Why I Capsule Wardrobe

The decisions that lead me to a Capsule Wardrobe and why I love it!

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What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

Before I talk about why I switched to a Capsule Wardrobe, I wanted to talk a bit about what is a Capsule Wardrobe.   The idea is that instead of a closet jam packed with clothes that you never wear, you curate a small group of clothes, shoes and accessories.  These clothes should all work together and they all should be something you love or look good in.

According to the internet (and we know that makes it true!) the term was coined by Susie Faux, who had a boutique called Wardrobe in London in the 1970's.  She stated that a Capsule Wardrobe was a collection of a few essential items of clothing.  These items didn't go out of style and that could be updated with seasonal pieces.

Since then, Capsule Wardrobe has evolved to pretty much mean whatever you want it to mean, though in it's essence it revolves around key pieces in your wardrobe.

Some people do Project 333, where you have 33 items of clothing and accessories that you wear for 3 months.  You are basically making a seasoned capsule wardrobe.

I don't limit myself to a certain number, though I tend to hover around 30-40 pieces.  If you want to see how I set up my capsule wardrobe you can read Starting a Capsule Wardrobe Step One, Capsule Wardrobe Step Two, Capsule Wardrobe Step Three, and Adding Color to a Capsule Wardrobe.

 Before I Started A Capsule Wardrobe

Let's talk about before I started a Capsule Wardrobe.  I regularly went shopping.  My grocery store was right by a Marshall's and a TJ Maxx, so every time I went grocery shopping, I would walk through just to see what they had.  I had no plans, no specific needs.  If I saw something I liked I bought it.  Especially shirts, shirts were so easy to buy.  They would always go with a pair of jeans.

That became my look.  A new shirt that I had just bought and a pair of jeans.   Whenever I walked in my overflowing closet instead of feeling happy, I felt stressed.  I had all these clothes bought mainly on a whim.  The spark that flared a little when I bought them, also died as quickly as it came.

I wasn't buying plain, neutral pieces.  I was buying signature pieces.  Patterns, colors anything that stood out.  My closet was a jumble of colors and patterns.  I didn't feel good when I looked at it, I felt scattered.

Why I Capsule Wardrobe

I started a Capsule Wardrobe last summer and haven't regretted it for a single moment.  If you read the posts above, you'll see how I chose my neutral colors, picked bottoms and tops and chose an accent color.   When I walk into my closet now, I feel calm.  There is no jumble of patterns, no clash of colors.  I know that practically every single top goes with every single bottom.  Every layering piece can go with all the other pieces.  From this handful of clothes, I can make a multitude of outfits.

Now some of you may look at it and think it looks boring.  I get it.  But for me, right now, this is working.  I don't need a lot of clothes, I need clothes that can be worn effortlessly.  I don't have to rush out and buy the latest and greatest.  However if there is a certain trendy item that I want, I can get it.

This summer I bought one item.  One pair of beige pants cropped pants.   They went with every single top.  They looked great.  I love them.

I've already bought one new item for my fall capsule wardrobe - a black blazer.  I had been wanting one and I knew it would fit perfectly in my wardrobe.  Think about that.  Look at the first set of photos from before my capsule.  That black blazer would not have gone with anything.  It looks like it might have went with the middle photo, but that is actually a navy and cream top.

Now think about adding that black blazer to the capsule wardrobe outfits. It would go with any of them.

I've already got my fall wardrobe ready, it's the same as last year, plus the blazer.  I'll go through it and see if anything needs to be replaced or if I want to add another accent color.  I'm thinking a wine/burgundy color might be nice.  I thought that last year too and didn't find anything I liked, so I'm still open for it this year.

I realize a Capsule Wardrobe is not for everyone, but for me, it's perfect.  Also, I did get rid of a lot of clothes, when I switched.  However, I still have a small rack of clothes that don't fit in my capsule, but I still like them.  Eventually I might give them away, but for now, I am fine with them.

This week I am linking up with:
Visible Monday |
I Will Wear What I Like |
Turning Heads Tuesday |
Confident Tuesday |
Spread the Kindness |
Style With a Smile |
Trendy Wednesday |
Style on the Daily |
The Pleated Poppy |
What I Wore Thursday |
A Labour of Life |
Chick &
Stylish
|Thursday Fashion Files |
Curly Crafty Mom | Top of the World |
Fashion Friday |
Fun Fashion Friday |
Fancy Friday |
A Style Wise Link Up |
Sharing a Journey |