I've always been attracted to the idea of a capsule wardrobe — it just seems like a really elegant way to think about getting dressed each day. But so often when I read tips for putting one together, I run into things like "must-haves" and "essential pieces" that make me feel like the clothes I already have are just not enough, or worse, like I need to change my style completely.
So when I saw Andrea Cheong's post on Instagram about how to decide on a capsule wardrobe for fall without spending a dime, I was all in. Andrea is a sustainable style and beauty influencer and the founder of the Mindful Monday Method. She's all about shopping less and spending thoughtfully, which thepersonal finance nerdin me absolutely loves.
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Andrea's method has just three steps, and it can work for you no matter what your personal style is. First, take a picture of your outfit every day you leave the house for a week or two. Then, notice all the items that you wore — that's your capsule wardrobe. For step three, she writes, "Don't fall for the myth we need to shop MORE to have... less?"
And in the comments, people shared more hacks for figuring out what belongs in your capsule wardrobe, like noticing which items keep popping up in your laundry, and how important it is to appreciate what we already have.
Andrea told BuzzFeed that she loves a capsule wardrobe for its curated and time-saving approach to style, but she'd love to redefine how we think about it. "My idea of a capsule wardrobe isn't focused on a specific number of pieces because why does it need to be formulaic? I also don't believe we have to curate a timeless/classic aesthetic, something that capsule wardrobe advocates like to push, because any style preference can benefit from what it’s actually about."
And she says that in her content, she hopes to teach people how to shop more mindfully. "All the advice out there is about styling but not actually about how to shop, which leaves us quite vulnerable to the messaging [that you need to keep buying more and more and more]. The spending habits we’ve formed haven't been very beneficial to our mental health or wallets. Not to mention, it's not the most sustainable way to live either."
Andrea says that sustainable fashion gets a bad rep as being "too expensive," but that doesn't have to be the case. "Brands sometimes charge more for what they consider 'sustainable' materials, when in fact it doesn't cost as much as they're making it out to be. Having spoken to factories and design studios, the price of organic or recycled cotton is not that different to its regular counterparts. These are mainstream options now. It's the marketing that you're paying for."
"We have been persuaded [sustainable fashion] is too expensive because of advertising, which furthers the agenda of fast fashion. But it also benefits premium and luxury brands, too, that claim to have eco credentials, which they use as a means to add justification to their prices. We often overlook the fast-growing alternatives like thrifting, secondhand, repair, DIY, etc., that usually cost less than buying new."
In herMindful Monday Method, Andrea encourages people to audit their wardrobes, set their own sustainability goals that feel right for them, and learn how to tell if items are well made. She also stands against shaming others for the way they shop. "You are not a bad person if you shop fast fashion. You are not a bad person if you want to buy something new. The Method helps you tackle shopping from a nonjudgmental point of view, so you can really start to heal your relationship with spending."
Andrea says that paying more attention to her thoughts and feelings around shopping led her to change her habits. "How do I feel when I want to buy an item? I genuinely believe our mind and body send us signals when something isn't right — even about something that seems as insignificant as shopping. But so often we ignore it because we rationalize that a new dress will help us find love this weekend. Or a new swimsuit will mean our holiday will become 100x better."
"We have to unlearn how fashion has influenced us to shop, and relearn, on our own terms, in a way that serves us. And don't forget: You can't be kind to the planet without being kind to others and yourself."
