If you want to stop impulse purchases and limit decision fatigue then maximising your existing wardrobe is the ultimate sustainable goal.

Pieces of clothing that can be used interchangeably are the core building blocks of your wardrobe. Most of these clothing items can overlap into seasons. The core idea of ‘WARDROBE ESSENTIALS’ is to help you curate various outfits across seasons.

While choosing these essentials there are a few key points that you should consider.

Resisting Impulse Purchases: The Power of Mindful Consumption

While the allure of trendy, spur-of-the-moment purchases is undeniable, embracing a more intentional approach to shopping can offer numerous benefits. Impulse purchases often lead to cluttered closets filled with items that don't truly align with your style or needs. By resisting the urge to buy on a whim, you can:

Save Money: Mindful purchasing helps you allocate your resources towards items that truly matter and offer long-lasting value.
Reduce Waste: Avoiding unnecessary purchases contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing the demand for disposable fashion.
Cultivate Personal Style: Focusing on thoughtful selections encourages you to discover your personal style and curate a wardrobe that genuinely represents you.
Simplify Choices: A curated capsule wardrobe streamlines your daily decisions, making getting dressed an effortless and enjoyable process.

As you embark on your journey of creating a spring and summer capsule wardrobe, remember that it's not about depriving yourself of new clothing; it's about investing in pieces that resonate with you and align with your lifestyle. By embracing mindful consumption and curating your closet with care, you'll find that you can savor the joys of fashion while embracing a more sustainable and intentional way of dressing.

PALETTE

I want you to take a good look at your colour palette, make a list of colours that stand out in your wardrobe. Colours that you can mix and match, colours that speaks to you as person. For me, it's mostly neutrals and sprinkle of colours here and there. It can be different for individuals based on their personal preference.

Unpopular opinion, but I feel finding the colour palette is the most difficult step. There are neutral lovers and colour lovers and then there is a third category who love burst of colours in their outfits but do not want to commit to having lot of colours in their wardrobe. I am definitely in the third category. I go through the phases of ‘all neutrals’ and then adding pop of colours in my outfit. This is the reason why I always keep some colour staples in my collection

As a stylist, I would advise that a monochrome or tonal outfit looks well thought and chic. Take one colour and build your outfit around it. You can pair same colour family or you can make one colour as the statement of your outfit.

PURPOSE

When you purchase a particular article of clothing, do you ever think - “ Why do I need this ?” It is a good question to ask and having an answer to this will help you define the purpose of building a seasonal capsule wardrobe. In my experience, this largely depends on your lifestyle and your workplace.

Is it practicality you are after or you want to elevate your work outfits? Have you grown out of your current style and you are after some transition? Sort out your purpose and then you can start building your absolute wardrobe essentials.

FABRIC

As I have grown older, I have started considering many factors like quality, sustainability etc. but one of the most important factor in that list is FABRIC COMPOSITION. When I shop now, the fabric composition plays a major role and this really helps me make my decision to invest or not. Specially when it comes to adding essentials for spring and summer, I want to be comfortable when the temperatures rises. Breathable fabrics like linen and cotton, silk and lyocell are the ones I usually gravitate towards for warmer climate.

NATURAL FABRICS like cotton, linen and wool give an impression of a well made garment. These fabrics feel natural and organic. It blends itself so beautifully with that effortless vibe that we are striving for. Investing in pieces which will stand the test of time and promotes longevity.

Let me list six spring and summer wardrobe essentials which in my opinion will serve you well through years as you can use them interchangeably to create different outfits across different seasons.

Button down shirt
Trousers
A cardigan
A trench coat
Blazers
Sunglasses

CRISP BUTTON DOWN
A crisp button down shirt is hands down is one of the most versatile pieces that you can have in your collection. It can work casually or for formal settings. You can add them in colours like light blue, white & black. High street stores like COS, MASSIMO DUTTI AND &OTHER STORIES and RALPH LAUREN on the higher end of the spectrum are the best places for staple pieces.
STYLE TIP: Style your button downs with slouchy trousers for some effortless and undone look or tuck in your shirt while styling it with a your favourite pair of denims.

TROUSERS
Always classic , always versatile. I feel trousers are understated piece of clothing. You have different options to choose from various cuts and lengths depending on your requirements. Ankle length chinos are always classic for more formal work place, wide legged and more slouchy trousers work great for both formal and informal settings.
STYLE TIP: To give your outfit an element of undone and effortless, pair your trousers with something more casual like a ribbed tank top.

A CARDIGAN
A cardigan comes in handy when the weather is playing games. Layer your outfit when you are not sure and make a statement. Cardigan can be styled with trousers , jeans as well as dresses and skirts. Depending on the fit of the cardigan, it can be a statement or a light layering piece. Make sure you always look into the fabric composition while investing in them.
Huge, Cozy and Oversized. There is a time and place for an oversized jumper. My most grabbed piece during spring as its not that cold but still not warm enough, so an oversized jumper works well. Style with straight fit jeans for the day time and leather trousers for the evening.
STYLE TIP: Wear your more fitted cardigans as tops, styled with a pair of jeans or trousers.

A TRENCH COAT
These are a real wardrobe transformer!. Invest in a good quality trench coat for spring and early summer. Trust me you will not regret the decision. Trench coat is such a wardrobe staple, it can easily transform your outfits and they are quite versatile. If you are not into a traditional mac, go for a khaki or a navy colour one instead.
STYLE TIP: Pair your trench coat to elevate a very simple outfit.

JEANS

Women, at times, struggle to find the right cut and fit of jeans. I can vouch for that being a petite girl myself. Most of the time, we stay away from any kind of baggy jeans as the excess fabric can seem overwhelming on our body frame. But, with right top and accessories we can definitely rock ‘baggy’ jeans trend. Jeans are like getting yourself fitted for a bra! You want that perfect fit for your body shape.
STYLE TIP: Try out straight fitted jeans as they are more versatile and definitely an elevated version instead of a skinny one and trust me you will not regret it.

BLAZERS
You can find a great selection of blazers in second had stores or thrift stores, if you know where to look( hint hint: men’s section) look for colours that will compliment other pieces in your wardrobe and personal style in general. I usually look for colours like grey, black, tan and cream. If you want your outfits to look modern and contemporary I would suggest you to choose an oversized fit instead of a fitted blazer because then you have this option of pairing this blazer with more fitted pieces in your wardrobe. fitted blazer with all fitted outfits feels quite dated and is not a great look in general.
STYLE TIP: Having a slightly oversized fit can transform your outfit and it will look fresh and modern.

SUNGLASSES
Now choosing a sunglasses can be a task but sunglasses just like your haircut is important as well. As it frames your face so it should SUIT YOUR FACE SHAPE AND CUT. Wait for sales and discounts before investing in sunglasses. Usually, you will find them at great prices during sales.
STYLE TIP: If you want to invest in just one pair of sunglasses, make it a classic style!