The term capsule wardrobe was first used by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called "Wardrobe" in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is made of few essential clothing pieces of higher quality that you will wear more often and which can be augmented with other seasonal pieces. The idea of capsule collections was popularised a few years later, in 1985, by Donna Karan and her "7 Easy Pieces" collection. The collection was built around a black bodysuit and it included a tailored jacket, wrap skirt, pants, cashmere sweater, leather jacket, and an evening dress.
According to website Business of fashion the term »capsule collection« is described as:
„Capsule Collections were originally popularised by Donna Karan in the 1980s. The idea was to create a capsule wardrobe that features only the most essential or influential pieces from a collection. A capsule collection is essentially a condensed version of a designer’s vision, often limited edition, which transcends seasons and trends by being functional — read commercial. They often focus on construction and delivering key looks, without the styling and theatrics of a show“
The current fashion system has many shortcomings, but there are ways to improve it. Considering the entire life cycle of clothing is one of them. Building a capsule wardrobe that includes high-quality, timeless pieces is a good start. As consumers, we should realise that the power of change is in our hands. A reversal in our consumption habits is necessary. We should avoid unplanned and random purchases and build our closet with intention and strategy. We should get to know our style, choose colours that suit us, and avoid trends and cheap clearance items. It's important to build a relationship with our clothes, to love and appreciate each piece. Educate yourself about proper care. This is the only way to change the current situation and make fashion more sustainable. The capsule collection offers a sufficient solution for every modern woman. Basic garments that are versatile to wear and can be combined with all other garments in the wardrobe are the key to a more sustainable wardrobe. Natural fabrics with proper certification are more environmentally friendly compared to synthetic materials. When we buy clothes that are sewn locally, we avoid unnecessary social exploitation and additional negative impact on the environment.
References:
Vogue, Accessible: https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/donna-karan-seven-career-highlights-cold-shoulder
Business of fashion: Fashion A-Z, Accessible: https://www.businessoffashion.com/education/fashion-az/capsule-collections
The brass basics, Accessible: http://thebrassbasics.com/a-brief-history-of-the-capsule-wardrobe/
Source of moodboard images: Pinterest