Building a Sustainable capsule wardrobe is the need of the hour. If you’re thinking about creating a “Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe“, stick till the end as we explore everything about building one.
The amount of clothing and shoe waste is produced every year makes each one of us mindful of what we buy and how we use our existing wardrobe is the crucial part of making a sustainable closet.
Capsule Wardrobes reduce decision fatigue and save time and money, it also reduces Carbon Footprint which is the major source of Textile waste.
Check out what is a capsule wardrobe, if you’re new to this term and now, let’s dive into how we can make it more sustainable.
What is a Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe?
Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe is a process where your closet involves the most sustainable pieces, focusing on fabrics and their quality following every principle of sustainability.
Did you know that more than 15 million tons of textile waste are produced every year in America?
This is the result of excessive shopping and the use of fast fashion brands that increases the Carbon Footprint to an extent we can’t even believe!
Read our detailed insights about the importance of Sustainable Fashion.
An ideal Sustainable Clothing wardrobe has some of the following checkpoints:
- They have multifunctional garments is that can be repeated regularly.
- Always puts quality and longevity at priority.
- Also believes in thrifting.
- Shops from Sustainable Fashion brands.
- Avoids any impulsive shopping products that later lie at the corner of the closet.
Ready to create a Sustainable fashion wardrobe with us? Here is a simple guide to creating your capsule closet a sustainable one.
Why should you have a Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe?
There are many reasons why you should make your Capsule Wardrobe more sustainable:
- It helps and reduces decision fatigue.
- Saves you a lot of time in shopping and planning.
- Saves money as you don’t go out shopping now and then, also you have enough clothes all the time.
- You’ll be less stressed about ill-fitted outfits or excessive clothes.
- You will never have an “I have nothing to wear” moment.
How many items should be in a Sustainable capsule wardrobe?
It is noted that a Sustainable Capsule wardrobe should ideally have 30-45 items that include tops, bottoms, outerwear, and layerings. Add accessories and footwear that goes extra 5-20 pieces. Take a 30 wear test where you visualize the flexibility of one piece so that you can wear it multiple times.
How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe?
Small changes can lead to big changes. If all of us start investing time to understand the basic dynamics of Sustainability, it can result in a big change in the environment and make it a better place to live in.
Here’s a list of things you can do to build a Sustainable Wardrobe:
STEP 1. Research
Learn and be aware of what sustainability means. There are different platforms like Thred Up that have a Carbon Footprint Calculator that helps to tell you how much do you contribute to the pollution.
Accordingly, you can read about ethical fashion from sources like Good on You, & Consciously Chic to help yourself be aware of every dynamic.
STEP 2. Organize your Wardrobe
This is the time when you need to revisit your wardrobe and analyze to organize your closet.
Look for pieces you have, categorize them, and segregate what you wear and what you don’t. Start with finalizing the basics, and the other fancy pieces that you like. Keep aside the garments you don’t wear.
STEP 3. Donate clothes rather than discard
Discarded textiles directly lead to textile waste. To reduce this you can always donate clothes to the needy, or even servants.
If not, you can also put them in charity boxes provided by many fashion brands who initiate recycling. You’ll find many retail stores doing this.
STEP 4. Pay Attention to Wash Care
This is one of the points to focus on. Paying attention to wash care involves less washing of clothes, avoiding tumble drying.
A report by energy-saving trust mentioned that laundry adds 60-80% of the contribution that adds to environmental impact. Energy-saving plays a huge part in being sustainable, washing at 30-degree temperature also helps the same.
STEP 5. Focus on Quality Fabrics
To be able to last your clothes longer, you must focus on good quality fabrics. The idea is to shop less but look for long-lasting products.
Shop for sustainable fabric compositions like Organic Cotton, Hemp, Recycled linen, organic bamboo, cork, recycled polyester, merino wool, cashmere, camel, Modal, EcoVero, etc.
STEP 6. Shop Sustainable Brands
Various fashion brands focus solely on sustainable habits like use of less water, use of renewable energy for garment manufacturing, use of recycled materials for packaging, eco-friendly fabrics, and following fair labor practices.
Read some of the Best Sustainable brands to shop for and get an insight about the same.
STEP 7. Reduce Impulsive Shopping
Impulsive shopping is the major reason for sustainable living. Unplanned shopping when it’s not required adds excessive unwanted clothes that end up piling in the corner of the closet.
The main point to note while going out shopping is to be able to analyze if you can wear the clothes many times and rethink whether you really want them.
STEP 8. 30 Wear Test
Before shopping for any garment, think of how many ways can you style it. Is it versatile enough to be repeated again and again? And while you think it, consider it as a 30 wear test wear you need to consider if you can pass the 30 wear test before buying.
You should always opt for basic closet essentials while choosing outfits for capsule closets.
Get inspired by our Sustainable fashion bloggers who help you wear similar pieces in different ways.
STEP 9. Thrifting
Second-hand shopping is another way to shop sustainably. If you think you can’t afford sustainable brands, thrifting is the answer.
Use what is created already. Did you know shopping and using thrifted clothing actually reduces 80% of the carbon footprint from that product?
STEP 10. Alter Your clothes
They say,’ Rediscover the love for your garments again and again. Upcycling is the new way to go sustainable”.
If you think that a specific garment doesn’t fit you or you feel bored of them, reconsider discarding, them and be creative on ways how you can DIY or upcycle them into something, that helps you wear them for a longer period.
STEP 11. Resell
Reselling helps you organize your closet as it works as an alternative for donating or discarding clothes. There are shops where you can resell these garments or start an online website to sell the pieces at a minimum price.
STEP 12. Change Your Perspective
Rethink your perspective. Instead of buying new, focus on Repair, Reviving, and Recycling. The main idea is to reduce waste and support brands that are constantly thinking about the environment.
How Much Does It Cost to Make a Capsule Wardrobe?
Making a capsule wardrobe sustainable is affordable and hassle-free. An expenditure of $500-$1000 is more than enough to build a wardrobe that lasts you more than a year. Focus on preferring quality over quantity and maintain them well with proper wash care so that your wardrobe looks as fresh and new as the time you want them to be.
How do I build a Capsule Wardrobe on a Budget?
You can create a Capsule Wardrobe in a budget-friendly means. Know that Capsule Wardrobe can be built in the budget of your choice.
Know that repeating outfits are cool and creating new outfit options from similar choices is creative.
This is how you can Capsule Wardrobe on a budget:
- Get chic with neutrals, go smart with picking fabrics and finishes that look luxurious.
- Shop from thrift shops, keep the wash care in kind to last them longer.
- Choose quality over quantity.
- Figure out your personals style, keep only those pieces, and shop for similar pieces, resell the ones you don’t wear at all.
- You can always set a budget or try for a clothing subscription box which comes for a much more affordable.
Conclusion
Clothes play an essential role in us. As it is counted as one of our necessities, making conscious decisions on what we wear is equally important.
Being aware of Sustainability will not only help us in creating the right wardrobe but also make ethical decisions in every aspect of life.
