How To Reimagine Outfits With A Capsule Closet
Explore the practice of outfit repeating, and how to reimagine your outfits through a capsule closet. We look at some of our style icons who aren’t afraid to wear the same thing twice, as we discuss how to make the styles work for you season after season.
Plus, we’ll give invaluable tips on why capsule clothing is the key to always having something to wear. Simply by restyling some key investment pieces.
What Is Outfit Repeating?
It was once a fashion faux-pas to rewear an item more than once, but the concept of ‘outfit repeating’ is becoming something to embrace in a more conscious approach to fashion.
A capsule wardrobe is the concept of incorporating key pieces to last season after season to build your outfits around. For example, a key shirt to style with a blazer and jeans to dressing up with a matching skirt and heels. Our Rosie blouse is a perfect piece for doing just that.
Cate Blanchett has been spotted on the red carpet in looks we’ve seen before while attending the premieres and promotional events for her latest film. Repeating clothes is a habit that Cate has had for many years, saying in interviews that she does it both to promote sustainability and to rebel against the unspoken red carpet rule of always wearing something new.
The Numerous Benefits of Repeating Clothes
You’ll have a higher quality wardrobe. By shopping when you need to, you’ll naturally create a capsule wardrobe over time and you’ll be able to invest in higher-quality pieces.
You’ll love your pieces more. Repeating outfits and wearing the same items many times over teaches about which looks and pieces of clothing you truly love so when you see someone wear the latest trend, you can admire it without wanting to replicate the look automatically.
You will have more confidence. Remember the last time you wore your favourite piece of clothing? You probably felt comfortable, confident and the best version of yourself. Knowing what you really love and what suits you will mean you’ll always look and feel good.
You will be helping the environment. Shopping slowly and repeatedly wearing items is one of the ways you can help less clothing go to landfill. Buying clothes that are well made, and fit your style today and tomorrow and that you know you’ll wear for years to come is the way to stay green and stylish at the same time.
Creating a Capsule Wardrobe That Lasts
Just because it’s getting warmer, it doesn’t mean that you can’t think about all your clothes and ensure that any new purchases fit into the short and long-term future of your style.
If you always reach for the same dress, what makes it so great? Perhaps you find the length to be flattering and not too short so you can move in it freely. Maybe the trousers you always wear have an elongating effect you’re particularly fond of. Think about the style, colour, and fabric of what you reach for most often as the starting point. Try browsing out bestsellers if you need some inspiration, for a dress with a flattering fit, the Elowen is a great piece.
Then it’s worth doing the opposite. Consider why you don’t choose certain items, and use it to inform future purchasing decisions.
Creating a capsule wardrobe means shopping only for the things you need and giving the things you already own a second lease on life. It’s worth mentioning that a capsule wardrobe doesn’t have to mean one that’s lacking colour or pattern. You can simply style these up or alongside other more minimalist options.
For example, a fantastic pair of jeans is the foundation of many outfits so it’s worth spending some time finding the perfect pair. We love these Verity jeans made from an organic cotton blend. Alternatively, if you own a pair that’s almost perfect, take it to the tailor and ask for small adjustments to get them fitting like a glove.
While spring is slowly starting to appear, coats are very much still a necessity. Trench coats are a spring staple and with good reason, they’re practical and stylish in one. Great outerwear in general is one of the cornerstones of a capsule wardrobe and the items that tend to get repeated wear the most. Investing in good quality outwear is always worthwhile and shopping out of season means you can pick up your forever coat while everyone else is busy stocking up on summer dresses. Coats and outerwear constitute the whole outfit for months on end when the weather is cold, as they tend to cover up the majority of other pieces, and that’s why it’s always a good idea to invest a little extra to get something that will make you feel good season after season.
It's time to embrace outfit repeating as the benefits really are endless. From saving on cost-per-wear to a positive effect on your well-being and the environment, re-wearing looks and pieces is the chicest new trend to embrace from here on out.