In today’s world, we’re obsessed with new things. We love to look for something more, something better, something different than what we already have. But this mindset can be quite problematic. Have you ever found a clothing item that looked good in-store or online and you ended up wearing it once or twice (or not at all)? Did that item end up in the back of your closet, collecting dust, with other pieces of the same fate? I have been through this very process.
When I discovered the concept of a capsule closet, I learned how to stop wasting my money and how to start shopping in a smart (and more environmentally-friendly) way. So, what is a capsule closet?
A capsule closet is a minimalist wardrobe that is fine-tuned to your style and preferences. Many people end up buying things that just don’t end up looking as good as they pictured them to look. To remedy this, you should learn what you think looks good on you. This is not a guide about what body types should wear what. This is about each individual experimenting with different fabric types, shapes, and cuts of clothing to figure out what feels most comfortable and make you feel most confident.Image source: Style By Tiffani www.stylebytiffani.com
Firstly, you should go through your closet and donate or sell any clothing that doesn’t fit comfortably or just doesn’t make you feel confident enough. A clean slate is refreshing, and looking at the remaining clothing that you like to wear will give you a basis for how you should start shopping when looking for new clothes. Now, when shopping for new clothes, it’s always better to indulge in quality pieces that will last you a long time, rather than cheap, trendy pieces from fast fashion sites that are not only terrible for the environment, but end up only being worn a few times. Though you may be thinking “I can’t afford to do that,” you’d be surprised that it can be cheaper in the long run. If you buy a quality jacket that you love for $80, you could wear it over 100 times or more, making the price per wear very cheap compared to buying a jacket for $20 that may go out of style quickly or just get worn out after a few wears, leading you to buy another cheap jacket (see the cycle?). It is also a good idea to try to fine-tune your personal style. Rather than looking at trends, find out what you like and makes you feel confident, mature, comfortable, sexy, or whatever other feelings you’re going for. Maybe certain colors and tones make you feel washed out while others make your skin and eyes glow; maybe sturdy, form-fitting fabrics don’t make you feel as flattered as loose, flowy ones (or vice-versa) — find these things out! This way, even when shopping online, you’ll be able to know what clothing items you’ll end up loving even before trying them on.Image source: Charles & Keith www.charleskeith.com
Capsule closets are relatively small but comprised of pieces that will give you your money’s worth in terms of use. That’s why it’s so important to find your personal style. When you have similar fabrics and color schemes, it is easy to create many different outfits from the same few pieces because many of them are likely to go together. A capsule closet will not only save you money (and time getting ready in the morning), but will make you feel more confident as it will allow your style to grow and mature. So, if you’re sick of wasting money on cheap clothes and always being unsure of what will look good on you, then a capsule closet will truly transform how you shop and how you feel about yourself.