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.
Jill says
I have never been much of a clothes horse, thank goodness. I do have a weakness for running clothes, however. Luckily, (yes, luckily), our 100-year-old house has no storage space. So my rule is, when my clothes no longer fit neatly in my chiffarobe, it’s time to pair down.
Ethan Caine says
Im a nudist…the ultimate in minimalism. You people and your capsule wardrobes need to break free and ascend to the next level of minimalism.
DeAnna says
LOL.
Shawna says
Let me guess, you’re not from Canada. LOL
Carmel says
This makes so much sense for so many reasons. I think back to my childhood in Ireland where “housecoats” were worn to keep clothes clean during the everyday tasks that life brought. They were generally a pretty pattern that women were happy enough to wear every day and served a practical purpose. I have a minimal wardrobe due to economics and the fact that I live in rural France (no shops!). But I noticed with my teenage daughter that she was having trouble deciding what went with what and sometimes that would lead to self-consciousness. We went through everything she owns and now she’s delighted with the fact that everything she has matches and fits her perfectly! Never too young to start curating!
Sarah M says
I didn’t even know this was a thing until I read it on Elise Blaha Cripe’s blog, and I realized I’d been doing this same thing for years. Although I do have more clothes than this, I generally wear 4 different ‘bottoms’ (2 skirts, 2 pairs of pants), and 5 tops on rotation nearly every week. It’s just easy, the clothes are flattering, and they haven’t gone out of style–since they’re so basic–in years. I’ve been doing it since college. I like it!
Sarah M
Victor says
I do the same thing. I rotate my pants, shirts, socks and underwear so that everything gets worn evenly.
Victor
Annie says
My approach wasn’t so much to stick to a specific outfit or number of pieces, but to keep only what fit, was comfortable, and could be worn multiple ways. I do have a couple of suits and dresses because of interviews and weddings/fancy parties, but even those are comfortable and parts of them can be mixed with other items for everyday wear. While it’s a bit more than 33 pieces, I have worn each one many times since the “Big Closet Clean Out of 2013” and I haven’t needed to replace anything except one very old pair of shoes that were truly beyond repair.
Lori in Prescott says
2 weeks ago, my girlfriend and I had a garage sale. Yes, there were decorative items, furniture, small appliances, etc. HOWEVER, we both decided that we would rid our closets of anything that didn’t fit, we didn’t feel good in, wasn’t a good color for us, etc. We made $1500 between the 2 of us. We sold the clothes at thrift shop prices $2-$5. My cohort had a table full of shoes. People were delighted. We were cleaned out after 4 PM. Our closets are a 1/3 of what they were.
Pamela says
I love having a “uniform”!! I found a dress style I like, and I’ve purchased it in a few colors. Since I’m always cold I have seasonally appropriate sweaters to mix in with the dresses. The dresses work for most activities depending on accessories, so I rarely have to shop for specific events. Because of the colors I don’t get bored, but getting dressed is still easy. It makes shopping easy too! I do have a pair of jeans and some tops for super casual events or when a dress would be annoying, and I have a “wedding outfit” as someone else mentioned above. It works for me and keeps my life easy!
Laura says
I have been doing this recently. I read the article by the mom in Dallas, and it made so much sense. I realized I wore black pants and an over-sized top to work EVERY day because I couldn’t be bothered to find anything else. So I drastically reduced my wardrobe. I even bought all wooden hangers which, in addition to making everything pretty, took up more space in my closet allowing fewer items. Now that I can see what’s actually in there, I haven’t worn black pants in a couple of weeks. Wearing more color and more creative outfits has seriously had a positive affect on my mood.
Jaana says
I also have chosen to utilize a capsule wardrobe. I went through a grieving process of sorts cleaning out my closet, but it does simplify my life quite a bit. The only thing I struggle with is about 1/2 way through the season, I start to feel restless. Bored. I’m used to filling my time with shopping! But it’s a challenge I’ve taken head on, and there are far more pros than cons.
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Bonnie says
I agree with the idea of a capsule wardrobe and wearing the same thing most of the time. An issue I think isn’t being addresses is how we use clothing to feel good about ourselves. Clothes hold the promise of looking different and therefore being different, if only in our minds and emotions. Breaking that thought pattern is a challenge, especially when we aren’t happy with how we look. I notice all the articles tout thin young women or corporate execs. What about older people?
Lori in Prescott says
Know the colors that are perfect for your aging skin tone and hair. I’m a 62 year old natural blonde who can’t wear black or white, but look great in taupe and periwinkle. Our skin fades as much as our hair as we age. I also love simple, large, ethnic jewelry with solid colors. I own a handful of necklaces that simply go with everything. I’d say make a trademark color or accent for yourself. I wear A LOT of pink because it makes me happy! I think being comfortable in your own skin is what makes you beautiful.