Winter is in the air which means it’s time to haul out your old sweaters, jackets and beanies. Whether you have collected a lot of outdoor apparel for winter, or you feel like your winter wardrobe is missing something, creating a capsule winter wardrobe is a great way to create a sustainable wardrobe.
Capsule wardrobes are an eco-friendly option and less costly than a traditional wardrobe. Plus, with a sustainable capsule wardrobe, it’s easy to get ready for an outdoor trip. The goal is to build a winter wardrobe from classic outdoor pieces that can be mixed and matched.
A classing sustainable outdoor winter wardrobe should include:
- 2 t-shirts
- 3 – 4 long sleeve shirts
- 4 cardigans
- 2 pairs of leggings
- 2 pairs of pants
- 1 jackets or coats
- 2 pairs of boots
- 2 pair of shoes
- 2 hats or beanies
- 1 – 2 scarves
Now that you understand what you require, it’s time to see what you have and what you need to invest in. When committing to a capsule wardrobe, you don’t need to buy a lot of new clothes – you may already have some clothes on hand for your capsule wardrobe collection. However, if you want to add new pieces, we recommend adding a sustainable and eco-friendly jacket that offers longevity and can last through a few winters – even in the great outdoors.
Unpack your wardrobe
Begin putting your outdoor sustainable wardrobe together by grouping all the items you currently have. This includes pants, jackets and tops. Lay your clothes in piles and go through everything you own. Take a look at what hasn’t gone through any wear and tear and add this to your wardrobe and place your older clothes in a bag and give them to goodwill or other charity shops to do your part in creating a sustainable future.
Choose what works
Add existing items to your capsule wardrobe based on what works well together. As you will be mixing and matching items – it’s best to fill your wardrobe with timeless clothing pieces that won’t go out of style. Take a look at neutral colours and make sure everything fits well. Outdoor clothing needs to have a good fit, and at the same time, should be able to move with your body. Get rid of clothes that are too small or too heavy and make sure they work well with your body instead of against them.
Make intentional purchases
Every outdoor item you purchase needs to be intentional. Don’t rush to make any purchases when filling in the gaps. Remember to always go for quality over quantity. Treat yourself to a eco-friendly Patagonia jacket. This is the ideal addition to an eco-friendly outdoor winter wardrobe. During its last 50 years in business, Patagonia has sought to challenge the accepted model of capitalism and its commitment to our home planet holds strong, as it seeks to pioneer solutions to the footprint of the apparel industry, and advocate for the role of business in holding governments to account in this time of environmental crisis.These kind of jackets last long and make an exceptional addition to any wardrobe.
Stay in style
As stated previously, keep items that are minimalist and always in style. Invest in tailored trousers, cardigans and jackets as well as well fitted pants that will last for years to come. Select neutral colours such as tan and black. However, if you prefer bright colours – go for it – you want to make sure that you project your personal style.
In Summary
If you are an outdoor enthusiast or simply want to prepare for the winter months, you are aware that creating a sustainable closet can become very challenging. It is tempting to keep purchasing new clothes and hoarding old clothes in your closet, but creating a never ending cycle of shopping for clothing is bad for the planet – and even your mental health. By creating a sustainable clothing capsule for your winter outdoor wardrobe, you will save money, time and do your bit in helping the planet. Enjoy the process!