How to Build a Capsule Closet for Summer

Over the last few years, capsule closets for minimalists have become more and popular. Clothing waste is rapidly filling up our landfills and we're all contributors to that. There's hope, though! We can all work together and do our part in protecting the planet through conscious clothing purchases. This waste is contributed mainly from clothing made of plastic like polyester or waste from trend-heavy fast fashion brands when seasons go out of style and regularly consumers purge garments from their closet that they become tired of.

Millennial and Gen-Y shoppers are becoming more conscious shoppers and looking to replace fast fashion pieces that quickly go out of style with staple, long-lasting, high quality garments that may easily last a lifetime (or a decade at least) in their closet. Sustainable living shoppers are looking for ethical fashion pieces that can be worn in multiple ways and won't harm the environment. Like our minimalist products made of biodegradable fabrics, for example.

What is a capsule closet?

According to Today.com, a capsule wardrobe is "a way of minimizing your clothes into a small collection that easily mixes and matches. Instead of stuffing your closet with items you barely wear, make like Marie Kondo and strip down to a few key staples you love." Well said!

How to build a capsule closet just in time for summer

1. First things first. Let's get organized! Pull out all of your clothes - summer, winter, spring and fall. Begin pulling items for a donation pile. The goal here is to minimize.

2. When you're trying to decide between "this or that" and wondering what to leave in your closet, prioritize keeping the garments that don't go out of style. Hold each piece up and put them through a functionality test. Do they pass when you say any or all of these words: timeless, functional, multi-purpose, high-quality, sustainable, pair-able?

3. Instead of the popular Goodwill drop-off, research a few local shelters who might need your help. Domestic violence shelters and homeless shelters in your local community are always in need of clothing items like: gently used bras, gently used socks, business attire for job interviews, etc...

4. After you've done a first round of minimizing your closet, organize what's left over into three month seasons. Start with the season in front of you and put the rest into storage. Note: Since the goal was to highly minimize your closet to only minimal, very useful and versatile clothing pieces, the three other seasons shouldn't take up much space in your storage area. Store in an attic, basement or even a storage bin in a closet you have extra space in!

5. Try and stick to 30 or so pieces in each season - and refresh as you see fit. Over time, you will have four rotating capsule closets - one for every season. You may need to one more round of pulls. Ask yourself: have I worn this in the last year? Do I constantly move past this when I pick an outfit?

6. If you've been keeping a few items in your closet solely for sentimental purposes (but you don't actually wear them), consider re-purposing or gifting to a family member or friend. For example, turn old tees into a blanket. Turn fabric from old garments into a colorful quilt. Gift special pieces to family members. If you have a few things like a wedding dress or very special "non throwaway items" - store in a bin in storage instead of keeping in your closet.

7. Ready to refresh for next year's seasonal closet? Consider shopping for new used pieces at thrift or consignment stores.

8. Organize a clothing swap with friends. Everyone brings a few pieces they'd like to get rid of and swaps with fun new staple wardrobe pieces from friends' closets that they want to part from.