If there’s one place we’re finding trending topics and style advice these days, it’s TikTok.
The video platform has exploded in popularity and now has over 500 million monthly active users. It recently surpassed YouTube for daily average watch time, so it really is the place to be. Who hasn’t spent hours mindlessly scrolling through the fun, digestible content?
We can get all sorts of advice and tips on TikTok, from makeup hacks to style advice. One of the most popular trending topics at the moment centres around creating a capsule wardrobe.
Here, we’ll explore the growing popularity of capsule wardrobes on TikTok and how you can put one together.
The rise in popularity
The hashtag #capsulewardrobe on TikTok has (at the time of writing) over 50.5 million views on the platform, with similar hashtags including #capsulewardrobestyle and #capsulewardrobetips garnering over 6 million views.
The videos show users showing off the essential items in their wardrobe that can be worn time and time again. In some, the influencers splice videos of themselves in varying outfits, each one featuring an item from their capsule collection.
One of the top-liked videos shows @_iheikens styling over 20 outfits using only a capsule wardrobe of nine items, tagged as the perfect university or college capsule wardrobe. The style influencer’s feed focuses heavily on styling key items in different ways, with multiple capsule wardrobe videos.
Why a capsule wardrobe?
It’s well-established that TikTok’s main audience is Gen Z, with 58% using the app. 39% of millennials are also frequent users of the app. Naturally, the trends on the platform will reflect its user base. And what’s one of the most important issues to this audience? Climate change.
These demographics are more aware of their impact on the planet than any other before them, and they’re passionate about minimising their carbon footprint. As a result, trends like the capsule wardrobe are emerging as a way of contributing to the fight against climate change.
Buying quality over quantity is a key tenet of a capsule wardrobe, and it forms part of the backlash to fast fashion. But it doesn’t come without its challenges. As well as the capsule wardrobe trend, TikTok is filled with fashion hauls, where users show off their latest buys. This can encourage overconsumption.
In the fight against climate change, the way we consume fashion plays a huge role – the UK buys more clothes per person than any other country in Europe, and much of fast fashion is designed to be disposable. Is focusing on a capsule wardrobe the way to shed our addiction to fast fashion?
How to create a capsule wardrobe
TikTok is filled with tips on creating a capsule wardrobe, so you’ll never be short of inspiration for building out your essential items. Here are our top TikTok-approved tips on creating your capsule wardrobe.
Focus on quality over quantity
When we’re bombarded with new styles and fashion hauls, it’s easy to be tempted into buying the latest trends. But that’s all they are – trends. With that comes an acknowledgement that it won’t be “in” in a few months. Plus, to keep up with the latest styles, most of us are forced into buying cheaper garments to make it affordable.
Buying quality items that you know are built to last is essential to putting together a capsule wardrobe. Instead of heading to a fast fashion outlet, seek out brands that are committed to creating pieces that will last a lifetime.
Build on timeless pieces
Spend five minutes watching capsule wardrobe videos on TikTok and you’ll start to see a theme. The majority of items in users’ capsule wardrobes are neutral block colours in simple and classic silhouettes. Tailored trousers and blazers feature heavily because they’re two outfit staples that will never go out of fashion.
Similarly, straight-leg and bootcut jeans feature heavily in these videos. Bootcut and flared jeans have seen something of a revival in the past year, but these items never really went out of style. A high-quality pair of jeans will last a lifetime and will go with everything in your capsule wardrobe.
These neutral, classic items will form the building blocks of your wardrobe. You don’t need to be limited by them, as you can then add a small number of on-trend items in current patterns or silhouettes, but you’ll go back to your capsule wardrobe season after season.
Pay attention to the materials and manufacturing processes
A lot of fast fashion items are designed to be disposable and, for that reason, are poorly made with cheaper fabrics. These items won’t stand the test of time, and it’s all down to the materials used and the manufacturing processes.
Plastics feature heavily in cheaper garments because they’re more affordable to the manufacturers. And what are plastics made of? Fossil fuels. So not only is fast fashion bad for the environment because we’re throwing it away more but it’s also filled with polluting materials.
For an eco-friendly, long-lasting garment, look out for materials such as organic cotton or linen, hemp, heavy denim, silk, and cashmere.
We all love a mindless scroll through TikTok, but it’s a goldmine for tips and tricks on anything from skincare to beauty and fashion. As well as being a source of style inspiration, we’re also seeing the platform lead the way in sustainability, driven by its young audience. If you’re passionate about climate change, why not consider investing in a capsule wardrobe and saying no to fast fashion? With TikTok, you’ll never be short of inspiration for creating your perfect long-lasting wardrobe.
