What People Get Wrong About Capsule Wardrobes

Before there was Marie Kondo and her wardrobe-transforming tidying technique, there was Susie Faux and what she had dubbed the ‘capsule wardrobe.'

For the uninitiated, Faux was the owner of a London boutique called Wardrobe in the 1970s. According to her, a capsule wardrobe contains a few essential and timeless items that can be supplemented with seasonal pieces. But it was only in 1985 when the concept became well-known after designer Donna Karan introduced a capsule collection of workwear she called the ‘Seven Easy Pieces.' The fresh concept made Karan famous around the world because the desire to reduce one’s possessions down to the bare essentials resonated with a huge market.

And why shouldn’t it? A stripped-down wardrobe makes shopping simpler and easier. Plus, you don’t have to stare at a full closet wondering what you should wear. This arrangement is perfect for people who want to spend less time and money on clothes without compromising comfort and style.

To begin your shift into a capsule wardrobe, The Independent says the key is to make sure you have all the basic pieces. First, get rid of the things that you don’t use regularly, then check which ones are versatile enough to wear for a number of things you do on a daily basis. Usually, an effective capsule wardrobe has around 30 items or fewer — a number that should already include shoes and sometimes, accessories. 

But since its boom in the '80s, it seems that the term ‘capsule wardrobe’ has lost its meaning, with some misguided followers adding five new items of trendy clothing every single season. Lifestyle writer Kelly Dougher argues that this completely defeats the purpose of a capsule wardrobe. “The whole point of a capsule wardrobe is for people to be able to stop making multiple purchases every two to three months and still have a serviceable wardrobe,” she writes on Fashion Magazine. Dougher also points out that the capsule wardrobe doesn’t always work for everyone, as it all depends on a person’s taste and lifestyle.

Another thing most would-be followers and critiques worry about is not being in style and committing a fashion faux pas. To answer that, Pretty Me presents five style hacks that are ideal for a limited wardrobe . These give a woman multiple ensembles and options for work, being a busy mum, or having a general day out. The site states that money, time, and effort can be saved with a few simple but powerful adjustments, a notion that fits perfectly with the ethos of the capsule wardrobe. Plus, you don’t have to worry about not being stylish if you have the key pieces that truly reflect your personality — it all boils down to effective mixing and matching. 

You only need to consider three things when choosing the pieces you need to include: timelessness, comfort, and room for you to add your own personal stamp.

Written by Alyson Xia, 

More capsule wardrobe tips in this post.  We really want 'you' to shine through and it's always our hope that our designs 'complement' rather than 'dictate' your style. Have you tried a capsule wardrobe before? How did you find it?