Here’s the thing…remember that guilt from buying the obscene amount of clothes in the last post (here)…? Well, it’s coming into play while I create my capsule wardrobe. I decided to try my best to create my wardrobe without buying any new items. For the time being anyway… What does that mean for my capsule? It means I don’t have the perfect color pallet as suggested by many other bloggers out there. I also don’t have the perfect, “close your eyes and pick” wardrobe that capsule wardrobes are known for. But I am ok with that. I am still very proud of taking 25 pieces and creating 50-ish outfits. And I’m proud of the growth that I’ve had in viewing my closet differently.
My goal in creating a capsule wardrobe was to create a cohesive wardrobe, not just a closet full of outfits. Up until this point I have always looked for unique pieces to add to my closet instead of thinking about how all the pieces in my closet can go together. I don’t want to wake up in the morning and feel like I have nothing to wear because I’ve worn all my “outfits” too much and I’m getting sick of them. I also don’t want to feel the constant pressure to wear exactly what is trendy. Don’t get me wrong, I like staying up with fashion and don’t want to dress completely out of style. But I don’t want to have to buy a butt-load of clothes for every season just to be wearing what’s “in.” I want to create my own style–wear what works for me and my lifestyle.
How I Created my Capsule Wardrobe
- I took advice from other bloggers (See Class Yet Trendy’s post here) and pulled out neutral base items that I had (think grey, black, navy shirts) as well as cardigans or blazers that I had.
- Find your bottoms. This includes denim jeans, colored jeans, skirts, etc. Having a variety in this area will help you when you are creating your outfits.
- From there, I start pulling outfits together to get a feel for mixing and matching the pieces I had picked out. This is where it got really exciting; I was able to envision my closet and pieces in different ways. Here are some examples of what I come up with:
Now, these pictures are just a few of the outfits I put together. Once I got into a rhythm, the easier it was. The key is mixing and matching as well as laying.
Things I learned creating a Capsule Wardrobe
- Contrary to what I thought, reducing the number of clothing in my closet was invigorating, not stress-inducing. While I was creating my wardrobe I pulled everything out of my closet except for my favorites again.
- Not to sound like a broken record player from my last post, but balancing your bases is so important! Having a variety of pants/skirt options is what multiplies your outfit choices. I could create three times more outfits with my 30 items if I had a more balanced bases.
- Give yourself time to learn how to mix and match. It may not come naturally to you at first.
Continuing to Build up My Capsule Wardrobe
Now with all that being said, those of you who know me, know I love to shop. So let’s be honest, I will still be shopping for new pieces each season. However, my thought process will be different when I buy something.
- How does the item pair with others in my closet?
- Can I wear it in multiple ways?
- Is it truly practical for my life or is it something I will wear 1-2 times a year?
- Am I getting psyched out by the sale? AKA Am I so excited to score this wardrobe item at such a good deal that I am not thinking clearly.
- Is the fit on point? Does it fit me perfect? Will it shrink? Does it make me feel good? Is it comfortable?
List of Items in my Capsule
- Striped T-Shirt option – (Similar)
- Black and White Striped Dress (Exact, Similar or Similar)
- Turquoise Cardigan (Similar or Similar)
- Blue Cardigan (Similar, Similar, or Similar)
- White vest (Similar)
- Button Back Pleated Tunic by Coin 1804 (Exact)
- Closet Story tan cardigan – (Exact)
- Apartment 9 gold tank – (Similar or Similar)
- French Connection flower print dress – (still searching for something that looks similar. This is as closest I could find.)
- White Sweater – (Similar or Similar)
- Brown Sweater (Similar or Similar)
- Chiffon Olive Top (Similar)
- Black and white print blouse – (This was another tough one to find. This is the closest I can find.)
- Chambray Dress or Shirt (Similar or Similar)
- Orange T-shirt (Similar or Similar)
