Hi Creative Mamas! Welcome to another fun DIY Fashion article.
Today I want to share with you the concept of creating your own sustainable capsule wardrobe. What we are really talking about is fashion sustainability or sustainable fashion.
The great news is that you can make your own super fun and creative sustainable capsule wardrobe! This is the way to actually look better (clothes that fit your body size/shape and style), save money and care for the environment (all in one go)!
However, there is this big misconception that sustainable fashion is boring (beige and brown colors, old recycled jeans that don’t fit well and re using the same five items for an entire year). Creating your own sustainable capsule wardrobe is totally the opposite, it’s unlimited fashion and fun!!!
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In this article I will share how I create and design my own sustainable capsule wardrobe based on including items from my minimal waste sewing practice, upcycling old items of clothing as well as naturally dyed and eco printed garments and accessories.
What is a capsule wardrobe concept?
The concept of a capsule wardrobe revolves around selecting a limited number of high-quality pieces (strategic pieces) that you love to wear across different seasons.
My approach focuses on building a wardrobe that is both practical and beautiful by choosing pieces that work for my lifestyle and reflect my own signature style.
So, a successful capsule wardrobe would include a few versatile staple items like a black dress, a well-fitting pair of black pants, a pair of jeans and a classic white shirt/top.
This will allow you to create endless combinations and new looks that are the base of your capsule wardrobe…and this is the antidote for an overflowing closet.
Sustainable capsule wardrobe
In my opinion, sustainable living has to do with conscious consumption and I guess for me it’s important to think about the environmental impact that I have as well (carbon footprint).
So, I have developed my own way to create and design my capsule wardrobe. This is the result of considering issues such as:
- Developing and exploring a personal style
- Exploring options to suit every body type/ shape/ size
- Using second hand items from thrift shops
- Re imagining and upcycling old clothes
- Mending to design
- Minimal waste sewing/ zero waste strategies
- Naturally dyed fabrics
- Using eco printed items
- Daily routine
- Color palette
- Unlimited fashion options / Variety of outfits
- Sustainable fabrics/biodegradable
- Positive impact
- Ethical fashion (social welfare and workers rights)
I typically create one capsule wardrobe for every season of the year:
- spring capsule wardrobe
- summer capsule wardrobe
- autumn capsule wardrobe
- winter capsule wardrobe
As an example, here are some images of how I designed my own sustainable capsule wardrobe for Spring 2024.
This capsule wardrobe was created based on four categories:
- Naturally dyed fabrics
- Eco printed fabrics
- Minimal waste sewing (Kimono inspired tops)
- Re imagined garments (upcycle)
So each outfit inside the capsule wardrobe had to include an item of each of these categories and the main point was that they had to express and communicate my own sustainable style.
Kimono inspired outfit:
This outfit is all about sewing a kimono inspired top and matching it with a basic pair of black pants. I created this top by using our Minimal Waste Sewing Pattern.
I dyed the cotton fabric using onion skins and I created a patch pocket and a front panel using quilting jelly roll fabric pieces (left over from a quilting project).
I also made a fabric belt using the left over fabric from the top.
I like to style this outfit with a naturally dyed silk scarf (madder root dyed) and my own quilted fabric tote bag.
Classic pieces Re imagined outfit:
The outfit above is all about re imagining an old pair of jeans (Levis), a cotton top which has been eco printed and a suiting fabric which was sewn into another version of a kimono inspired top.
I like to style this outfit with eco printed socks and well as with dyed silk scarves and handmade tassels.
This outfit below is a different version by replacing the eco printed top with another eco printed cotton t shirt.
I like to dress it up a bit by styling it with a few dyed silk scarves 🙂
Re using fabric scraps outfit:
This outfit was inspired by re creating fashion items from little fabric scraps. The kimono inspired top was sewn by using pieces of beautifully printed fabrics that also match the fabric belt.
I combined this top with an old pair of jeans which I eco printed using silver dollar leaves and a beautiful silk tote bag which is also made out of eco printed fabric.
An old silk top which I bought at a thrift store pulls this outfit together and gives it a fresh and casual look!
The outfit below is a variation from the above by simply changing the white silk blouse with an eco printed cotton t-shirt and styling it with a long eco printed silk scarf 🙂
Transforming through dyes and prints outfit:
The outfit above is actually my favorite because it includes all my treasured pieces:
- A good fitting pair of jeans
- An old merino top which was my husband’s and I eco printed
- An old wool cardigan which I embroidered with dyes wool
- Best eco printed socks ever!
- Silk scarves as accessories
- An eco printed silk purse
Check out this video in which I show you the exact pieces that are part of my current wardrobe.
Ethical capsule wardrobe
Shopping habits are very important when you are on a mission for getting versatile pieces of clothing. The idea is to get timeless pieces, easy pieces that will last you a long time.
So it’s not about the latest trends and fast fashion brands, its about curating a minimalist wardrobe based on high quality, emotional durability and sustainable style that will last you a long time.
A good place to start is to say good bye to fashion trends, cheap clothing that is made through cheap labor garment workers and toxic chemicals.
I hope you have enjoyed this article, please let me know if you have any questions!
