There are many problems students face during their hectic life at a university: Studying for the next midterm, writing the fourth paper of the week and figuring out what to wear the next day for class!
Everybody has had the misfortune of realizing laundry day came and went without actually having done any laundry. Your alarm didn’t wake you up, so there is no time to figure out which of your remaining clothing makes even a bit of sense. Somehow, 25 minutes disappeared, and now you’re late for class — great. Before rushing out of your dorm, you glance into the sink mirror and ask: “What on earth am I wearing?”
This actually happens more often than you would realize. School can sometimes get very demanding, leaving students with no time in the morning to get ready, so they inevitably make some peculiar style choices. But what if I tell you there is a blueprint to always looking put together without even trying?
As an avid follower of the world of fashion, I’ve searched for the best shortcuts for always looking and feeling your best. Throughout one of my arduous research sessions, I stumbled upon the greatest hack to ace the polished look with zero effort: the famous capsule wardrobe.
This concept was created by a London boutique owner, Susie Faux, in the 1970s. Her goal was to create a collection of high-quality pieces that could be easily mixed and matched. Now it has evolved into having clothes designed to maximize the number of outfits you can create, achieving different looks with a small selection of clothing.
This life changing decision has more benefits than one could imagine; by having fewer options, you have fewer decisions, ultimately spending less time picking out what to wear every morning. Along with the significant time saving element, shopping will become considerably less expensive: don’t need it, don’t buy it.
This concept may sound simple, but it has strict rules to follow:
1. Color palette
Whether your favorite color is purple or green, having a color palette removes color clashing problems. This way, you will never find yourself mixing forest green with neon yellow. Stick to simple neutrals: black, white, gray or navy. Later, expand your colors to whichever ones you prefer with more “staple pieces” like a bright blue hoodie or a red pair of sneakers.
2. High quality basics
It is much better having one good quality shirt than tons of inexpensive ones that will not last till next year and don’t even have the space for. Opt for a few basic pieces instead. Focus on three things: timelessness, functionality and fit.
Timelessness is your classic white t-shirt and black trousers — pieces that have been in style for a long time. Secondly, we have functionality. For this, you have to observe your surroundings. What is your lifestyle like? Is this practical for your everyday routine? Having a black leather jacket may not be such a good idea if there is always snow on your doorstep. Lastly, we have fit. Not fit as in sizing (which is important as well) but how many pieces it could potentially match with. A good pair of jeans or white sneakers can always pair with everything.
3. There is no specific style
Having a capsule wardrobe can look different for everybody. It all depends on your taste, lifestyle or location. This concept can mold into anybody’s style, so if you don’t like minimalistic outfits, that’s completely fine! Wardrobes change over time, just as you do. Clothes are a form of expression that showcase who you are.
Now that we have discussed the rules, let’s dive into the art of actually turning your closet into a capsule wardrobe! Breaking popular misconception, you don’t have to donate all of your clothes and start fresh. Most of the pieces you have are perfect; you just need to sort them out.
Start with a closet clean out — not to get rid of your stuff, but to see what you actually have, what you think could be useful and what you definitely won’t use again. And yes, I am talking about that shirt that could have potential some day when you go on a trip to another country but actually hasn’t been worn in years.
After not throwing half of your clothes away, divide and organize. Some pieces are more basic than others and can be matched with the clothing staples. See what outfits you can build for when you are in a hurry. A cropped white t-shirt, my gray Notre Dame hoodie with navy jeans, brown belt and red sneakers are my “I’m in a hurry but I still need to look cool” go-to look.
Building a capsule wardrobe takes time, years even, but when you build smartly, your day-to-day life becomes much easier. Looking good for a first date or a job offer doesn’t become an arduous battle inside your armor. By looking good you instantly feel better, ready to tackle every day with a clear mind and a sophisticated look.
