7 Benefits Of A Capsule Wardrobe

When I first started learning about minimizing and learning to live with less years ago, I remember being totally confused by the buzzword “capsule wardrobe.” I really didn’t get it. I could understand having fewer clothes, but what made it a “capsule”? If you’re confused about where I was in this capsule wardrobe confusion, then read on. I’m going to explain what it is and why many swear by the benefits of a capsule wardrobe.

(If you’re interested in the full breakdown of creating a capsule wardrobe and stretching 12 pieces of clothing into 70+ outfits, you can start with my mini-workshop, The Capsule Project, and start planning your own with the included workbook!).

Essentially, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of versatile items that can be interchanged to make multiple outfits and, ideally, used for multiple seasons. It’s not new, either. The term came to be in the ’70s by Londoner Suzie Faux to define a limited number of key items that don’t go out of season or fashion. Like a “time capsule” of clothing- hence, “capsule wardrobe.”

There are obviously tons of ways to invent a capsule wardrobe for yourself, determine your iconic style, and refine your color palette. Mine is what you might consider an extremely low-maintenance capsule. Are my clothes versatile and interchangeable? Yes! But only because everything goes with jeans.

While my wardrobe isn’t an expression of a modern-day fashionista, I think that it might be a helpful glance for those who, like me, are cool with basic comfort and simplicity. So, yes, you can absolutely have a small, interchangeable, season-withstanding, simple wardrobe that feels good to you. The goal is to cash in on the benefits of having fewer and more versatile clothes, and there are many.

#1. It Prevents Decision Fatigue

We’re increasingly seeing extremely successful people with simple wardrobes, and the most common reason is related to something called “decision fatigue.”

For example, Barack Obama told Vanity Fair in 2012, “You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits. " He said, “I’m trying to pare down my decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing because I have too many other decisions to make.”

When asked why he wore the same thing every day, Mark Zuckerberg said, “I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve the community.” He explains that he actually has multiple versions of the same grey shirt and that there are tons of menial decisions that just consume energy and aren’t necessary.

Even Albert Einstein notably wore the same grey suit in his later years. According to Forbes, “It has been reported that the famous physicist bought several versions of the same grey suit because he didn’t want to waste brainpower on choosing an outfit each morning.” 

It’s about focusing on things that produce a result, something I share in this article on doubling your productivity.

Jim Kwik, a learning expert and researcher, says that human minds can only make a limited number of “good decisions” per day. Sure, we can throw out random decisions, but the quality of those decisions decreases over time. We call this decision fatigue.

Recently, there has been a great deal of valid research on decision fatigue. According to an article in Medium:

“The funny thing with decisions is that when you make them, you actually expend mental energy. If you make too many decisions in too short a time frame, you significantly reduce your decision-making ability.” 

#2. It’s Eco-Friendly

The EPA estimated that 17 million tons of textiles were generated in 2018. That’s 5.8% of the total physical waste generated that year, and that’s higher than in many years prior. There has been extensive media coverage regarding how “fast fashion” is leading to unprecedented waste that just cannot be managed.

Even donating (which is still typically the better option) cannot accommodate the incredible clothing waste. If your closet is jam-packed and overflowing, imagine how the landfills look.

This is largely due to “fast fashion,” which you may or may not have heard of. Fast fashion is a business model in which brands promote 10 new “seasonal” fashions per year instead of 4 (the actual number of seasons). This perpetuates ongoing clothing consumption.

Of course, the reason for this business model is simple- to increase sales for the businesses, and it’s all the rage. Most of the big box clothing stores are doing it- gap, H&M, Old Navy, Walmart, Forever 21. If you’re living in a “first-world” country, then you may not see the impact. But places like West Africa, where a large portion of our unused clothing waste is sent- do see that impact.

Fast-fashion clothing stores have become so cheap that people can keep up with the trends, which seems good until you consider what’s at the other end of the shopping cycle.

#3. Saves Money

So, owning fewer clothes helps the environment, but purchasing fewer clothes saves you money. It also opens your pocketbooks to afford higher-quality and ethically produced brands, making sure that money is going toward something that aligns with your values.

I mentioned earlier that fast-fashion clothing stores have become really cheap. A good question is, ‘Why are the clothes cheaper?’ Well, aside from being cheaply made, many of the big fast-fashion businesses are known for their unethical business practices.

Well, when you have a small wardrobe, you don’t have to fall in line with these heartbreaking practices. You can actually afford to find good, quality, even philanthropic brands that are doing good. OR, you can do like I do and thrift, saving even more :).

#4. Allows For An Iconic Style

One thing that a capsule wardrobe does really well is helping to develop a cohesive or even iconic style.

For example, while not minimalist in number, Steve Jobs shared in his biography that he owned 100 black turtlenecks, his signature outfit. He came to like the idea of having a uniform for himself, not just for convenience or decision fatigue, like Zuckerberg, but for its ability to convey a signature style. 

Some people rely on a consistent presentation. It isn’t uncommon for celebrities or speakers to assume a style for public presentation. In Steve Jobs’ case, it’s a matter of displaying his affiliation with Apple.

Many of us do the same thing in our own way. We use our wardrobe as a method of expressing who and what we identify with. There’s a reason why self-expression is often placed on the clothes we wear- it’s an easy way to convey a message. This is who I am. This is what I’m into.

Also, because a capsule wardrobe is specifically curated to fit, feel amazing, and be the perfect style for the individual, you can be sure that each item is always the right item.

#5. Conserves Energy

Digging through miles of clothes in a tightly packed closet doesn’t just expend mental energy leading to decision fatigue, it also expends physical energy. General energy and emotions like frustration can get tangled up when choosing what to wear.

Some people end up changing outfits multiple times for a single occasion to find the ‘right’ combination. It’s exhausting.

Christopher Nolan, the director of Interstellar, almost always wears the same suit and blue button-up. According to the New York Times, he “long ago decided it was a waste of energy to choose anew what to wear each day.”

#6. Saves Time

Count the minutes you’ve spent shopping for clothes, choosing clothes to wear, doing laundry, folding clothes, fixing them on their hangers, picking them off the floor, and bagging them up to donate… We can dump a lot of time into something that was originally intended to keep us warm and mask nakedness.

One of the benefits of a capsule wardrobe is that you don’t have to spend more than a few minutes getting ready. On any given day, I can throw on my shirt, pants, and shoes and be ready to walk out the door in 5 minutes. Now, if I need to shower, put on makeup, and make coffee, then that’s another story (I’m chronically late), but I don’t waste hardly any time with the dressing part. It’s simple.

If you think about it, a great deal of that time is in vain. When you look at photos of yourself in 20 years, chances are you won’t admire what you were wearing today. 😏

#7. Reduces Stress

For all of these reasons and more, simplifying your wardrobe can reduce stress. The benefits of a capsule wardrobe are similar to those benefits of minimalism in general—it’s just less stressful.

No more stressing over the ‘right’ outfit, or the money you spent for that outfit you’re not wearing anymore, or what doesn’t fit that you wish would.

It’s like John Maxwell says, “You cannot underestimate the unimportance of practically everything.” Leave the unimportant nuance stuff in its rightful place.

I want to close by reiterating that there is no “one-size-fits-all” for a capsule wardrobe. You may have preconceived notions of what one should look like, and that may not be in line with what feels right for you- that’s totally fine. These are the benefits of a capsule wardrobe of any style, design, or number count. No rules, just intentional choices.