Minimalism in Fashion World: Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a small selection of clothing that can be swapped around to form several different outfits. This small number of, mostly basic clothing pieces that assumingly won’t go out of fashion, form the backbone of your wardrobe. The idea emerged in the 1970s with the motivation of creating a small wardrobe composed of high-quality, timeless pieces that can be worn for a long time. Susie Faux popularized the term "capsule wardrobe" in the 1970s. Later on, in 1985, Donna Karan published her "Seven Easy Pieces" collection, which epitomized the concept of a capsule wardrobe by offering interchangeable pieces that could create numerous outfits. Since then, the idea has gained popularity as a sustainable and minimalist approach to fashion.

Why do we recently come across a concept that emerged in the 1970’s? 

The situation arises for several reasons. In 2024, there is a popularity around the idea of minimalism. It can be seen in our furniture, buildings, and our case, fashion. With the growing attention towards minimalistic movement, our wardrobes have started to be affected as well. Capsule wardrobes align with the principles of minimalism by following the idea of owning fewer, but higher quality and more unique, clothing items. 

Another reason can be the concern for sustainability. Fast production led to the emerge of fast fashion, which impacts the environment greatly. With fast manufacturing, the quality of clothing has been reduced. Fashion has started to consume more money and resources. Many people have turned to capsule wardrobes to reduce consumption. By investing in the concept, individuals can minimize their contribution to textile waste. 

Fast fashion has led to another reason which is pursuing personal style. Easy, fast, and mass production of clothing items have standardized fashion trends, and even though there are lots of fashion types, a lot of outfits look similar to one another. As a result, people have started to look for specific personalized items to create self-expression through outfits. A capsule wardrobe makes it easier to have favorite and different items and looks. 

Lastly, social media has been a factor in the popularity of capsule wardrobe. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest have become important for sharing lifestyle content, especially fashion tips. Influencers who support minimalism, sustainability, and mindful consumption often promote capsule wardrobes as their content. By demonstrating how to build a capsule wardrobe, how to style different pieces, and how to maximize the usage of a limited selection of clothing items, they provide inspiration and guidance. 

In conclusion, the idea of having a minimalist wardrobe in our houses has been increasingly popular and more people have started to pursue this concept. If you want to contribute to sustainable and quality fashion looks, it can be a good time to follow up with the movement and start to reduce your clothing items.