I think I may have had enough of capsule dressing / minimalism

[MistressOfCopperMountain]

On the topic of what next with my wardrobe.

Over course of pandemic I have cleaned out wardrobe clutter and have since focussed on buy less but better, things to last. Most of them I adore, and would wear as long as they fit. But I kind of have all the basics in place and know what will need to be replaced at some point like white sneakers and white T-shirts etc.

It’s the first time in life I have spare budget to spend as I like and have been thinking what next? Do I just stick with what I have in slow minimalist fashion or should I get stop being so sensible and start getting a few fun, trendy items? I may start to feel overwhelmed by options but I am also bored of wearing and seeing the same things.

If you have got deep into capsule wardrobe mindset, how do you maintain it?

I feel the same. Ive started to get really fed up putting on the same outfits - maybe Im not doing it well enough and I need more mix and match outfits so as to not get bored. Or to throw in a few items that are a bit more out there?

I hated the concept of capsule wardrobes because I thought it was mostly for people who wear neutral colours / basics.

So you could say I was fed up before even starting!

But I've been trying out the curated closet app and it's TOTALLY changed my mind on capsules.

I just wanted to organise my clothes and see them all in one place. But it lets you create 'capsules'. So now I have a work capsule, a going out capsule, and a casual outfits capsule. 😂

Turns out capsules don't have to be 'boring'. you can really have fun with it and have more 'out there' outfits + basics. I think it's good if you can visualise it.

I buy extra up items of things I like so I have a back up -and/or can rotate so they last longer.

Basically if I like something I buy one. Then if I wear that for a bit and still like it/find it comfy and useful I buy at least one more, often two, to make three items in total. I’m especially likely to buy two extra if something has gone in the sale.

Sometimes it’s in the same colour, sometimes not.

If something really is amazing I buy additional ones up to seven. This usually applies to bras. I’ve been known to go to fourteen or more for smaller or lower value items like knickers.

A few years back I did have a spell of buying more “fun” things, but I just ended up never wearing them and donating them to charity after a couple of years, either unworn or worn once.

I do give myself more latitude with things like hair accessories and similar.

Alot of my wardrobe is in the same colour palette just because I know what I like!
However I am starting to branch out abit into some fun prints because sometimes I want to be subdued and matchy and other days I want to dress in something fun and totally loud.

I don't know how people cope with monochrome/all neutral wardrobes though, seems so boring.

have another sort out and update your wardrobe with a few trendy things in the mix.

Well, apart from neutrals, you could buy something like a pair of shorts and a shirt/top in the same pattern and then another pair of shorts and a top in a plain colour chosen from the pattern. That way you can mix and match the four items and they would also go with you neutrals. I saw items that would work for this in Fat Face recently but I’m sure other brands would also have candidate items.

I'm the total opposite of capsule wardrobe but I have thought about giving it a go but I just so can't part with my old stuff. I think the answer for you is to stick yo the capsule wardrobe but go for a few fun spontaneous buys. But the trouble with these things is that they sometimes hang there and it's never the right time to wear them.

@stillDeciding1 Thank you for the post, I am going to research the app. The idea of creating several capsules is great, as they all benefit from different fun pieces even if the basics like black bias skirt can slide between them. You got me excise playing with clothes again, thank you.

Do any of you hang complete outfits together (trousers, top, sweater, jacket) or do you hang by category (trousers, skirts, sweater, blouses, jackets)?

@ElizabethCourt I have a double door shorter wardrobe for blouses, t shirts and blazers. Under that - drawer with jeans and drawer with small handbags. To the side is a single door tall wardrobe with dresses, trousers, long shirts and skirts. Knitwear are folded in 2 drawers, home wear / WFH and newer / posher for going out.