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Fashion
Building A Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe
Building a capsule wardrobe is a great way to encourage more sustainable shopping habits and mindful consumption when it comes to our clothes. It encourages us to be more intentional when buying new pieces, meaning you’ll buy fewer clothes you don’t truly need or love. A capsule wardrobe typically includes a range of timeless, versatile pieces that can be easily mixed and matched together. Here, quality over quantity is key…
And remember, you’ll accumulate clothes over time, you don’t need to invest in a brand new wardrobe – we just thought this editorial could be a fun way to inspire a fresh perspective on our own wardrobe and style!
The Environment
Although we are beginning to see some shifts within the fashion industry, a throwaway culture still remains prevalent. The current fast fashion model encourages consumers to buy cheap, ‘trendy’ clothes that are often discarded after only a few wears in a bid to chase the next fleeting trend. Viewing clothing as essentially disposable is incredibly detrimental to the environment – not only because of the vast amount of energy and resources required to produce each garment, but because most of these clothes end up in landfills. Here, synthetic fibres can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere throughout the process.
A capsule wardrobe is considered to be better for the planet as it encourages us to embrace more sustainable approaches when it comes to our clothes. It also means you’ll buy fewer clothes you don’t actually need, which means less clothes being potentially thrown away and ending up in landfills!
Decluttering Sustainably
Start by going through your current wardrobe and consider donating any items you no longer wear. Personally, I find that if I haven’t reached for something in the last 6-12 months, I’m unlikely to wear it again. Donating these clothes is a fantastic way to keep perfectly good garments in circulation, giving someone else the opportunity to enjoy and cherish pieces you no longer need – who knows, they might even become someone else’s new favourite!
A Neutral Colour Palette, Timelessness and Versatility
Keeping most of your essential pieces in neutral colours will make mixing and matching much easier. These could include shades like black, grey, brown, camel, cream and white, and any shades in between! Take a look at your own wardrobe and see which neutral tones complement your skin tone best. If you like a pop of colour, you could also incorporate 1 or 2 accent colours you love, and that work with your complexion. These can add a bit of variety to your outfit and will also pair nicely with your neutral-tone pieces.
Look for timeless pieces you’ll turn to again and again, and also consider the different outfits you can create with each piece. By focusing on versatile items, you can maximise your styling options without having to own a multitude of pieces!
The Foundations
We wear underwear every single day – so it’s well worth investing in some sustainable, well-made pieces that will last for years to come. KYE is a considered intimates and lifestyle collection made for your everyday, design and handmade in Los Angeles in close partnership with a local, female owned factory. Their bras and briefs are made with environmentally conscious bamboo, offering an exceptionally soft and comfortable feel against your skin! Kye also has a wonderful collection of elevated basic tanks, long sleeve tops and pants, which would fit perfectly if you’re thinking of building a capsule wardrobe.
Another brand we’re loving is Swedish Stockings, which was founded on a mission to change and influence the entire hosiery industry towards sustainable production. Each year, 8 billion pairs of tights are produced, worn once and discarded – making hosiery one of the biggest wear-and-tear items. Swedish Stockings have sought to lead by example, and show the fashion world that you can produce sustainably, without sacrificing great quality over design.
It’s so worth investing in a pair of durable tights, particularly in the winter when we’re bound to wear them a few times a week!
Trousers
As with most pieces throughout this editorial, we’re looking for classic styles, in neutral colours, that also flatter your body shape. Think about the versatility of these pieces, assessing how easily they can be paired with other pieces and whether they can be dressed up or down. For example – a pair of well tailored trousers in a neutral colour (black, navy or grey) can be worn to work, for a special occasion, or for everyday wear.
It’s also important to consider the changing seasons. While it would be ideal for all your staple trousers to be suitable all year round, this isn’t always realistic! Different seasons call for different fabrics, fits and styles to ensure they’re both comfortable and practical. During the summer months, lightweight, natural materials such as linen or organic cotton are perfect for keeping cool. As the temperature drops, you may want to opt for heavier fabrics like wool.
Dāl The Label, one of our all time favourite brands, has some fantastic capsule wardrobe essentials, especially when it comes to trousers! The Hemp Wide Leg Trousers in Black are super versatile and made with a flattering high waist. Hemp is also thermoregulating, meaning it keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter! Pair these with the matching Hemp Double Breasted Blazer. The Wide Leg Linen Pants in Natural are a great option if you’re opting for a lighter tone – pair these with Dal’s Signature Linen-Double Breasted Blazer in Natural.
Skirts
For skirts – our go to brands are Olisitc The Label, Claudent, Dāl The Label and Kōpilā! We’re opting for versatile styles that can be mixed and matched for a number of occasions. An a-line skirt is a universally flattering silhouette which can be dressed up or down, and works well with fitted tops or blouses – depending on the occasion.
We’ve featured the A-Line Cashmere Skirt from Kōpilā’s latest collection – crafted with 100% pure cashmere, so is perfect for the colder months. You also can’t go wrong with a classic, black midi skirt – the outfit possibilities are endless. Claudent’s Midi Skirt in Black has a tailored a-line shape with subtle front pleating. Claudents pieces protect you from over 98% of UVA/ UVB rays, so it’s undoubtedly a summer staple, but can also be worn with tights throughout winter.
Tops
When thinking about tops for a capsule wardrobe, we’re looking for solid colours, classic styles and avoiding loud patterns which are harder to pair with other pieces. By focusing on neutral, solid colours, you can create a more cohesive and versatile collection that can easily mix and match. It’s also worth considering pieces that can be worn alone or layered with others – the brands which are ideal for this are Kye Intimates, Only Essentials, Dāl The Label, and Claudent.
A classic white button-down shirt can be worn alone for a polished look, or be layered under a sweater or blazer for added warmth and a slightly different style. You could also consider the texture and detailing of a top; subtle embellishments, unique stitching or a non-conventional silhouette. This can give a modern twist to a traditional white shirt and elevate it beyond a basic staple.
Building a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you can’t have statement pieces! Olistic The Label have some wonderful sustainable shirts and blouses, that can add a bit of variety to your wardrobe! Here, we’ve featured the Jundo Blouse from their latest AW24 collection. It’s made from luxurious silk organza and can transition beautifully from day to night. We’ve also featured the Mizumi Blouse, which could serve as a pop of colour; however, its earthy tones allow it to blend seamlessly with other pieces in your wardrobe.
Knit Sweaters and Cardigans
We are huge fans of knitwear, all year round but especially during the colder months. Knitwear can easily transition from casual to dressy occasions, whether paired with a midi skirt or simply a pair of jeans! As for any capsule wardrobe, we’re emphasising neutral colours to maximise its flexibility when choosing an outfit.
Here, we’ve featured Kōpilā’s Sleeveless Cashmere Polo Neck and HERD’s Wyre Vest in Ecru. These are perfect layering pieces, and work so well with an organic cotton white shirt underneath, or paired with a blazer. Navygrey also has some lovely knit tanks!
We have so many beautiful knitwear pieces on Rev, it was so hard to narrow down – but here are some of our favourites which would work really well in a capsule wardrobe.
HERD’s Eccleston Jumper in Peat & Sloe Mouline is the ultimate cosy knit – its made using mouline yarn, twisted with a natural and a plant dyed shade together to create a textured effect, so no two pieces are exactly the same. HERD’s Brampton Crew Neck In Ecru and Navygrey’s Border Cable Cardigan in Lait are both perfect for brightening up your winter wardrobe – but still sticking to the neutral theme of a capsule wardrobe.
Dresses
Dresses can be versatile additions to a capsule wardrobe, by choosing styles that work for both summer and winter, though again this is not always realistic! In the warmer months, they can be worn on their own, while in winter, they can be layered with tights, sweaters and boots for added warmth and comfort.
This winter, we’re turning to Olistic’s Sato Dress in Black – it’s timeless, elegant and is ideal for an evening outfit as well as for everyday wear. We’re also loving Dāl The Label’s Smocked Cupro Midi Dress, consciously crafted from the finest cupro. It features a flattering boat neckline, as well long puff sleeves for a whimsical, feminine style.
Though you can absolutely wear both of these dresses during the summer season – we thought we’d share some other options for the warmer months, with a bit less coverage. The Kiwa Dress by Olisitc The Label is the definition of the perfect, white dress! It’s flattering silhouette and feminine balloon sleeves make it an obvious choice for so many occasions. Another go-to is Dal’s Cupro Bias Slip Dress – so simple, yet so chic!
Jewellery
And finally – although not strictly clothing – adding some staple jewellery can complete your outfit and elevate even the simplest of looks. Minimalist, versatile pieces like a pair of gold studs and a pendant necklace can be easily mixed and matched with almost any outfit. These timeless pieces not only add elegance, but can also make it easy to transition your look from day to night, casual to dressy, all without overwhelming your style. Jewellery doesn’t have to be loud to make an impact; and sometimes the more subtle pieces with an unusual design, shape or texture are the most interesting!
We’ve featured the Crescent Diamond Pendant from Skydiamond – the world’s first carbon negative diamond! Skydiamond alchemise their diamonds in the Cotswold countryside in England, by harvesting carbon from the atmosphere to hold it forever in a diamond. Their crescent collection represents the waxing and waning phases of the moon – this subtle gold pendant is truly so special! Pair with the matching Crescent Stud Earrings to complete your look.
Carolina de Barros also makes some really unique pieces, inspired by the natural forms of earth and stone. We love the Perola Cumaru Necklace from Carolina’s latest collection, handmade using reclaimed pearls here in London, keeping things local and as zero-waste as possible. If in doubt, you can never go wrong with a pair of gold hoops, the Small Reclaimed Maresia Hoops feature a subtle asymmetric texture and are made using recycled 18ct gold plating – a touch of sophistication for any outfit!
We hope this editorial has inspired you to consider building a capsule wardrobe and curate a more minimalist collection of your favourite pieces!