Building Your One-Of-a-Kind Capsule Wardrobe
Photo contributed by Eve Leeser, Graphic by Grace Livecchi
The pieces that I cherish most in my closet are those that have been passed down by my mother and lived through a variety of trends. One of my favorite articles of clothing is a white Ralph Lauren turtleneck my mother gave me while sorting through her closet. The sweater managed to follow me from my home in Germany to New York for college, and now I wear it almost daily.
Besides my mother’s white turtleneck, my capsule wardrobe consists of the following: a white t-shirt, black long-sleeve, white button-up, straight jeans, trousers, trench coat, white sneakers, loafers, crossbody bag, tote bag, and a classic pair of sunglasses. I have worn these items in countless combinations for a number of occasions, which has allowed me to consume less and build personal associations and memories with the pieces. For instance, my pair of Adidas forum 84’s have been everywhere with me, from nights out with friends to wandering the streets of Mykonos. A versatile capsule wardrobe can also transcend seasons, remaining stylish year-round. A great way to take advantage of this is through layering your pieces, for example, a simple white or black longsleeved shirt can always be used as a base layer under a hoodie or sweater providing extra warmth in the winter or fall.
You will appreciate your clothing more if you think of your closet as a collection of valuable items that will one day be passed down to your children. A capsule wardrobe does not mean never buying a trendy piece anymore, but instead, being more aware of the choices you’re making. As you strive to create new looks with the same pieces by only changing one or two elements of the outfit, a creative challenge is presented. An easy way to spice up your outfits and avoid dull repetition is incorporating accessories into your looks. For instance, I love adding a trendy colorful beaded, or simple gold waist chain to my outfits. There isn’t much creativity (or practicality) in buying everything you want. Instead, I think to myself: how can I achieve this look with the clothing I own? Having reliable essentials will work in your favor during this process.