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Original poster

Has anyone actually done the capsule wardrobe thing? What did it involve?

26 replies

AddToBasket · 08/04/2015 14:38

I mean more than just for a holiday.

I am having an Ebay frenzy and have a budget for more clothes. I have a few things I want to keep but not many. I looked on some of the fashion blogs for capsule wardrobe advice but it all seems to focus on monochrome outfits. And, really, does anyone actually do this? It looks as though it requires tonnes of cash and discipline.

On the other hand, I do want my new stuff to co-ordinate and to 'work' together. And I don't want to just spend my money on earrings and shoes Blush which is my usual MO. I need a plan. Has anyone got experience of this?

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 08/04/2015 16:09

I don't do capsule, but I do like to make sure that I've got good basics to work around, and they are all black, grey or denim.

So:

A couple of pairs of good jeans
A couple of black skirts
A black dress
Good black and grey t-shirts
A denim shirt etc

HappyHippyChick · 08/04/2015 16:26

I haven't done it yet, as I have weight to lose, but this website looks helpful

Firsttimer7259 · 08/04/2015 16:44

I have a sort of template or direction I work towards and stick to that and it's working well. Basically I have q list of words/ideas plus decided grey and navy as base colours. I add accents of mustard and orange just now but was plum and pine previously. My work isent v dressy so w changing shoes and bags I get lots of wear from v few clothes which is great. Rather than a work wardrobe and a weekend one and lots of distinct outfits. I enjoy it and it's relaxing that everything works together easily.

SpecificOcean · 08/04/2015 17:16

Loads of capsule wardrobes on Pinterest.
I'm trying to do it for work because it's easy otherwise it's not for me.
I've got;
Pencil skirt
Midi tube skirt
high/low maxi
all go with various tops in grey, white, black, aqua and navy.
2 thin jumpers silver grey and blue
dark grey shirt dress
a couple of summer dresses
and various jackets/fitted cardigans.
Total about 20 odd
I will have to change some of the items in autumn winter.

superbfairywren · 08/04/2015 17:19

I'm planning to lose some weight this year and am interested in this too. I went through my wardrobe when pregnant and got rid(friends/charity/recycling) of about 8 bags of clothes. I kept 4 large vacuum bags full of stuff that I like/is good but really I need to get rid of probably half of that again, maybe more. I don't fit in any of it now, I wear the occasional t shirt but have had to buy new(bigger) jeans and am still wearing maternity tops mainly. I Really like the idea of streamlining and not having many clothes but all stuff that mix and match. I think once I've lost the weight I will plan to base it on black/white/grey/blue with teal and red accent colours. These are colours I wear the most and they can coordinate relatively well. For now I am making do and looking like a mess!

trevortrevorslatterfry · 08/04/2015 17:24

Happyhippychick that website is brilliant. Someone posted it on a thread a month or so ago and I have been poring over it since then.

The "remixed outfits" are the same thing as a capsule wardrobe I think.. brilliant.

pileoflaundry · 08/04/2015 17:57

I've sort of done this twice.

At one point when younger, I had 2 pairs of trousers (one of which functioned as pyjamas), no skirts, and about 10 tops. This worked fine, because, I think, the clothes fitted, were in good colours, suited me and what I was doing, and I was very happy at the time (so felt positive about how I looked etc).

Currently, am naively hoping to loose some weight and have two pairs of trousers, 1 skirt, and about 4 tops that fit. Plus one pair of maternity trousers that struggle to stay up, for emergencies, plus jumpers. All the tops go with all the bottoms.

This is not working. I feel scruffy almost all the time, and boringly same. The clothes are constantly in the wash, and washed-out. I have young DC and need to ignore snot/vomit on my clothes as I don't have anything else clean to change into. Part of the problem could be that the clothes are a bit too snug, and don't suit my post-children shape and I just don't like the trousers.

GiveOverLuv · 08/04/2015 18:46

I threw out loads of clothes I hadnt worn recently after getting my colours 'done' and started again. I have deliberately created a sort-of-capsule-wardrobe for casual and smart casual wear, based on my colours, and so far it is working well.

Based around a few pairs of slim fit jeans I love (dark blue, mid blue, light blue, white and grey) with:

Tops/tees/cardis in navy/blue/grey/white + white and grey Converse and Vans for a very casual look

Dressier tops/cardis/blazers in navy and in deep jewel colours (dark green/dark blue/raspberry) + a few pairs of nice ankle boots

3 x navy coats - a short lightweight Spring one, a mac and a coatigan (not as naff as it sounds promise!).

Loads of scarves in said colours.

It just makes putting together an outfit so much easier, and the colours are definitely doing wonders for me.

Original poster
AddToBasket · 08/04/2015 20:35

That website looks useful - particularly because it doesn't seem obsessed with black, white and navy. I don't mind those colours but I'm hoping for something a bit more colourful.

To those people who have done the capsule thing: did you consciously buy it in one go (or close together)?

OP posts:
MoustacheofRonSwanson · 08/04/2015 23:04

I've done it for about 10 years, with the odd time that's grown a bit.

I started doing it when I read that you wear 20-30% of your clothes 70-80% of the time (i.e. you wear your favourites/most useful more often).

So I weeded down to roughly the 30% I wore the most- combination of ebay and charity shop. About six months later I narrowed it down a wee bit more.

So rather than recommend some specific garments for a capsule wardrobe, iw oudl say, look at what you enjoy wearing the most.
From then on I only get something new if something wore out/went to the charity shop (well, I still got the odd thing, but about 90% of the time I stick to it). Most of the time I replace like pretty much with like or a functional equivalent That enabled me to buy better things as a consequence, so now my turnover is a bit slower as a result, and I get stuff that ages better. And I can do stuff like get my nails done more- it's a nice way to update colour without clothes.

For me it pretty much boils down to wearing dresses all the time, but that's what I like wearing best, so that's what came out of the only keep your favourites thing.

Every now and then the impulse/holiday purchases and presents from other people build up, so I have a cull and go to ebay/charity shop. I also sometimes have periods I buy nothing at all, and don't replace when something wears out- I wait til I am down to 1 or 2 outfits then, then go on a spree, maybe at the beginning of a season.

PandorasToyBox · 08/04/2015 23:15

I find that by sticking to a palette of colours really helps, so earthy brown colours for me as my neutrals with a warm burgundy, Aubergine purple, burnt orange, moss and olive greens, teal, blues as my colours. I tend to dress in the colours I have always loved and use in the home and in my art. This way my items of clothing tend to complement and blend harmoniously together

I also try to stick to well made and natural fabrics. I think that textures can really bring a wardrobe together. So good cotton/wool basics with styles of clothing that I like.

Being able to mix and match for me is important, I like to feel comfortable and flexible. Also find that being able to layer clothing means that I don't have a clear winter/summer thing going on. A lot of my clothing can span at lest 2/3 seasons of the year.

I don't have a capsule wardrobe, but it is not large either. Just slowly built up and maintained over time, still have some clothes from my 20's! (20 years ago!) Just looked after and mended.

I hope that you all have fun putting together your wardrobes!

AsBrightAsAJewel · 08/04/2015 23:30

I've been browsing the "One Suitcase Series" on this blog.

Firsttimer7259 · 09/04/2015 07:33

It's taken me a year and a half. I don't have the money to just chuck everything and replace - or the mindset. I got my colours done -helpful. Puttingmetogether gave me the idea. Plus a scrapbook of what I like - I spent some time just defining 'my style'. Lots of what I have are v cheap basics but I do good filler pieces accessories and it works. I do buy stuff still but I'm good at working out if something will suit and feel like me

Firsttimer7259 · 09/04/2015 07:34

Actually more 2-3 years!

trevortrevorslatterfry · 09/04/2015 11:28

addto once I started looking at the remixing outfits thing on the website I actually worked out that I had about 60% of the things I needed for the capsule wardrobe already in my own wardrobe... I still have some stuff to buy but it doesn't have to be as drastic as starting from scratch (although I think you said you wanted to).

trevortrevorslatterfry · 09/04/2015 11:30

I also did this 2-minute Find my Colours thing online which helped.. someone linked to it from another thread on MN. It's not a proper "getting your colours done" but it's helped to focus my mind a bit.

RickOShay · 09/04/2015 11:34

Only buy clothes you love. Sounds simple, but often isn't. You need to want to wear it out of the shop. NEVER buy something because it is a bargain or just cheap, even charity shop stuff. Put it back, save your money for something that makes you feel fantastic.

Itscurtainsforyou · 09/04/2015 21:16

I do this, following the [www.project333.com project 333] approach. I've been doing it for about 9 months and love it.

I only wear clothes I like, think really carefully before buying and find its easier to get ready in the morning as most of my clothes go together.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/04/2015 21:22

Curtains - don' suppose you fancy listing your current 33, do you? I find the idea fascinating but I'm not sure I could manage both work and casual on just 33 items.

Itscurtainsforyou · 09/04/2015 21:34

I've rambled on about my 333 here [http://333orbust.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1] - more as a record for me as anything else.

I'm finding that I wear mainly black or brown trousers for work, with a range of different tops/vests with a jacket or cardigan over. Maybe a dress if I'm feeling brave. Scarves or nice accessories to dress it up if needed.

Then out of work I'm mostly jeans with (hopefully) some lightweight trousers when I can find some, t-shirts, tunic tops, cardigans etc.

The thing I like about project 333 is that you can bend the rules, it's all about living with less but fitting this with your lifestyle...

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/04/2015 21:39

Thanks.

I don't think I could do a full time work wardrobe and have enough left for weekends/going out, with just 33. Might have a play and see what combinations I could come up with, even for just a couple of weeks.

:)

Oly4 · 09/04/2015 21:43

Absolutely not. I have loads of clothes and love most of them and sometimes have to think what goes with what. But for me that's the joy of clothes. I'd hate to be stuck to a few clothes in a few colours

AngelinaCongleton · 10/04/2015 08:11

I don't have a capsule wardrobe but getting my colours done has saved me money on the amount of clothes I buy and now I don't waste buys on colours that don't suit me. Now all my clothes go together colour wise. If I buy something out with my colours it's something I love regardless.

Murdermysteryreader · 10/04/2015 08:18

Can I ask how and where people went to get their colours done and how much it cost? Thanks

AsBrightAsAJewel · 10/04/2015 11:05

I went to a House of Colour consultant and we discussed capsule wardrobes on the style (not colour) day. I have started putting one together, but trying to pull together colour, suitable shapes for my figure, style type and capsule ideas is taking me a long time. I rarely buy anything now as nothing fits all the criteria.

One of my friends went to a Colour Me Beautiful consultant and had a whole day session 1:1 that included colour, makeup and style and they discussed capsules there, as well. But from discussions with her I think HoC is better than CMB. My SiL's sister went here and was impressed.