Oh my goodness you guys, I cannot believe I finally get to hit ‘publish’ on this post. It’s been in the works for months and now the day has come. As you may have guessed from my spoiler alert title, I am committing to a capsule wardrobe for summer. If you’re not familiar with the term, capsule wardrobe is a carefully selected collection of clothing that can be paired numerous ways to create different outfits. Essentially, it’s sticking to basic pieces but changing up how they’re worn. I’ve been a big fan of this concept for years. It minimizes clothing waste and calls for some serious creativity. So today I wanted to share the backstory of how I got here, the way it’s going to work, and what that means for YOU (yep, you–keep reading).
why it took my so long to decide
I was really slow to make the decision on forming a capsule wardrobe. But it wasn’t for the reason I initially imagined. I wasn’t sad about losing a larger closet. It didn’t bother me to think of paring down my choices, per se. It hasn’t been about the physical pieces themselves. Instead, it came down to expression. Ever since I was super young I loved expressing myself through clothing. Board games like “Pretty Pretty Princess” had my name all over them. Dress-up was just an excuse for me to change outfits forty-two times a day.
So in minimizing my wardrobe, I didn’t want to lose that part of me. I worried I’d feel stifled by lack of choice. But I’ve come to see this capsule wardrobe as an even greater opportunity for expression. It presents a unique challenge that allows me to hone my pursuit of conscious consumerism. It will also require even more imagination every time I get dressed.
what i’m doing to put it together
This is the other half of what’s taken me a while. I’ve put a lot of thought into my ‘why’ behind this wardrobe. I’ve long been a voice for sustainable + ethical manufacturing in the clothing industry. Truth is, that’s the more expensive way to do things. So when it comes to buying from those brands, the price tag can seem intimidating. I see $135 for a jumpsuit and think, “I can’t justify that.” But, you know what, over the course of a year I probably buy five things at $40 and think nothing of it. Those five things don’t last more than a season. They’re not intentionally made for quality. So instead of taking that deliberate approach to purchasing, I cop out on fast fashion.
I’m committing to making that personal change. I want to support the right brands. I don’t want to feed my habit for impulse purchases. I’m choosing fewer things that will last longer and make an impact on this industry. So I’ve spent the past few months researching brands and curating pieces. Not everything I’m including in the capsule wardrobe is new. Some things I’m keeping in that are old and therefore may not be from one of these conscious brands. But it’s a step in the right direction and I’m not purchasing anything new for it that isn’t ethically crafted.
how i’m handling the current closet situation
As promised in my opening, THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. I have spent the past few weeks organizing a closet cleanout sale. I’ve combed through my entire wardrobe and separated everything into keep, donate, or sell. I’ll be doing a dedicated post all about this next Monday but here’s a short version: from April 16-23 I will be selling my gently worn clothing on a website called Poshmark. What I love about the opportunity to sell on consignment sites like that is the fact that, while pieces may not fit into my wardrobe anymore, they’re getting a second life elsewhere. Additionally, I will be donating 10% of all profits from my sales to a local charity for women rescued from human trafficking.
Just to note, when it came to cleaning out my closet for this capsule wardrobe, I didn’t go overboard. By that I mean I didn’t chuck sentimental pieces. And I wasn’t harping on a specific number of items to keep. Instead, I took time with each piece and considered how likely I was to wear it, how versatile it was, and whether or not I felt a certain attachment to it.
PHEW you have stuck with me through this whole post and I am grateful! So keep an eye out next Monday about participating in my closet cleanout to benefit charity. Additionally, as I finalize the capsule wardrobe pieces I’ll be sharing my full selection in an upcoming post. xx
