5 Capsule Wardrobe Myths

Beginner's Guide

Nov 14

One of sustainable fashion’s biggest tools is the capsule wardrobe.

What is it?

A capsule wardrobe is a small, consciously curated collection of versatile clothes you will rotate through (usually) on a seasonal basis. This collection of timeless garments allows you to mix and match throughout the season and create unique outfit combinations without owning an excessive number of clothes. The capsule closet is thought to streamline the dressing process and is a helpful tool for beginners wanting to create a more sustainable wardrobe.

While not all practitioners of conscious consumption will choose to utilize a capsule wardrobe, it is still a method that many others have considered helpful and is a great tool to keep in the back of your mind, especially if you’re looking to travel or to simplify your wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe may seem like a fancy term, but really, it’s a very flexible concept that I think many people could benefit from understanding.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding this idea so here are 5 capsule wardrobe myths that need to go!

1. A capsule wardrobe is colorless and needs to contain mostly neutral garments

Just because “neutral” is a huge trend in sustainable fashion right now, doesn’t mean that it has to apply to your capsule wardrobe! If you love color, prints, and patterns, then, by all means, integrate them!

A big reason why people shy away from colorful capsule wardrobes is that multiple color schemes can sometimes be difficult to coordinate. If you only have a small number of garments to work with, then ideally, you want them to all work well together so that you can get the largest possible number of combinations.

One way to ease into incorporating color is by choosing two or three point colors per season. By choosing just a handful of bold colors that are present in your wardrobe, you can easily coordinate several pieces that highlight those colors and then build the rest of the capsule wardrobe with pieces that complement that color.

If two or three colors aren't going to cut it for your wardrobe, then you can utilize color theory to help you pick multiple colorful pieces that work together. For some tips on mixing and matching colors and prints, check out this blog post.

2. A capsule wardrobe is boring and doesn’t allow for creativity

Sure, it can sometimes get a little mundane when you’re working with the same clothes for several months at a time, but arguably, the situation allows you to better tap into creativity and expression through style.

A capsule wardrobe pushes you to think outside the box and to style things differently. For example, that button-down dress can easily double as a skirt, or when you open the buttons up, a robe. If there are sleeves on the dress, you can tie it around your waist to add dimension and movement to another outfit.

Additionally, how you incorporate hair or makeup can really change up a look.

3. You’ll have to get rid of all the clothes that you don’t wear.

You won’t! You can simply put the garments that aren’t part of your current seasonal capsule in air-tight plastic containers for storage. You can bring them out again once the season changes and you’re switching things up. While it’s always a good idea to clean out your closet every so often, curating a capsule closet for a specific season doesn’t mean that you have to donate all your clothes at once.

4. You have to have a specific number of clothes.

A capsule wardrobe can be as small as 15 garments and as large as 45 garments. The size varies so much according to your needs as an individual and the length of time that you plan on using that capsule. Don’t let anyone tell you that a capsule wardrobe has to encompass a specific number of garments!

5. Your clothes will wear out quicker because you wear the same things all the time.

Even without a capsule wardrobe, you may have noticed yourself reaching for the same 10-15 garments over and over again. The clothes that you choose for this capsule will experience the same amount of wear as those beloved garments.

A garment’s lifespan is dependent on how it’s constructed as well as how it’s cared for. In order to prolong wear, you should do your best to follow the prescribed care instructions (the tags inside the garments). Additionally, if you can, wear each piece multiple times before washing, and when you’re finally ready to add new clothes to your capsule, invest in high-quality, well-constructed, sustainably-made clothing.

A capsule wardrobe might make your life easier, it might not. It might really be something that you love; you might absolutely hate it. I don't know. Only you can decide for yourself. All I know is that you shouldn't let common misconceptions and myths surrounding capsule wardrobes stop you from trying them out for a few seasons.