Capsulise your wardrobe
Share
The term ‘capsule wardrobe’ was first coined in the 1970s and brought to prominence in the1980s by Donna Karan (owner of DKNY).
The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to own a few timeless items of clothing which are interchangeable, good quality and long lasting, which can then be augmented by one or two more seasonal items. This philosophy has numerous benefits, over the long term it’s much cheaper, and it’s far more ethical.
Why curate one?
The primary benefit of a good capsule wardrobe is financial – once you’ve bought the clothes, you are almost there. There is no need to buy a full wardrobe every season and because of the quality, they’ll be yours for a long time to come. With a capsule wardrobe it also means you can, from time-to-time, spruce it up with a new tie or shirt because you don’t want it to be obvious you are wearing the same outfit every day.
Secondly, because you’re buying far less clothing, it’s much more sustainable for the environment. Fashion is the industry with the second highest pollution in the world. Billions of tonnes of clothing are made, shipped, bought and then binned every year. A capsule wardrobe slows down the demand for clothing, particularly clothing produced in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Thirdly, with a capsule wardrobe, you don’t need to think about getting dressed in the morning. You know you’ll always look good, because everything you wear goes with everything else and everything fits. Of course, a capsule wardrobe will vary from person to person, based upon their needs, tastes and the numerous other variables associated with clothing. However, a few key principles must be adhered to.
Top tips
- Everything must fit properly – even the best items of clothing in the world will look terrible if the fit isn’t correct.
- Try to keep any colours as neutral as possible – stick to navy, grey, and one or two other colours, to ensure every item of clothing you purchase can be worn together.
- And make sure to buy items of superior quality – it may cost more than you’re used to spending, but a pair of Goodyear-welted, leather shoes will last ten times as long as a cheaper pair (and look ten times better)
- Buying cheap is a false economy.
Some key pieces to start your capsule wardrobe
- One navy blue or charcoal single-breasted suit.
- Three formal, white cotton shirts, at least one featuring a button-down collar.
- A pair of black Oxford shoes.
- One navy blue blazer.
- A pair of grey flannel trousers.
- A pair of chinos or Cavalry Twill trousers in beige.
- One classic overcoat & wax jacket/Barbour.
- A pair of dark, Selvedge denim jeans, in a slim or straight cut.
- One navy V-neck or round neck jumper.
- A pair of casual shoes, for example a boat shoe.
Don’t Forget...
You may find that your current wardrobe includes some of the items in our list. That’s a great start. Use these items as the starting point for your new purchases. There is no need to throw out your entire collection and start from scratch, slowly replace your current pieces with muchmore versatile garments and before you know it you are there.At Regent, we offer a free styling consultation for anyone who needs a nudge onto the right path or just a bit of advice on how to put an outfit together. Follow our Instagram for inspiration @regenttailoring
To book a free, informal styling appointment with us please contact us on -Tel: 01722 335 151 orEmail: hello@regenttailoring.co.uk