By: Heather Bien
How many times have you stared at your clothes thinking, “I have NOTHING to wear!”?
And, when you daydream about your ideal closet, what does it look like? Is it a minimalist wardrobe made up of perfectly organized neutral tops and bottoms? Or do you imagine a base of monochromatic layers serving as the foundation for your collection of statement pieces?
Whether your personal style is simple and sleek or bold and playful, a capsule wardrobe full of monochromatic basics allows you to do more with less. It's your go-to jumping off point for a curated closet that makes it easy and, dare we say, fun to get dressed every day.
We know that shifting your wardrobe can be an intimidating process. Culling for fewer pieces or adding--it all requires a bit of planning and know-how. That’s why we’re here to walk you through Capsule Wardrobe 101: Working with Monochromatic Basics.
First of all, what is a capsule wardrobe? A full capsule wardrobe is a streamlined collection of timeless classics that you can mix and match to create all the outfits you need to carry you from your most casual occasions to your most glamorous. It’s essentially a perfectly curated wardrobe. Headed to the farmers market on Saturday morning? Throw on a bodysuit and jean shorts. Date night that evening? With a capsule wardrobe, that same bodysuit will do double duty when you pair it with a maxi skirt, denim jacket, and bright earrings. It's all about investing in quality items that you'll be excited to wear again and again--and coming up with new and different ways to wear those throughout the seasons.
Second, your entire capsule wardrobe expands, rather than restricts, your options. You've probably heard the theory that we make decisions best when given fewer quality options. Now, apply that to your closet. You could have drawers filled to the brim with a random assortment of 60 items, but you'll still have fewer options than if you had an array of 30 intentionally chosen essential items that are high-quality basics ready to mix and match for endless different outfit combinations.
Lastly, a minimalist capsule wardrobe with quality pieces can save you time and money. When you concentrate on creating a closet full of high-quality items and monochromatic basics that give you the ability to mix, match, and mix again, you'll not only save money by avoiding pieces that just don't work for your lifestyle, you'll also save time by no longer wondering, "What on earth do I wear today?!" You'll find a pop of fun and color, maybe even outfit inspiration, in your accessories and statement capsule pieces, while sticking to the same reliable classics each and every day.
So, where do you start with building your own simplified wardrobe?
So, where do you start with building your own simplified wardrobe? Made from a viscose manufactured from bamboo, these sustainable clothing options from Boody are the base pieces that will serve as the foundation for your capsule wardrobe. With these durable monochromatic pieces in place, you'll then pepper in a few statement items along with fun accessories. Soon you'll start discovering new outfit possibilities and establishing favorite go-tos each time you open your capsule closet doors.
Cami Bodysuit: Everything from high-rise jeans to ballgown skirts look right with an elegant bodysuit.
Tank Top: Your everyday workhorse, you’ll layer this timeless tank under a blazer, wear it on its own with shorts, or pair it with jeans and a gauzy scarf for a breezy spring day.
Cami Top: Need something a bit more flirty than the iconic tank? Reach for this cami whether you’re pulling on yoga pants or a summer skirt.
Long Sleeve Top: Lounging around on a Saturday? Long sleeve top. Headed to a brewery happy hour on Tuesday? Long sleeve top. Need a layer under that chunky knit sweater? Long sleeve top.
Three-Quarter Sleeve Scoop Top: The long sleeve top’s feminine counterpart, this shirt is just as versatile, but with a pretty scoop neck and delicate ¾ sleeve length.
V-Neck T-Shirt: There’s no look that’s more effortless than a simple v-neck, a blazer, and jeans, but your v-neck will be your go-to for both work and weekend all year long. Pair with an ethically-sourced sustainable bra for extra comfort that’s soft to the touch.
Full Leggings: Yes, leggings are totally pants. And that’s why they’re a must in any capsule wardrobe. Forget the rules and wear leggings with abandon––and ballets flats and boots.
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What is Organic Cotton?
By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
