This is amazing Angie. Thanks for this post.

Debbie

I like the organization of this method. I know you’ve seen a multitude of closets Angie and they can be quite a mess which makes it difficult to see through to what is actually hanging in there.

This post is so useful and gives much food for thought. How do you remember what you have in your closet for each capsule? Do you do a bit of closet organization by capsule? Keep a notebook or album?
I can see the genius of using this system especially when shopping special sales like Nordstroms and getting what one needs instead of duplicating. It would be wonderful to be prepared for any occasion.

This is a brilliant post and makes so much sense. I am missing out on piece for things I do all the time. Muchisimas gracias!

This is so useful! Thank you very much for posting it, I plan to print it and put it on my closet as a reference while sorting clothes. I tend to toss as I try on, and this will make it much easier!

Angie, this is a fantastic and very helpful post!!! Thanks again!

It makes it easier to think of all of our lifestyle needs by “capsulizing”.
I would suggest that the Mom on the Go capsule might be useful for those of us who are between jobs. Something slightly different from our Smart Casual and much different than our Business Formal.
For me, I am working on projects around the house and wearing “weekend wear” all the time lately.
Does that seem right to you?

A great, practical post, Angie! Related idea: Something that I learned from Kasmira’s “What I Wore Today” blog is the usefulness of having (and keeping in my purse) a “Wish List”. I keep a running list of holes in my wardrobe–items that would stretch what I currently own by giving me more outfit-making options. When I hit a great sale or thrift store, I whip out my list and actively seek items from my Wish List. Some items currently on it: black corduroy pants, green skinny belt, Pucci-print scarf in greens and blues, and bright-colored leather gloves (a la Michelle Obama). Even though it’s eighty-five degrees where I live right now, I’m on the lookout for holes in my winter capsules, Angie.

What a GREAT post! Excellent idea! That would be very helpful to all of us

I love the idea of organizing my closet like this. But i think it will be hard to do since most of my items are very versatile. For example: colorful longsleeves. i wear them while lounging as well as with a business suit or with jeans when playing with my kids. Where should I put that? Jackets and pants in neutrals: business, casual with jeans, great for city trips and events and the theater and so on…
till now I have divided my closet into business, casual and lounging, but even that doesn´t work all the time.
Great idea, but I´m a bit lost here.

This is really helpful. I have so many types/styles of blouses, skirts, pants etc. and when in a rush I cannot find a darn thing that seems to work even tho i have PLENTY!

Maybe i’ll have to capsulize my art table…drawing, inking, painting… ^__^

Another thought-provoking post. I like the division of clothes into the capsules you suggest. Up until now, I saw my closet as a combination of work clothes and play clothes, with many items going back and forth between the two categories. Certain capsules are kind of lean in my closet, with perhaps an outfit or two because it doesn’t make sense to have more. This will definitely make me look at my closet a little differently.

LisaP, I love the idea of the wish list. I will be making one today.

Wow, YLF is getting very serious all of a sudden! I LOVE IT, Angie. Feels like I have homework (that’s a good thing, I’m a consummate student). Ok, I suppose my capsules would be:

Casual. This is what I wear most days now that I’m not working, and consists of jeans, t’s and cardi’s, cute flats, that kind of thing.

Smart casual. This is more weekend wear for me, when my boyfriend is at home and we’re more likely to go out for dinner, go into London for shopping/a gig/an exhibit, see friends, etc. I tend to wear my nicer jeans, flats but sometimes heels, fancier tops, dresses, more accessories, etc.

Sport. Covering my running, yoga and weight-lifting gear.

Canada. Sounds funny but I have a completely separate “capsule” of clothing that I keep at my parents’ house in Ontario. I usually go home at Christmas and the weather is so different (ie cold) that it just makes sense for me to keep these clothes there. Also makes packing light easier!

What I need to work on is a formalwear casual, as I don’t have a single fancy dress to my name! When I was working in London I would get SO stressed out when the office Xmas party came along as I never had anything to wear. I’m going to my first wedding in years this October (SO excited… the first of my friends to get married!) so I have to get started on that.

I love the idea of “capsuling” my wardrobe, but I agree with Joy. How would you suggest organizing this information? Sometimes, it’s not a matter of filling the gaps in the wardrobe as it is *remembering* everything that you own – especially when you are on East-Coaster who’s always on the go,go,go

Great and really helpful post. I am learning that my needs are so much different than women my age due to an artistic lifestyle. Casual and smart casual always take the lead.I have no need for business clothes. I always have a problem with my “clothes that can get paint all over them capsule”. I go to many creative events which is a great way to have fun and really be expressive. I guess that would be my “Art Event” capsule.

I love the idea of capsules. I have a colorful wardrobe, and I know certain things go together, but I forget. So I have started to take digital photos of outfits, that I hope to print and put into a “wardrobe album.” When I wear an outfit that seems to work or people like, I take it off and put it on hangers. I put one hanger over the back of a door, loop the shoes from there, put the second hanger attached to the straight part of the first. The top hanger has blouse/cami/cardi/top and the second has pants or skirt. I’ll even loop over the necklace.
This is because I can never get anyone to photo me in my outfits when I want to, but that would be a great option. Or you could lay them out on the floor or bed.
The bottom line is I figured this would help me remember on the spur of the moment!

When I first read this, I was also wondering how to apply it– to my shopping strategy, to my closet to both. Now that I think about it, I realize I already do this. I just called it compartmentalizing my wardrobe. So mine are:
o smart casual for work
o casual weekend/mom clothes
o pool/beach
o small date night capsule
o sport/yoga – I need to work on this one
o maternity

I realize that it’s not that I go out and buy all clothes for one capsule usually or organize my closet by capsule. Instead, when I see an item of clothing I like I think– which “capsule” does this fit into and does that capsule need one of these? Alternatively, in looking through my closet I think of something that would really fill a hole in a capsule I have.

The difference right now is that at the beginning of the summer, I did go out a buy a pretty complete pool capsule in a short period of time. I am also focusing a lot on my maternity capsule at this point, of course, because I’m mostly starting from zero.

So interesting, because I was just thinking about similar categories before I saw your post!

My life is currently nothing but smart casual, smart casual, smart casual. My office has no dress code at all but I choose to aim on the smarter side. Friends are not dressy and don’t socialize at dressy places. Church is no longer dressy these days. What’s a girl to do?? Frankly, it’s a little boring.

I’m finding that I want to create capsules more for my own interest than out of need…..

Lasses with their thinking caps on. I love it. Ele and Patience, you are stars!

Chris, I’m digging that word: “capsulizing”.

Phoebe and Danja, I wholeheartedly believe in a SMALL, EFFICIENT and VERSATILE wardrobe. You are already ahead of the game by having pieces that form part of MANY capsules (that was going to a blog topic on its own). You do not need to physically organize your closet so that the capsule items hang together. (My closet is organized by category and colour and that works best for me). You know your wardrobe work horses best, so slot them in accordingly. But this might raise the question of necessary duplication to avoid bottle necks (for example, I have multiple black turtle necks, white shirts, ballet flats and pearl necklaces because they are personalized WARDROBE BASICS that form the back bone of many of my capsules and I do not fancy laundry bottlenecks).

As far as remembering everything that you have – this is easy to do if your wardrobe is SMALL and in one place. It’s VERY important to organize your closet so that you can see as much as possible in one go. Out of sight, out of mind. Ideally, if you can keep your seasons together that would be best. But I’ve seen every possible dysfunctional wardrobe space known to man and understand that’s not always possible. Try and figure out the best that you can.

I do not catalogue anything. Everything is there every morning ripe for the picking. I also understand that it’s hard to remember what you have all the time. But practice makes perfect. Keeping a notebook or album is something that my clients do from time to time and it can be a good system. Once you are in the swing of mixing and matching your wardrobe to its fullest extent, remembering your capsules and the items that are in them becomes simple.

Great point, LisaP. Keeping a running list of what you constantly need is a fab idea.

Phoebe, your rudimentary wardrobe capsules are super. Try to break it down further and we’ll chat again.

Angie, this is a perfect tool for me now – thank you!
For right now, my capsules should be:

- smart casual – daytime wear, versatile pieces that can “float” to other capsules
- business wear/interview capsule – work-to-evening pieces, plus combined with smart casual items to be dressed down for a less-strict dress code
- yoga/sport capsule – I really need this to be seperate from loungewear!
- loungewear – for days at home
- formalwear – small but can also work with nights out if I wear seperates
- outdoor wear- I climb, mountaineer, canyoneer, hike, and camp. I’ve got this capsule covered, and keep it in a seperate closet so I’m not tempted to bring any of my gear out for daily wear. I grew up in CO, and similar to the NW, fleece jackets, jeans and hiking boots are considered cool casual wear for every day. I’m done with that!
- getting around – NW weather rewquires that I pay more attention to my footwear. I have a jacket or coat for each season, so I should be okay there.

Overall, I’m seeing holes in my smart casual capsule, and accessories and shoes all around. This is a great tool to use to sort a wardrobe, thank you Angie!

….I have a rather large wardrobe, but I do have every piece in my head, and do seperate into capsule* groupings* …this is VERY helpful Angie…

I’m extremely easy to figure out. I don’t have kids, no religious code, no events, no vacations or travel, and almost no sporting. So those aren’t even a concern for me. Though I would love to add vacations and travel to my list of “concerns,” but it won’t happen for a long time I prefer to get my exercise from my regular activities, which is not possible while I live in NJ, so I do have some yoga gear but once I’m back in a more urban area, I’ll probably need to take into account that my clothes need to accommodate a very active lifestyle (my lifestyle right now couldn’t be less active and I hate it).

Work, getting around, and social life can basically all be combined…though recently, I am trying to distinguish work from social life so I don’t get treated like an intern again. Mid-Atlantic weather dictates that I do not have a dominant season and I need an equal balance of everything from boots and a puffer to breezy dresses and sandals.

Great topic!

I keep this in mind everytime I’m shopping. Any suit that fits in my formal business wear capsule becomes even more valuable if I can wear the jacket and pants separately as part of my casual wardrobe.

Any casualwear camis or sweaters or tees that can also be combined with suits are better than ones that are solely for casual use.

My sleepwear/at home casual is stocked for quite some time, since I went on a sleepwear binge about 3 years ago and I prefer to wear my sleepwear until it literally falls apart. This is also my usual at home wear, since being at home often includes curling up with my multiple cats and getting cat hair on whatever I’m wearing.

I was just thinking a few weeks ago that my dancewear (fitness capsule) needs some thought. I have a few leotard and tights, but usually just combine them with worn out casual tops. I would like to put a bit more thought into my dancewear, and be a bit more put together for class. This is something that I could actually use a bit of help with. Dance catalogs usually feature a more classic asthetic, and I don’t know of any “streetwear” blogs for dancers. So I don’t have a lot of places to look for inspiration. Yet, I occassionally see dancers in class who are dressed in ways that I like.

Angie,

Ever since YLF, that is exactly how my mind automatically got trained into thinking. Earlier I would try to look for clothes that would work for my FL casual workplace and my social life. And I would always have “nothing” to wear because everything was already worn out from being too multi-functional. Now, I have capsules in my head that I seek to fill when I go shopping: smart casual evening wear, workplace, accessories, active outing wear, workout gear. Like someone said above, when I contemplate a purchase, I try to figure if it fits in any one capsule. If not, then I’m probably better off without it. Unless of course I just have to, have to, have it Thank you!

I was here earlier but had to delete before I could finish my reply. Poo! I love this post, because I have been doing something pretty much like this for rebuilding my wardrobe, but I haven’t thought about it quite like this. But it will make “filling in the gaps” so much easier now!

I have:
Work — business casual with a smattering of suits. This is the one that needs the most, but I may be all set for summer. It will be my focus at NAS – I have literally ZERO clothes for the fall/winter, which is long and cold here in Chicago.

Casual summer — This was so much fun to rebuild, with lots of new tees/tops in all kinds of shapes and color, sundresses, shorts, etc. I still need a couple of pairs of jeans, but those will be premium and my reward for reaching my weight goal.

Casual Winter — I got nothing. *g* Not even boots! NAS, NAS, NAS…

Vacation/Pool — Never thought I needed this, but it came in handy for my Arizona trip, and now that I’ve taken up swimming at home, I just invested in coverups, suits, and a tote. I will also be doing hiking this summer so am on the hunt for a new pair of hiking boots — this time with vents.

Exercise — Covered for yoga and swimming. Am considering starting to run again, so I need new running shoes and probably some shorts/tees.

Sleepwear/Lounging — Complete. Probably will add some hoodies for winter.

Outerwear — this needs MAJOR help. Just got a couple of jean jackets to get me through the warmer weather, but I will need winter coats, trenches, etc. I do have galoshes and umbrellas!

Social/Event — I have two pretty dressy dresses (black, unfortunately), but I need a bright colored clutch. I like to play within my other capsules (work and casual) for date nights. I would like one terrific Event outfit, but without an upcoming Event to wear it, it’s hard to justify — especially when I need so much else!

Travel — just finished this off for my last trip. A pashima is probably the only missing piece.

I’ve considered setting up my closet between work and casual, but I intermingle the two capsules so much — the tops especially — it doesn’t seem practical.

I think I need to cut and paste this whole reply to my blog; this is my new shopping list!

Thank you for this post Angie. I know that you said that you don’t arrange your closet this way, but I just rearranged my closet using this as a guideline because I have a hard time visualizing or imagining things until I can see it right in front of me.

I don’t know if I’ll keep the organization this way, but it was eye opening. In my mind, my work wardrobe is pretty solid. I feel like I have something to wear every day that I have to go teach, and I feel good in the outfits. I don’t necessarily feel like they fully express my personality, but I like them, and they convey the impression that I want.

In my mind, my casual wardrobe needs the most work because it’s weekdays that I’m not teaching or weekends that I feel I have nothing to wear. What was interesting is that when I rearranged my closet, I discovered that I have far more “casual” clothes than I do work clothes. The thing is that when I look at the pieces individually, they all work. But somehow I don’t find myself ever wanting to wear them. I’m going to Chicago this weekend *hurray!* and will be doing some shopping so before I go I want to figure out why this is the case so that I can fill in the holes in my casual wardrobe.

Duh, I just realized I never actually answered your question(s). Here goes:

Weather resistant – Since it varying degrees of summer heat here all year round, even during hurricane season, I usually get by with making sure I have an umbrella in the house, car and at work. Just because I love to layer for winter, I have a few warm weather items I put into rotation in winter. Still can’t do coats or trenches though.

Social Life – Smart Casual for dinners, holiday parties at friends’ houses, drinks with friends, date night etc. I am sorely lacking in this capsule. We also have been going out a lot more often than before thanks to an expanded circle of friends so this is a minor priority. Casual for grocery shopping, running errands etc.

I have to add an additional capsule for social events with a dominantly Indian crowd – Indian clothes namely sarees (more so now that I am a “married woman”) , salwaar kameez (tunic and pant like bottoms with huge scarves) etc.
This could overlap with the religious capsule once in a while.

Vacations – I’ve never really had a vacation capsule until now. I’m stocking up on easy to carry, easy to manage versatile clothing, comfortable yet stylish shoes and versatile accessories. I have yet to go on vacation where I needed to meet any special needs, but will work on it when the need arises.

I need to work on my beach capsule though, just because I live so close to the beaches and it is such an anytime thing.

Worklife – Anything goes at my workplace (plus I work in IT) but I’m working on adding versatile items to this capsule; basically smart casual. Again, I will consider investing in a suit or such more formal pieces should the need arise.

Travel – Traveling to India takes almost 28-32 hours. This has forced me to build a semi capsule. I just need to add a few more items that are more stylish and have some flair.

Religion and tradition – Between my mom and MIL this capsule is overflowing

Sporting – I do have a decent capsule of workout gear. I would LIKE to get some cute workout tops though.

Lounging & Sleepwear – These are the most understocked capsules and need some TLC asap

Events – I have one lone dress in this capsule, that I bought for last year’s office holiday party. And it doesn’t even meet the most basic YLF ground rules

I need to print this out and keep in my wallet

I find this post so helpful. I can have a really hard time figuring out what I need for a whole outfit. For instance, I’ll think I have a “nice date outfit” but realize at the last minute I haven’t figured out accessories. I am starting from scratch so it’ll take a while to get all the categories covered, but this capsule idea makes it really clear where I need to focus my shopping.

What else can I say other than this post rocks!?!?

I didn’t answer the questions either since I am retired and my life does not have all of the different segments to put into capsules. Does that make sense Angie? When a person gets older and isn’t working, the kids are grown, everything is pretty even keel, not much to “capsulize”. So if we back up a little bit, is this idea more for people who have more busy and segmented lives? I suppose on a small scale I have,
lounge wear (large part of my life)
workout wear
camping, yard work, painting clothes
outer wear
casual daily wear (smarter than lounge wear)
minimal party wear
changes for the seasons
Actually, in writing this out I can see that even a retired person can use this method to clarify. I like anything that makes life more orderly.

And add in a capsule for accessories.
I think I am starting to like this alot. My accessory capsule is very empty.

Angie, this is great! I need to save this one and the wardrobe basics post and start thinking. I do have a question for you…when you mention a capsule for amusement parks, zoo outings, playgrounds, etc., what types of items go into those capsules? I think that’s my gap as even though everything I own is washable, I find myself not wanting to wear most of my wardrobe pieces on these types of trips so I resort to gear (especially during the summer heat). I can start a thread on the forum if that’s easier! Thanks!! Btw…I’m really enjoying the posts lately. You’re so amazing, it’s wonderful!!

I have work down (though I get bored with it because its 5 days a week) and am better at my daytime weekend than I was a year ago. I have scads of formal clothing and few formal events (from a time when I had at least three black tie holiday events a year.)

But what I really need to work on is my going-to-a-bar-to-hear-my-husband’s-band capsule. I have NO IDEA what to wear that is both age and shape approrpriate for me (age 44, size 14/16 & tall) when most of the other wives/girlfriends are in their twenties and outiftted in the standard skinny jeans/fancy top getup.

I didn’t answer your questions either. Like San, I am retired but it’s more like working part time because I volunteer teach or other volunteer work most days.
Smart casual carries me through the day and for casual dinners, movies, etc. I’ve got that down except to get bored with my “uniform” of tank-type cami under a button-down shirt or SweetPea top.
I rarely wear lounge or sleep clothing except when sick. Even then I will probably get dressed in workout clothes. There’s no beach/swimming capsule and I should make one just in case.
I really need to work on the special event and formal wear capsules. This is where I don’t have that many events, but need some things that will span seasons, look special and that I feel fab and confident wearing. This is the area where I’d like to find something in a luxurious fabric, perfect fit, and styled simply enough to change the look with accessories so it can be worn multiple time with basically the same group of people. Timeless, sophisticated, and flattering to my body. I include a suit that can be dressed up. If I’m invited to a wedding this summer, I’ll panic. In fact I’m stymied today as to what to wear tomorrow night for dinner with a group at a fancy restaurant. A dress I loved last year now feels frumpy to me but will have to do.

What an awesome post. Many of these capsules apply to my life, and it’s a great tool for identifying gaps (for me, I could do better on lounge wear, sleepwear, and events.)
I’d like to propose one additional category, and that is the really grungy clothes for camping or doing home projects and cleaning. I have a separate box for clothes that only come out for camping trips. No style factor, just old clothes that I don’t mind getting dirty, ripped, whatever happens out in the woods…

I like having clothes that cross over many boundaries and are versatile enough to work for many aspects of my life.

I also have a ‘hair dye’ outfit and ‘painting and gardening’ capsules – they live under the laundry sink, but they exist!

Halleluiah, LE! I’m glad you’re done with fleece jackets, jeans and hiking boots as a casual wear option.

Chris I forgot to answer you the first time round. Yes. casual wear while you’re in-between jobs is good.

Kirsten and Niva, your capsule lists ROCK. We can learn from you.

San and Joy, you make perfect sense and are well on your way to determining your wardrobe capsules effectively. Some lifestyles require fewer capsules. My 77 year old Papa requires a smart casual capsule, a weather resistant capsule, and a very small business casual capsule and that’s it.

Dani, I often help clients “demote” wardrobe items. For example, knitted tops, walk shorts, jeans, jackets and sweaters that aren’t as nice any more but will do for activities like farm outings and rummaging around in pumpkin patches. And once these clothes and shoes are on their last legs, they can be demoted even further to capsules for yard work, camping, house projects or hair dying if you’re Imogen .

Nice capsule addition, Antje.

These type of posts are some of my favorite things to read on your blog. I hate to shop and never think about clothing for places other than work – then something hits and I wind up shopping in desperation. I hope you stay on this theme for a while and kick me into shape!!

My office is now less than 2 miles from my house and I’d like to find something cute to wear on a bicycle. I want to bike to work but I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself. I’m 54 and overweight which makes it even harder to find something appropriate. But if I’d just do it, it would help me tone up and look better.

Thanks for starting this conversation – please keep it going!!

This is really helpful! I need a lot of black for my work wardrobe, since the dresscode requires all black attire.

I don’t do much socializing other than hanging with family. So I would need that.

We go out to restaurants and clubs every once in a while so I guess I would also add that.

It is super hot here in Houston, but most of my travel is by car…thank goodness! Then it is super cold inside, so I need to bring a light cardigan.

We do travel once or twice a year so I also need that capsule.

Thanks Angie!

This post contains more helpful information than many “style and wardrobe” books I have read over the years. I’m so glad I discovered YLF!

What an informative post … so helpful in organizing my wardrobe (and thoughts about what I need).

This is a great idea for closet organization! I’ve already weeded out all the clothes and shoes that were worn out, don’t fit or are unflattering, which helped a LOT, but I still spend quite a bit of time rummaging around trying to find things when I dress. I think I’ll make this my project for the weekend.

Hey Gina –

My dancewear capsule is huge (I teach ballet, jazz and zumba). I don’t wear leotards or ballet tights because I did that for years and now I don’t have to! I always wear racerback sports bras and racerback singlets no matter what. Outside the summer months I layer short-sleeved and long-sleeved tops over my singlets. For ballet and jazz I wear below-knee running tights in black or navy cotton lycra, and add legwarmers in winter. For zumba I wear looser trackpants (I’m from New Zealand, I don’t know if I’m using words you’d understand . . . !) When I’m walking to and from ballet I have some cute sparkly miniskirts I wear over my tights to cover my derriere.

This is quite a comprehensive post! I live by wardrobe capsules. The top questions I ask while shopping reflect this approach to dressing, too, ie. where would I wear this? and how will this work with or enhance what I currently own. Excellent advice as always

[...] good place to start is Angie’s post on YouLookFab about wardrobe capsules. I liked having a plan to help me figure out what types of items I needed the [...]

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