After two decades of throw-away “fast fashion” and wardrobes stuffed with pieces that are never worn, the concept of the “minimalist wardrobe” is coming back into vogue. This means fewer clothes, higher quality, and an increased focus on endless combinations. Here at Faerie’s Dance, we have tips to develop a minimalist capsule wardrobe that is great for the planet and looks fantastic!
So What Do You Need For a Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe?
Basics Can Be Beautiful
The first step to going minimalist with your wardrobe is choosing pieces in classic cuts that always look good and never go out of fashion. Here are our top picks for basics that you can wear through every season!
Leggings
Soft, stretchy, and comfortable, leggings are a mainstay of any minimalist wardrobe. Wear them under an organic tunic for work, with a sustainable dress and boots in winter, or switch it up with capri-length leggings for added confidence under a summer dress or short-length organic cotton skirt.
Black is the most popular shade for leggings due to its unparalleled versatility, but you can also fill your minimalist capsule wardrobe with leggings in basic tones like blue, burgundy, navy, or coffee-brown.
Camis
Next up we have the classic camisole. A trendy take on the singlets our mothers made us wear as children under basic tees, these minimalist wardrobe staples transition easily through the seasons — providing an added layer of warmth in winter, modesty under V-neck tops in spring and fall, and functioning as a standalone piece for hot summer days.
Day-to-Night Wear
Now that you’ve got the underlayer covered, it’s time to add the “defining pieces” to your minimalist capsule wardrobe. These are the garments that make your outfit and set the tone for your entire look. If you’ve gone for neutral tones with your leggings and camis, your “defining piece” can be the colorful or bold patterned piece that matches all the other items in your wardrobe and transitions easily from day-to-night.
A dozen tunics, shirts, blouses, and short- and long-sleeve tops in different weights should see you through the seasons in style. For daytime wear, combine your top with some subtle jewelry and a pair of work-ready flats; dress things up for an evening out with boots in winter, stilettos in summer, and an extra-shiny layer of stylish eco-friendly jewelry!
The Warmth Factor
No minimalist wardrobe would be complete without a select few jackets and coats to keep you warm. Organic cotton cardigans and wraps are fantastic for day-to-night wear. Drape over a blouse or organic cotton tank for long days in the office, or pull over a little black sustainable dress for date night.
Ethical winter coats are essential for the cooler seasons and can be styled in several ways. For jackets, we recommend classic styles that fit well into a minimalist capsule wardrobe and won’t go out of fashion with the season.
Accessories
This is where you can bring in the greatest diversity to spice up a minimalist capsule wardrobe. Even if you recombine the same few tops, pants/skirts, and jackets, a change of accessories can make it feel like a whole new outfit!
We suggest three complete sets of contrasting jewelry, inspired by the following categories:
- Small and dainty
- Colorful and pretty
- Large and statement
- Whimsical and fancy-free
The exact jewelry you choose will be influenced by the color scheme of your clothes and should ideally cover two or three different tones. That way, you have something for every mood while still keeping your wardrobe minimalist!
Seasonal Variations
Some modern eco-conscious women prefer to put together a minimalist capsule wardrobe for every season, while others cycle through the same clothes all year long. Whichever approach you prefer, you can easily add some seasonal variation with a couple of feature pieces for the four main seasons.
Spring
Bright colors, florals, polka dots, and stripes all give a spring feel to your minimalist wardrobe. For a spring-time look in three easy pieces, try a colorful organic skirt with a basic organic tee and complete the look with sandals and some colorful jewelry.
Summer
The warmer months give us the perfect excuse to feel pretty and feminine in a flowing, fair-trade summer dress. You can create a one-and-done minimalist capsule wardrobe with a different dress for each day of the week or dress up your spring skirts with a colored cami and contrasting summer poncho for variety!
Fall
Your minimalist wardrobe for fall is all about the color. Browns, yellows, oranges, and reds are our go-to’s for fall that transition easily into winter with dark boots and a jacket. You can also carry over a few of your summer dresses for fall weather with the addition of boots, some cozy leggings, and those cardigans we mentioned above!
Winter
A minimalist capsule wardrobe for winter can actually be easier to put together than a minimalist wardrobe for summer. Why? Because people rarely catch a glimpse of the inner layers! A few warm long-sleeve tops and leggings or a dark-wash pair of pants can form the core of your winter closet, with easy variations added with sweaters, jewelry, and an elegant knee-length jacket for good measure.
Holidays
Feeling festive? We’ve got you covered! Holiday organic socks, hand warmers and knitted hemp sweaters in green and red keep you holiday-ready with a few easy garments you can pull out at multiple events.
Complete Your Minimalist Wardrobe Today
At Faerie’s Dance, you can find almost everything you need for your minimalist capsule wardrobe. The best thing? It’s all made ethically from environmentally-friendly fabrics and low-impact dyes. Browse our eco-friendly women’s clothing today and enjoy the long-term savings of a minimalist wardrobe that you can combine and recombine to your heart’s content!