A sustainable lifestyle is congruent with a minimalist lifestyle. The basic principle is the same: less is more. In fashion, this can be difficult to accomplish because of ever-changing trends, different seasons, and varying occasions. On top of this, it is often frowned upon to wear the same thing more than once - especially when social media comes into play. All these factors create immense pressure to have a huge wardrobe, with an outfit for every possible occasion. This perpetuates the buy-toss cycle and fuels the fast-fashion industry because we are constantly swapping the old for the new. On top of this, the cheap quality of fast fashion makes it difficult to hold on to clothes for very long. Ultimately, this leads to more clothes in landfills and more money out of your pocket.
However, there is hope! Because of the recent consumer shift to sustainable fashion habits, minimalist wardrobes, better known as Capsule Closets, are gaining immense popularity. Capsule closets are essentially limited wardrobes with interchangeable pieces to create as many different looks as possible with as few articles as possible. There are many benefits to this approach such as eliminating the stress and time it takes to get dressed every day, less clutter in your closet, and less spending. Additionally, the idea of a capsule closet is that you love the look, feel, and fit of every single item you own. While there are retailers that specialize in selling capsule closets, the most sustainable approach is to work with what you have and add from there. Below is a simple, 3-step guide to get you started.
In order for the closet to work, it has to be tailored to you. A stay-at-home mom is going to have very different needs from a college student, who's going to have different needs from an office employee. Similarly, the climate you live in is a significant consideration and may require you to have different capsules for different seasons. Therefore, be sure to consider your daily habits, activities, and needs when curating your closet
As previously mentioned, you should absolutely love every article in your closet. If you have items that you haven’t worn in months, it's time to donate them. If you don't like how something fits you or feels on your skin, it is not worth keeping around. Eliminating these unnecessary items will declutter your closet and make getting ready a much more enjoyable experience. However, do not get rid of everything. This is expensive and counterproductive to our sustainable goals. Likewise, be sure to sell or donate your clothes rather than tossing them in the trash.
3. Figure out what you need & invest in it.
While the ultimate goal of a capsule closet is to buy as little as possible, it is likely that you will need some items to get you started. Invest in these items. Choose your fibers wisely and ensure the garments are well made. It might seem expensive at first, but it will save you time, money, and stress in the long term. Finally, you should also invest in a few good accessories such as shoes, jewelry, purses, and sunglasses to switch up your looks and tie it all together.
The EveryGirl provides a great example guide to starting your own capsule closet
