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Does anyone want to do a minimal/capsule wardrobe

118 replies

Karbea · 10/08/2015 11:09

For autumn (sept-Nov) with me?

Been reading unfancy, project 333 and an article about Steve jobs/Obama who had/have capsule wardrobes.
I've recently thrown out loads, but still have too much.
Anyway looking for wardrobe buddies!

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2015 11:15

I'm tempted, but think I'd need two capsules - one for work and a smaller one for weekends. Might try 33 for work and maybe 15 for weekends. What do you think?

RavioliOnToast · 10/08/2015 11:30

meeeeeeeee Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin
I'm mid capsule wardrobe organising and buying!

I don't think I'll stick to 33 though, possibly less. is that just a general number?

Karbea · 10/08/2015 11:42

Yes I think so unfancy had 37.

Some seem to inc shoes and jewellery others don't.
Underwear, sleepwear, gym wear never seems to be inc.

I work 3 days a week but it's smart casual only rule is no jeans, so I think I should be able to wear Silat things, so I'll include work in my number.
I think it's about finding a realistic number that works for you.

I'm trying to find a template if how many if each thing you should have.

So we will start on the 1st Sept and buy anything we need between then and now...

OP posts:
Karbea · 10/08/2015 11:45

Silat??? iPhone! Similar things...

OP posts:
RavioliOnToast · 10/08/2015 12:22

I have

4x cardigans (rust, grey, camel, navy)
2x black dress
1x navy dress
uggs
tan suede boots
black ankle boots
black knee length boots
2x scarves (black, beige)
leggings
tights
1x long sleeved black top
1x long sleeved beige top
1x long sleeved white top
4x skirts (navy, rust, camel, black)
navy brogues
tan bag

then I haven't included random dresses I wear on nights out, but there's only about 6/7

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2015 15:29

Okay - am starting to think about this now and will post my musings, if nobody minds!

Casual: I'm not counting coats, scarves or shoes!
Pale blue skinnies
Black skinnies
Denim skirt
Long white shirt
Black silk shirt
Red shirt
Black and white silk blouse thing
Grey t-shirt
Black t-shirt
Black and white t-shirt
Grey jersey jacket
Black jersey jacket
Black cardigan

Gaps = pink or red jumper and grey jumper or cardigan
Total = 15

Work: Am on holiday, so not willing to think about this yet!

Deeznutz · 10/08/2015 16:31

I have sorted my wardrobe this last weekend after getting inspired by the Vivienne Files. Four sacks of stuff have gone to charity. I have only kept stuff I feel great in. My list-

Dove grey cashmere v-neck
Charcoal cashmere v-neck
Black cashmere v-neck
Navy cashmere v-neck
Red cashmere scoop neck
Navy cashmere cardigan
Taupe cropped cashmere cardigan

Linen swing top in dusky navy
Breton in navy and white
Breton in grey and black
Breton in red and navy
Breton in black and white
Boden lightweight boatnecks in black and navy
Joules plain red slash neck top
Taupe linen oversized top.
White linen t-shirt type long sleeve top.

Long jersey racer back maxi dresses (for layering)
Black slouchy wide leg trousers
Navy slouchy wide leg trousers
Long jersey black skirt
Cigarette leg dark wash jeans

Toast tunic in prussian blue
Toast tunic in dark red.
Black asymmetric jersey tunic

Navy oversized boxy dress
Leggings black.

Shoes- Hudson tan brogues, Birkenstocks,Fly camel mes, fly black mraf boots, black biker boots, camper beetle boots in red and black, Agnes b chelsea boots and chocolate Valverde del camino country boots.

Bags- pewter Boden slouchy one, tan across the body, tan suede hobo, black leather hobo and black suede fringed across the body one.

Scarves in red,grey,taupe and blue.

I like bold silver jewellery such as cuffs and long pendants and have given all the rest to my daughter.

Coats- white company cashmere for when it's cold, Next asymmetric short boiled wool one for when it's not.

I have settled for clean lines in strong colours and I now love everything in my wardrobe. Can't recommend it enough- it was really enjoyable!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2015 16:37

Agh - just realised that I forgot jumpers! I think I'll work with the below list until October half-term, and then review. And I'm going to lose the black cardigan and replace it with a grey slouchy top, I think.

Shoes are: black Nikes, black and white leather Converse, black flat ankle boots, grey heeled ankle boots, black heeled ankle boots

Coats are: grey leather biker, black leather biker, denim jacket (will review this at half term too)

Accessories are: grey fedora, leopard print scarf, black & white print scarf, bright floral scarf. I want/need either a red or bright pink scarf and a black fedora.

DetectiveLund · 10/08/2015 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Karbea · 10/08/2015 16:56

Ok I think I'm going to go with 40 items inc. shoes.

Tops - 14
Cardigan - 1
Coat - 2
Light jacket - 1
Dog walking jacket - 1
Leather jacket - 1
Blazer - 2
Dress - 1
Bottoms - 7
Shoes - 9

Plus one other probably another cardi or jumper.

I've never done this before so I suspect I'll swap some things in and out as time goes on, I think I might have too many coats/jackets for example...

I need to have a think about accessories, I've loads of scarves I never wear, and I only ever wear one pair of earrings...

OP posts:
Itscurtainsforyou · 10/08/2015 16:58

I love project 333!
At the moment I have:

  • brown leather jacket
  • black cape
  • navy Jersey blazer
  • brown Jersey blazer
  • blue wide leg jeans
  • black jeans
  • v-neck jumpers in purple/deep red/teal/brown/green
  • cardigans in brown/deep red/camel/cream

Oxblood ankle boots
Brown knee boots
Black knee boots

Not sure about tops/dresses yet (& probably need more trousers)

Nonnainglese · 10/08/2015 17:37

As someone with far, far too many clothes (more like 444 items, minimum) has anyone regretted getting rid of x % of their wardrobe?

I'm scared I'll revert to refilling every wardrobe/chest of drawers. If I admit to owning 65 tee shirts you'll see what I mean, it's absurd Blush hoarder or a 'just in case ' mentality Sad

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2015 17:40

I won't be getting rid of anything (did a huge cull a week or two ago), but will be putting things away then reviewing again later, after living with just certain items for a while.

Deeznutz · 10/08/2015 17:50

Well you don't have to get rid of them - you could store them in the loft and see how you get on with a pared down closet and then maybe take that step later if it is working for you.

Karbea · 10/08/2015 19:00

I'm not getting rid of anything, I also did a massive purge early in the summer and have been forcing myself to wear everything, currently wearing a skirt I'd not worn for about 4 years before today!
I'm going to store everything else and try to only go "shopping" with my stored items.
I do need to purge shoes, but I'll need to pick a day when I'm in the right frame of mind!!!

I need to find some direction about accessories, they definitely need to be reviewed as I've lots but hardly wear anything.

I've been through my wardrobe and I don't need to buy anything new as far as I can see (I did buy a suede jacket and jumper at the weekend which in retrospect I probably didn't need...)

It's actually quite liberating looking at my reduced wardrobe, I'll be wearing lots of summer stuff for the next few weeks (weather permitting) but I've moved all of that to the spare room wardrobe.

OP posts:
Nonnainglese · 10/08/2015 20:11

Phew! Thank you
So how do you decide what your capsule wardrobe is going to be? Which blogs/websites are best for inspiration?

Karbea · 10/08/2015 20:14

The un-fancy, viviennefiles are useful.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2015 20:19

Unfancy is a lovely site, but for me it's not a matter of using a blog for inspiration;; rather, it's about thinking what I have and what I'm already wearing a lot. I'm working on the idea that if I've worn it and felt happy in it recently, then it's likely to carry on working for me for a while.

Obviously the weather will matter too - so I'll be layering shirts that I've worn alone over the last few weeks with a biker as it gets cooler etc, and replacing sandals with boots.

Karbea · 10/08/2015 20:20

Regarding accesories I'm thinking:
5 scarfs
My wooly hat (although maybe I won't need this till winter but nov could be cold)
A clutch
A tote bag
A cross body bag.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2015 20:21

Oh and I find Pinterest far more useful than blogs.

This is one of my boards but it's very much 'my' style, so may not be much help to anybody else!

Karbea · 10/08/2015 20:28

Anyone have any thoughts on jewellery.

I'm thinking 3 each of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, watches, but this seems lots :/

OP posts:
ObiWanCannoli · 10/08/2015 20:32

Oh I've started this. Boohoo £8 basic colour dresses made in UK. Leggings different colours usually Hennes or tights I like falke tights. Some good block colour jumpers gap or again Hennes. 2 pairs of jeans and boots and a pair of flats slip on. Some lovely camis I have 4 and 2 oversized cardigans vintage found in a market of vintage stuff. 2 going out very fancy frocks and a pair of shoes to match both.

I'm not sure if I've done anything right but I'm happy.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/08/2015 20:32

I only possess one watch.

Have got:
One everyday necklace and one 'statement' necklace
3 bracelet choices - either a blingy cuff, or a leather cuff or an armload of silver Indian bangles.
Am not rationing earrings!

MaryBerrysEyelashes · 10/08/2015 20:37

i find this such an unnecessary HASSLE>

Just bin stuff you dont wear. dont put it in a capsule

Itscurtainsforyou · 10/08/2015 20:39

I'm not counting jewellery (although it's been surprising how little I've worn since I streamlined my clothes).

I don't usually count accessories in autumn/winter, but might try this time.

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