The Only Items You Need for a Perfect Capsule Wardrobe

After years of relentless consumption in high street shops, driven by unethical fast-fashion practices that slurp up vast quantities of resources and fossil fuels, many shoppers are calling it quits. This conscious uncoupling between consumers and fast-fashion brands is one of the main factors that has led to the widespread cultural embrace of the capsule wardrobe.

Capsule wardrobes are a sustainable solution to a problem that’s been out of control for years, which has not only led to the aforementioned moral crises, but also to the smaller decadence of having a stuffed closet, filled to bursting point with clothes that mostly remain neglected, and spend their lives languishing in darkness. 

The raison d’être of a capsule wardrobe is to encourage shoppers to adopt conscious consumerism through a minimalist collection of adaptable, high-quality items that can be mixed and matched to create a diverse array of outfits suitable for any occasion.

So, if you’re intrigued by the concept but aren’t sure where to start, here are the essential items that’ll give you a head start.

Tops

We have such a wide variety of tops available that it’s hard to know where to begin. Scoop necks, crew necks, halter necks, off the shoulder, I could go on. But I won’t. In the name of minimalism, here are my picks.

The Shirt

Long sleeves, with a collar, and typically cotton. The unsung hero of most wardrobes, the overshirt is well worth singing about. Style is up to you, but I prefer brighter tones to maximise the options I can wear underneath and complement with bracelets.

Monochrome T-Shirts

Essential foundations of anyone’s wardrobe, no matter your style or what season we’re in. I’d be shocked if you didn’t already have these – in fact, there’s a good chance you’re wearing one right now. 

Long Sleeve Bodysuit

A feminine shape that can be worn with jewellery or with a shirt on top. It complements a comfortable, loose-fitting pair of trousers to create a pyramid-shaped silhouette, or can work with a skort and tights on a cold night out.

Bottoms

Seldom intended to be a statement piece, your bottoms might be designed to complement rather than turn heads, but that doesn’t mean they can’t say a lot about you.

Jeans

The workhorse of your new capsule wardrobe, you’ll need at least two pairs: one blue, one black. They’re endlessly versatile; not just in their ability to match with other items of clothing, but also because they’re suitable for almost any event, like a workday at a smart/casual office, a family member’s birthday party, or a night on the town. 

The fit and shade of jeans are entirely down to personal preference; go with what’s best for your body type and makes you feel happiest. You’ll be wearing them week in, week out, whether you like it or not; you may as well feel good!

Wide-Leg Trousers

These have been enjoying their time in the sun in recent years, and their time on-trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. You can opt for one more sophisticated pair and another more casual pair, that’ll blend in with more of a streetwear aesthetic.

Shoes

Shoes are my one weakness when it comes to my capsule wardrobe. I mean, you can’t reasonably expect me to get rid of all of my shoes, can you? They’re technically not in my wardrobe – most of them are in a box under my bed. And I haven’t needed them, because the following shoes have been more than enough.

Boots

A durable pair of leather boots – tan or black – will get you anywhere you need to go, through an infinite number of puddles, some mud, snow, and, honestly, when it’s a cold day, they keep me so much warmer than my other shoes.

White Trainers

Another obligatory part of everyone’s wardrobe. It’s the 21st century, so you’ll need a pair of white shoes. Style-wise, the main thing that matters is that they shoot for the same style goals as the rest of your casual wardrobe. So they can be hi-tops, skate trainers, or running shoes – whatever best suits your casual style.

Closing Thoughts

So if you’re considering having a massive wardrobe clearout and replacing it with something more sustainable and less stimulating, then I hope some of these picks might help you lay the groundwork for your capsule wardrobe.