8 Tips To Create A Long-Lasting Capsule Wardrobe (Win!)

Creating a capsule wardrobe is a great way to simplify your closet, save time and money, and reduce the stress of getting dressed every day. A capsule wardrobe consists of a limited number of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. Robin Briggs, founder of Althyrea Essentials, is an expert at designing the kinds of attire that make up a stylish, sustainable and long-lasting capsule wardrobe, and has helped us to identify eight key tips to keep in mind when creating one of your own. —Vita Daily

Determine your style: Before you start creating your capsule wardrobe, you need to determine your personal style. Look at your current wardrobe and identify the pieces you wear most often. Think about the styles, colours and silhouettes that you feel most comfortable in. This will help you determine what pieces to include in your capsule wardrobe.

Choose your hues: Choosing a colour palette for your capsule wardrobe is an essential step. A colour palette consists of a few shades that work well together and can be mixed and matched. Choose colors that complement your skin tone and hair colour, and that you enjoy wearing.

Consider your lifestyle: When creating a capsule wardrobe, it’s important to consider your lifestyle. If you work in an office, you’ll need more dressy pieces; if you work from home, you can focus on more casual pieces. Think about the activities you do most often, and choose pieces that are appropriate for those activities. 

Focus on quality over quantity: When creating a capsule wardrobe, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity. Invest in high-quality that will last longer, look better and feel better; you’ll save money in the long run. Search for brands who utilize high-quality and sustainable materials that will last you a lifetime. At Althyrea, which prides itself on being a slow-fashion clothing business, every outstanding product starts with exceptional fabrics, and the sourcing process is guided by prioritizing natural, biodegradable fibres and using less natural resources. “Our aim is that our materials come with relevant critical certifications, including Responsible Wool Standard, OEKO-TEX®, Global Organic Textile Standard, ZQ Merino, BlueSign, and traceable cashmere and more,” says Robin. ” Our commitment to the exclusive use of these high-quality fabrics allows us to create made-to-last pieces with high animal welfare and environmental standards in mind that you can trust and enjoy for countless seasons to come.”

Choose versatile pieces: When choosing pieces for your capsule wardrobe, choose versatile pieces that can be worn in multiple ways. For example, a blouse can be worn with jeans for a casual look or paired with a skirt for a dressier look. “Marrying the practical and the beautiful, we design essentials with our go-with-anything key wardrobe staples,” says Robin, adding, as an example, that Althyrea’s beautiful Seymour Sweater can be styled with a skirt, jeans or pants, making it the ultimate versatile addition to your capsule wardrobe.

Keep your wardrobe seasonally appropriate: When creating a capsule wardrobe, it’s important to keep your wardrobe seasonally appropriate. If you live in a place with distinct seasons, you’ll need to switch out your wardrobe as the weather changes. Keep your off-season clothes in storage and rotate them in when the weather changes. Additionally, select, as often as you can, pieces that can carry you through multiple seasons, like Althyrea’s Courtenay Cargo , created with Summer Weight Wool that keeps you cool in warmer weather and warm in cooler weather.

Repair and mend your clothes: Repairing and mending clothes is an essential part of maintaining a long-lasting capsule wardrobe. When you invest in high-quality pieces for your capsule wardrobe, you want them to last as long as possible. However, even high-quality clothing can become damaged over time. Rather than throwing out a damaged item and replacing it with a new one, repairing and mending the item can extend its lifespan and save you money in the long run. “We know you want better, not more waste, so we offer to repair and repurpose your gently used clothing, ” says Robin. “Simply send back to us or donate. We are just beginning our circular business model but we know that this transparent and accountable approach keeps us firmly on track toward a sustainable future.”

Support brands that meet your values: The good your capsule wardrobe does can and should extend past your closet doors. By supporting brands that meet your values of sustainability and ethical practices, plus goodwill, you’ll create a capsule wardrobe you can be proud of. Althyrea’s partnership with 1% for the Planet, for example, allows you to play a part in contributing to environmental giving. 

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Win! The Pacifica Blouse and Courtney Cargo Pant from Althyrea!

Congrats Smileey L. of Markham, ON, who will receive The Pacifica Blouse ($175) and The Courtney Cargo Pant ($295)from Althyrea, two spring staples that will elevate your wardrobe. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.