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Capsule Wardrobe – What Is It And How It Benefits?

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spring capsule with a cute pink raincoat

Capsule wardrobe is getting more and more popular

Like many things, the “capsule wardrobe” concept started as a very niche practice until it got popularized by Marie Kondo’s decluttering bible and a general minimalist aesthetic. So, let’s dive into this phenomenon a little deeper.

Firstly, let’s take a look at where this concept came from. The term was first mentioned by wardrobe consultant Susie Faux in the 1970s. It derived from her frustration with the lack of well-made clothing (does it sound familiar to you?). However, it only became mainstream when designer Donna Karan decided to create the first capsule collection in 1985 called ”Seven Easy Pieces.” Today, Business of Fashion defines it as something more commercial than traditional fashion collections. “The idea was to create a capsule wardrobe that features only the most essential or influential pieces from a collection. A capsule collection is essentially a condensed version of a designer’s vision, often limited edition, which transcends seasons and trends by being functional.”

pink raincoat outfit idea
raincoat styling in capsule wardrobe

Capsule wardrobe can help you express your personal style

Aside from the fashion industry, which utilizes capsule collections in order to produce exclusivity, mainstream capsule wardrobes are more about personal style. Most of the capsule wardrobe enthusiasts got into the game because they were tired of constant decision making. Everyone started to suddenly find it cool to copy Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg with their simple and straight forward choices of clothing (remember Steve’s grey turtleneck?). And while fast fashion and consumerism have made us believe that we must own everything, the result is a closet full of clothes we may never wear.

Capsule wardrobe forces us to think more about what pieces of clothing we actually like and wear. It prioritizes quality over quantity. One of the early adopters of this method, Caroline Rector of Unfancy, describes the concept this way. “A capsule wardrobe is a practice of editing your wardrobe down to your favorite clothes (clothes that fit your lifestyle + body right now), remixing them regularly, and shopping less often and more intentionally.”

Spring outfit idea with a black and white summery dress and a pink raincoat

Intentions

“Intention” has become an important term these days. More and more people, as well as brands, talk about being socially responsible, producing less waste on our planet. Forming a capsule wardrobe slows down the process of shopping and makes you much more conscious. While the movements for sustainability are certainly not new, the modern society now adopts them quicker than ever before. Sustainable living, fashion, and beauty all come down to intentional consumption and decision making.

Capsule wardrobe helps you focus on finding yourself in your wardrobe instead of trying to live up to other people’s standards. If you have defined seasons (like we do in Lithuania), you can try out a variation of a capsule. It offers to form a capsule for each season (spring, summer, autumn and winter), leaving a limited number of items in your closet for a three months period (it can be as low as you want to!). This type of capsule wardrobe helps to declutter your life and encourage intentional styling throughout each season.

capsule wardrobe tips

There’s no right or wrong

If you have decided to give capsule wardrobe a chance, these are some simple steps to follow:

  • Make a revision. Take all of your clothes out of the closet (yes, ALL of them!) and slowly try them on one by one. See what you like and what fits you perfectly and put these items to one side. Also notice which clothes you are only keeping out of sentiment. Some of them may not fit your body, personality or lifestyle anymore – set them aside and repurpose or donate.
  • Make a list. So you’ve done the revision and see all the clothes you want to keep. Now you can start filling in the gaps if there are any. Maybe you have a pair of chic pants but no blazer to match? Or there are many pairs of jeans but no T-shirts to match? Carefully write down everything you think you need.
  • Go shopping with your list. Make sure that everything you choose is of good quality. Preferably, each piece of clothing goes well with as much of the rest that you own as possible.
spring capsule wardrobe example

Spring capsule wardrobe example

To give your imagination a boost, we have made a small spring capsule, incorporating our Unisex Rose City Raincoat. If you still don’t feel like giving up the trends, sorbet colors are on top of them this spring, so it’s a win-win!

There is no universal capsule wardrobe. Just like many other concepts in the conscious lifestyle space, it is what you want it to be. In a way, capsule wardrobe is also a global trend but at least it is less toxic than some of the other ones and helps you be more conscious while making your choices. We wish our article was helpful!

raincoat styling ideas