Coined back in the 1970s by Susie Faux, a wardrobe consultant and author, the phrase' capsule wardrobe' is defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as 'a small collection of clothes that can be put together in different ways and includes everything you would normally need to wear.'
The basic concept encapsulates the idea of quality over quantity. It encourages us to whittle down our wardrobes to a select number of items that we can mix and match to create a variety of different looks, to cover all seasons throughout the year. It’s a method that pushes us to think about the clothing we actually need in our closets.
As well as reducing the risk of buying into 'fast fashion' and all the negative impacts on the environment that accompany it, owning a capsule wardrobe has several other benefits.
Let’s dive in what a capsule wardrobe means and how Lab Store London can help you start one.
Tips On Getting Started
Experts suggest a capsule wardrobe should contain between 10-50 pieces of clothing, including nightwear, swimwear, jewellery and coats.
Throwing out old clothes can be therapeutic, so set adequate time aside to go through your whole wardrobe and ask yourself a few questions. Is the item versatile? Can you team it with multiple other garments and create a variety of different looks with it? Does it fit well? Does it make you feel good? And the last one, does it spark joy? (Marie Kondo would be proud!)
If you answer 'no' to any of the above questions, sell it on or give it to charity.
Lab Store London, an experimental high fashion boutique here in Rathbone Square, stocks a carefully collated range of luxury menswear, womenswear, accessories and footwear, with brand new in-store exclusives arriving every week, so it’s the perfect place to start browsing for investment pieces.
Help With Styling
With limited pieces to choose from, a capsule wardrobe can make it easier to create and develop a strong individual style.
For those utterly new to capsuling, don't panic!
This method is about creating timeless styles that suit you, makes you feel good and reduce the worry of having to keep up with the latest 'one-size-fits-all' trends.
Before you dive in headfirst and get rid of 75% of your wardrobe, choose one piece and try and wear it five times that week. For example, a white linen shirt. Day one you could wear it with loose-fitting Mom jeans and sandals. The next day it could be worn open over a dress. The next day it could be tucked into some smart trousers for work, and so on!
It's about making small changes to ease you in, and you'll naturally become drawn to certain silhouettes and colours that will make you feel good.
Need a hand with putting outfits together? The team at Lab Store London are all experts in the field of fashion, so head in-store for styling tips.
Why Under 50 Items?
Think of all the time you'll save!
By having fewer pieces of clothing to choose from, getting dressed each morning will be far easier. A pair of jeans can be worn several different ways, a jumper can be dressed up or down and transitional dressing as each season comes around will be a breeze as you will simply be able to layer up or down.
What Is a Wardrobe Staple?
For most people, wardrobe staples contain a mixture of pieces. This should include a good quality white t-shirt, a leather jacket, relaxed blue jeans, smart trousers, a pair heels that go with pretty much everything, a statement blazer, an LBD, casual knitwear, a versatile scarf and a pair of comfortable black boots that can be worn in the summer with a floral dress or in winter with leather leggings and a chunky knit.
The key is to buy once and buy well, so don't be afraid to splurge on something that will last years.
The Lab Store stocks a range of timeless black boots from the likes of Ann Demeulemeester, MM6 and Both Paris. Shop your next investment piece on their online store.
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