Before having my daughter and before I learned the term capsule wardrobe, I was shopping non-stop and everyone knew it. I always had this crazy urge for shopping and damn it, I am good at it. However, my shopping talent is not the best thing for my bank account. With an addition to our family I knew it was time to break my bad habit.
After entering my closet time and time again secretly hoping that it would magically transform itself. I finally realized that I had to come up with a way to fulfill my shopping itch. I decided to dive in and separate my favorite staple items and begin to incorporate new items that would complement my wardrobe. Long story short, I started shopping seasonally. Therefore, I purchase apparel items that will help complete my wardrobe for the current season (spring/summer/fall/winter) and simply store the off-season items to decrease clutter. This is a way to freshen up my wardrobe without going overboard. The key is to remain focused on functional items: tops and bottoms that can be paired together in many ways throughout the season.
Capsule Wardrobe
If you are familiar with capsule wardrobes, then you probably understand my intentions. Capsule wardrobes are timeless apparel items that define your closet, giving you interchangeable items throughout the year. When creating this type of wardrobe, you focus on minimal pieces that are really versatile and complement one another. Making your closet an easy and functional space that you love.This spring I took a look at my capsule wardrobe (staple pieces) then decided which items I wanted to add that would give me a seasonal wardrobe I could get real use out of. I wanted things like: basic tees and tanks, mom jeans, sandals, and spring dresses. To make things easier on myself I created my very own guide. My Spring 2019 Seasonal Wardrobe Guide lays out exactly what I want for this season.
Break the Cycle
This new way of shopping saves me money but also helps to save this planet. The apparel industry is the second largest polluter in the world. This time of throwing out clothes that don’t “spark joy” is adding to the mountains of waste we’ve created with apparel. I’m all about donating when you’re done with something, but studies show that most of our clothing donations are doing nothing for the better good of society nor our environment. If we change the way we shop and the way we think about shopping, we can then help reduce the amounts of apparel waste.
Fast-fashion has really transformed the way we shop. It provides consumers with inexpensive trendy items so quickly it almost seems like magic. This magic then urges us to want it, over and over again. We see it on our favorite celebrity and the next thing we know it’s on the shelf at our favorite store and somehow, we know it’s meant to be. So we buy it. We wear it. We get over it and never wear it again. So we donate it. This cycle will continue to repeat itself until the end of time. Unless we try to incorporate small changes like seasonal shopping and breaking those bad habits.
Be Proud of Your Wardrobe
I know it’s hard with social media these days. I enjoy following so many amazing fashion bloggers and influencers, how could you not want everything they wear and advertise. It’s displayed so perfectly and so readily at your fingertips. My biggest struggle was self-control, but I know we all have it in us. Think about if you really need it and if it will actually be a useful addition to your wardrobe. Each item within your closet should complement one another and be cohesive to keep your closet fully functional.
If we’re buying everything that we think we need or want, then we basically end up having a ROSS as our closet. A space that is jam packed with too many unnecessary items. Don’t get me wrong having a ROSS as my closet wouldn’t be horrible, but let’s be real, we don’t need all of these items. We will not wear them all and eventually, they will go to waste. I’m not saying let’s wear the same jeans every day for 10 years. I’m simply trying to express the significance of building a wardrobe that you’re proud of.
Custom Seasonal Wardrobe Guide
My seasonal wardrobe guides are a way to keep you inspired and of course focused. I challenge you to break your bad shopping habits and learn new ways to not only benefit your wallet and closet, but also contribute to making a difference in apparel waste. And I’d love to help! I will provide you with a custom Seasonal Wardrobe Guide which will include photos and links to the products I believe will bring balance to your closet and revive your wardrobe. To help me get started you just fill out this form answering questions to better direct me and I will do all of the work from there.
The key is to find your staple items that you already love that are functional throughout the year, i.e. your favorite jeans, t-shirts, cardigan, blazer, denim jacket, etc. Here are some examples of capsule wardrobes to help you get started. Once you’ve identified your staples items then the seasonal wardrobe guide will provide the appropriate additions that will complete your capsule wardrobe for the season.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. If you’re ready to receive your seasonal wardrobe guide, please click here and fill out the form.
Be Informed
I hope what I have said resonates with you and inspires you to change the way you think about shopping and the real impacts it has on our environment. There is so much more to be said about the damages caused by this industry and so much more to learn. If you are still curious about apparel waste and the importance of sustainable practices, please check out this extremely informative documentary, The True Cost. Also, here are some books that greatly cover the topic: The Dirty Side of the Garment Industry, Over Dressed, Wear No Evil.
Thanks for reading. XoXo
