While fast fashion may be the answer to cheap clothing, those items are not there to last and the business model it is taking a huge toll on the environment. Among the effects of fast fashion are water pollution, textile waste, and depletion of non-renewable sources. Wanna find out more about why fast fashion is nasty? Read this. 

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, a capsule wardrobe is a way to go. It refers to a small collection of clothing pieces that complement each other and can be combined infinitely to create diverse looks. 

How To Start a Capsule Wardrobe

Building a capsule wardrobe is easier than you think. Check out these steps:

Pull everything out of your closet

The first step to building a capsule wardrobe is to re-haul your closet. Take everything out so you can conveniently decide which is in and which is out.

It can be difficult to let go of many of your clothes, especially those you like a lot. You can begin by eliminating those clothes you have never worn. Next, evaluate your lifestyle. What kinds of pieces do you usually wear? What colors and shapes are you most comfortable with? What are your usual activities?

Define your color palette

Choosing a color palette is crucial in building an effective and versatile wardrobe. When creating a color palette, the first step is to know which color complement your skin undertone. But also what colors are you naturally drawn to? It's important to choose colors that represent your style the most. But then, you also want to make sure that they are wearable, mixable, and varied enough.

For a capsule wardrobe, many stylists recommend a 9-shade color palette which is composed of three main colors, two neutrals, and four accent shades.

Your main colors should be those you see yourself wearing a lot, such as pants, jackets, shoes, and coats. Next, choose neutral colors that would suit your basics, such as simple tops, trousers, and cardigans, and then accent colors that work for accessories and single items you can pair with your key pieces or basics.

Establish your base wardrobe

Your base wardrobe is different from your capsule wardrobe. The base does not refer to your day-to-day clothes, rather, all the other extra stuff you need like for sleeping or lounging, working out, or layering in the winter. 

Now, how you distribute your wardrobe items according to each category is totally up to you as it will depend on your lifestyle. Consider having a separate place or spot for your base wardrobe and another for your wardrobe capsule for ease of management.

When putting together your capsule wardrobe, make sure you have enough items for the activities you normally do, like working out or going to work.

Don't forget about your shoes and accessories. For women, a pair of sneakers and boots is a must-have. Shoes, as every item in your capsule wardrobe, must match all the key pieces you've selected, such as your pants and shorts.

Build your capsule wardrobe

Now it's time to build your capsule wardrobe which is where you get your day-to-day outfits from. To start, identify three major categories that are relevant to your lifestyle. For example, if you work at an office, then your capsule would most likely include work, formal wear, casual, and workout wear.

Even though you're sticking to your color palette, don't hesitate to add a few patterned pieces for variety. They can be tops, bottoms, skirts, or dresses. Look for patterns that coordinate well with other items in your wardrobe, such as stripes, polka dots, and florals.

Final words

A capsule wardrobe is a great way to counter the impact of fast fashion. Once you get used to a minimalist closet, deciding on what to wear every day will never be an issue anymore. 

Here are a few tips to maintain your capsule wardrobe:

• Be intentional when shopping for clothes. Even if you find a piece lovely, ask yourself whether you really need it and if it fits your capsule wardrobe. 
• Invest in quality clothes. Look for pieces that will last for years.
• Revisit your wardrobe after a few months or a year to see which items need to be replaced or taken off.

Author bio: Mariam Simmons is a fashion trendsetter and the Content Manager of Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful business fashion and lifestyle guides.