessment of needs. The idea is to only own what you will use. Spend some time creating a list of the garments you need for various occasions.
Once you know your needs, try to find clothing that can meet them and your style preferences at the same time. At the end of the day, feeling good in your outfit is also an important requirement.
Try to go for colours that fit all settings- personal & formal. Neutral shades of all-rounders like black can be a great example of such colours. You can also include your preferences in the palette.
Multi-purpose garments are the best friends of capsule wardrobes. Buy pieces that can be a part of multiple settings, multiple occasions, & different kinds of outfits. This way, you need less to create more outfits.
A wardrobe is truly minimal and sustainable only if it can last you for a few years. Prioritising quality is very important because not only do good-quality garments look good, but they also age well.
Give your needs a number. The mind can play tricks, and you may end up convincing yourself that you need a 100 tops afterall. But give yourself a number within which you want to achieve your outfits.
These are a few basic tips that can help your dress minimally. When you build efficient wardrobes, you need to include essentials in it so that you never find yourself in a rut, with nothing to wear. Let’s learn about a few Rimore essentials that can help you complete your capsule wardrobe.
Rimore Essentials Every Capsule Wardrobe Needs
Rimore is a linen-focused sustainable fashion brand that upholds the values of convenience, durability, & minimalism with its designs. Here are a few garments by Rimore that every minimalism enthusiast should own:
Features:
- Structure but loose fit
- Deeper pockets
- Wooden buttons
- Pleated design
- Breathable, 100% premium, linen fabric
The Rimore Linen Carrot Pants are your perfect office best friend, travel partner, & brunch buddy. They add structure to your comfortable yet linen outfit, and give a boho vibe to the ensemble. This article is for the women who want to prioritise comfort, without compromising on the design.
Buy Rimore Linen Carrot Pants: https://rimorestore.com/products/100-premium-linen-carrot-pant
Features:
- Comfortable & loose fit
- Long inseam to avoid Summer rashes
- Adequate length that stops them from folding in
- Deeper Pockets
- Elasticated Waist
- Drawstring for added comfort
The Rimore Linen shorts make your Summers breezier with their comfortable design and breathable fabric. The shorts are perfect for a beach or vacation look, and add an extra flare to your evening cafe hops. Our linen shorts are perfect for the summer-loving cool girl in you.
Buy the Rimore Linen Shorts: https://rimorestore.com/products/100-premium-linen-shorts
Features:
- Loose, lounge-fit
- Elasticated waist
- Drawstring for an adjustable waist
- Breathable, 100% Premium Linen
- Relaxed Look
The Rimore flared linen pants are here to make your relaxed evenings comfier. These lounge-fit pants make your days comfortable, & yet the pleated look makes you look put-together. The flared linen pants are a statement of comfort and style at the same time.
Buy Rimore Flared Linen Pants: https://rimorestore.com/products/100-premium-linen-220-gsm-flared-relaxed-fit-pants
Features:
- Buttoned-up sleeves for an extra pinch of style
- Baggy fit for added comfort
- Cropped shirt
- Breathable, 100% Premium Linen Fabric
Our loose-fit, cropped buttoned shirt is your everyday companion, whether you are going to work, a cafe, or simply to the supermarket. The shirt is stylish enough to fit formal settings, and casual enough to not make you look out of place in the casual ones. It’s the perfect all-rounder for your capsule wardrobe.
Buy Rimore Linen Shirt: https://rimorestore.com/products/100-premium-linen-boxy-shirt
Features:
- Adjustable straps
- Wooden buttons
- Relaxed fit
- No-show fabric
- 100% Premium Linen
The strappy linen top adds an extra oomph to your capsule wardrobe. The top gets the boho vibe just right to be a part of your vacations & Instagram feed. Add that Pinterest look to your everyday life with Rimore’s Linen strappy top.
Buy Rimore Linen Strappy Top: https://rimorestore.com/products/100-premium-linen-strappy-top
Apart from these articles, you can hunt the market for skirts and palazzos that are fashionable, comfortable, and presentable all at the same time.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Capsule wardrobes are all about being a mindful consumer. One hook rule is that you don’t buy something you can’t live without. Occasional indulgence can be good. You can shop for pleasure, for sure. But if it becomes a habit, or worse, an addiction then you are also harming yourself along with the environment.
Be mindful of falling prey to the numerous fast fashion trends out there. Carve your own aesthetic. Be mindful when you dress.