If you spent your twenties rummaging around the sales racks of stores like H&M and Forever 21, you probably have a random assortment of clothes that don’t really mesh. Those fast fashion stores focused on producing trendy, not sustainable clothes.  They made sure that people flocked to the sparkles, sequines, or ruffles. Though they did produce some basics, they were often cheaply made and created with obsolescence rather than sustainability in mind. And worst of all, the malay of colors and designs made it hard to put together different sets of outfits. Like they say, too many choices can lead to too many problems. One way to get past the disorder is by creating a capsule wardrobe.

What’s a Capsule?

Some people swear by capsule wardrobes. While the term means different things to different people, most understand it to be a more neutral assortment of clothes aimed at creating a timeless look. As the trends continue to change and the pile of unwanted clothes continue to fill landfills, more and more people are rethinking their shopping habits. 

Intentional shopping means collecting timeless pieces that remain “in style” no matter what decade. The colors must be neutral enough that you can wear them throughout the year in summer or winter without looking out of place. By creating a capsule wardrobe, you can make the transition from season to season easier for both your mind and your wallet. 

Here are four tips when embarking on the task of creating your own capsule wardrobe.

1. Clean Out Your Closet

As part of the obligatory (and annoying) Spring Cleaning regiment, I go through my closet in search of clothing that no longer serves me. This includes anything from an earlier period that could be deemed as too trendy. The ruffled shirt that I thought was all the rage in 2019, no longer speaks to me. By donating it, I’m able to make room for something new that is timeless. By going through your closet, you can see what you already own and what you need to purge. That’s the best way to kick start a big change.

2. Make A Plan

One of the biggest problems with the fashion world today is that there is so much pressure to consume. Our feeds and our screens are filled with messages to buy, buy, buy. It’s hard to resist the temptation to walk into a store and buy everything that catches our eye. Try making a plan. What do you need on a daily basis? Are you going to the office five days a week and need formal clothing? Are you a mom and need something that you can just throw on in the morning? What are the items that you’re constantly wearing? Can you duplicate those? Some examples of staple items that I love to have in rotation are: plain white shirts, jeans, long sleeve shirts that can be dressed up or down, a pair of work smart trousers, and a pair of loafers. If you are not sure what to buy, try getting inspiration from pinterest boards. 

3. What’s Your Style?

While you may have the instinct to throw out your entire wardrobe and just buy neutrals, it’s important that you resist the urge. Creating a timeless, sustainable wardrobe takes time. You should also uncover your own unique style. Are you a preppy, street fashion, or all-black type of girly? Is there a certain palette of colors that you prefer to wear? It’s easy to build out a wardrobe when it’s just one color or items from one brand. But it’s better to be bold and experiment with different colors, cuts and brands. Go big or go home!

4. Shop High-Quality

One of the biggest problems with fast fashion giants is that the quality is low. They are able to churn out mass production because the materials are cheap. Using fabrics that are primarily low quality makes it cheap to buy in the short term, but expensive in the long run. Spending more money now on higher quality items will save you money because you won’t need to replace them.

Shopping with intentionality isn’t easy, but if you master this art, then you will dress for success!