Absolve your psychological burdens one shirt at a time.

INSIGHT

Decluttering is the new spiritual unburdening.

Like all fast-moving products today, fashion preferences are switching tracks to the slow train. Not only are consumers becoming more aware of the environmental and social impacts involved in producing their in-season wardrobes, they are weary of the emotional burden caused by copious piles of ‘more stuff’; those items never worn sitting shamelessly in the back of closets, stunting their spiritual growth, taking up precious attention that could be placed on more meaningful pursuits. Like meditation or perusing social media posts.

These stoic preferences are not new, but surfacing with more mass appeal today than ever before with clothing companies taking responsible action from steps in the manufacturing cycle all the way to minimal trends in product (the “only pair of pants you’ll ever need” remarks Baubax , or “don’t buy this jacket” says Patagonia). We’re dressing down more often too; part of decluttering the mind via simplifying the wardrobe also dons an attitude towards less choices, so the clothes we do choose to buy are multi-function and hybrid like the smart casualness of athleisure.

Capsule wardrobes portray a level of astute financial and fashion savvy among minimalist influencers, able to find, mix, and flaunt fashion permutations that make you look like you have runway-worthy treasures without breaking the bank. Style and smarts wrapped into one. Entrepreneurs cashing in on this trend are reframing the idea of ownership: RentTheRunway.com recently becoming a unicorn business on the mere fact that you “don’t have to own it, to own it.”

There’s something incredibly freeing about the idea that we are not slaves to our sartorial temporariness, but can enjoy them in fleeting moments. Perhaps the crux of it lies in the mere fact that clothing historically had a role in defining our social status. However, in our desire to be seen as more of our 'selves’ — bare, naked and simply human — our minimal choices to express ourselves any damn way we please (or not at all) speaks more to our place in society than a thousand dresses. This built-in constraint leaves much room to the imagination on what future capsule wardrobes and silhouetting technology may offer as a way to haiku-away our possessions to the essentials.

If we're no longer addicted to the next "look",

INSPIRATION

Vetta Capsule

Committed to sustainable fabrics and responsible factories, Vetta is a family run business that takes it’s dedication to minimalism to another level. They have only 5 versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a month’s worth of outfits — and they geek out on how to obtain the best fabrics in the most conscious way (i.e. deadstock/leftover fabric from landfills or wood/bamboo pulps) — to them, it’s not a sacrifice if it’s designed well.

Vetta makes versatile wardrobe essentials in colors and styles that can mix and match (i.e. 5 pieces makes 30 outfits) to make our lives easier. They also make our clothing in responsible factories, from sustainable fabrics, to make the world better.

You can even go onto their website and learn about their factories, most of which are locally based from where the designers are. Plus, things like buttons and zippers (notoriously easy to source cheap from factories abroad) are also made in the USA. These guys have done their homework.

INNOVATION

“Like Butter”

An essentialist kit of modular clothing and lingerie that is activity-agnostic, simple, and feels luxurious and smooth like butter.

• High-quality fabric choices for utmost comfort and easy cleaning and travel convenience (comes in a special carry-on luggage piece).

• Silhouette Styler program works with measurements and photos to recommend top shapes based on your profile and color/item preferences.

• Curated choices based on your body shape to allow you to mix-and-match an ideal 10-piece set in any color, size, shape you want. Many pieces work like a multi-apparel pareo for versatility.

• Neutral colors (beige, white, grey, black) in the staples and tantalizing colors and prints in the lingerie (leopard, hot pink. Teal, red zebra), the lingerie is meant to add an accent to a blank canvas of comfortably-draped clothing that can be worn at home, in the office, to yoga class or even a party.

• Fabric made from sustainable bamboo jerseys, knit cashmere lycra and light weight elastic linens. Machine washable on cold and tumble dry settings.