Capsule Wardrobes Are a Scam

They’re constantly touted as being the simplest means to creating a timeless, effortless, high-quality wardrobe, and the most effective way to pull stylish outfits together with minimal time and effort. I myself have written a number of capsule wardrobe articles and metaphorically shouted their advantages more times than I can count. But I fear it’s time to come clean. I’m a style writer, and I hate capsule wardrobes. Capsule Wardrobes Are Another Marketing Gimmick Hate’s a strong word. And I use it very deliberately. But allow me to preface by saying I didn’t always feel this way. When I was first introduced to the concept of capsule wardrobes, I was intrigued. They are positioned as a wardrobe and outfitting cure-all. Don’t know what to wear? Capsule wardrobe. Tired of poor-quality pieces eating up your closet space? Capsule wardrobe. Want to be the coolest dresser while spending less money? Capsule wardrobe. They’re (allegedly) sustainable and efficient to boot. But it didn’t take long for me to see through the facade and recognize it for what it was: another fashion marketing gimmick. It didn’t take long for me to see through the facade and recognize it for what it was: another fashion marketing gimmick. The tell? Tunneling down the capsule wardrobe rabbit hole had me questioning my own personal style and feeling disdainful toward the pieces hanging in my closet. Or, if I already owned a number of pieces outlined in the “perfect” capsule I found on a fashion blog, I then found myself desperately trying to track down what I was missing. Gamification at its best. But what is the prize of owning a capsule wardrobe, really? If you’re chasing someone else’s ideal, you’re no longer getting the satisfaction that comes with finding and executing your own personal style. Even if you design a capsule based on your own style, you’re setting yourself up to shop from a list, rather than enjoying the natural process of curating a wardrobe over time, with best-loved pieces found unexpectedly or in the most unlikely of places. A False Promise They’re not just a gimmick; they’re a false promise. The idea of having one capsule wardrobe is grand, until you start getting bored of the same 12 items and venturing into capsules for different seasons or stages of life. Suddenly, you don’t have one capsule wardrobe. You have one for every month of the year (September fall is so different from November fall, after all) as well as one for every major holiday (I do confess to owning curated sets of Christmas and Fourth of July clothing). Some women even find themselves creating capsules to fit different components of their life, from their in-office capsule wardrobe to the capsule they wear while working from home to their casual-cool sports mom capsule. Let’s also not forget about the pregnancy and postpartum capsule wardrobes (which, frankly, I do understand). It is a blatant lie. If you want to be a maximalist and own clothing for every season and aspect of your life, go forth and prosper. But I have a fundamental issue with the promise that a single capsule wardrobe (made up of seven to 30 pieces) will perfectly encompass the only clothing, shoes, and accessories one woman needs for several years running. It is a blatant lie. The Death of Personal Style and the War on Beauty I’m going to put it all out there: I believe capsule wardrobes to be driven by socialist ideals. They are utilitarian and focus on use-value. And they’re anticonsumerist in the sense that they very intentionally take the joy, splendor, and serendipity out of shopping and personal style. I.e., why would I buy something special, unique, and fun, when I could buy this pair of beige trousers and wear them every other day? I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty awful to me. The funny thing is, there was a time when I thought this sounded splendid. To be an adult is to be wise, “investing” in quality clothing items that are mature in style and neutral in color. I bought into the idea of practicality above all else. But as I’ve aged and had more children, my philosophy to shopping and outfitting has changed (i.e., been influenced by my conservative values ) so much so that I am no longer inspired by generic capsule wardrobes. I want pieces that are feminine, colorful, abundant in texture, and rife with personality. Those that are curated over a period of time as they speak to me individually, not added to my closet because I felt like I was supposed to own them. You know what happened to all of the pieces I purchased based on a sense of practical necessity? They were donated because I never wore them. I believe capsule wardrobes to be driven by socialist ideals. Capsule wardrobes are an extension of the war on beauty . They strip away femininity, romanticism, and the style craft that is born from individuality, and instead promote an aesthetic that is dull and utilitarian. In short, capsule wardrobes are often boring. I don’t want to wear what everyone else is wearing. I want to feel like a main character. I want clothing pieces that make me feel alive. They’re Unrealistic for Most People Taking a step back from the abstract, let’s also be realistic. Capsule wardrobes are not practical unless you’re prepared to do laundry every single day. There have been many times I’ve seriously considered downsizing my clothing collection to the bare minimum, only to have one of my children run their hand—freshly coated with marinara sauce, of course—across me. I know I’m not the only mom constantly battling mud and food stains. Or, for that matter, the only person who drops food on themselves on a somewhat regular basis. (If I am, please don’t tell me.) I need backup clothing. And not just one spare top or pair of pants. I need multiple. Because on top of the “life happens, clothes get dirty” reality is the second reality that most of us don’t have time to do laundry every single day (which, to be clear, is separate from “I probably should do laundry every single day”). Let’s also consider that most capsule wardrobes are designed with a commitment to the idea of quality. I.e., pieces made from natural fibers, many of which can’t be haphazardly thrown into the washing machine, much less the dryer. Maybe you live next door to a dry-cleaning service or are perhaps just incredibly neat. But for many women—we who engage in DIY projects, recklessly cook dinner without wearing an apron, and wipe muddy dog paws after walks—owning four tops and four bottoms just isn’t realistic. If You’re Going to Spend Money on Clothes, Buy Something You Truly Love My husband and I both make a comfortable living. And yet, we find ourselves shopping for groceries based on sale fliers, swapping favorite products for budget brands, and constantly questioning, “What can we cut out from our spending habits to get ahead financially? ” We can’t be the only ones. Everything is—I probably don’t need to tell you this—ridiculously expensive right now. If you’re going to dip into that limited allocation of “fun money” for a new wardrobe addition, make the most of it and purchase something you truly want to. Not the new jean silhouette Instagram is telling you you need, or the trendy coat you think will impress the other moms at school drop-off. Guard that money with fervor and spend it with vigor when something truly speaks to you. There’s a Difference Between Being a Minimalist and Buying Into Capsule Wardrobes You can be a minimalist without subscribing to the uniformity so commonly associated with capsule wardrobes. The key is prioritizing personal style and freeing yourself from the pressure to purchase items simply because they’re easy to mix and match. Shopping should be more than checking acquired “essentials” off lists, and styling should be more than mixing neutral basics together. Shopping should be more than checking acquired “essentials” off lists. Plan your outfit around one fun piece. Pair two bold, unexpected colors together in one ’fit. Buy the bag with the feathers and the jeans with the lace. Life’s too short to wear boring clothes. And style is an art, not a prescription.