Whatever materials you wear, this is the answer. Figure out what you like to wear and that flatters your own figure, then choose a few good items to build a capsule wardrobe. Just update each season with one or two pieces if wished, and then donate the rest (or sell to dress agencies).
Project 333 is the book to help you do this. Author Courtney Carver is a minimalist blogger. Wear just 33 items for 3 months, and get back the joy of wearing clothes, rather than just buying ‘fashion mistakes’ that sit in the wardrobe for years, then get thrown away. Courtney’s seven main tips to build a capsule wardrobe are:
- Make your own rules – the main core of a capsule wardrobe is simply to create a small collection for a set time of 3 months, to hone it to your own needs and preferences.
- Pick your favourites – start by keeping the favourite items in your wardrobe, then donate duplicates, clothing that doesn’t fit or suit you, and items you never wear.
- Don’t compare with others – wear clothes that flatter your figure and colouring, rather than what magazines tell you what to wear. A ‘little black dress’ may look good on someone with dark hair, but makes people with Celtic complexions look washed out.
- Identify your needs. If you have circulation problems, then finding warm clothes like hemp will be more important. You may have disabilities, so finding clothing that is easy to put on and off is of note. Religious beliefs may dictate what you feel comfortable wearing. Courtney likes to keep warm, so she opts for a cosy scarf over unnecessary earrings.
- Don’t buy everything at once. Once you know the items you will keep, take your time and gradually buy quality items you find on sale, one or two pieces a month or season. This way you’ll find nice items that you like, which will last years and blend with other items.
- Don’t be scared! If getting rid of unwanted clothes makes you nervous, you are reading too many fashion magazines. Courtney suggests keeping unwanted clothes for three months, while you build your capsule wardrobe. Then donate items to a local charity shop, to help animal shelters and hospices raise funds. You may be able to sell high-value items to local dress agencies (or online).
- Enjoy Your New Time. Once you have a capsule wardrobe, days of endlessly wandering around malls to find clothes you don’t like are over. No more raiding sales racks for bargains you don’t need. You can effortlessly pull outfits you like, then spend your mornings doing other things like meditating, dog-walking, making a healthy breakfast, spending quiet time with spiritual texts, working out – or anything you mean to get around to, but never have the time.
The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas sets you up to build a basic basic beautiful wardrobe starting with clothes you already own, then add classic mix-and-match elements to work for any season, on any budget. Once your wardrobe is set, just use the easy outfit formulas.
Vegan Style is not just a guide to all the best plant-based fibres and designs, but also includes a chapter on how to design your own vegan capsule wardrobe.
