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.
Kim Todd says
twenty years ago when there were several weddings per year, i wore the same dress to all. i called it the ‘official wedding outfit’. it was a great mindset that saved the stress of ‘what to wear’, and the cost of buying something new.
Cheryl says
As a family we have been enjoying our minimalist wardrobes for nearly five years now and it all started with the birth of our daughter. We told ourselves if she could live with less, then we could too. At the moment we have no more clothes than what we can wash by hand and carry on our backs should we have to. Once you reduce your wants to needs there is no reason to have excess.
Katie O'Brien says
I love how much attention this movement has been getting lately! I started this at the beginning of my second pregnancy because it was getting too hard to find something that fit my growing waistline and also made me feel good.
I basically now just have beautiful colorful tank tops, maxi skirts and leggings… which will carry over post-baby, too. It’s so much easier to get ready in the morning, I feel great about myself throughout the day and have lost the desire to ‘shop’ for new clothes since I truly love what I have and have all I need.
Heymo says
Awesome, I finally (after 20 years) feel justified for wearing the same stuff every day :-)
Alice@lifeandotherweirdtales says
@Karen: would LOVE to limit the kids’ wardrobes as well… Do you think I should wait until both are out of nappies first? Or is that just am excuse?
Andrea says
This post might be helpful: http://www.theminimalistmom.com/2015/04/bye-bye-baby-stuff-2/
Andrea says
This article is great: http://nourishingminimalism.com/2015/04/whats-it-like-to-be-a-minimalist-with-a-baby-check-out-our-minimal-baby-room.html
Linda@Creekside says
Love this, Josh. Sharing it on my sidebar …
Wearing only what I love. And enjoying who I am more.
Absolutely.
Mrs. Frugalwoods says
I made the decision to stop buying clothes last year and have now gone 16 months (and still counting) without buying a single scrap of clothing. At first, it was a way for me to save a bit more money, but it has evolved into a way for me to simplify my life and be content with what I have.
I spend less time getting dressed, I don’t worry about how I look, and I’m much happier with the decreased decision making in my day. I don’t have any plans to start buying clothes again and so I imagine I’ll continue following this ban until I’m absolutely required to buy something. It’s quite liberating!
Karen @ Pieces of Contentment says
There are many benefits to enjoying a limited wardrobe. Mine is currently housed on one hook behind our bathroom door. For many years I have operated on a basic wardrobe of three outfits per child. This works well for some of our children but not for others – depending on character. Being a large family I wash every day except Sunday so a small collection of clothes works very well. One or two pair of footwear per person is usually enough too.
Alice@lifeandotherweirdtales says
*young, onto yet…. Oops
Alice@lifeandotherweirdtales says
I love this!! As a mum of two yet kids, who is also a professional I love all the reasons you give for letting go of many clothes and returning to a few choice pieces. I am in the process of “unloading” the bulk of my wardrobe, including many pieces that do not fit. Thank you for putting it so beautifully and clearly!