With fast fashion dominating wardrobes, Gen Z often finds themselves falling victim to micro trends that will be out of style in the near future. We’ve seen it all before, from cow print to repetitive bow motifs. This persistent encouragement of fast fashion is incredibly harmful both environmentally and socially. Creating a capsule wardrobe through ethical shopping is a great way to help combat this issue.
This Issue With Fast Fashion And Micro Trends
Fast fashion has a growing carbon footprint that pollutes air and water globally. It’s also predominantly created using synthetic fibers. These use fossil fuels and produce microplastics that can harm our oceans. Additionally, workers at fast fashion companies are often paid unfairly low wages, resulting in cheap clothing. There is also a lack of ethical treatment when it comes to workers’ safety in factories, as quick production is enforced.
Besides the larger environmental and social issues that come from fast fashion, it doesn’t benefit the consumer, who is often paying for poor-quality clothing that will wind up in a landfill. Fast fashion can be produced as quickly as one week, as seen through Zara and H&M. Clothing can go out of style as quickly as it becomes a trend or, in this case, a micro trend. That’s why it’s important to spend on high-quality items.
What Is A Capsule Wardrobe And How To Start
Building a capsule wardrobe is a simple and fun way to remedy the harm of fast fashion. A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of clothing and accessories that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of timeless looks. Since capsule wardrobes are less crowded, they promote slow fashion and investing in higher quality pieces while also saving you time getting ready. Overall, capsule wardrobes encourage less ‘shopaholic’ fashion spending.
To get started, make sure your clothes are practical for your everyday life. Are you going into an office and looking for a chic blazer and trouser combo? A college student looking for comfy and casual outfits that still look put together? Do you go out with friends and need the perfect staple mini skirt and going out top? Once you figure out what kinds of outfits you want to put together, you can begin searching for individual items. No more buying pieces without factoring them into your wardrobe.
You can also start figuring out what you want to add to your wardrobe by figuring out what you want to remove from your current one. By editing down your closet, you’ll find what you no longer wear. You’ll discover what basics you love and want more of and figure out more about your personal style, whether that means your favorite brands, fabrics, colors, or other factors. Now, you can donate or sell unwanted clothing and free up closet space.
If you’re lost when it comes to planning outfits, Pinterest is your best friend. You can easily find tons of style inspo while doing your daily scroll. It can also be helpful to find one item that you love and search for other items that would pair well with it. This way, you’re building off of what you already own and don’t have to start from scratch. It can also be helpful to buy neutrals or monochromatic pieces that are guaranteed to go with more things. Think shades of blue, nudes and tans, black, brown, and olive tones.
Must-Have Staple Pieces To Add
Footwear For All Occasions
When it comes to non-negotiable shoes, having a good pair of boots, kitten heels, and sneakers is essential. They each serve a purpose for multiple occasions and are great for those who want a range from casual to formal footwear.
Boots can be great for going out when paired with a mini dress or skirt, but can also be worn casually with a good pair of jeans. The rise of the chunky, tall boot has taken the world by storm, and it’s so classic that it will stick around.
Kitten heels are less dramatic and much more classic than six-inch stilettos. You will definitely gravitate more towards them when looking for a simple way to add a feminine touch to your outfit. They’re great if you want to feel a little more confident without looking too dramatic.
Obviously, sneakers are essential, but looking for a pair that has a fun pop of color can be a great way to make a simple outfit stand out. Sneakers are great for everyday and can be used to tie together the perfect streetwear style.
Tees And Tanks
Next, a good white T-shirt or neutral tank top. These are pieces that typically get worn the most, so quality matters.
A white tee peeking out through a button up cardigan, or a tank top under an off the shoulder crewneck can make a simple outfit look a little more thought-out and stylish.
These are items that won’t ever be at risk of becoming overused because they will forever be timeless. They are perfect for layering with unique patterns or textures because they won’t overwhelm whatever they’re worn with.
Little Black Dress…Or Skirt
Of course, a black dress, a black mini skirt, and a black top combo for a monochromatic look.
Having these in your wardrobe makes putting together a going-out ensemble easy.
They instantly exude elegance and can be paired with accessories or fun jackets to really stand out.
Fun Accessories
Accessorizing is a great way to elevate any outfit. Chunky jewelry paired with classic silhouettes and monochromatic outfits also adds an air of luxury.
Even adding a belt can make a casual outfit immediately look more put together. It’s a great way to add hardware and leather to mix fun textures in while staying on trend.
Especially for those feeling a harsh winter, a chunky scarf with a fun pattern can be great for adding to a plain coat.
The Perfect Jackets For Layering
Finding a good jacket is also key. A blazer, leather/faux leather, denim, or suede jacket can dress up any outfit instantly.
If you want to cover up a little more, an oversized jacket paired with a mini dress could be a great going-out look. A blazer can add structure to any outfit, completely changing the vibe to become more sophisticated.
Personally, I find that a simple faux leather jacket can be worn with just about any outfit. Finding jackets with fun textures and colors are great staple pieces to have because they can bring so much to a simple style.
Vintage Is The Future
Most importantly, vintage shopping is where it’s at. When you are wearing something totally unique that no one can copy, it’s more special and less likely to go out of style.
It can add a lot of character to your wardrobe and also promotes sustainability which is an added bonus. I personally like to purchase from apps where users can sell second-hand clothing, such as Depop and Vinted.
Buying vintage clothing is also a great way to find items that will last, as opposed to the typical cheap polyester and nylon that are typical in micro trends.
All in all, building a capsule wardrobe is a great way to elevate your personal style while also practicing sustainability. The environmental impact of fast-fashion brands is part of what makes fashion the third most polluting industry, just under fossil fuels and agriculture. By focusing on finding your individual aesthetic, buying fewer fleeting trends, and focusing on building a practical and functional wardrobe, you can help play a small role in effecting social change. Not only are capsule wardrobes perfect for looking effortlessly chic, they can help reduce product waste. So let’s combat climate change, one mini dress and leather jacket combo at a time!
