What is a capsule wardrobe?
The concept of a capsule wardrobe was invented in the 1970s by Sussi Faux, owner of the "Wardrobe" boutique in London, and popularized by American designer Donnie Karan. The capsule wardrobe concept is the antithesis of "fast fashion," which is a fast-paced, ever-changing style that follows new trends.
Slow fashion is based on responsible purchasing decisions, putting
on functionality, comfort, and quality. Thanks to responsible purchasing, we have a positive impact on the natural environment by reducing demand and, consequently, the production of new clothing.
The concept of a capsule wardrobe is based on styling clothing so that we can create outfits for any occasion with a limited quantity. When buying clothing, we focus on ensuring that its individual categories complement each other. The foundation of a capsule wardrobe is clothing considered timeless, usually made of smooth materials in universal colors that can be easily combined. This concept limits the number of items in our wardrobe to a few pieces from each category, in various basic colors. It's crucial to choose the highest quality materials when making purchases, as natural as possible, with minimal synthetic additives. This means that clothing will last for a long time, in a variety of styles for various occasions. Choosing high-quality materials will always cost more, but limiting purchases to a small quantity will ultimately save us money, which will in no way negatively impact our appearance. An additional advantage of high-quality clothing is its durability.
Proper care for materials, by washing them in appropriately selected detergents and in particular paying attention to the permissible washing method described on the label, will allow us to enjoy them for a long time.
You ask, we answer
A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated set of clothes that can be easily combined into a variety of styles. Its goal is maximum functionality and cohesion—fewer clothes in your closet, but more possibilities. Each piece complements the rest, saving you time and space.
The construction of a capsule wardrobe is based on several basic principles:
1. Basic colors, such as black, white, gray, navy blue, and brown, and their shades, can accentuate the look. Consider your skin tone when choosing your color palette.
People with warm skin tones look best in earthy shades like orange, brown, beige, and lavender. Cool tones, on the other hand, pair perfectly with jewel tones like emerald, ruby, and shades of pink. Natural skin tones complement neutral colors like white, black, navy blue, gray, and even turquoise.
2. Body shape, or how to choose clothes for body types A, O, I, or V.
Pear-shaped body type - A
For a pear-shaped (“A”) body type characterized by wide hips
and waist circumference, as well as long legs, fitted jackets will look good
with wide lapels or slightly widened shoulders that end at the buttocks. These people should also choose vests, plain shirts,
in which the first two buttons can be unbuttoned at less formal receptions.
In this case, V-neck T-shirts and sweaters will look good.
This style visually narrows the waist and widens the top. Trousers should have straight, slightly flared legs.
Apple body type - O
People with an apple (“O”) shape, i.e. a round figure and short stature, will ideally suit tops with a low neckline.
V-neck, longer jackets and well-fitting in size, so that the lapels
they didn't come apart after fastening the buttons.
To visually slim your stomach, combine darker shirts or T-shirts
with lighter shades of jackets
or sweaters. Shirts and T-shirts should be tucked in for casual occasions. For formal occasions, a tie is definitely better than a bow tie, as it will visually lengthen the neck.
and mouth.
Pencil body type - I
The pencil-shaped ("I") silhouette is tall and slim, often with narrow and very slim shoulders. Here, it's necessary to visually add mass by broadening the shoulders and choosing double-breasted jackets. Different colors of trousers and jackets will look perfect here, contrastingly dividing the figure in half.
When it comes to trousers, it is worth choosing straight legs, slightly tapered towards the bottom.
Triangle-V body type
The triangular (“V”) silhouette is characterized by
with broad shoulders, a developed chest, long and slender legs,
and a flat stomach. Triangles look good in virtually any style.
It's important not to expose too much of your upper body and avoid clothing that's too fitted or clings too tightly to the body. People with this body type should wear straight-leg trousers with wide legs.
and avoid those that taper downwards.
Combat trousers are perfect for this.
When choosing upper clothing, it should not be too short, and in the case of jackets, choose longer styles such as parkas.
3. Choose classic shapes and patterns that never go out of fashion, such as: checks (Vichy, Tartan, Prince of Wales check), stripes, geometric motifs (houndstooth, herringbone, fish scale, chevron, rhombus),
or dots.
4. Choose high-quality fabrics,
which will serve us for at least several seasons.
Where to begin building a capsule wardrobe? Below is a list of so-called "must-haves" that constitute a key element of a versatile wardrobe.
- A T-shirt, a versatile basic. Ideally, it's paired with a round or pointed V-neck collar. Choose basic colors: black, white, and gray. Then, you can consider T-shirts in a color that complements your skin tone.
- Polo shirts are perfect under a blazer. Beyond basic colors, choose ones that complement your complexion. Perhaps an elegant burgundy or bottle green?
- A sweater and cardigan. Choose a round collar and colors like black, navy, or gray. A black cardigan can replace a blazer for less formal occasions. It pairs perfectly with a white T-shirt. Choose a blend like wool or merino wool, which can be further enhanced with a touch of cashmere or silk.
- Gray hoodie, the perfect companion for many sporty styles.
- Straight-leg jeans that fit your figure are perfect. Three colors will work here: navy blue, light blue, and black. The pants should be a solid color, free of any rips or fading.
- Navy blue and beige chinos, which are perfect for spring and summer outfits, adding a touch of lightness to the look.
- Suit trousers in always elegant black and navy blue.
- A classic, white and black fitted long-sleeved shirt. Take extra time to properly fit your shirt to your figure. Buttons shouldn't extend across the stomach, and the hem should reach just above the trouser pocket for casual wear. For business meetings, a slightly longer shirt should be worn with suit trousers, covering the entire bottom. Choosing high-quality cotton is key; it won't wrinkle under a jacket or sweater and will look just as good untucked.
- A jacket that matches the suit trousers. Later, to expand your wardrobe, choose a cotton or linen sports jacket in gray or beige, which is perfect for warmer days and less formal outfits.
- Accessories such as brown and black leather straps and a watch, which, apart from its obvious function, is an element of men's jewelry.
Remember, when choosing the right clothing, always consider the material composition. The higher the synthetic content, the less durable the clothes will be, the more susceptible they will be to deformation and creasing. Worst of all, your skin will start to sweat, leaving stains on the fabric.
You don't have to! You can build a capsule wardrobe step by step. Start with basic pieces like pants and shirts, then add more pieces to complete your collection.
Yes! Thanks to versatile pieces, you can easily create outfits for various occasions – from everyday events, to business meetings, to more formal events. The key lies in carefully selected clothes that you can style as needed.
A capsule wardrobe saves you time, money, and closet space. It means you always have a look that looks good on hand. You avoid impulse purchases and the "I have nothing to wear" mentality. It's also a way to adopt a more sustainable approach to fashion.
Yes, a capsule wardrobe can be adapted to any season. Simply incorporate seasonal pieces like lightweight T-shirts and shorts for summer, or warm sweaters and jackets for winter. Our collections include clothes suitable for any weather.
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