Capsule wardrobes

[cheesenpickles]

Has anybody successfully managed to create a capsule wardrobe? Or is this a pipe dream to make us but expensive things?

I've started listing all my clothes I've not worn in years/probably won't wear again and plan to slowly but surely replace my entire wardrobe with things I'll actually wear. I've made a list of what I want to eventually have and looked for better quality and sustainable type things about it's coming out at about £1k. Obviously won't but all this at once, but am I putting a lot of effort and time into something that's actually a bit of a waste of time?

No, I don't think it's a waste of time. This is basically what I do as well and it makes getting dressed in the morning very easy. I've figured out about 5 colours that suit me and all match each other and only buy clothes that I know I'll wear - nothing mega fashionable. I usually buy clothes 2 or 3 times a year and spend £200-300 each time.

I would say though that I think part of the reason this works for me is that I'm not really massively into clothes and I don't get bored of wearing similar things every day (in fact things wear out long long before I'm ready to replace them). If you like a lot of variety, I guess it may get boring?

I've tried it but it wasn't for me. I don't have the budget for 'investment pieces' and I like a bit more variety.
I'm a bargain hunter so my entire wardrobe probably cost about £400 that's all seasons.

I think Squash makes a good point. I would never choose a capsule wardrobe because I get bored too easily plus I really enjoy thinking about clothes and working out how to put different looks together. But if you want to look good without putting in too much thought or effort then I can see how it would work.
I'm a bit like that with cooking - I don't enjoy it but I still like to eat well so I have a 'capsule food cupboard' and stick to a limited number of recipes that would probably bore some people senseless. Horses for courses.

I always try to be adventurous in my choices but to be honest I effectively have a uniform of jeans, trainers and top. This year I've started trying to buy things I really love that are more outlay and more vintage bits as well. I'm just thinking, if there's a style I like then why don't I just stick to it. I enjoy shopping but more as an activity rather than for "the stuff".

I'm the worst offender when it comes to buying a dress for an event and then only wearing it once. I think if I totally slim down my wardrobe to about 40/50 bits (including stuff I already have and love) I'll wear it more and for special occasions I'll just rent a dress from an agency.

Problem is I start with good intentions and then get sucked down the rabbit hole of online shopping.

Not for me no, your shape and tastes, lifestyle change over the years. I have two boys that are low functioning autistic, so I like easy to wash and comfortable clothes to wear when with them. I also like clothes I could wear on a date. And then my every day clothes for when I'm not with my kids
I could never do with a capsule wardrobe.
Plus buying clothes is how I deal with stress

40/50 things is my entire wardrobe. I always thought a capsule was 10-20 main clothing items!

I did Kondo my wardrobe a while ago though, and now only have things I like. I have dresses I've had for years.

I’ve always liked the concept.

I had a genuine capsule wardrobe whilst pregnant and it made life easy.

In the past, I sort of did it (with no hard and fast rules). I loved very colourful outfits and what I did was use white and navy as basic neutrals + have bright clothes. It all went nicely together and didn’t look boring.

Currently I have a different lifestyle (SAHM) and my style has changed to very practical. However, I’ve made quite a few excessive/unnecessary/useless purchases recently as I just haven’t settled on a style uniform and colour palette. I hope to get there in the future.

I want to go back to this idea, as I've been buying quite a lot of random, crazy stuff that doesn't really go together. Some of it has been rushed, 'This will do' stuff for particular events, and I know I won't get much wear out of them.

I like the idea of various 'uniforms' for different aspects of life.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie the buying things for special occasions is the killer for me. I see something shiny and go for it... then I need the shoes... the jewellery... the bag. I don't socialise enough to be spotted in the same outfit twice. I think I'm going to start using a dress rental service for sure now. Pay £30/£50 get a designer dress, it comes cleaned, they clean and repair it on return. No taking up space in my wardrobe and felling guilty I've dropped £90 on something I won't wear again. Then I can spend my cash on things I'll wear every single day!

Good idea!

Mine is less 'occasion' and more 'It would be nice to have a maxi dress for holiday/a different jacket for a smart casual work event/a pair of harem pants to travel in' etc - decisions made too quickly and items bought without enough thought for their long-term merits.

Ohh! I've def done the travel harem pants (that immediately lost structure and I spent the entire journey pulling them up so my bum wasn't showing!)

I have a successful capsule wardrobe.

I like having a small amount of clothing that I can mix and match in different combinations.

I choose carefully with a rigid criteria. It helps to know what cuts and styles suit you in colours that make you look great. What some would call a signature style.

I have a minimum of 7/7/7 top/bottom/outerwear during a season which is more than enough for me. Its very easy to take care of, just one load in the wash and takes up little storage space.

My wardrobe has a fairly short lifespan (2-6 years) and constantly evolving because I wear everything. There are no multiples of the same item or unnecessary/useless purchases that never see the light of day which is what my wardrobe was before I turned minimalist.

When it comes to occasion wear, my recipe is to have several dresses to choose from (acquired over 10+ years). I just go for block colours, flattening cuts and avoid anything too seasonal. I have a matching pair of metallic heels and a bag. The sandals and the bag are good for weddings as well as nightclubs and being metallic go with any colour really.

My dream for occasion wear is to own three or four Vivienne Westwood dresses and wear them to everything. I reckon a black long sleeved one, a black short sleeved one, and two printed, full skirted cotton ones would take me most places!

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie they're actually surprisingly good value VW clothing. If I was going to buy a designer bag, hers are certainly the most accessible from a price point.

I've had a huge purge of my clothes and absolutely stunned how much stuff I don't wear. I've kept back on a few "maybes" and will see if they get worn in the next few months before I ditch. Also found a few items I thought I'd lost as well, so they're back in rotation.

Already decided that the two "big" purchases I'm going to go for are an AllSaints leather jacket (eventually, and from the local outlet) and I really want to get the Gucci "GG" reversible belt. It's brown and black so basically saves me having to buy two belts. Though I didn't even spend that amount of money on my wedding dress so it'll be a lot of saving up to get it!

I've got a couple of Westwood pieces which have served me well, but I'm unfortunately too fat for them now. Will definitely b e trying to get at least one dress when I see the right one.

Use the Stylebook app - it really helps you organise everything & see gaps in your wardrobe

@happytobemrsg don't normally pay for apps but that looks good and I've just downloaded it. I was looking at Cladwell before but it's so pricey. Looking forward to logging everything in!

I have a capsule wardrobe in a kinda sorta way. I have a plan for my clothes and rules I more or less stick to. I highly recommend it. It means you spend where it counts and you refine and evolve your style more deliberately instead of endless impulse purchases that lead to having nothing to wear. So I have a basic palette and accent colours. I have notes and lists of what I need/want so i can complete my wardrobe. Much of what i wear works year round with a few tweaks. I spend money on good accessories and coats/jackets rather than occasion wear dresses, because I prefer to look good most days.

That Stylebook app looks fab but do you have to photo every item of your wardrobe? Is it very time consuming? Also is it a subscription or a one time payment download?

@lasttimeround interesting you say about a palette. I was thinking about keeping the majority of my clothes quite simple but then got drawn to a mustard blazer at Topshop. It would work with black trousers and jeans, yellow, grey and black but it's quite out there at the same time. Might require some trying on first!

Definitely worth spending money on coats and jackets. I'm also going to be looking for a new leather jacket. My wonderful Oasis one has been brilliant but is getting a bit worn looking after about 6 years.

I’m doing a capsule wardrobe now for the first time to cover Autumn with some bits transitioning over into winter.

I’ve realised that I love long flowy dresses now with trainers/sandals & when it gets chilly with a leather jacket & ankle boots. I also like non-blue jeans & jumpers which I can half tuck.

I think what’s key is, like a PP said, everything is kept to the same palette so it all mix & matches together.

I’ve uploaded everything into my Stylebook app & my capsule wardrobe consists of

7 midaxi dresses
4 trousers/jeans
5 jumpers
2 trainers
3 boots
4 waist belts
Leather jacket
Rain jacket
Scarves/shawls
3 crossbody bags (I have young DC so this is the only type that works for me)

This is actually quite a large wardrobe but is my first time so will hopefully cut it down next season.