The concept of a capsule wardrobe has become increasingly popular over recent years, particularly for fans of luxury fashion. Having evolved from a simple organisational tool into a lifestyle choice, it offers a practical approach to dressing and because it focuses on quality over quantity, it’s also a great solution for those eager to live a more sustainable way of life.
At its core, a capsule wardrobe is about streamlining your fashion repertoire to include only the essentials, creating a curated collection of timeless pieces that effortlessly complement one another and can be worn in various combinations to suit every occasion. It can be seen as both a practical solution for sorting through old clothing and a way of turning your back on the power the fast fashion industry continues to have on fashion trends, shunning the desire to buy into these environmentally damaging passing fads and instead investing into a wardrobe that is designed to stand the test of time.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your overflowing wardrobe and are looking to simplify it this year, then you’re not alone. We asked the experts at esteemed fashion brand NADINE MERABI to show us how to create the best capsule wardrobe, with a focus on high-quality, luxury fashion.
Prioritise quality over quantity
One of the most important factors in crafting a timeless capsule wardrobe is to pay careful attention to the quality of your garments. Fast fashion brands typically churn out thousands of different items each season and at a rapid pace, which means when it comes to the choice of fabrics and the level of craftsmanship involved, they tend to leave a lot to be desired – whereas luxury brands take the opposite approach. Making an investment in high quality fashion pieces will ensure that your capsule wardrobe not only remains endlessly stylish but also contains clothes that will physically last the distance.
Promising countless wears and the ability to be tailored to all sorts of fashion situations, withstanding the many occasions they may accompany you on, they make both financial and environmental sense. Consider looking outside the box for unique brands and unquestionably reliable designers who provide items crafted with high quality fabrics and enduring materials.
Assess your existing wardrobe
Before you can begin compiling your capsule wardrobe, you’ll need to take stock of your current fashion garments and accessories to determine what to keep and what it’s time to say goodbye to. Identify items that no longer serve you or align with your personal style, and consider donating them to charity. The goal is to create a streamlined collection of essential and classic pieces that reflect your individual taste and lifestyle, and find a sustainable way to part with anything that doesn’t make the cut. Doing so will allow you to build a clear picture of any gaps that need to be filled with the help of new investment pieces to make your wardrobe work harder for you.
Shop with intention
While it can be tempting to go on a bit of a spree to replenish your wardrobe with new pieces once you’ve finished your clearout, this goes against the very nature of a capsule wardrobe, so resist the urge and prepare to shop smart. The last thing you want to do is create more clutter, and so each item you purchase should be carefully thought out and considered within the context of the wider capsule wardrobe you’re looking to curate,
Focus on items that will fill the gaps in your wardrobe you identified earlier, and that complement existing pieces. You’re looking for items that will work in various different combinations and that you’ll be able to get plenty of wear out of, which may include basic t-shirts in black, white and grey, a tailored blazer in a neutral colour and a perfectly fitting pair of jeans – although of course, this list is not exhaustive. The key is to avoid fleeting trends and opt for classic pieces that won’t immediately fall out of fashion favour next season.
Create enduring party-ready outfits
When it comes to party outfits, this is often where confusion around what to keep and what not to keep, as well as what to buy and what not to buy often arises. When you’re trying to create a capsule wardrobe, it can be tempting to purge your wardrobe of everything that isn’t an everyday essential or a basic item – but when party season rolls around or you receive an invitation to a glamorous black-tie event, you may soon find yourself filled with regret.
With this in mind, ensuring you have a couple of sophisticated party outfits ready to go will ensure that you’re never caught out, so invest in some impeccable quality garments that have been tailored to fit your unique body shape to ensure you’ll always feel like a million dollars when putting them on. Like the rest of the items in your capsule wardrobe, the key is to focus on versatile pieces that can be worn time and again in different ways so that nobody will even realise. It’s amazing what you can achieve by mixing up different jackets, shoes and pieces of jewellery to create fresh new looks, all with the same little black dress as the base.
