Sustainable fashion choices are witnessing an increase in preference. This includes the much-respected capsule wardrobe. The trend of dressing up consciously and having a capsule wardrobe is gaining traction.

What does it mean? 

A capsule wardrobe is an edit of clothing that has a long shelf life, is thoughtfully curated, and is interchangeable to make multiple outfits! A capsule wardrobe, in essence, helps you in creating an array of looks with a selected number of pieces.

The term capsule wardrobe was coined in the 1970s by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called Wardrobe. Faux believed that a capsule wardrobe comprises a few essential pieces. These can be supplemented with seasonal additions.

Today’s conscious consumer

Capsule wardrobes in this day and age are having a revival, largely due to an increase in public awareness. The consumer today is much more aware of the harmful effects of fast fashion on our planet and all living species.

Tips to building a capsule wardrobe and reduce fast fashion consumption: 

First step: Know what your personal style is and what pieces will be most useful for the kind of lifestyle you lead. 

Second step: Asking questions like, ‘Do I need work-specific clothes? Do I need more travel clothes? Do I need more formal wear?’ 

Third step: Declutter your wardrobe. Analyse every piece. Remove the pieces that you haven’t worn for a long time, don’t suit you or simply aren’t your size. Donate, sell, or recycle these. 

Fourth step: Sort the rest into categories like bottoms, denim, tshirts, blouses, among others. 

Fifth step: Curate timeless pieces that are interchangeable. Have 25-30 items for every season. Keep it versatile. Once you have sorted your pieces and feel that some basics are missing, invest in those items. Think neutral colours.

While building a capsule wardrobe, it is imperative to not invest in pieces that will lose their charm after a few wears. The only way to combat fast fashion is to invest in clothing that is useful, practical and suits your lifestyle. 

A versatile piece of clothing can easily pair with other pieces, be styled in different ways, and be worn in different contexts. Think about the item’s weight, fabric quality, silhouette length, and, most importantly, how easy it is to maintain and wash. For an occasional treat, if you feel that for a particular occasion, you cannot use any of the garments in your capsule wardrobe, then renting something boring can be a great idea!

Although remember that a capsule wardrobe should be built slowly over time. Fast fashion fuels impulse purchases and rapid discards with its low prices and changing trends. 

This waste finds its way to landfills, where it results in low wages for the workforce and a heavy toll on the environment due to unethical and unsustainable manufacturing practices. It is estimated that the garment industry contributes to almost 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

(Source: IANS)

-Edited for style

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