The capsule wardrobe movement continues to gain momentum.
Fast fashion deserves criticism. And our culture’s obsession with ever-changing fashion trends is an artificial pursuit manufactured by those who benefit from it.
The capsule wardrobe movement is far from mainstream. But, elevated in the social consciousness by some high-profile personalities, more and more people are applying minimalist principles to their fashion.
Many people outside the movement remain skeptical. They wonder why anybody would intentionally choose to wear the same outfit every day—especially when financial resources are not in question.
Evaluating my personal experience with a minimal wardrobe and studying recent profiles in various publications, I have created this list of reasons.
If you have ever wondered why some successful people choose to wear the same outfit everyday, or better yet, if you are considering adopting a more streamlined wardrobe yourself, here are 8 convincing reasons:
1. Fewer decisions. Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision making. For people who make significant decisions every day, the removal of even one—choosing clothes in the morning—leaves them with more mental space and better productivity throughout the day.
This forms the basis for President Barack Obama’s limited fashion options, “You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.” Mark Zuckerberg cites similar rationale. One less frivolous decision in the morning leads to better decisions on things that really matter.
2. Less time wasted. We have no idea how much of a burden our possessions have become until we begin to remove them. But when we do, we immediately discover a new life of freedom and opportunity. It was almost five years ago that I first experimented with Project 333—a personal challenge of wearing only 33 articles of clothing for a period of 3 months. The project is simple, life-changing, and wildly beneficial. I quickly discovered one of the greatest benefits of limiting my wardrobe: the gift of time. Getting ready in the morning became easier, quicker, and more efficient.
3. Less stress. Matilda Kahl, an art director in New York cites both decision fatigue and less time getting ready as her reason for wearing the same outfit everyday. But she adds another: less stress—specifically, less stress during the day over the decision she originally made in the morning. “Is this too formal? Is that too out there? Is this dress too short? Almost always, I’d choose something to wear I regretted as soon as I hit the subway platform.” But now, in her trademark silk white shirt and black trousers, she has one less source of anxiety during the day.
4. Less wasted energy. Christopher Nolan has created several of the most critically and commercially successful films of the early 21st century. But, according to New York Times Magazine, he decided long ago it was “a waste of energy to choose anew what to wear each day.” Now, he settles instead for a dark, narrow-lapeled jacket over a blue dress shirt with black trousers over sensible shoes to wear each day.
Christopher offers an important distinction when he refers to “wasted energy.” Not only do large wardrobes require more decision-making, they also require more maintenance, more organization, and more shuffling around. Additionally, while a capsule wardrobe may not result in less laundry, it does result in both easier laundry and storage.
5. Feeling put together. Denaye Barahona is a young mother in Dallas, TX. This spring, she exchanged her full, disorganized closet for a minimal wardrobe of versatile pieces she loves to wear. She summarizes the difference like this, “Pre-capsule, my wardrobe was like the Cheesecake Factory menu. It went on for days and was overwhelming. Most of my options didn’t fit right, didn’t look right, or I just plain didn’t like. On the other hand, my capsule wardrobe is like a fine-dining restaurant. I have fewer choices but I can be sure all of the choices will be amazing. Not only do I look better, I feel better.”
Easy, versatile, and always put together. This is the promise and opportunity of a capsule wardrobe—and just one more reason the movement continues to grow.
6. Iconic. Alice Gregory is a writer living in New York City. Last year, her piece for J. Crew magazine brought a new word into my reasoning for wearing a uniform. She called it “Iconic. A cheap and easy way to feel famous.” She continues, “A uniform can be a way of performing maturity or, less charitably, impersonating it. A uniform insinuates the sort of sober priorities that ossify with age, as well as a deliberate past of editing and improving.”
Alice points out that wearing the same outfit everyday is a way of asserting your status as a protagonist. “This is the reason why characters in picture books never change their clothes: Children—like adults, if they’d only admit it—crave continuity. Adopting the habit of wearing a uniform is not unstylish—this is a classification that no longer applies.”
7. Less expense. Our closets are full of clothes and shoes purchased, but rarely worn. The average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually. Which may not seem like a lot—until you consider that most clothing purchases are not based on need at all. In 1930, the average American woman owned nine outfits. Today, that figure is 30—one for every day of the month.
Living with a capsule wardrobe or adopting an iconic uniform removes most of the waste and expense from trial-and-error clothing purchases—not to mention all the time wasted shopping for items only to return later.
8. More peace. Last month, Drew Barrymore wrote an article for Refinery 29 highlighting her new stage of life and relationship with clothes. “For starters, I’m almost 40, and the 20s clothes don’t make sense anymore. And, after two babies, the 30s clothes don’t fit anymore. I am at a clothing crossroads, and it’s a painful one at times.” To counter these feelings, Drew put herself on a closet diet limiting her wardrobe and only buying items thoughtfully. Months later, her closet is “sane and happy.” Getting dressed is no longer a battle. And her fashion sense is “now calmer and more peaceful.”
We are a society drowning in our possessions. People are looking for freedom and rescue. They are searching for new solutions. No wonder the capsule wardrobe movement continues to grow.
Those who adopt minimalist principles in their wardrobe choices are discovering more productivity, less stress, less distraction, less expense, and more peace.
Thank you for this. I’ve been practicing this for almost a year now and I shoukd say that this is really an energy and time saver. I wear a black shirt and cargo shorts everyday when I go out. ????
Love this article and reaffirms my exact sentiments…less is so much more!
My style is Boho, casual, unstructured. I love bright colors. In the summer I wear umbrella dresses. In the cooler months I wear leggings and T shirts. I just ordered brightly printed, lightweight overalls to wear with short or long sleeves t shirts. I have a couple of patchwork skirts , 2 pair of jeans and 2 sweats. Does this constitute a capsule wardrobe?
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I whole heartedly agree with this article! I would kind of say that I’m a minimalist. Idk I just decided to buy clothes in categories based off mood and personal style and have a good amount to choose from. Also buying clothes ahead of season. I recently went out last minute. Thank GOD my hair was done! Since I’ve taken up this new practice it has benefited me! I was able to go home and instantly pick out something annndddd feel confident in it. Fashion is very much over exaggerated and not at all as necessary as some people make it. But to be able to be prepared and confidently express yourself in a calm, peace and strategic way for any occasion is such a good feeling!
I agree. Also practice this shopping plan. Would rather spend an hour searching, ordering online than shopping and traipsing. It’s amazing what people want to get rid of in their paring excercise- is exactly what I’m looking for in mine. Thrill of the hunt, then reward…So put it out there somewhere.
I’m going for less but I would also like some colours…maybe a colour for every week day…white for Monday, fushia for Tuesday…
While still a smaller wardrobe it has some pizzazz…I always picked my clothes for work the night before…
Katharine Hepburn won a fashion award in her later years for her iconic uniform of beige trousers, white shirt and either a red or black Jacket with scarf
I think your idea about color is great IF you can wear a range of colors. As for me, taupe and coral are my only colors, so I cheerfully comply with the dictates of my complexion.
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I’ve found that minimizing the wardrobe is simpler, and as you stated, a capsule wardrobe leaves fewer decisions to make. Life is too short to spend time and money on stuff that just ends up cluttering the closet. Simple is good.
I worked in dentistry wearing scrubs everyday for 28 years. Didn’t have to think about what to wear. Everyone in the office had a schedule of blue or tan days so we all matched. It was boring. I enjoy oil painting, piecing quilts and fiesta dishes in different colors. I enjoy jewel color tops like emerald green, fuchsia, bright navy with my now white hair. I can and do reduce stuff and keep my house in order but I need some color in my life.
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One button blazer with a sleek silhouette is the perfect piece for any day when you want to feel extra elegant! It can be worn with our leather trousers or dressed down with a pair of jeans, depending on the occasion.
Same here!
Strange, ive been doing this for most of my life and im not particularly succesful :D At least I dont have stress I suppose
Wonderful Blog, Thanks.
To be a successful man, I gonna wear the same cloth every day. I was serious，hahaha
Grow up.
One hidden aspect of these points I find curiously interesting is the element of Time. Time is what we must invest – sacrificing the illusory pull of convenience – a little bit more than we would if we just go and grab whatever outfit works in the moment, in order to gain… Time … later. If we can put in the more time at the outset to build the capsule wardrobe, we get time back tenfold.
It’s hard to find classic, well – fitting, well- made items of clothing. Might I ask about companies that are reputable, use excellent fabric, and decently paid labor? I would rather have a few classic pieces than most of the junk I’m ditching.
At the thrift store I got some knit pants from Land’s End that are perfect – they always look nice, are durable and feel good to wear. I like them so much, I got rid of all my other pants and sprang for NEW pairs (the same model at full-price). Same thing for Talbot’s tee-shirts – for all the same reasons, plus they FEEL great against my skin.
I agree. Also practice this shopping plan. Would rather spend an hour searching, ordering online than shopping and traipsing. It’s amazing what people want to get rid of in their paring excercise- is exactly what I’m looking for in mine. Thrill of the hunt, then reward…So put it out there somewhere.
Eileen Fischer. The clothes fit well and my body feels happy. The prices are more than I am accustomed to paying, but its worth it in the long run. Sales help, too.
Those are great brands you can get from the thrift stores – when you put some time going through everything in the store. I just lost 4 pounds in 3 days after a surgery and cranky mood because the meds technician gave me the wrong prescriptions and now have to fast for two days and restart a test. Horrific three days in coma, not literally. A month later, gained back to normal weight, I am able to find more of what I like to wear fitting my new shape….for less.
Elizabeth Suzann— sustainably made slow fashion.
Yoga pants are also a must-have in many successful women’s wardrobes now, they usually wear it with their blazers.
Great article !
I favor using the same essential outfits over and over, mixed for job and play.
I adopted this practice recently because I got sick and tired of searching for an outfit every day. My life is rich and busy. I don’t have the time or inclination to ponder fashion anymore. I feel above it somehow. I got to where I was wearing the same outfits over and over again, because they never failed me. I felt pulled together and chic, all the time in no time flat! So, I sold my wardrobe and duplicated my favorites with the money. I have not had a fashion crisis since. I know I look good and am ready to take on the world each day, with no fuss. Instead of wondering what pants go with what blouse…I’m already having breakfast! Instead of worrying over what dress to consider for a dinner date…I’m luxuriating a bit longer in the bath!
When most people read articles such as these they think that they must wear boring clothes – not true. You can have a uniform or a capsule wardrobe consisting of what YOU love and what works for YOUR lifestyle.
For example, if you work from home and love a particular hoodie and pair of jeans – why not use that as your personal ‘uniform’ or as part of your capsule wardrobe? There’s no end to the possibilities and no limitations as to what you can do with capsule wardrobes or personal uniform. I am minimalist but love anything bright, bold, and rainbowy.
Well said, and I find mixing up core pieces allows me the creativity I desire as well as being space, money, and time-saving. This year I have found that purchasing a few new wardrobe items has made all my old clothes seem new again. In the ways the pieces work together in different combinations, dressing feels like a weight has been lifted. It feels fun and easy, and I feel like my best self. In view of the article’s comments citing famous persons, I want to say I greatly admire the style of PBS New’s Hour journalist Yamiche Alcindor who always looks fabulous when presenting her cutting-edge yet personable and accessible presentation of U.S. news and world events. Her clothing palette is about one or two basic colors, including black, yet the silhouettes are quietly stunning and never boring. Her wardrobe style really enhances her presentation, and I always sit up and take notice.
This may be true for some but not others. For me fashion isn’t stressful, it’s relaxing. It’s something that makes me feel comfortable and put together. Basically plain pants and a top is not something I feel put together in nor comfortable in. It doesn’t waste my time either because it only takes me 4 minutes or less to put together an outfit in the morning, and if I didn’t do that, I’d spend way more minutes throughout my day feeling uncomfortable and messy. I don’t think we need fast fashion, it’s harmful to many people, animals and industries, but that doesn’t mean we need to wear basic, plain, clothes that don’t show our personalities. Some of us would feel so stressed in jeans and a plain t-shirt, or plain leggings and a boxy top.
I think a minimalistic wardrobe is boring. I express my artistic nature in selecting interesting combinations of colors and designs every day. I do have some basic comfortable pieces I layer on top of. But that’s only because I have some favorite colors and color combinations. However, I have so many interesting pieces acquired over many years, I feel that I can dress each day according to my mood. It helps to not work in an office, as my work is consulting from home and I can wear anything I want.
In a recent interview, David Attenborough gave away a secret: He always wears short-sleeved light blue shirt and khaki pants. The main reason, he confided, was that if he needed to go back and redo a shot he always knows what he was wearing and can easily wear clothes that look exactly like those from the first shoot.
This works as an analog within corporate world. Two pictures side-by-side taken at different times will work together, make it easier for fans to find and follow you, and give the overall impression all the shots were taken on one tour or during one interview.