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Ginny Wong

What is a capsule wardrobe? It’s the answer to that moment in the morning when, running 15 minutes late, you fling open your dresser and flounder over what to wear.
Do you pull on one of the three jumpers you have in blue and, if so, which one? Which pair of trousers will it go best with – the culottes (you have three) or the ankle grazers? Tan? White? Never mind, jeans will do – when you’ve figured out which of the five pairs you want to go with today.
Then you check the weather forecast – well, it’s actually too warm for a jumper, you’re still in your underwear and you’re now half an hour late.
If this feels like a personal attack, it’s not. Think of it as your wake-up call to clear your closet in the same way you spring-clean your home.

A capsule wardrobe should consist of a limited set of items that can be easily mixed and matched with each other, says personal eco-stylist Polina Milashevskaya, known on Instagram as @styleit_green.
There are several rules when it comes to creating your capsule wardrobe, she says – choose timeless pieces, versatile pieces, interchangeable clothes (“a great rule of thumb to follow is 1/4, which means one bottom piece should go with at least four different top combinations”), and stylistic variety in shoes and accessories.
A lean-and-mean fashion label born online, Peter Do is ahead of the pack
Winnowing down your wardrobe to 25 to 50 pieces – including clothing, shoes and accessories – means you can make the most of your wardrobe, says the Hong Kong-based stylist.
“[Following the Pareto Principle], around 20 per cent of your effort produces 80 per cent of the results. You’d be surprised to know that the same applies to your wardrobe. We wear only 20 per cent of what we own. So having a capsule where you use every single piece helps you to maximise the value of every item you have.”
Milashevskaya says a curated wardrobe removes the stress from your relationship with your clothes and eliminates “decision fatigue”.
“As you have carefully selected the items for your capsule, you will always feel good in your outfits and be confident in your choice,” she adds.
There’s nothing wrong with re-wearing outfits – the stars are doing it
Perhaps more importantly, choosing high-quality pieces that last a long time “encourages slow fashion and conscious consumption” and reduces your carbon footprint. It also saves you time – and money – when shopping.
“You won’t be as easily seduced to have a compulsive purchase because you have an existing framework in place,” Milashevskaya says.
Rebecca Ling, founder of clothing brand Parallel 51, agrees that capsule wardrobes can be “both sustainable and friendly on your wallet”.
The Hong Kong label’s conscious approach to fashion means it focuses on “timeless designs and flattering fits that you’ll wear” again and again, not fast-fashion trends – vital when taking a minimalist approach to your clothes.

“The key to starting your capsule wardrobe is to pick five to 10 items that you wear on repeat,” Ling advises. “These will be the foundation items of your wardrobe. Once you find designs that you like, make sure you have those pieces in essential neutral colours and any accent colours that you like.
“To add some variety to your capsule wardrobe, you can also choose these staple designs in a print or pattern that matches with your neutral and accent colours.”
These building blocks, Ling adds, can be used to “create many different outfits for all types of occasions by styling with different accessories and shoes”.

Let go, too, of the notion that high quality has to mean expensive – or that it has to be boring. Sarah Fung, founder of Hong Kong-based “recommerce” platform Hula, says that stand-out pieces can be found if you shop vintage.
“If you can’t afford high-end brands, shop from a luxury consignment store,” Fung says. “Shopping pre-owned opens up a world of styles and brands you might never have considered or could afford previously.
“If you want a more unique look, without wearing what everyone is wearing this season, shop for vintage items that are unique and not so recognised – these pieces will become your wardrobe treasures and will help define your look.”

When it comes to choosing fabrics, “take a look at fabrications that are easier to maintain or that can be cleaned regularly such as silk, cotton, bamboo – rayon or viscose – and linen mixes,” Fung adds.
“To be more sustainable, some pieces in your wardrobe can be worn at least three to seven times before being washed. This will ensure your pieces won’t look old and over-washed too soon.”
There is no real right or wrong way to curate a capsule wardrobe (apart from not doing it all). If you find it hard to part with anything, ask a ruthless friend or three to help determine if something truly does spark joy, or if it’s time to let it go.
When you’re done, you’ll probably discover that the pieces you’re left with are the ones you truly would and do wear all the time.
Just don’t then immediately go out and buy more to fill your newly empty shelves. That’s so 2021.


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Fashion

Too many clothes in your closet? How to create your capsule wardrobe, with go-to essentials and investment pieces

Do you have too many clothes? Learn how to create a capsule wardrobe. Photo: Shutterstock

Think of this as your wake-up call to clear your closet. Photo: Shutterstock

Personal eco-stylist Polina Milashevskaya says capsule items should be able to mix and match with each other.

Rebecca Ling, founder of clothing brand Parallel 51, believes in having five to 10 items you wear repeatedly. 

Sarah Fung, founder of Hong Kong-based re-commerce platform Hula, recommends shopping for vintage clothes.

Overwhelmed by all those outfits? It’s time to create your capsule wardrobe collection. Photo: Shutterstock

Princess Haya’s crazy rich Dubai life – before her US$728 million divorce settlement, the Jordanian royal owned 400 racehorses, a US$85 million designer wardrobe and hung out with Queen Elizabeth

Inside Princess Haya’s ultra-rich lifestyle before her divorce from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed. Photos: privatejetcharter.com, @princesshayafan/Instagram, Yachtharbour.com

A family photo of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

An ultra-luxury yacht named Dubai. Photo: Yachtharbour.com

Princess Haya with her daughter at a derby. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his family would go on trips to see racecourses. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his son. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

Princess Haya and her two children. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

The interiors of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s jet. Photo: privatejetcharter.com

Princess Haya told a judge that her jewellery collection in Dubai was worth US$27 million. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

Princess Haya is a fan of precious stones and designer clothing. Photo: @princesshayafan/Instagram

Princes Haya was awarded thousands for a nanny, nurse and tutor for her children. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his ex-wife Princess Haya bint al-Hussein. Photo: HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein/Facebook

Ex-couple Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya once splurged US$3 million on strawberries. Photo: @story.albania/Instagram

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Lisa Adams, who was born in Honolulu and is of Korean descent, has worked with A-listers in the league of Reese Witherspoon and Christina Aguilera.

Los Angeles-based LA Closet Design helps people rearrange their closets

From skinny belts to shoes, Lisa Adams – founder of LA Closet Design – wants you to make your wardrobe a place of serenity and neatness.

Itaewon Class style: What Korean brands do Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi, Kim Dong-hee and Kwon Na-ra wear in the hit K-drama?

What makes the edgy, made-for-the-street outfits worn by kids of Itaewon Class look so cool? Photo: Instagram

Lifestyle

Fashion & Beauty


Do you often stare at your wardrobe, overwhelmed by choice, with too many items you never even wear?
This is your wake-up call, and a guide to curating your own capsule wardrobe with pieces you can mix and match



A capsule collection should contain sustainable wardrobe essentials and investment pieces that you can mix and match and which will stand the test of time.


Environment

Sustainability

Too many clothes in your closet? How to create your capsule wardrobe, with go-to essentials and investment pieces

Do you often stare at your wardrobe, overwhelmed by choice, with too many items you never even wear? This is your wake-up call, and a guide to curating your own capsule wardrobe with pieces you can mix and match

Do you often stare at your wardrobe, overwhelmed by choice, with too many items you never even wear?

This is your wake-up call, and a guide to curating your own capsule wardrobe with pieces you can mix and match