I want everything to go with everything - is that too much to ask?

[thenorthernluce]

I’ve come to the realisation that so many of my clothes are rarely worn as they only go with very specific other items. This struck me earlier when I changed out of shorts into trousers when it got a bit chilly. I usually have to change both top and bottom at the same time, but this time I didn’t and it was a revelation! So I’ve been musing ever since on how to extrapolate this over my whole wardrobe.

My restriction, IMO, comes from my tummy: if I wear fitted/tight bottoms, I have to wear long tops to cover my tummy (a shame coz I have a great bottom and legs!), but in baggier bottoms, such as the aforementioned shorts, I need to wear a more fitted top to avoid looking big all over. Today was different as I was wearing a shirt that goes with these shorts really well, then I just threw on my pull on pleather jeggings et voila! I looked good!

Would having a smaller capsule wardrobe help me, oh wise mumsnetters?

I have never subscribed to the ‘capsule wardrobe’ idea. As you have noted, not every top half goes with every bottom half. Lots of shapes just don’t go well together, but would look good with a different shape. If you stick to stuff that will go with everything you end up with boring clothes in dull colours.

I like navy, black, grey etc but I like a bit of colour too. Certain colours just do not go. I have some khaki skinny trousers that I like but they only go with dark navy, grey, black or white tops. I suit red and purple but those colours go with surprisingly few others, even so-called neutrals. So if you go hardcore capsule wardrobe you remove the possibility of wearing lovely colours that suit you.

Plus, if you did have a concise capsule wardrobe, what happens when the key item that pulls an outfit together is in the wash?

Down with the capsule wardrobe! Feels like just another test we are supposed to pass, doesn’t it? Look great always, have a perfect outfit for every occasion, but do it all from a tiny capsule wardrobe.

I used to have a colourful capsule. White+ navy as basics + some clothes in vibrant colours (pink, green and blue were my staples). You do need to be super careful to buy the right shade of stuff.

In terms of lines, some things can be tucked in so a shirt could go with different lines of bottoms depending on whether it's out or tucked in.

I also think that a capsule wardrobe doesn't mean absolutely everything working together - that would be too samey and dull. I think it's quite useful to only buy items that match, say, 3 things you already have. That should narrow it down sufficiently.