Can I Do a Capsule Wardrobe?
Lately, I've been reading a lot about capsule wardrobe. It just kept coming up in blogs, podcasts, Pinterest and books. (See below.)
A Capsule Wardrobe concept, as I understand it, is your limited every-day-go-to wardrobe. And it's usually 20-38 items. Total.
In theory, it cuts out the unworn clothing in your closet -- the just-in-cases, the I'll-fit-this-again-someday, etc. And, by doing so, wipe out the "what am I going to wear?" daily stress by just wearing your favorites/most-flattering in rotation. (Which you probably do already.) And you save money because you're not buying new clothes every month.
(Here's one link to How to Start a Capsule Wardrobe. I found a ton of other articles, too.)
The frugal, zero-waste, sustainable side of me loves this concept. I love the idea of simplifying my morning because really most days I do wear the same thing (jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt or a work-out outfit). But could I really trim the extras out of my closet forever?!
On the one hand, YES!
After reading all the How To articles I found, it seemed like a do-able endeavor. I know my style -- "casual preppy mom" -- and could probably weed out anything that doesn't fall in this style or get worn.
Bam! Mission capsule wardrobe complete!
And I definitely have my favorites, and just ignore the "dressed-up for dinner" shirt or "skirt that looks cute with tights" items, because I have no daily need for them.
Packing for trips is a lot like putting together a capsule wardrobe. Here's the one I did for London and posted about. When packing, I like to pick my favorite clothes I know I look cute in (vacation photos!), all in a similar color so I can mix and match. I also like to throw in "something special" in case the mood hits. Hence that crazy swan dress.
So, putting together my capsule wardrobe would be like packing for a very long trip.
On the other hand, NO!
Let's just start with ... I love shopping. It's a hobby my family likes to do together. And, ohhh, I love a good sale. And I'm excellent at comparison shopping and looking for the best quality at the lowest price. It's like a sport.
Also, I'm an eternal optimist when it comes to clothes. When I'm out shopping, I think to myself that I still haven't found THE ITEM that will make me look amazing. Like, it's out there. That shirt could be the thing I'm missing from my closet that will go with everything and shave 10 lbs off my body and 10 years off my age.
I'm just an optimist when it comes to clothes.
And trying to maintain a 30-item closet is not in line with that optimistic thinking. I need the ability to try on clothes, hunt for that sale, purchase the best of all blazers and not worry about throwing off my closely-curated closet.
What's the verdict??
So the conclusion is probably a "soft no." Though I love the idea of reducing a little daily stress and saving money, it's not in my nature to live minimally.
However, I can get behind refusing "fast fashion" and buying clothes just to buy clothes. I'm already trying to be more thoughtful of what I'm buying, investing in pieces I know I'll wear a long time and taking care of them.
Maybe, instead of going the full "capsule wardrobe" route, I'll take the "one in, one out" stance and try to keep my closet at the current number of items. So if I do see the perfect shirt, I have to be willing to remove one shirt when I bring it home. I've been using this logic for shoes lately and it makes the logical side of my brain happy. I only have room for what I have. No more.
What do you think? Could you do it?
*Here's what I've been reading: this week's on the Young House Love blog Sherry showed her 19-hanger closet, total!, this smug but semi-interesting book I got from the library called Lessons from Madam Chic talked about the French women's capsule wardrobe. And now I keep saving articles to My Style board on Pinterest.
A Capsule Wardrobe concept, as I understand it, is your limited every-day-go-to wardrobe. And it's usually 20-38 items. Total.
In theory, it cuts out the unworn clothing in your closet -- the just-in-cases, the I'll-fit-this-again-someday, etc. And, by doing so, wipe out the "what am I going to wear?" daily stress by just wearing your favorites/most-flattering in rotation. (Which you probably do already.) And you save money because you're not buying new clothes every month.
 |
| Sources right to left: Over the Deep End, Emily Lightly, Classy Yet Trendy (I think) |
The frugal, zero-waste, sustainable side of me loves this concept. I love the idea of simplifying my morning because really most days I do wear the same thing (jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt or a work-out outfit). But could I really trim the extras out of my closet forever?!
After reading all the How To articles I found, it seemed like a do-able endeavor. I know my style -- "casual preppy mom" -- and could probably weed out anything that doesn't fall in this style or get worn.
Bam! Mission capsule wardrobe complete!
And I definitely have my favorites, and just ignore the "dressed-up for dinner" shirt or "skirt that looks cute with tights" items, because I have no daily need for them.
Packing for trips is a lot like putting together a capsule wardrobe. Here's the one I did for London and posted about. When packing, I like to pick my favorite clothes I know I look cute in (vacation photos!), all in a similar color so I can mix and match. I also like to throw in "something special" in case the mood hits. Hence that crazy swan dress.
 |
| A Capsule I Made for a Trip to London Last Year (read the post) |
On the other hand, NO!
Let's just start with ... I love shopping. It's a hobby my family likes to do together. And, ohhh, I love a good sale. And I'm excellent at comparison shopping and looking for the best quality at the lowest price. It's like a sport.
Also, I'm an eternal optimist when it comes to clothes. When I'm out shopping, I think to myself that I still haven't found THE ITEM that will make me look amazing. Like, it's out there. That shirt could be the thing I'm missing from my closet that will go with everything and shave 10 lbs off my body and 10 years off my age.
I'm just an optimist when it comes to clothes.
And trying to maintain a 30-item closet is not in line with that optimistic thinking. I need the ability to try on clothes, hunt for that sale, purchase the best of all blazers and not worry about throwing off my closely-curated closet.
What's the verdict??
 |
| My Current Look |
However, I can get behind refusing "fast fashion" and buying clothes just to buy clothes. I'm already trying to be more thoughtful of what I'm buying, investing in pieces I know I'll wear a long time and taking care of them.
Maybe, instead of going the full "capsule wardrobe" route, I'll take the "one in, one out" stance and try to keep my closet at the current number of items. So if I do see the perfect shirt, I have to be willing to remove one shirt when I bring it home. I've been using this logic for shoes lately and it makes the logical side of my brain happy. I only have room for what I have. No more.
What do you think? Could you do it?
*Here's what I've been reading: this week's on the Young House Love blog Sherry showed her 19-hanger closet, total!, this smug but semi-interesting book I got from the library called Lessons from Madam Chic talked about the French women's capsule wardrobe. And now I keep saving articles to My Style board on Pinterest.
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