The way we approach clothing is changing – for the better. For decades, fast fashion has driven the idea that we need to overhaul our wardrobe each season, a concept that has seen the fashion industry become one of the world’s biggest polluters. In recent years, however, consumers have become more conscious in their approach to buying and replacing clothes.
Schemes dedicated to repurposing old clothing have skyrocketed to success, with the phrase ‘second-hand’ replaced by the more positive ‘pre-loved’. In the UK alone, the clothes resale market grew by 149% between 2016 and 2022. Alongside this is a collective desire to minimise the amount of pieces we own, as evidenced by the recent capsule wardrobe Tik Tok trend driven by Gen Z.
If you are looking to get started with a more sustainable and streamlined approach to fashion, take a look at these tips for building a capsule summer wardrobe.
Consider your lifestyle
The best way to approach building a capsule wardrobe is to consider your lifestyle. This way you can evaluate your needs and ensure that your wardrobe contains all of the clothing that you need.
For example, those who are active and enjoy outdoor adventures will likely need comfortable sports shorts that fit well and sweat-wicking tops. You should also bear in mind the typical summer climate and plan accordingly.
Focus on versatility
The whole point of a capsule wardrobe is that you can create multiple outfits using just a few items of clothing. Choose pieces that are cohesive together so that they can be easily mixed and matched.
Key items include basic tops, jeans, a jacket and versatile shoes, as well as a couple of statement items for special events and accessories to jazz up each look. It is best to opt for classic styles that transcend trends rather than buying clothing that will quickly date and become unfashionable.
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Prioritise quality
Buying fewer clothes means that it is easier to prioritise quality while remaining within budget. This has a knock-on positive effect as high-quality clothes last much longer than their cheaper counterparts and so you do not need to update your wardrobe as frequently.
For summer, you should invest in clothes crafted from lightweight and breathable fabrics such as linen trousers in various shades, casual dresses made from jersey, and cotton skirts and t-shirts.
Embrace simplicity
As with many things in life, the secret to a capsule wardrobe is to keep it simple. When pairing down your existing wardrobe and shopping for new pieces, keep in mind that you are trying to create a consistent collection.
Make sure that the majority of the pieces that remain are plain rather than patterned or complicated to allow for easy blending with the other clothes. Bear in mind that you can use accessories such as silk scarves, sunhats, sunglasses and statement jewellery to enhance each outfit while keeping your wardrobe streamlined and uncluttered.
