“Capsule Wardrobe” is a term with which many men aren’t familiar. It almost sounds like you’re referring to the clothing you would need to pack if you were traveling to outer space. As fun as recreational interplanetary travel sounds, a capsule wardrobe’s purpose is strictly Earth-bound.
So what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? Our Philadelphia men’s suit specialists are here today to discuss what it is, why you should consider having one, and how to put it together!
What is it?
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of high-quality, versatile basics that are permanently stylish and, most importantly, are interchangeable. The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is that each item in the capsule can and should be paired with almost any other item in the capsule. It’s a great option for men who are just beginning to build their wardrobes and need to have lots of functionality.
The goal of the capsule wardrobe is to own fewer items that are higher-than-normal quality, and wear each of the items more often. Your classic businessman’s capsule wardrobe typically involves the following:
- 1 charcoal grey suit
- 1 navy blue suit
- A couple of white dress shirts
- A couple of blue dress shirts
- Red, yellow, and blue neckties
- Brown shoes and matching belt
- Black shoes and matching belt
- Grey and navy socks
Just need to wear a suit? That’s easy. Want to mix up the grey pants and navy jacket? No problem. Furthermore, you can wear any shirt, any tie, and any color shoe with either outfit. Extend this concept throughout the capsule, and you can see that there are plenty of outfit permutations.
If you’ve been looking for a way to take all the guesswork out of getting dressed in the morning, a capsule wardorbe is the way to do it.
A Little Capsule Wardrobe History
The term “capsule wardrobe” was coined by a London boutique owner name Susie Faux in the 1970s. Faux’s primary mission was to help women develop style and confidence. Soon after, the concept of a capsule wardrobe was born. The idea was to build a wardrobe of clothing that was of a higher quality that could be worn more often. In her self-written book, Faux notes that wearing higher quality clothing ultimately leads to more feelings of success and confidence because the wearer knows the overall “look” works.
The ideal size of a capsule wardrobe will vary from person to person, but the principle will always remain the same: less is more.
Does a Capsule Wardrobe Make Sense For You?
A capsule wardrobe is not right for everyone. Some men like to own and use many clothing items, and there is nothing wrong with that. But if anything we’ve said thus far has peaked your interest, tell us – do any of the following statements describe you?
This will give you a better idea on if a capsule wardrobe makes sense for you!
- You are never satisfied with your clothing selection.
- You always feel like you have nothing to wear, yet you have a closet full of clothes.
- You frequently wear the same pieces of clothing, although you have many to choose from.
If you can relate to any of the above statements, a capsule wardrobe may work well for you. If this sounds like an idea you’d like to learn more about, give us a call here at Henry A. Davidsen. From custom-fitted men’s suits to high-quality custom dress shirts, our Philadelphia image consultants and master tailors can set you up for success!
