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.
About Joshua Becker
I am intrigued by this article and concept. And would live to give it a shot. Today I start the purge of what I don’t need. Let’s see what is left!
When you say wearing the clothes everyday do you mean wearing the same shirt for a few days then washing it, or having many of the same shirt?
Having multiples of the same shirt.
One thing I do every evening before bed is to is pick out my clothes for the next day. It’s empowering to remove that decision from my morning routine and think of something more important instead.
Plus like many, I now have a ‘uniform’. V Neck Jumper, simple shirt, blue jeans or dark grey trousers, pumps.
As a huge perfume lover I have even simplified my fragrance collection. By using ‘perfume layering’ to wear two or more of my existing perfumes at the same I can create a brand new scent. I buy way less fragrance now, and reduce my clutter too.
I’ve discovered the freedom of having less in my closet. I feel more confident by wearing just grey, black, and white. I am in the process of donating my shoes now.
I personally am frustrated at times when trying to pick clothes to wear. It is really time consuming to mix and match things.
That is why I usually go with tshirts and pants for malls and slacks and blouse at work.
I agree that it saves time, energy and emotions. 😁
I have dressed this way for periods of my life. It’s particularly helpful when traveling. I change shirts and underwear everyday, but the rest can be worn over and over. It certainly saves luggage space and laundry cares. I wish my husband would learn this!
This is great. I have a weird style where I wear lace shirts and flannels but those can’t be found so easily in stores. Because of this, I stick to one lace blouse and some jeans.
Shopping is exhausting and usually the style you’re looking for can only be found in designer shops (which I can’t afford at the moment ).
I’ve been wearing a variation of the same outfit everyday for a little over 2 years now. It is so much simpler and saves so much time. The reasons above, which I agree with, are mostly about what happens after you own the clothes. I have found it much easier to shop now! If I see a dress I like that comes in several colors, I don’t spend time deciding which one to buy AND I don’t spend extra money buying it in several colors because I can’t decide. If they don’t have it in black, I’m not buying. I still love shopping, but it makes choosing what to buy much simpler.
I totally agree 1 to 5. Shopping less, shopping better would be another good reason. Quality and ethical wardrobe became affordable if you don’t need to buy load of dresses. And this increase your wellness.
I must say you have very interesting content here.
Biggest regret in college was not throwing away some cash on some cool clothes, as it definitely has helped me get laid. Not sure I disagree, but show me the women impressed by being boring, and I’ll show you women that aren’t sexy in the least.
I prefer wearing the same basic outfits over and over, different for work and play. But not happy with all the disposable clothes, and how hard it is to find basic classic outfits that last for years. Unfortunately, my classic wardrobe no longer fits! I welcome suggestions….
I have been wearing the same color and basic styles of clothing for almost 20 years, I concur with most of all the reasons why wearing a minimalist uniform works.
I have about six outfits plus my uniform for work.Sometimes I feel awkward at wearing the same clothes until they self destruct.I felt tired of my father wearing the same outfit everyday.Changing his uniform color every few years wasn’t enough.I buy my attire from thrift shops.Stuff that people find pretty but wonder how to clean it.See the label “dryclean only” and run.Lucky for me,I have been educated/certified. I am a minimalist in all aspects. I am not sure about the Decision fatigue thing.As studies were done on people choosing doors.Like on “Truth or Consequences”. most people changed their minds and lost. That is where I am an oddball.I stick with my answer and have faired best.So,I have been saving on decisions for a long time and didn’t even know it until then.My husband will shop over and over for a product driving me insane in the process.Me..I take in the info the first time and decide from that.Over shopping is like overthinking.another way to whittle down the decision quota for the day. I hope that somewhere in this,you have gotten something helpful.
I’m on holiday. I have 2 x jeans, 2 x shirts, 2 x cardigans, 2 x scarves, t-shirt and 2 x footwear. I am sorted and happy. All in blue and brown. I’ve also got two dresses in blue not worn yet. So happy!
Don’t forget your undergarments! I recommend 7 panties, 7 bras and a pair of bedtime Jammies. Maybe some socks and 2 -3 pairs of shoes lol
I’m a retired RN and even in the medical field there’s a lot of “clothes” (uniforms) to choose from. My solution was always to wear white unless the company (read hospital) had it’s own code. Save a few headaches before heading to work…
I would love to do this but need some help i work alot and have to wear different uniforms for different jobs while i have reduced the amount of base layers i still have a ton of uniforms and each job has a full set. Add on a regular wardrobe and i also have my own consulting company so i need to brand my own company there too. Help me please need ideas what to do.