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.
Judy says
Hi Joshua! As you know, I work retail so I see the madness firsthand everyday. Often, customers will ask me if I’m tempted to shop. They tell me that they couldn’t work retail because their whole paycheck would come right back to the store. Truth is, I have no desire to shop unless I truly need something. A lot of my customers are regulars and visit the store weekly. And they do shop! Over and over. They couldn’t possibly need all that stuff. I also process their payments and see their monthly bills. You would think those huge statements coming in each month would deter them…but no they just shop more. $1,700.00 on clothes per year? From what I see, that’s being gracious. My customers spend much more than that. :) I’m so glad not to be a part of that insanity. Don’t even get me started on Black Friday, which now starts on Thanksgiving!!! And you should see the customers literally run in on Dec. 26th in hopes of getting half off on something!!! People have actually ended up severely injured…one lady even died…all from the lure of half off! We have escalator injuries from people pushing and running. I’ll never, ever get it. Never. To me it’s mind-boggling.
Joy Perkins says
As a bonus – the fewer times you go shopping, the fewer impulse buys come home with you. As a Professional Organizer, I am saddened by the number of unworn items in my clients’ closets. Typically, they are sale items that were “too good to miss”.
Sydney says
Hey Joshua, I’m curious if you or any of your readers have tips on accomplishing this in a cold weather climate. I’m from northern Canada, and to give you an example of my plight, on Saturday it snowed 30cm, while today temperatures will rise from a brisk 2 degrees celcius (35F) to +27 Celsius (80F).
Judy says
We have the same plight here in Chicago. I often wear a solid t-shirt as a basic start. On the cold days I add a zippered hoodie.
Lori in Prescott says
Check out LL Bean. They have working wardrobes that mix and match with shells, sweaters, pants, skirts all in the same color. They have a the same colors that show up in vests, Polartecs, parkas, wind jackets, too. They’ve been showing “the uniform” for years.
Sydney says
Thank you for the tips, now that I think about it, I could use the project 333 strategy, but only do 2 seasons, winter and summer. And maybe have proportionally more winter clothes because winter is pretty much October-April…
Shawna says
You must be from Alberta! I’ve recently discovered merino wool which is excellent for extreme weather changes and not itchy. Another pro is you can wear them for several days. They breathe well and no smell.
Another plus for the environment is wash in cool water and air dry.
Angela @ Setting My Intention says
I’m going to try this as I switch out my winter and spring wardrobe
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
I love this! I’m on a hiatus from purchasing any clothing this year and have found it to be so liberating. Decision fatigue was really affecting me until late last year when I decided to completely overhaul my closet and clothing and purged probably 70% of what was in it (donated it all). It was such a great decision for me, I spend so much less time getting ready each morning :)
Vicki Cook says
I began to limit my clothing choices in my 40s. I switched to a wardrobe of basically neutral colors, so I didn’t have to stand in front of the closet everyday asking “Does this go with this?” It made dressing so much easier – 1 top + 1 bottom = Done!
Stacy@awellstockedlife says
I think an additional benefit for me is feeling like I can buy higher quality classic pieces because I have lowered the clothing budget in this process. Also, since clothing gets weekly (or daily) wear I want items that last, and so when I do need to replace something I can focus on finding one good quality item.
Also, I have paired down my children’s clothing and the mornings run smoother as a result.
BrownVagabonder says
One of the ways I own less fast fashion and less clothing, is by refusing to buy new clothes and going to clothing swaps. I am lucky enough to live in an amazing city like Toronto, where clothing swaps are really commonplace, and people are excited when you mention swapping (not disgusted). Nowadays, almost everything I wear comes from a swap, except intimates and certain shoes (which I can’t find at a swap).
The funny thing is that I don’t feel like I am lacking in anyway – I have beautiful pieces of clothing from all of these amazing individuals with stories behind it and I feel stylish wearing these pieces. Also, even though I have less clothes now then I did before, I also wear everything I own, unlike before, when a lot of the items in my closet had their tags on.
Eric Ungs says
I am a big believer in this. I grew needing the latest and the greatest. It had to be new and it had to be the “in” brand name at that time. Fast forward to my life now, it’s simple, jeans and a solid t-shirt every single day of the week. That’s it. I’ve reduced my drawers of six down to just two and only use a fraction of the closet. It’s such a freeing feeling. Plus, it’s what I am most comfortable in. That’s probably the biggest thing for me, in addition to what you outlined. Love this approach. Thanks for sharing!
Diana says
More and more I realise that I am wearing the same kind of outfit over and over again. And why? Because I feel comfortable in it, because I do not have to think whether I look good or not. I FEEL good, so it means I LOOK good. Every time when I get a piece out of the closet which I think I should wear, because” I bought it a while ago”, “I spent money on it”, and I put it on, I feel as if another person is starting the day. I don’t feel good and the sparkle disappears. So, yes, I definitely choose well and my children have started to copy me…. :-) X