Capsule Wardrobe - Midlife Chic

[Mumsnut]

I thought this was a really helpful and useful post (and so warmly written)

www.midlifechic.com/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe-women-over-40-1/

(I'm not she, btw)

I don't understand how having a capsule wardrobe works if you are constantly shopping and being given free clothes to advertise.

I'm a massive fan of this blog. She has a 'normal job' and is actually very honest about how she needs to do paid work in order to maintain the blog, but unlike a lot of instagrammers, isn't constantly plugging new items and is selective with who she works with. I love the way she writes and I'm really excited to see how this pans out as I seriously need to streamline my wardrobe after being inspired by the Marie Kondo doc on Netflix.

(I'm also not her!)

Looks interesting.

I’m going to follow her programme with interest but not sure how it might work for me - I can wear 4 different outfits a day sometimes depending on what I do (exercise, dog walking, work, leisure) and I do like to buy new things!

I was interested to see her doing this 'series' but feel it's hardly groundbreaking stuff yet...work out what you do most of and what clothes you need for that. Surely every single capsule wardrobe advice says the same.

I say that as a big fan of hers too by the way.

I agree itsgonna although I've definitely lost my capsule wardrobe and my drawers seem to be full of stuff I hardly wear so this series is acting as a refresher for me.

I'm also hoping she'll be my guinea pig for good quality basics. This is where my wardrobe is seriously lacking (especially tops that wash and wear well). My budget is limited, so if I'm going to be spending more on something I want to know it will last and I trust her to be honest about things like fit and quality.

For me the most interesting thing was her honest description of getting caught up in the more fashion-forward blogger group and trying to copy that approach. Something I'm sure a lot of us can relate to.

I saw this and will keep following it as I got caught up in the Hush fever on Style and Beauty last year and have lots of bits and pieces I never wear

I have no interest in a capsule wardrobe and that mapping exercise had me flummoxed. However I think this advice is spot on:
There was probably a time in your life when you loved your style. Think back to it because it’s likely to have a fundamental influence on what makes you feel good, even now....Of course our lives, styles and sizes change so the solution... doesn’t often lie in recreating what you were wearing circa 1989 but for me, that confident time impacts my style today.

I sometimes think back to my old favourite outfits and I've even kept a couple - not because I plan to ever wear them again but because, like she says, they remind me of what makes me feel good.

I’m also not interested in a capsule wardrobe, but have previously thought about what she says about essentially categorising your life into slices and buying for those. My slices are so different to hers though. I have work, not work, and knocking about at home (hybrid of pjs and loungewear!). I tend to buy things for not-work, then transition them to my work wardrobe when I get fed up. I work in a creative environment so can wear what I like and don’t need really smart things or event clothes.

I think some people are drawn to buying fancy clothes for nights out (or whatever) that only get worn a couple of times, and this series of posts will be really useful for them.