Successful capsule wardrobe?

[SaoirseTheSeahorse]

Does anyone successfully maintain and use a capsule wardrobe?

If so, may I ask what is in yours for this autumn / winter please and also for any general tips?

I always start off well, and then buy more and more as the season progresses. Then the discount codes come out and I have to spend then, And we roll into Spring/Summer with exciting new colours (hopefully) I don't know how people manage it.

I’m the same knockered.

I’m planning a temporary clear out tonight to make room for what I hope will be a streamlined, capsule wardrobe. I’ve written a list and EVERYTHING .

I wonder if where I’ve been going wrong in the past is including too many colours, so not everything goes together...

Would you mind sharing your list Saoirse? Do you include shoes and bags too?

Happy to share , though I don’t know how capsule-y it is. I expect it could be smaller...

I’ve gone with dark red and yellow for accent colours. Brown, navy & white for neutrals.

I hate wearing jeans, as I find them really uncomfortable. So this is a jeans free list.

Top half:

• Navy short sleeved blouse / shirt
• Navy tank top
• Navy long sleeved tshirt
• Brown (men’s) slouchy jumper
• Navy oversized cardi
• White t-shirt
• White blouse
• White shirt
• Denim pinafore dress
• Burgundy swing top
• Red & yellow floral blouse
• Stripy red and white tshirt

Bottom half:

• tailored shorts / culottes, (for over tights when it’s a bit colder) - 1 x navy, 1 x yellow
• denim turn up shorts (as above)
• Navy bootleg trousers
• knee length denim skirt

Shoes etc:

• brown leather boots
• brown leather brogues
• brown leather satchel
• massive, red & beige Vivienne Westwood, canvas shopping bag (it’s anazing and holds everything)
• various opaque tights (navy, burgundy, black & brown)

That's not a bad capsule - less than 30 items so within project 333 rules!

I might add a pair of shoes that were not brown but otherwise it sounds great. Pick up some high fashion CHEAP accessories to throw away at the end of the season, unless they have become staples, in which case buy a better version. Capsule wardrobes are always works in progress. It's never finished and completed for ever.

Why thank you! I didn’t know there were RULES! Excited. Off to look them up.

I’ve just added a Tommy Hilfiger red, gold and navy striped dress - can’t believe I forgot that. A red Burberry scarf and a navy Jack Murphy outdoorsy, wax coaty type rain coat. Not that the latter is exactly a fashion item but you know.

My jewellery never changes tbh, although maybe now is time for a change.

It’s usually my wedding & engagement rings, a butterfly pendant necklace which my husband bought me for my 30th, diamond stud earrings and occasionally I stretch to a bracelet, but normally don’t bother.

Sounds good.

Is the wardrobe for work or leisure?

I think a capsule wardrobe, in theory, is a great idea. In reality, I could never get behind it. I always ended up feeling restricted and uninspired.

By all means have a set of basics that you like. But I wouldn't beat yourself up if you find yourself wanting a non-capsule-approved item.

Oh blueshoes, you’ve hit on a point there, as I wear a uniform at work, which I haven’t counted as part of my capsule... is that cheating?

I did this two years ago but I couldn't maintain it. I couldn't resist adding sale items that weren't really the right colours. Also, when Autumn came round again, some items were still like new and some were shabby. After throwing the shabby items away I couldn't bring myself to replace them with identical pieces or even the same colours, I was ready for a change! I admire people with the self control to maintain it.

OP, sounded like you were dressing for outside work, but I wanted to make sure.

I find dressing easier since I started to wear fewer separates. Nowadays, it is mostly dresses for me, with matching cardigans. Have a few statement neckpieces.

As I get older, I find I need to wear more colour to avoid looking invisible and washed out. Dresses and brighter cardigans do the trick. Scarves also add colour. I also have cardigans, jackets and coats in more neutral colours.

A light weight uniqlo padded jacket in a khaki colour is my go-to item for colder climes as it is waterproof and warm enough for winter with layering underneath. I always bring that on holiday with me.

Shoes are black or tan or espadrilles, which basically go with everything.

Your list sounds great. I’ve had limited success with a streamlined wardrobe - I wouldn’t call it capsule - by sticking to a colour palette. I did have my colours ‘done’ which was helpful but I think the key is conscious shopping - so not blindly buying random separates, but actually thinking about how it fits with your scheme.

I think your list as it stands should work really well.

I'm starting again this season with my capsule.
I'm navy/charcoal grey/black
Teal/maroon
Violet

So far;
Teal tunic dress
Navy tunic dress
Denim shirt dress
Navy jumpsuit
Grey jumpsuit
Black shirt dress

Breton long sleeve top
Black cotton jersey long sleeve
Grey asymmetrical jumper
White long sleeve top
Maroon top
Teal/purple/red tunic

Black leggings
Navy leggings
Dark denim jeggings
Black denim bootcuts
Black velvet harems

Black brogues
Black biker boots
White supergas

Teal storm jacket
Black biker jacket
White denim jacket

Loads of scarves hats and bags
Some contrast cami tops

There's some great sites out there. I'm doing this in conjunction with a finding my style process so it's becoming a bit of a hobby!

Joining in if that's ok. I haven't exactly stuck to a strong colour palette and I have a lot to buy so I think it's something I will do over the next year or so whilst I continue to lose weight. I binned 10 black bags of clothes last week though so starting over. Here's my list of what I intend on having. I work from home 50% of the time, rest in the office which is casual so I wear the same things all the time.

Mac
Leather Jacket
Wool coat
Cream Cashmere Jumper
Grey Wool Cardigan
Navy Blazer
Black Roll Neck Jumper
Black Jeans
Blue Jeans
Some sort of Mini Shirt
Navy tailored Trousers
Tights in Black, Brown and Navy
4 Cotton Tshirts
2 Long Sleeved Tops (one breton)
Cream Silk shirt
Short Sleeve Linen Top White
Long Sleeve Cotton Shirt White
Silk Cami
Chambray Dress
Red Wrap Dress
Khaki Shirt Dress
Black Knitwear dress
Accessories:
Grey Wool scarf
Just purchased a vintage red silk scarf
Tan Blet
Black Belt
Taupe Leather Bag
Tan Leather Bag
Black Bag
Maybe a straw or nylon bag for holidays/beach

Shoes:
White Trainers
Tan Flat Sandals
Brown Loafers
Grey Heeled Pointed Shoe
Black Chelsea Boots
Black and Straw Wedges

Wow thats a lot of stuff! Maybe not so capsule after all...

I did project333 just after Christmas and it made me realise just how few clothes you actually need.
I still have too many clothes but will do another big sort out after the summer.
I live somewhere with distinct seasons so a lot of stuff can’t be rolled over between seasons.
I have hardly bought anything new since doing project333. I think really hard about where/when and how many times I can wear something.
I’d definitely recommend doing the project333 to get you into the capsule mindset.

Oh I like this thread and seeing people’s colour choices. I can also see this becoming a hobby. I’m already planning to ditch the red for coral in spring time.

Yes blueshoes, I’m just dressing for outside work, although that is most days tbf. I work evenings and Saturdays normally which is when I wear uniform, (which actually is black - not one of my colours, but I have no choice there)!