According to reports, people on average buy 53 new pieces of clothing per year. However, these clothes are worn only an average of 7 times before being discarded. Fashion has contributed significantly to landfill waste, with approximately 57% of the world’s clothing ending in there. In fact, out of the 100 billion garments that are produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills rather than being recycled.
It’s a humbling fact that we don’t accurately use up our clothes the way we should. The sustainability movement is all but aware of these facts, choosing to use alternative practices to participate in fashion in a healthy way. For some, that’s choosing to thrift rather than buy brand new, for others, it’s learning how to sew and upcycle what they already have. And for some, it is working with a thoughtfully curated capsule wardrobe.
The concept itself isn’t new. Dating back to the 70s, the capsule wardrobe initially began as a way to transition office pieces into out-of-office looks. Now, a capsule wardrobe comes with new benefits in place. It saves space when travelling, it’s budget-friendly, and it cuts down on decision fatigue. In fact, a well thought out capsule wardrobe pushes creativity and boundaries on how we wear our clothes.
If you’re looking to start a capsule wardrobe for the winter, here are the pieces we think you should get started with.
A Plain Fitted T-Shirt
Although simple, a plain white t-shirt is a neutral basic that curates the foundation for any good wardrobe. The magic is all in its cut—think necklines, sleeve lengths, and drops. We would recommend the universally flattering t-shirt, i.e. a boxy fit with a round neckline.
Classic Jeans
A classic for many and for good reason! Jeans can be dressed in a myriad of ways—business casual for the office, simply casual at a coffee date, or refined with heels when going out for a girls’ night. But jeans come in many cuts and fits. We suggest picking the right fit for you and your body type, but if you’re unsure and looking for something timeless, stick to a straight leg pair.
A Strategic Button-Up Shirt
A piece for easy office wear, you can also style them open with a t-shirt underneath if your style leans towards masculine. If not, wearing an untucked button-up with tailored trousers and sandals is a simple but chic outfit, especially during the daytime when grabbing a cup of coffee.
Tailored Trousers
Taking a page from the OG capsule advice from the 70s, tailored trousers are handy during office hours, but they also make for elegant evening wear when paired with the right top.
A Shiny Satin Skirt
Satin skirts are definitely a trend at the moment, but their simplicity makes them timeless. Another piece that lends itself to elegant evening wear but can just as easily be dressed down with a t-shirt and sneakers. As long as the skirt isn’t a bodycon fit, this piece can make culturally relevant outfits for decades.
An Everyday Blazer
For something timeless, go for a piece that has a slightly oversized fit. Over trousers, it’s professional. Over jeans, it creates a business casual look. And with the right accessories, it adds an air of sophistication to any evening look.
The Versatile Maxi Dress
When thinking of a versatile maxi dress, we think of the SKIMS Soft Lounge Dress. On its own, it’s simple, highlighting the natural curves of the body but can be dressed casually with a button-up, either on or over the shoulders. This dress can also function as a second skirt, which is how many people prefer to style it—layered with a t-shirt or top over.
A Simple Winter Coat
And since the weather is only bound to get colder, it’s essential that we also keep a winter coat on hand. Depending on where you live, that could be a trench, a sleek suede jacket, or a simple coat. Our pick is a multidimensional piece from Maje. Simple in its design, at first glance, it looks more like a cardigan rather than a coat. But make no mistake, this piece is warm and insulating, making it ideal to wear under freezing office A/C temperatures or thrown over a dress, elevating a daytime look.
A Bag That Can Hold It All
Bags for a capsule wardrobe can get tricky. Ideally, you would want a tote for everyday and something smaller for evening wear, but since we’re sticking to 10 pieces, we would like to bring your attention to the Songmont Luna Bag. Featuring Chinese craftsmanship, this moon-shaped bag can be worn four ways: shoulder, crossbody, as a dumpling clutch, and as a wristlet. Its functionality has already gone viral on social media, putting Songmont on the map and rightfully so!
A Statement Scarf
And finally, an accessory to tie all these pieces together. Scarf belts have been popular for a while now, so if your outfit feels too plain, incorporating a scarf will liven it up. But they can also be used as ties with your button-up, over the shoulder with your maxi dress, or hung from the belt loop of your jeans. Scarves alone are nearly as versatile as a capsule wardrobe!
