The capsule wardrobe is currently a megatrend. But what's behind this rather strange term? How can you implement a capsule wardrobe, and which pieces do you really need in your closet? We'll explore these and many other questions in our guide for beginners.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
Let's start with a definition of the term: Capsule translates as capsule or bowl, and wardrobe simply means wardrobe or closet – a capsule wardrobe, in other words – but what does that mean?
You may be familiar with the term "capsule hotel." These are hotels that have been stripped down to the bare essentials, where you sleep in a small, capsule-like room. This room contains a bed, wardrobe, and storage space in a very small space.
The term capsule wardrobe is intended to describe a small wardrobe in which you keep only the bare essentials. It's about keeping things to a minimum, but with high-quality pieces that last and are timeless.
By purchasing basics that can be combined in a variety of ways, you can both follow current trends and maintain a classic look. Simple pieces can be spiced up with accessories and new combinations. A capsule wardrobe, including shoes, shouldn't contain more than 30 items per season.
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The capsule wardrobe concept is particularly close to our own vision of a sustainable lifestyle. We've always made sure that our products are made from only the best materials and are durable. It's better to have a few good pieces in your closet than a large number of poorly produced, cheap items. |
30 pieces – how is that supposed to work?
You might already be thinking that you'll never be able to cut down to 30 pieces. But don't give up just yet; read on. We'll share some tricks to help you succeed.
And by the way: This isn't about making the number 30 absolute. If it's 31 or even 34 parts, that's perfectly fine. It's more about an attitude, a change of mindset—not about mathematics.
Are you ready for a capsule wardrobe?
Look at the following five statements and answer them with "yes" or "no." If you answered "yes" to four or even five of the questions, you're definitely ready for the capsule wardrobe project. If fewer, you might need a moment.
- Fashion and clothing are important, but they should not be overestimated.
- Even though my closet is full, I almost always wear the same 10 items.
- You often say “I have nothing to wear,” even though your closet is full, but for some reason you don’t feel like wearing those things.
- Sometimes you find items in your closet that still have a price tag and you've never worn them.
- Sometimes you buy things that don't fit well just because they were on sale.
Sustainability plays an important role in the concept of the capsule wardrobe
Fortunately, especially in recent years, we've been increasingly concerned with the topic of sustainability. This has many manifestations in the fashion sector:
- A move towards less consumption in general.
- More conscious shopping.
- When buying new pieces, we pay more attention to quality and origin, fair trade or the use of organic cotton .
- We realize that we should buy better quality because it lasts longer and thus consumes fewer resources or the resources used are used more wisely.
Around 2,500 liters of water are used for one T-shirt
It's important to consider that, on average, around 2,500 liters of water are used to produce a T-shirt. Cotton cultivation is the driving factor here. If you wear a cheap T-shirt for just one season, you'll also end up throwing away those 2,500 liters of water.
On the other hand, if you buy fewer items overall and instead buy high-quality items that you'll wear for several years, the extra water consumption can be justified much more easily. (Although, of course, it's clear that something needs to be done overall to ensure that resources are used more responsibly.)
Capsule Wardrobe is the logical consequence of Slow Fashion
Another trendy buzzword: Slow Fashion . This refers to sustainable clothing that, unlike fast fashion (the term was adapted from fast food), is produced in an environmentally friendly and humane way. These are exactly the kinds of clothes we want in our capsule wardrobe. If you'd like to read more about this topic, we recommend the article " A T-shirt for €2.50 is as ignorant as it is cruel" in Zeit magazine .
3 steps to a capsule wardrobe
If you would like to learn more about the capsule wardrobe or try it out for yourself, here are 3 steps:
- Take your time to go through your closet. Get rid of items you haven't worn in three or more months. Declutter everything else: give it to a friend, donate it, or sew something new out of it using the upcycling principle. Store any items that aren't appropriate for the current season.
- The second step is to take a close look at the remaining pieces. Ideally, you'll now have a set of basics and a few favorite pieces that can all be combined to some extent.
- When you buy a new item, take another one out of your closet to replace it. Always make sure that the whole concept brings you joy. Everything should happen with a certain ease, not because you feel external pressure. Only if you're completely committed to the principle will you stick with it in the long term.
What does a woman need in her capsule wardrobe?
Basics you can wear year-round form the foundation for all your other pieces. Depending on the season, fashion trends, and taste, you can add seasonal highlights. This is what your new wardrobe could look like:
- One light and one dark pair of jeans
- A subtle skirt
- A simple dress
- A shirt blouse, various tops and T-shirts
- Five pairs of shoes
To feel comfortable and not constantly feel like you're missing out, you can always add to your seasonal pieces (but only in exchange). Buy the right statement pieces, and you'll always be able to conjure up something new from your basics.
In spring and summer, add a leather jacket, denim jacket or blazer, a number of shirts and camisoles, as well as Marl trousers, two more dresses, a slightly more eye-catching dress and a summery skirt.
In autumn and winter, add a warm coat, a cozy jacket, some warm sweaters made of cotton or knit, some cardigans, a wool dress, pretty velvet trousers and some warm accessories such as scarves, etc.
What does a man need in his capsule wardrobe?
Of course, the same rules apply to men. Everything starts with basics and builds from there. Here, too, it's important to complement and combine these basics with smart pieces throughout the year. The basics definitely include:
- Classic shirts (black, white)
- One or two suits
- Two jeans and two chinos in muted colors
- Five T-shirts in plain colors
- One or two sweatshirts
- Four pairs of shoes
Men also add a few items to their wardrobes depending on the season. In spring and summer, these include a leather or denim jacket, a trench coat, some shorts, and a few bright, cheerful shirts.
In autumn and winter, men supplement their wardrobe with a coat, a weatherproof jacket, some cozy sweaters, cardigans and turtlenecks, warm trousers and winter accessories such as scarves and gloves.
Categories help with the selection
There are basically six categories of situations in which you need to carry something:
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Now, choose three of these categories that best match your current life situation. These will help you later determine which items you really (still) need and which you don't.
To meet the stylistic requirements of the categories, you should choose appropriate clothing. If you often go to the opera, jeans alone won't get you very far. However, if you mostly stay at home, you probably don't need a large selection of evening dresses.
So, based on the categories you selected, select the number of pieces described above. Always keep in mind the combinability, quality, and practicality of the piece.
Don't let yourself get crazy
If there's something you absolutely can't part with, even though it doesn't quite fit right now and falls into one of the other categories, don't throw it away. Put it in a box and shove it under your bed.
This way, the item is still there, but at least it's out of your closet. Next year, you can take another look at the box and make a new decision.
And by the way: You always have three wildcards for items that are actually too many, don't fit into the categories, have become too small, or have too much glitter. But they're wildcards, and you can do whatever you want with them!
Your children could also have a capsule wardrobe
The good thing about children is that they grow and grow—and grow. This means you'll always have to replace your older clothes with new ones because the old ones have become too small. These can then be given to friends and relatives or even donated.
If you pay attention to good quality here, several generations of babies and children will enjoy these high-quality pieces. With Cosy Roots and our high-quality baby tops , pants, and much more, you're on the right track. Our mission and company philosophy is to create high-quality clothing for babies and children that not only lasts for generations but is timelessly beautiful. This way, you can create the perfect capsule wardrobe for your child with our garments, because all pieces are interchangeable.
