Do you have a sudden desire to update your wardrobe? We all want to think of ourselves as spontaneous and unexpected, yet as soon as the first rays of sunshine appear, we all get the urge to clean. And there’s no better place to begin than your closet.
Did you know that women, on average, only wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? While many people may be shocked when they hear that statistic, we can all agree that it is real.
We have closets bulging at the stitchings with clothes we bought with good intentions but never wear for many reasons, the most common of which being our anxiety of stepping out of our comfort zone in real life rather than in a store changing room.
But do you ever consider the journey that particular item had to arrive at its current location at the back of your closet?
Every day, more shocking revelations about the industry’s ethical shortcomings and unsustainable practices emerge, signaling that it’s time to take our trash seriously. And that means getting on board with the ‘capsule wardrobe’ trend.
It actually just guides to having clothes in your wardrobe that you actually wear and not having any that you don’t. It’s less w*nky than it sounds. It’s exactly what a conventional wardrobe should be, but we’ve abused them to the point that we’ve had to add the prefix.
Don’t think it’ll go over well? Marie Kondo, a Japanese organizing expert, and author, recently landed a hugely successful Netflix show thanks to her obsession with a spotless, basic wardrobe, so we’d say it already has.
So, how do you go from a jumble of fabric to a tight edit of parts you’ll use and re-use all the time?
There are only nine things that you must have. And we’ll offer you about 20-30 free spots to fill with any (re-wearable!) things you like, such as t-shirts, party dresses, and skirts.
Scroll down to learn about the cornerstones that every capsule wardrobe needs.
AN ESSENTIAL JEAN
This is a no-brainer.
Jeans will always remain a wardrobe essential, with only the form and color depth changing with the seasons. A pair of straight-leg, mid-wash jeans will never go out of style.
BAG FOR EVERY DAY
Disclaimer: Bags are the one category in which I struggle to condense my choices, but there is always one shoulder bag that I will reach for again and again. The addition of a more manageable, shorter handle completes the package.
TIMELESS jewelry
Silver jewelry is fleeting, but yellow gold has an enduring quality. Whether you prefer thin or bold items, stock up on a few that you can wear every day for the foreseeable future.
A COMFORTABLE TRAINER
No matter how well-dressed you are, you can’t help but succumb to the appeal of a comfy trainer now and then. Choose a pair that’s chunkier than a plimsoll but thinner and more classic than a Dad trainer in neutral whites and creams.
A PERFECT SANDAL
While they’re having a moment right now, mid-heel, strappy sandals have been popular for decades and look equally good with a slip or a jean. For ultimate timelessness, choose blacks, browns, or neutrals.