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Original poster

Capsule wardrobe, lies!

33 replies

Nanodust · 22/07/2017 19:56

So, I'm on the constant search for a 'capsule' wardrobe. I have sold a load of stuff on EBay and given some to charity.

I now have stuff that I either can't get rid of or is great and would be daft to get rid of. So now I'm in a slump. Still don't feel I've cracked my style and not feeling very capsule.

Is the whole capsule wardrobe thing a big lie? 😦

OP posts:
RebelandaStunner · 22/07/2017 20:12

It's not for me. I have loads of my favourite items such as three biker jackets, several pairs of heeled boots. I love and wear them all.
I do buy less, but could never see something I really wanted but not buy it because I have similar so don't technically need it.
I hear Capsules make it easier to dress- less to choose from etc. But if all your stuff is in the wash how is that easier?
I go to work and run a business, go to the gym, dog walking, meet friends, go out a lot at evenings/weekend, go away on lots of different holidays UK and abroad. I can't wear the same few clothes for all of that.

QueenofLouisiana · 22/07/2017 21:43

Nope, I'm a devotee of the capsule. TBH you need a few variation as the weather changes quite a lot in the UK, but the idea is still sound.

What colours are you working with? What is your main style?

I'm a fairly smart dresser (never really trackies and t-shirt unless I need to). I wear navy and grey bottom halves, white, grey or navy tops and dresses. Navy leather jacket or trench coat or grey or white blazer.

I can pack for a week in the sun in about half an hour and all in carry on luggage. Last week I got dressed in a tent in a field knowing everything went with everything else.

I'd say it took me 6 months to get going on the idea and 2 years to be fully capsules. I couldn't afford to do it all at once, so it's been a labour of love.

OldGuard · 23/07/2017 06:17

What is capsule dressing ?

ChipIn · 23/07/2017 06:25

I'm on my way to a capsule wardrobe. Everything I buy now is in the colour palette I'm working with so I don't even look at clothes outside of that - it means there are far less temptations out there! My style is fairly easy though - I'm going with neutrals, grey, black, white, navy and some pinks to brighten things up. I'm a very jeans-and-tee kind of person though so it isn't hard for me.
I've already found everything matches everything which makes things a lot easier when getting dressed.

Rhubarbtart9 · 23/07/2017 06:27

Google project 333 old

Rhubarbtart9 · 23/07/2017 06:30

I'm at your stage too. Got rid of loads and now have a few nice items and lots of stuff I can't get rid of but would like to. I think I'm going to lay it all out today and make a list of what to buy to bring it together and throw the disliked stuff away

KoalaDownUnder · 23/07/2017 06:36

It doesn't work for me either, OP. I just find it so dull.

It's great to have one camel-coloured trench and one smart grey wool coat, or whatever it is. BUT it's sometimes fun to wear my blue leather jacket or my shaggy faux-fur bomber. So shoot me. Grin

whereiscaroline · 23/07/2017 06:37

Another devotee here. Found the StyleBook app really helpful for this. It was a gradual process as PP says.

Dressing has become a pleasure again, packing is easy, and an unexpected side effect is that I find myself accessorising and taking better care of my hair / make up too.

My palette is grey, navy blue, white as neutrals. Pink, wine & baby blue for coloured items. Everything goes with everything Smile

KoalaDownUnder · 23/07/2017 06:46

Hmm. Perhaps I am doing it wrong wouldn't be the first time

2017SoFarSoGood · 23/07/2017 06:58

It definitely has made big difference to how I look and feel. I'm about 75% there and have invested quite a bit in one designer range, which makes it much easier to mix and match. I still shake it up with lots of color and do more accessorizing too.

Made downsizing so much less painful. 7 large black bags off to charity shop today. Still had a small weep to see some things go Confused

QueenofLouisiana · 23/07/2017 08:13

I've definitely been sad to see some bits go to the charity shop, but other things have gone almost unworn- I loved the idea, not the reality. I now wear (almost) all of my wardrobe regularly.

Floisme · 23/07/2017 08:18

It's not for me. I don't trust anyone who advises you to get rid of your clothes and then go out and buy more.

sunshineunicorn · 23/07/2017 08:30

I love my capsule wardrobe. I realised I only ever live in the same style of clothing just occasionally bought some "fun" items which I would wear once and never again and I would forever feel guilty about them hanging in my wardrobe untouched. So I embraced my "style" (I use that term loosely as it really isn't stylish). I still have the odd weak moment where I purchase something but I don't feel guilt about selling it on it donating it any more. Getting dressed in the morning or packing a carry on for a holiday is so easy now.
My style is vest top and blazer or cardigan with black trousers for work, jeans for the weekend and shorts in the summer. Simple but it suits me and I feel confident in my clothes

whitehandledkitchenknife · 23/07/2017 08:34

I take the capsule idea a little more broadly. I like to wear neutral (black/white/grey/navy) basics and use brights as accent colours. If something works - like the elusive perfect trousers - I'll buy several pairs. Don't do floral or patterned generally. So lots of similar items, which fit well and can all be interchanged.
I have a thing about macs and shoes and scarves, some of which are decades old.
I'm currently loving shirt dresses and wearing them on rotation.
I might have a thing about crisp white shirts next and wouldn't cope if I only had one Grin

Original poster
Nanodust · 23/07/2017 08:54

Ah, okay. I didn't know about the colour palette and specific style idea. Still not sure I'm going to get to the 'downsize' I want though.

All your examples are really inspiring through. I wish I knew someone who could come over and tell me p, with no mercy, what works and doesn't 😊 I do know that whilst I love some items, when I wear them I just don't feel right, I'm starting by getting rid of them.

OP posts:
whitehandledkitchenknife · 23/07/2017 09:06

Capsule meets Kondo
Grin

Rayna37 · 23/07/2017 09:07

I've been enjoying the capsule wardrobe stuff on this blog onthespike.com I think I operate fairly capsule in recent years but as I've plenty of space I've probably more sitting about barely worn than I realise, especially older stuff.

PNGirl · 23/07/2017 10:15

I think there's a difference between a capsule wardrobe that limits item numbers and a tactic for weeding out all the things you either look at and think "Nah," or put on and realise at lunchtime they're too short, too tight or a colour you don't like. I tend to go for the latter! I have about 10 stripe tops in different colours and styles but I need them all as at least 5 are in the wash at any given time.

Original poster
Nanodust · 23/07/2017 10:35

LOL at the too short thing- I put things in washing machine even if for dry cleaning. Learnt the hard way thus can cause shrinkage. I was leading a meeting that involved standing up a lot and reaching up a level lot to write on boards. I was constantly pulling at my hem and boss even commented at the end 😊☹️
Dress is still in my wardrobe though......... time to declutter #2

OP posts:
Floisme · 23/07/2017 10:37

I can see the point if you don't have much space or you're on a very tight budget. Or if you're not really interested in clothes but still want to look good. I'm a bit like that with cooking - I don't enjoy it but I like to eat well so I stick to a fairly limited repertoire (or my husband does it). But with clothes I like to mess around and change my style sometimes. I like it that, if I want to try a new look, I may already have something in the cupboard I haven't worn in years that might just work. I enjoy figuring it all out.

It would feel like someone telling me I can only own 10 books and no more than 3 genres.

Callamia · 23/07/2017 10:53

I know what works for me, and I hate poor quality fast-fashion sort of clothes, so I'm more of a capsule devotee. It means I can justify spending more money on really good clothes that will last, and actually do something for me. I wear navy, white, black and red/orange, and, apart from a few fancier things, there isn't much more that I need.

Also, my flat is tiny - so, anything that helps with space is good for me. It does make me feel much happier that I know what I'm looking for when I shop, and I do look a bit better put together for it too.

silkpyjamasallday · 23/07/2017 11:32

I don't like the way these capsule wardrobe things are marketed, as a PP said they are telling you to get rid of a lot of stuff and then spend more than you usually would buying new things they have deemed essentials. And aren't these suggestions usually from bloggers who most certainly don't have the sort of capsule wardrobe they claim to, as then their blog would be boring and they wouldn't have legions of fans so willing to buy whatever they are told to funding their lives through affiliate schemes.

The idea of a 'capsule wardrobe' is essentially curating a uniform for yourself, and I think you need to look at what you have and like, which outfit combinations make you feel good and then replicate it many times over with slightly different things - this is the sort of wardrobe these bloggers have, bullshit do they only own 3 tshirts 2 pairs of jeans etc. I buy lots of versions of things I like that work with my different uniforms - I have loads of silk shirts, silk camisoles, men's cashmere jumpers, black or gray skinnies and a few pairs of boyfriend jeans. And lots of basic tshirts in neutral colours. I collect kimonos and have some pretty outlandish outerwear and wear these over pretty much everything, and as I have so many I don't ever get bored of them. When I find a new silhouette or style I like I buy a few things over time to incorporate, so I have a few pairs of culottes I've bought over the last few years and some full length wide legged trousers. These are the fun bits, but I do usually stick to certain fabrics and colours but having neutral basics makes it easier to just throw on one more fun item to make you feel a bit fresher.

Imo limiting yourself to only a few items is silly, even if you buy slightly better quality than you usually would by having so few and cycling through them so quickly, they won't last unless it is top top quality and dry cleaned rather than bunged in the wash twice a week. Better to have a few versions of anything you really think suits you or is your style so they last longer.

It's a good thing to have a clear out, just don't be too ruthless because someone has told you you can only have 25 things in your wardrobe, and don't buy anything because it's a 'classic' because that doesn't mean it will suit you or work for you style wise. Work out your uniform and repeat buy the things that make you happy

whitehandledkitchenknife · 23/07/2017 11:55

Beautifully summed up Silkpyjamas.

Diamonddealeroncemore · 23/07/2017 12:28

When I left full time work to wfh I completely revised my wardrobe so I had a new 'uniform' and it's so easy to put outfits together. I'm a jeans or trousers sort of person so my bottoms are blue or black and I have linen trousers for the summer in blue/white/beige and my tee shirts are 95% white or navy. I have a selection of cardigans and jersey blazers in grey or navy and some scarves in mustard for an occasional splash of colour. It's not exciting but I prefer dressing in a 'uniform ' so it suits me.

Trills · 23/07/2017 12:31

I think it also depends on your personality. I would not LIKE to "curate a uniform for myself". So I don't. Don't think that "capsule wardrobe" is the answer for everyone.

f you're not really interested in clothes but still want to look good. I'm a bit like that with cooking - I don't enjoy it but I like to eat well so I stick to a fairly limited repertoire

I like this analogy a lot.