Capsule wardrobes have served me very well. In the spring I wrapped up my 7th capsule! (Even though I had already begun to loosen up on the ‘rules’ – it still more closely resembled a capsule than a regular closet.) That is seven rounds of culling and curating my wardrobe. Seven rounds of planning and executing a seasonal closet. Seven rounds of taking a magnifying glass to what I like. After several weeks of reflection, I’ve decided to push on toward my next goal: maintaining a lean, well-functioning closet in the ‘real world.’
I think capsules are an amazing vehicle for defining your personal style and making a serious edit to your wardrobe – two things that are essential for wardrobe success and contentment. If you haven’t completed a few rounds of capsuling, I highly recommend it. You can read about the process I used here. When I started my first capsule in the summer of 2014 I had two main goals: to define my style and curb my shopping habit. I have successfully done the former, and have made a sizable dent in the latter.
However, I’ve been through the capsule cycle enough times that I am not really learning anymore. You know that feeling where you feel like you’ve learned all you can learn and it’s time to move on? Well, that is where I’m at. I have learned many valuable things, and it’s time to take my new tools and move on to the next step.
So what comes next? Where does one go after they ‘graduate’ from capsules?
My good friend Paige and I have been mulling this over, and we’re putting together our thoughts in a new weekly series that we hope will inspire and encourage you. Our goal is to offer post-capsule strategies to make sure we don’t ‘undo’ all we accomplished. We want to help you maintain a lean, well-functioning, well-utilized, LOVED closet.
Strategy #1 – Fewer Rules
As I mentioned, now that I have a pretty good grasp on my personal style, I no longer feel the need to go through the planning and curating part of the capsule process. This means it’s time to loosen up a bit on the rules.
Less storing and more of my wardrobe in my closet. I cannot tell you what a great decision it has been to pull more of my clothes into my closet. It has forced me to look at a lot more of what I own, and not compartmentalize so much. It’s made me realize that trying to have a lean closet while practicing capsule wardrobes is pretty hard. Because, when many items can end up tucked out of site, it’s easy to forget what you already have. Seeing the bulk of my items all together forces me to come face-to-face with what I own, which helps me slow down on new additions. Seeing your wardrobe all together will remind you of just how many wonderful items you already have.
Yes, there will be some things I will tuck away – like boots and sweaters in the summer, and tank tops in the winter – but the bulk of my items will remain available as my core wardrobe. When I add items – especially if I’m taking the time to invest in well-made, ethically produced pieces, which can be pricier – I intend to be a little more mindful about how seasonal the item is before I buy it. If I can only wear it one season of the year, I may be less likely to buy it. I want pieces that work for me. I live in a cool, rainy climate for 9 months of the year, so the bulk of my wardrobe will be suitable for that kind of weather.
Maintain a lean closet. I won’t lie, this is not an easy task, but it is something that weighs heavily on my mind. I intend to use a loose rule of thumb: one-in, one-out. There will probably be exceptions, that’s why it’s a ‘rule of thumb,’ but it is something I want to use as sort of a filter before I get my mind all obsessed with adding a new item. For example, I’d love a new pair of cognac booties. But I already have a nice-looking, well-functioning pair that I wear all the time. Instead of just adding a pair of boots, I’ll wait another season or two when my current ones are more worn/broken down and then replace them. I don’t want to overfill my closet again and then be weighed down by the burden of choice.
I will use lessons from my capsule wardrobe journey to continually edit my wardrobe. I constantly evaluate what I have, continually asking if I LOVE the item. If I don’t, it goes into a pile – a purgatory of sorts. And after I’ve given myself plenty of time to mull it over, it goes out the door. (I usually sell on Poshmark or at Crossroads) Loosening up on capsules rules allows you to purge what doesn’t work instead of ‘forcing’ yourself to make it work for the rest of a season. I’m not advocating for recklessness, but instead, more fluidity.
Fewer rules means more flexibility to add items on your time frame and budget. When I was capsuling, sometimes it was hard for me to plunk down the cash on a few new items all in the same small ‘shopping window.’ It also didn’t make sense for me to pass on items on my list that I came across when the ‘shopping window’ wasn’t open. In all honesty, sometimes the anticipation of a new capsule was almost like an invitation to shop more. If I knew I could only shop for a small amount of time, I really wanted to make it count. Now, I can slow down and be even more mindful about it. As always, for me, shopping is a slippery slope! I have a lot to share on this topic, and I’ll expand more in the coming week’s posts.
Where do you stand on capsules? Have you achieved your goals? What comes next for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I love that this is a community and that we can swap and share ideas. :)
Happy Friday!
xo,
Andrea
I haven’t had a capsule since last year and love being able to wear anything in my closet as weather permits. For example, this week has been chilly, so I pulled out a long sleeved tee that I know would not have been in a summer capsule. My spring/summer wardrobe is pretty set and I feel it truly reflects my style and life stage. Other than upgrading some of my linen tees, (next year) and a pair of dressier sandals, (whenever I find the perfect pair for the right price) I can see myself being happy with it for years to come. I still would like to pair down my fall/winter clothes a bit more….I own far to many Old Navy and Target sweaters. I want to upgrade my favorites to ethically made pieces….but I don’t want to do that until my old sweaters are more worn, but they keep hanging on! I can see this taking a bit longer as sweaters, especially well made, ethical ones are more pricey. I’m ok with that though! Shopping is a slippery slope for me as well…I totally see what you are saying. Sometimes I feel when I am at a second-hand store it gives me a free pass to buy things that really aren’t suitable for my wardrobe, just because it’s high quality, and second-hand. I am not nearly as good at sticking by my “clothing wants list” when at second-hand stores. Do you find that is the case, too?
I think I get a little overwhelmed at big second hand stores so I generally stick to my list, but I am definitely more open-minded at stores like Crossroads. Sometimes it’s good to find something new and inspiring you didn’t think of, but I only buy off my list if it is really high quality. For example, the Steven Alan a-line denim skirt or the Emeson Fry caftan, neither were on my list but both items are beautifully made in the US, and I got them for pennies on the dollar. They were unexpected finds but both have been wardrobe-shaping for me.
That was extremely interesting to read, I hope I will be moving from a capsule wardrobe to a core wardrobe with little pieces too but I’m not there yet. I kinda feel guilt about it though. But your blog will probably help me on my minimalism journey :)
Don’t feel guilty! Take your time, learn, do your best and have fun! 😉
Ah, this is a very complex can of worms you’re opening! I’ve thought about it time and time again, but all will come in good time I suppose. Just a year ago I wouldn’t be able to imagine taking steps towards more ethical fashion, now thrift shops are the first place I look. So as a graduate of capsules I think what comes next and what already came in part, is polishing my personal style without falling into the shopping hole.
My biggest problem with Caroline’s rules, I found, was exactly the shopping window. It’s like when you’re on a diet but have a cheat day once a week. It’s so hard not to eat EVERYTHING and that’s why these diets fail. Same with capsule shopping.
I’m working on a strategy and I’ve been thinking about it for a while: keep restyling old pieces, keep purging (getting to the stage where I just don’t want to do this anymore!) and buying less, less and less. That’s the biggest challenge for me. I have to remind myself almost every day.
My goal is to be done with purging the sentimental things by the end of this year. Trouble is, what to do with the clothes I do like a lot but don’t wear that often?
xo Kat
So many great points Kat!
Could you give yourself some challenges to wear those items more? Like once per week or everyday for a week?
Yes, I love the way you put it: your challenge is to polish your style without falling in the “shopping hole.” You should write a blog post with your thoughts on a post-capsule life!
I definitely relate with you in terms of capsule wardrobes. I still use it in the sense that I re-wear and restyle the same items over and over again, but I keep all my stuff out because I like to know what all I have. Like you, I also tuck away the jackets and obvious seasonal items – but for the most part, I use all my clothes on a yearly basis. I find that capsules work best when your work and casual wardrobes are so different. I’ve started a business appropriate capsule to keep in check. Now, when I go to make purchases, I spend more on business appropriate items than fun time items because of general cost-per-wear.
One thing I didn’t agree with when I initially started capsules, is the fact that you kind of get consumed with having the perfect wardrobe that it ends up taking up a lot of brain space. So I’m happy to learn the same lessons and live normally :)
Yes! I’m going to write a whole post about that – getting consumed with having the perfect wardrobe. I TOTALLY fell into that. It sounds like I’m not alone. It takes up waaaayy too much brain space. I think it brings out the perfectionist in me. :/
This is all SO good, Andrea. That last paragraph is the number one struggle I have with capsule wardrobes, but I know if I quit capsuling now, I’ll still struggle with the shopping habit. I’ll definitely be referring back to this post when I’m ready to retire from the capsule wardrobe days. Excited to see your journey with this new closet perspective!
Thanks Stacy! Glad I’m not alone. Thanks for being a part of this continuing conversation, we’re all in this together!
Maybe keep capsuling, but relax on the shopping window and instead give yourself a maximum number of items you can add per season??
I’m excited for you to start this transition! I thought I was ready awhile back, but it wasn’t the right time. Instead I’m just focused on wearing what I own, and I’ll eventually cull it down to a more curated year-round wardrobe. I think it’s interesting how we have to go through this very controlled capsule period to get to a more open fluid wardrobe period. I’ve always been a rules-oriented person, but I’ve become so laid-back with my wardrobe as I’ve gone through years of capsules at this point. It’s so fascinating! Like capsules are college and then you graduate to the real world of an intentional wardrobe. And I totally agree with your point about shopping. I have the opportunity to shop for clothing once in a blue moon so having the freedom to purchase items at any point in the year is a necessity. Looking forward to hearing more about your new way of wardrobing! :)
Love hearing your input Lauren! Yes, it is funny how much we need the structure to make the changes we want. I suppose a lot of things can be that way. I am with you – I think the rules because I know what to expect. So this is slightly unnerving territory for me, but it also feels part natural. Excited to explore and share more! :)
I love this, and I have been in the same boat for a while. I think the invitation to shop only during a brief window actually turned me into more of a rabid consumer than I had ever been before. Now I am taking things slow, and like you, still using many of the lessons learned capsuling to inform my habits moving forward. It’s a nice change of pace! I’m excited to watch and read as you navigate this next chapter! xx
Ugh, hindsight’s 20/20, right? I totally feel you on the rabid consumer bit. Life lessons! Overall I am still a way better shopper than I used to be, I think. I definitely made better choices, and I am trying to be wayyy slower about them. Not always easy though. Thanks for reading friend! I love keeping up with you on IG and Snapchat. ;)
I’m at the point where I’m just replacing worn clothes, and adding a few items here and there (maybe three per season), and keeping my overall closet small. I don’t switch out clothes at all anymore. But I’m a million times more thoughtful about what I buy, which keeps it slower for me.
Love it girl! I am a big fan of the three per season “rule” and I love your choices lately!! So glad Everlane sent you another poplin shirt!
I have noticed the “trend” of capsules is waning now as more bloggers are starting to ease up on the rules and live with lean closets instead of the “the rules” of 33, 37 or what have you. Capsules are useful and educational, no doubt. While I kind of had one for the past few years, and I was slowly decluttering my closet at the time, I never really subscribed to the rules of a capsule. I didn’t store non-seasonal clothes away, everything wearable was visible in my closet. I shopped when I found something I wanted (and admitedly perhaps too much at times) without waiting for the transition point in seasons. I found that with the pressure to start a capsule, I would get an item that was immediately available and “good enough” instead of holding out for what I really wanted. More of my purchases have been ethical and sustainable items, or at least very good quality, durable items that will last. The only so-called capsules I have now are first, the clothes I fit now (about 45 items) and second, the clothes I am hoping to fit again (with my weight loss journey – about 55 items – different sizes). This does not include shoes which I am still going through (about 25 pairs total -winter and summer, daily, formal and gear). I have downsized to about 1/2 of my original closet items. While following capsule wardrobe bloggers, I did get a lot of inspiration but I guess I just didn’t have the headspace to think about my closet items so specifically as they did, and I just did things in a more casual fashion.
Great insights Rosee! I have fallen victim to the ‘good enough’ mentality in the past too. It feels good to recognize it and plan to do better. Best of luck with your weightloss journey. Thanks for reading and being a part of this community!
Amazing post, Andrea! I can totally relate, especially with the ultimately shopping more part while capsuling! For me the main goal when I started was to find that style that was totally me and to definitely reduse the clothes I own while opting for better quality, better defined style and less “sale” items that were sooo out of the whole concept… I had gotten to a point where I just couldn’t even see what I had on the piles of clothes hanging on one hanger and I would just grab something totally wrinkled and awful looking… So during the first couple of capsules I did learn a lot! Mainly how the clothes from Mango just aren’t ment to be worn on high rotation but also that it was way easier for me to care for a small number of clothes and look put together (I know, big surprise, huh!?). And I really loved the feeling that the whole air in my bedroom improved since purging (I don’t know if that makes sense).
I have been on a lean closer, trying to make the conversion to ethical clothes since the begging of the year and I have to say I am much more content this way! I do still have a set amount of hangers in my closet and I try to do one in-one out but that’s more of a wish than a rule.
I also decided to try and sew some of the things that are on my “wishlist” and am pretty happy with the results so far!
xo
Yana
Wow, I am so impressed that you are making some items! I have it in my head to make a top this summer, but we’ll see! I am excited but nervous to invest the time and find I don’t like it.
I know exactly what you mean about the air in your room being improved, and I hadn’t thought of it until this very second! What a great point. My room feels SO much tidier and relaxed with a lean, tidy closet. It is way less stressful! And no room should be stressful, right?
I am with you on the one-in, one-out rule. But it’s a goal for sure.
This really hits home for me, too–I’ve never actually been fully on-board with capsules, because I don’t want to put away clothes that I love and worked hard to find (even when they’re not seasonally appropriate, I love to look at them, and there’s no reason to get them all wrinkly when I have plenty of room in my little closet anyways!). I am always challenging myself to come up with styles and items that have the greatest ‘multi-season’ longevity, just like you said–living in Seattle, it is hard to put down much on sandals, since you only get to wear them for a few months every year!
Thanks for chiming in Ann. Since you live in a rainy climate too, what’s your footwear of choice in the winter? I feel like it’s such a struggle because it’s so wet all the time!
Love this post! Basically my thoughts after two capsules… I don’t have the same ability to stick with something for that long. But I learned the same lessons, and I’m so grateful for the capsule get experience. I think your brief mention of the burden of choice is such a huge point for the whole capsule idea- I still find myself, with a 45 piece wardrobe, slightly paralyzed at times by all the possibilities within those items.
As always, thank you for sharing your reflections. It’s so helpful to find others who can so eloquently explain what you seem to be feeling too.
Kate
Kateintheclassroom.com
Ah thanks much Kate for your kind comment. Yes, the burden of choice is a significant one! It’s one of the main reasons I slim down. I recently sold my two denim jackets and got one that could do the job of both. Now it’s so easy, I don’t have to think which one to wear, I just grab and go!
Ah thanks much Kate for your kind comment. Yes, the burden of choice is a significant one! It’s one of the main reasons I slim down. I recently sold my two denim jackets and got one that could do the job of both. Now it’s so easy, I don’t have to think which one to wear, I just grab and go!