Ah, clothes! I love clothes. Soft fabrics that hug me in a cloud of cozy. Easy pieces I can wear with anything anywhere. Flowing items that let the breeze in during hot months. Leggings in subtle solids and wild prints…
I could go on and on. I have had a life-long love affair with clothes. Big sweaters and shoulder pads in the 80’s. Yes, please. Skin tight jeans that defied the grunge scene? Heck yeah! Purple velvet platforms in the 90’s (my husband sprained his ankle carrying me over wet grass because of those shoes).
There was a low point in the ‘00’s when I forgot how to dress myself and everything in every store was pink which I do not wear. My hubby with an eye for fashion sat in the ‘man chair’ in many stores to help me get back on track. Bless his heart.
Statement jewelry pieces, pencil skirts and heels defined my style in the 10’s. And then my life, breath and wardrobe gently slowed as 2020 approached and my closet became more and more simple and specific.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe?
A true capsule wardrobe is a minimal thing. According to Wikipedia:
“Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called "Wardrobe" in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that do not go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces. This idea was popularized by American designer Donna Karan, who, in 1985, released an influential capsule collection of seven interchangeable work-wear pieces.”
I’ve idolized the simplicity of Donna Karan’s design since the 90’s, but it wasn’t until I became confident in myself that I could let the glitz and glam of my clothing go and let my energy speak for itself.
How to Create Your Own
First come up with the list of what pieces (like this list) you feel you need.
An example of a capsule wardrobe is:
Blouses: 2 (blue, gray)
Coats: 1 (camel)
Skirts: 2 (black and grey)
Dresses: 4 (2 work, 2 casual)
Cardigans: 3 (beige, navy blue and black)
Cotton long sleeves: 2 (black and white)
T-shirts: 2 (plain and graphic)
Legging: 2 (black and gray)
Jeans: 4 (1straight cut, 3 skinny)
Tank tops: 3 (white, black and grey)
Tall Boots: 1 (brown)
Ankle boots: 1 (nude)
Flats: 1 (black)
Heels: 2 (black and bright color)
Sandals: 2 (brown wedge and Birkenstocks)
Sneakers: 2 (workout, Chuck Taylors)
Sweaters: 5 (oversized, lightweight, turtle neck, crew neck, v-neck)
Next declutter the crap out of your closet. We’ll have to cover this more fully at another time (check back on June 18th, hint, hint). Suffice it to say you’re going to take all of your clothing (yes, I said all) out, then sort it into Keep, Donate, and Sell piles.
Remove your Donate and Sell piles.
Take a look at your Keep pile. Pull out all of the items that fit your needs for your capsule wardrobe.
If you choose to purchase anything at this stage, I ask that you:
Use the one in one out rule: buy one item and another from your Keep has to go to the Donate or Sell piles.
Make sure that new item is high quality, not trendy, and something you know for damn sure you could wear every day and be happy.
Your capsule may look very different from the example. It may have more color; more boots, fewer heels; more skirts, fewer jeans. The idea is to make a mini wardrobe with simple mixable pieces you love.
Project 333
Author Courtney Carver created Project 333 as a challenge for herself. It went so well she decided to share with the world and has created a number of additional challenges since.
You may have seen this idea pop up on social media at some point: 33 items of clothing for 3 months.
I was so fascinated by her book Project 333 that I decided to count all of my clothing by the project’s rules. This means all tops, jeans, skirts, dresses, and shoes. I did not include workout leggings, underthings, coats, gloves, etc. (although the project does include outerwear).
My number was 210.
210 items of clothing and shoes. This number was at least double a couple of years ago and keeps slowly diminishing as I realize I really don’t love something that missed one of the previous purges.
Could you do it? 33 items to wear for 3 months? I bet you could.
What’s the Point of a Capsule Wardrobe?
I know a number of women who are having fits of laughter as they read this. They have closets filled with clothes, some with the tags still on, some that haven’t seen the light of day in a decade.
I don‘t want to take your clothes from you. I ask only that you consider this idea and contemplate the purpose of the clothing you currently own.
A capsule wardrobe is at the very least an opportunity to declutter that closet you’ve been eyeballing for a while now.
It reduces the amount of “stand and stare” time while you try desperately to figure out what to wear today. You will love everything in your capsule so you’ll be happy with pretty much anything you pull out.
You know your wardrobe accurately reflects you because you have been so very intentional about what is in there. You never again have to worry about ‘imposter syndrome’ as you wear the top that looked so good on the mannequin you were sure it must be your style.
And in the end, you’ll shop less and save money from here on out. Because you’ll know the value of the one in, one out rule, and you love everything in your closet now, you’ll be very careful about what earns a place in this hallowed hall.
Feel Amazing Every Day
The best part is you get to feel amazing every day. I do. I didn’t always, but I do now. I can’t remember the last time I stood in my closet throwing items around lamenting not having anything to wear while my terrified hubby looked on.
I hope you’re willing to try this. I didn’t know I was going to feel this good when I addressed my own wardrobe and, as always, when I discover something that makes me feel amazing, I want you to get to feel like this, too.
A coaching session is only a few clicks away and we can get started on investigating the thoughts and feelings that have kept you from taking steps toward the more simplified and balanced life you’ve been wanting.