It’s a busy time of year for clothes shopping. With everyone going back to university and dealing with the sudden change in weather, it’s hard to miss an amass of sale signs and discount codes both online and in-store – who can resist that student discount? Furthered by huge clothing hauls trending on social media, it can be hard to escape the feeling that our wardrobes aren’t good enough and that more is needed this time of year.
But what does this mean for us and our planet?
The fashion industry is a primary contributor to climate change and the production of fast fashion items means that clothing isn’t made to last. The environment is harmed directly by our consumerist culture as the pressure to have more outfits, constantly update our wardrobes and follow trends ultimately leads to more clothes produced, bought and quickly wasted.
In a more personal sense, we can also be left feeling unsatisfied with our clothes. Ironically, consistently buying more can lead to feeling like there’s less, as trying to keep up with micro-trends removes originality. Whilst media accessibility to what’s trendy can inspire us, the pressure to conform to the latest trends can prevent creativity and genuine expression via what we wear.
However, this feeling of disconnect from our personal styles is being remedied by some via the creation of a capsule wardrobe. This concept is growing in popularity as the consequences of over-consumption are being increasingly displayed in the media, but capsule wardrobes are nothing new – the term dates back to the 1970s!
Creating a capsule wardrobe involves scaling down your wardrobe in order to only own genuinely loved and versatile pieces that can co-ordinate easily to create outfits for many occasions, without having to buy new pieces. Essentially, it’s about keeping only what is truly loved and actually worn, investing in slightly higher quality pieces to ensure longevity, and really considering if what we’re wanting to buy is needed and loved beyond being trendy at the moment.
Whilst the concept of investing in higher quality pieces may sound limiting or inaccessible for some, investing in expensive pieces is not necessary for building a capsule wardrobe! As long as items are bought with genuine consideration and the intention to be looked after, it will still make a real difference in reducing over-consumption, regardless of the brand on the tag.
Capsule wardrobes are also personal in that how much of a ‘limit’ is set is completely flexible. Some people prefer to keep a strict number of items they allow themselves, in order to prevent impulse buying and over-consumption. For others, the allowance of items relies far more on simply being realistic and mindful about how often they’ll wear a piece.
Building a capsule wardrobe is a process, regardless of differing approaches. The idea of reducing your wardrobe may seem daunting in an era of pressure to be constantly purchasing, but by being mindful of sustainability, identifying what you truly love to wear and considering what works with an array of outfits, you may find that a capsule wardrobe is far more suited to you – and definitely to the planet!
Words by: Esme Ross
Edited by: Laura Murphy