"As consumers we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy."
-Emma Watson
The Parisian woman made The Capsule Wardrobe famous. Droves of American women, in particular, fell in love with the idea of creating a small, chic, simple, quality wardrobe that could stand the test of time. The revolving door of cheap trends and unconscionable waste began to weigh heavy on many of us. Our closets seemed to take on lives of their own, as we hoarded more and more fast fashion. We couldn't help but look admiringly to our sensible French sisters for guidance. French women, especially La Parisienne, has a rich history of always being well turned out, at the height of chic, and yet never conspicuous.
It was 2001, and I was in my mid-twenties meeting a girlfriend for dinner. The restaurant was in West Hollywood and upscale. We were seated next to a noticeably attractive couple around their early 40s. In earshot of their conversation, I heard fluent French. I could scarcely keep my eyes off of them. In their presence, I felt quite self-conscious. I was wearing head-to-toe fast fashion - a bright, trendy cropped sweater with a somewhat voluminous maxi skirt, plastic dime store earrings, a matching necklace and a pink Coach bag. My girlfriend was wearing a trendy boho-inspired look with a crocheted fringed purse. Next to them, I felt like we were circus clowns. They were conservatively attired. He in a collared white shirt and navy sports coat, tan trousers and brown loafers. His hair was parted to the side, neat but not slick. She was a vision in taupe, from her moderate length, blown out blonde hair, to her long-sleeved twin set, matching slacks, and heels. Her jewelry was simple and gold. They looked expensive, intelligent, disciplined and lightly tanned. She took two tiny bites of their shared dessert and left the rest for him. I was mesmerized and embarrassed all at once.
After our meals were completed, we were standing near them at the valet simultaneously waiting for our cars. He stood at about 6 foot and her 5'5 or so. They were thin and aloof, yet not pretentious. A black BMW arrived and they elegantly disappeared.
It was at that moment in my life that I recognized what it meant to look like quality. What a disciplined, modest and elegant wardrobe emanated when you walked out the door. It was powerful.
The Capsule Wardrobe is still the same as it ever was, but with even greater discipline in terms of more thorough research on where our purchases are coming from. It still consists of buying less, yet when we do, we must now (more than ever) seriously consider environmental and social justice issues as well. We are depleting natural resources at an alarming rate in the name of fashion, polluting third world countries, poisoning their drinking water and subjecting workers to slave wages and inhumane working conditions. Creating a sustainable and ethical Capsule Wardrobe is key.
"There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness." -Mahatma Ghandi
