Capsule wardrobes aren't the solution to your personal style crisis

Building collections > capsules

I recently watched both Emma Chamberlain’s and Mina Le’s videos about personal style and their journeys of paring back their closets. Emma’s video is a detailed, hour-long walk-through of her current wardrobe, while Mina’s focuses on why she’s letting go of the period-inspired dressing and makeup she was once known for. And honestly? I didn’t love either of these takes. Don’t get me wrong, I adore these creators, but I’ve long held a personal vendetta against capsule wardrobes and daily uniforms. (I even pitched an article about this topic for another publication back in 2023.)

And why do I hate them so much? I have a few reasons, particularly because they’re often positioned — especially in Emma’s video and podcast — as a solution to finding your personal style. And while I (somewhat) understand this connection, especially at a time when we are so inundated with microtrends and fleeting fashion content, it may be appealing to throw away 90% of your clothes and adopt a uniform. But you shouldn’t, and here’s why.

People who care about fashion probably aren’t dressing from a capsule wardrobe. Iris Apfel in her Palm Beach home, 2022.

First, capsule wardrobe content on TikTok almost always features the same pieces: wide-leg jeans, an oversized blazer, and Adidas Sambas. These items scream 2024 (and likely 2025), and they would have been entirely absent from capsule wardrobes five years ago. The idea of creating a single wardrobe of basic pieces where everything matches and it will last forever doesn’t hold up — unless, of course, you’re still wearing high-waisted skinny jeans and have decided that that is your personal style. (If which case, you’re both iconic and an anomaly.) Even the most basic items, like trench coats or leather jackets, evolve over time. This suggests there is a cycle of replacing “outdated” capsule pieces with more “current” ones, perpetuating a cycle of constant consumption and disposal. And let’s be real: even if you donate those older pieces, they’re likely headed for a landfill.

Second, capsule wardrobes tend to follow the principle of “regression toward the mean,” where extremes converge toward the average. Capsule wardrobes, no matter how creative, often regress into something plain and basic because everything needs to match. When your wardrobe has to match perfectly, it eliminates the possibility of a standout piece that requires thoughtful styling or a bold colour that doesn’t fit the neutral palette that accommodates every single other piece in your wardrobe. (Unless you have a capsule wardrobe of entirely crazy pieces, in which case again — you are both iconic and an anomaly.) Anyone who’s packed in a carry-on knows this struggle: do you bring the black-white outfits around your black boots or the brown-beige outfits around your brown boots? It’s practical, sure, but it’s also the antithesis of fun, flexibility, and doing anything interesting with your outfit.

Third, the people with the most inspiring personal style are often collectors. They have wardrobes filled with unique, eclectic pieces to choose from on any given day. I can’t think of anyone with a truly enviable fashion sense whose wardrobe is defined a capsule approach. Think about people renowned for their personal style: Iris Apfel, Diana Vreeland, Rihanna, even the Olsen twins — none of which are dressing out of a capsule wardrobe. Now, here, I am not saying collect $400 Shein hauls. Please for the love of god be thoughtful about your purchases. But they don’t shouldn’t have to match every other piece in your closet.

If a capsule wardrobe speaks to you, that’s totally fine. Everyone should dress in a way that makes them happy. But trying to equate personal style to a capsule wardrobe, as Emma does in her video and podcast, feels flawed — especially when her “capsule” still involves a massive amount of pieces and likely a constant influx of designer gifts. Her version of a capsule wardrobe isn’t relatable or replicable for most people.

I get it, though. We are all tired of micro-trends and fast fashion, and capsule wardrobes seem like an easy antidote. But please, don’t throw away your entire closet. If you want to resell items or give them to friends, that’s great. Donating high-quality pieces to thrift stores is also a good option. But if you’re on the fence, consider keeping those items. Store them in a box — they’re less likely to end up in a landfill, and who knows? In a few years, you might be thrilled to rediscover that yellow blazer when the shade is back in style. (I’m speaking to myself here.)

Building a wardrobe (or better yet, a collection) with personal connection matters.

[Side note: this only applies if you like fashion — if you don’t care, then do whatever you want honestly. Except buy exorbitant amounts of fast fashion — please don’t do that.]

Even though I am far from the personal style icon that I hope to be one day, I do like to think of myself as a collector. When I buy something, I intend to keep it forever — even if they requires me to style an outfit around it because it doesn’t “go” with everything else. Even if I can’t stand it and it sits in a box under my bed for 5 years. Considering your wardrobe as a collection rather than aiming for the "perfect" capsule wardrobe offers a lot of benefits. It allows you the freedom to revisit and restyle past pieces, gives you the flexibility to dress up in a specific character or theme just for fun (because remember! fashion for the people who care about it should be fun), and encourages a more thoughtful approach to new purchases, knowing that each item is going in to your collection and will likely (hopefully) be with you forever.

So, while capsule wardrobes might seem like the answer to a personal style crisis, I think the real solution is probably just being more mindful about the items you purchase, really having that strong feeling of excitement or joy before making that purchase, and just giving yourself the time to find references, style your clothes, research your wishlist — if having fun with fashion is something that you enjoy doing and want to prioritise.