Creating an Ethical Wardrobe

A play of Classic and Accents pieces

We are a generation that indulges in impulse buying, but still struggles with having nothing to wear. Hold on, did you find this statement relatable? If you are someone who’s constantly worried about how your budget combined with your love of fashion will overrule your desire to shop ethically, then this article is for you.

Looking at the damage it is doing to our wardrobes and environment at large, it’s high time we stop stacking our closets with impulsively shopped clothes and regret buying them later. Sustainability and ethical fashion are not just buzz concepts anymore, they are an imperative state of purchase and consumption that everyone needs to adapt as a reaction to the piled-up fashion waste at dump yards.

The thought of transforming your wardrobe into an ethical one can initially be daunting for many. A common misconception can be the chance of not wearing your favourite designers anymore, and limiting your choices in terms of trend.

This article will help you break away from such fears, and will help you realise that a sustainable wardrobe can be very versatile and will grace you with countless outfit options! For us to create a sustainable wardrobe, it is important to understand the concepts of classic and accent pieces in our closet.

1 Let’s decode a capsule wardrobe.

If you have ever been in a place where you open up your overstuffed closet just to be confused about what to wear, then you are not alone. It is no surprise that the more pieces you have in your closet, the harder it gets to put together the perfect look. If you’re stuck in this circle, then it’s high time you capsule your wardrobe.

In simple terms, it refers to a thoughtfully limited collection of neutral, basic and high-quality garments that can be mixed and matched to form innumerable outfits. It is a great way to declutter your wardrobe and simplify the process of choosing what you wear daily. It helps you streamline your decision-making processes in the morning, and never makes you feel that you have “nothing to wear”.

A capsule wardrobe can be achieved by following some simple steps.

The very first step is to have a deep closet cleanse. Keep aside or donate the clothes you don’t wear anymore, and prepare a separate pile of clothes you like wearing on a daily basis. This step also helps you prepare a segregated pile of seasonal clothing that can be stored appropriately elsewhere.
Defining a colour palette for your capsule wardrobe acts as a reference point for future shopping. Ideally, neutral colour palettes work best, as they are extremely versatile and fluid to style.
Buy a few wardrobe staples and alternatively style them with your basics. For example, statement wide leg black trousers can be worn with tops ranging from any colour palette. Thus, such trousers can act as a closet staple.

2 Want to amp up your capsule cabinet? Wardrobe accents are here for your rescue.

Here is where it gets fun! For people whose favourite colours don’t align with the toned-down shades of a capsule wardrobe, accents can come in very handy while styling a day’s look.

By definition, wardrobe accents refer to the most outspoken and bold pieces in your closet as compared to the minimal ones, which usually act as the hero element of your outfit. They add spice and character to your style. You don’t need a lot of accent pieces in your wardrobe, but a couple of them can do no harm.

They stand out more than the usual garments and are often worn during special functions and occasions. These can be either interestingly printed fits, bold colours or garments with applique work. If styled smartly with capsule pieces, they can together make a very strong outfit.

A few examples of wardrobe accents are a neon sling bag, animal-printed cargo pants and a statement leather belt. Even though they are inflexible to style as compared to toned-down outfits, they can be coordinated well with capsules and can act as the main attraction of the outfit.

Thus, following a 70/30 ratio of capsules and accents respectively in your wardrobe will not only give you the freedom of putting together tons of classic outfits, but also make your wardrobe ethically suitable for your own lifestyle. You will enjoy getting dressed faster, having many outfits to wear, owning a neat hassle-free closet and loving what you wear every day!