Why we should all create a Capsule Wardrobe.
Throughout my teens and early 20’s the aim of the game was to have a wardrobe that was bursting that the seams. I loved organizing my clothes, seeing them all tightly packed in and counting how many pairs of shoes I owned. I loved spending the money from my Saturday job. The dream was a walk in wardrobe, like Carrie on Sex and the City. A never ending shop, you’d never be seen in the same thing twice. But why?
Why if you love a piece of clothing would you only want to wear it once? Maybe that was the problem. I didn’t LOVE anything. I had lots of things I liked. I brought them because I could, they were cheap and if you only wore it a few times it didn’t matter right? Well actually it matters a great deal.
When I look back on this time the picture I painted above is not entirely representative of the person I was, maybe the person I thought I should be. Because the truth of the matter is I had many clothes that I LOVED. I think we can all relate to looking back at our younger selves and remember the feeling we had when we brought something truly special to us…. I remember the exact day I brought that bright pink A-lined coat. Anyone that knew we aged 18 will remember it because you could see me coming a mile off. I had my first well paying job, money of my own. It cost £90 which seems like the earth at the time (still does actually) but I knew it was worth it. I wore it EVERYWHERE. Then there was the shoes my Dad said he would pay for for my birthday. They were corked heels, probably my first pair of proper heels when I was 16. And do you know what, their still in my closet now. I wore them to a wedding last year. I still love them.
Evidence of the A-line coat circa 2008 and some poor choice in boot/jean/hair colour combos.
My point here is that our clothes are a huge part of our lives. We all remember outfits that were special to us and I wonder now why we have somewhat lost sight of that. Why has fashion become fast and throw away. Probably because we were all chasing that Carrie Bradshaw wardrobe and wanted more more more. (Disclaimer, I’m a massive Carrie fan and blame her for nothing here).
To achieve this of course capitalism stepped in and tried to “help” making the cost of an outfit cheaper and cheaper, allowing us all to buy a new outfit for every occasion and of course 21 year old me loved it. But actually now, as a nearly 30 year old Mum, it stresses me out. Not only because I know the effects on other humans and the environment that the fashion industry has (read more about that HERE), but it stresses me because “I NEVER HAVE ANYTHING TO WEAR.”
Oh yes that age old saying.
The problem is we all have too much. So much so we can’t see the wood for the trees. Literally. We all have wonderful clothes in that wardrobe somewhere, we just have too much so we can’t see it, or see how we can pair it with the other things we own.
Most of the things in our wardrobe are white noise. Things that no longer fit us, things that never quiet suited us, things that were given as a present but you just never really liked.
Well this is me giving you permission to get rid of it.
Why would you want something in your wardrobe looking at you everyday that you don’t fit in, making you feel a little worse about yourself when you look at it. A reminder of someone you no longer are.
You may think, “I’ll fit into one day.” But here’s the thing. I am a massive advocate for the second hand market. Its better for the environment, our pockets, and our minds in my opinion. So sell that to small or too big outfit for someone else to love and if you do loose that weight in the future, well you’ll be able to have some fun on Depop then.
Where to start.
Start by taking everything out of your wardrobe. Lay it all out. Go all Marie Kondo and hold it up.
Do you love it? Or are you thinking up reasons to keep it other than you’d wear it tomorrow?
Once you know what your keeping (this doesn’t include lounge wear, sports wear etc) hang it all up. Display it somehow. Over you blinds, curtain rail, banister. Somewhere you can see it all lined up.
What does it have in common? Is there definite colour patterns? Most importantly do you like what you see?
After doing this the number of items in my wardrobe had more than halved. I now had the basis of a capsule wardrobe.
What I learned about my own style.
I was actually surprised in the lack of colour. Unsurprisingly it matched the colours of my mood board that’s displayed on my phone background, and the colours our house are decorated in. I realized maybe I was forcing myself to be a bold, colourful person in my style which apparently totally isn’t me. Or not completely anyway.
I also realized the things I pulled out and said “yes, I want to wear that tomorrow” were things I’ve had for years but haven’t worn much in recent times. Why? Maybe because I thought I shouldn’t be seen in old clothes, people will remember? (they won’t and don’t care), they were a bit dressy for going to playgroup in? (why the hell not dress in something I love even if I’m just doing the school run.) Or they represented a younger me? (I’m not even 30 for god sake). So I’ve been wearing all these things I used to love and turns out I still do.
Now what I have is a wardrobe that works. I can pair things easily and I can see what I have. Getting dressed in the morning just became a whole lot easier.
I can also see the gaps. I need a cosy jumper that will go with more than one item I own. I’m thinking a big cable knit cream affair. Some jeans that fit me well, and a warm coat. Now I know what I need I can search the secondhand market, or look for some sustainable brands I love and wait for the right piece, the one I picture in my head, to come along. If I do buy new I’ll be making sure its something that’s going to stand the test of time. Wear wise as well as style.
Knowing what my style looks like and what I may need has not only made me feel more relaxed and comfortable, it makes shopping easier and more sustainable. Which for me is the most important thing.
Hannah xxx
