Minimal Is the New Sustainable
Photo by MIRTO KON from Pexels
If you’ve heard the words ‘capsule wardrobe’ and ‘minimalist closet’ in a conversation before, without knowing what they mean, here’s your chance to learn what it is and how to implement them into your life.
Consumerism and the rise of fast fashion has made us feel the need to own every piece of trendy clothing possible, most of which ends up being worn no more than four times. This is where opposing concepts like minimalist fashion come in. Apart from being aesthetically basic, it derives its popularity and necessity for its functionality. In layman’s terms, a capsule closet has a limited number of clothes, basic enough for everyday wear, yet versatile enough to style for numerous occasions. It is sustainable because it forces you to make the best out of the least. The less you own, the more sustainable you can be.
Owning too many clothes can be frustrating for both oneself and the environment. We often struggle to style and utilize our clothes because of “the problem of plenty.” Having too much can often lead to wastage, and these clothes when not utilized can end up in a landfill.
Reorienting fashion according to your basic needs and not impulse desires will prevent excess consumption and wastage. Sustainable fashion goes way beyond conscious consumerism and essentially upholds the idea that we need to sustain ourselves with what we already have, rather than mindlessly buying more and more. A minimalist wardrobe is perfect for this because it cuts down your needs, preserves time and energy, enables organization and leaves a positive environmental impact.
Though the transition may seem overwhelming, it will definitely help in the long run. Here are some quick tips to help create your minimal closet.
De-Clutter
The first step is to take out everything from your closet and segregating them into categories. It is inevitable that you will find stuff that no longer fits. Keep these aside and make a note to resell, gift, lend, up-cycle, or donate them.
Identify Your Personal Style
Now that you feel less heavy, don’t rush to a store to fill up that empty space. Instead channelize this energy into identifying your style – what you feel comfortable in, what makes you look good, etc. Creating mood boards and visualizing what you would ideally like to wear really helps.
Always Make A List
The key to a minimalist closet is to always have a list of the immediate things you need. Impulsive buying happens when you don’t have a clear-cut idea of what you want to buy. So stick to your list because you only need one pair of any clothing.
Look Unique
Sometimes you will be compelled to buy for a specific occasion so instead, try to borrow or rent. When looking for something from the list, shop small or secondhand because they usually stand out from the rest and add uniqueness to your closet. Your wallet will also thank you!
Bonus Tip
After de-cluttering, if you want to go one step further, select a few basic items that can be styled with anything and keep them separated out on hangers. Mix-match and wear them for an entire week, and at the end take out a new set of clothes. In this way, everything in your closet is in circulation and you are making the best use out of them.
Mahima Hazarika is a budding content writer and blogger, passionate about slow & sustainable living, ethical fashion, and all things environment-related. Follow her imperfect journey towards sustainability on Instagram at @greenissustainable.
