A capsule wardrobe is the cornerstone of sustainable, effortless dressing that transcends seasons and bucks fleeting trends. But where do you start? We sat down with the team at Untouched World, as they prepare to celebrate the brand’s 30th birthday, and they shared some sage advice.

Following a landmark year in 2024, marked by a new store opening, a flagship refit, and numerous accolades, Untouched World celebrates three decades of innovation.

The retail landscape has evolved dramatically since the brand’s inception. When Untouched World was first launched, the world wide web was in its infancy; now it’s a vital part of the customer experience. However, a counter-movement is emerging, one that values tangible experiences and in-person expertise and advice. In its milestone year, Untouched World is embracing this shift, ensuring that while its online presence remains strong, its in-store experience is unparalleled, giving shoppers an opportunity to feel the softness of fabrics and fibres, and see that the difference is in the detail.

At the Christchurch flagship, the store re-fit means guests are now treated to a window into the workrooms where they can see the pieces being lovingly crafted. Details such as hand-finished zips and necklines have been setting the brand apart for the entirety of its 30 years.

The brand-new Auckland store takes this legacy and combines it with a similarly innovative retail experience. Designed in collaboration with Gezellig Interiors, the space is an oasis of calm in the bustling Newmarket precinct. Every single touchpoint is considered, from macrocarpa art sculpted beautifully by nature to a vase custom-made by Author Ceramics using sand from local Auckland beaches. Wilson & Dorset custom sheepskin bench seats bring warmth to the space and tōtara display tables have been crafted from trees recovered from the Pohangina River in Manawatū – after they were uprooted during a major storm. Even the in-store imagery has been made using recycled yarn offcuts from the Untouched World workrooms; nothing goes to waste.

Shopping with a Capsule Mindset

Based on functional core pieces, and highlighted with a couple of beautiful colour accents, a capsule wardrobe prevents decision fatigue, enabling you to look put together with ease every day. It serves as a reference point when shopping, so you can envisage where a new purchase might fit in among your existing collection, preventing you from outlandish impulse buys. The Untouched World ethos is reflected in the ‘capsule’ approach, with each collection designed to ensure pieces slot in seamlessly to an existing wardrobe, or help you build one which will last, and look good, for decades.

If you are naturally drawn to colour, choose your highlights first. Choose one or two that you feel really good in, then complement these with practical base layers.

Alternatively, you can take a neutrals-first approach – this is particularly helpful if you have a specific, functional piece you need. If you’re looking for the perfect pair of trousers, focus on these first. A functional piece like that should always be a neutral in a capsule wardrobe, so start there, fill out the rest of your essentials with beautiful neutrals that complement the piece, then finish with a final flourish of colour that works across everything.

Top Tip from Untouched World’s Julia Franca

Our team is well versed in ensuring your selections work together cohesively, so lean on them if you’re unsure. If this still all feels overwhelming, start with a Frankie shirt! I am yet to meet someone who doesn’t look good in this classic piece – everyone who wears it declares it the ‘perfect white shirt’.