Add by Subtracting: the Capsule Wardrobe

We often think of clothes as bringing us joy. The feeling when we find the perfect dress after looking for ages. The scent of fresh, of new clothing. The way it carries you. So how can less clothes equal more joy? Let me explain this seemingly illogical equation of

clothes<joy

First, I want to ask to to think about the feeling you get when your perfect dress rips in its seams after the first wear. How it feels when the soles of your favorite sneakers detach after just one summer. The feeling when you stand in front of your wardrobe, morning after morning, and don't know what to wear. You sigh, and start digging into your overflowing closet. You work yourself through those jeans that didn't really fit you (but they were so cute, I just had to get them!), 8 t-shirts with out-of style prints, 18 party dresses you only wore once... And now, I ask you to stop. Step back, and think. It that joy, that you feel? Or is it more like "this is stressing me out!", or "how can there be nothing to wear in this entire department store I crammed into my closet (or on my floor)?", or maybe "how could you ever keep up with all these never-ceasing trends, without becoming insane?"?

Now, let me introduce you to a concept that will bring you more money, more joy, more time and more space. Sound too good to be true? Trust me, it isn't.

Capsule Wardrobe

The beauty of the capsule wardrobe lies in its simplicity. Essentially, a capsule wardrobe means to have fewer items that can all be combined. Also, they are high-quality and timeless, so they will serve you for years to come. Soon after implementing this, you will notice that something will have changed.

1) You will have more space in your wardrobe

You can actually see the clothes.

2) You will have less stress

The before-so-impossible task of getting dressed has now become a joyful routine.

3) You will have more money

All those tiny impulse purchases that ate up your budget are gone.

4) You will have more time

You no longer have to spend your time keeping up with always-changing trends, or deciding what to wear.

Feel overwhelming? Like a whole new way of life? Wasn't capsule wardrobing supposed to be a simplifying thing, not a life-changing one? These are totally understandable concerns. That is why we have compiled an extensive, step-by-step guide. (There is also a TL;DR version at the end)

Step One - what to do

Define your style. Narrow down your clothes selection after what you use, and that can be a good indication. But if you don't enjoy the clothes you wear, and just wear them because they are the clothes you dislike the least, then only keep them until you get replacements. You are deciding your direction.

Get inspiration from different places, like the internet, or your favorite department store. You can even look at interior design, or architecture. The important thing is that you don't just look at specific things, like "that bag is the prettiest thing I ever saw, i have to have it now!". You are looking for your overall style. If you keep on doing impulse purchases, you are not doing meaningful shopping. You will satisfy your immediate "need", but in the end, you will end up with a wardrobe that is not thought through, and therefore, hard to match. Instead, look for what you like in a product, brand or house. Is it the cut of the garment? The color palette used by you favorite brand? Or maybe the clean lines in the architecture of the house you saw the other day? Are you active? Then maybe your style is sporty. Do you want to be sporty? If you have the will to be active, the right wardrobe will help push you into your running shoes. Are you poetic? Maybe you want minimalistic graphic prints on your t-shirts. Take into consideration all aspects of your personality, and let that mirror your wardrobe. Be wearing certain clothes, you are signalling things to others, and to yourself. What do you want to say with your clothing style? What you are doing now is defining your style. You have left the mass mentality of trends, and are now writing your own rules for the clothes that are the best for you.

Step Two - how to do it

Make a plan. What palette do you want to have in the winter? In the summer? How should I combine

colors to get the ultimate palette? What materials do you feel comfortable with?

All people are different, and while some people love the idea of schedules and plans, it drains energy from others. But remember, you are writing your rules. Make this step to whatever works best for you. However, don't skip it entirely. You don't want to come back to the point where nothing matches and everything is a mess. Do a basic base and complementary colors. You are deciding the specific destination, and what it's like in detail.

Step Three - do it

Do the plan. Now you have defined your style, and created a plan to reach your ultimate goal of wardrobe happiness. But what now? Even after your plan, you might feel lost. Where should you start? It is easy to become so excited that you start buying all kinds of stuff, but remember: you are shopping meaningfully now.

In the jungle of fashion, it is hard to find your way. Especially as you now have a different mindset than most. You are no longer a slave under most, fastest, trendiest. I fully understand your concern, as I was in your position too. What I did, is I gathered brands that I genuinely loved, where a big part of the products I could imagine wearing. Then I started a website with them. I wanted to help others, and now, the process is much simpler. At Ethna, you'll find timeless, high-quality products gathered, and just take your pick.

TL;DR Version

1. Define your style and goal

Clear out the clothes you don't use, and decide on what your ideal wardrobe looks like.

2. Make a plan to reach your goal

What color palette do you want? What materials do you want? What are crucial pieces for your wardrobe?

3. Follow the plan, and adjust it

Find the clothes of your dreams. Start with a specific number of clothing if you want to. Remember to be realistic. You don't have to be perfect, and life changes - so does your wardrobe. Just have a good base that you can trust.

Critic

This is a different way of thinking, and there naturally is critic. Let us explain what we mean.

Buying high-quality clothes is so expensive! That's not the "more money" you claim!

It is impossible to find the clothes you want me to buy!

But how about shopping with friends? Are you taking me away from that?

What are your experiences of having a capsule wardrobe? Do you have any questions? Feel free to comment below!

/Elisabeth