https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 23:36:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182742 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:22:40 +0000 chewyspaghetti 182742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well when you put it that way Kristen- I do separate the capsules! I have a drawer for loungewear and a drawer for workout wear, and those thigns are not worn as clothes. The rest of my wardrobe is really just all casual. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182737 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:17:00 +0000 Kristen 182737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My capsules are pretty distinct so they often have their own drawers/areas (jeans and shorts in one drawer, athletic shoes separate from regular shoes, etc). What I did find to be a godsend was to separate out my tops: my workout and pajama ones are not in the same drawers as my casual or dressier work tops. </p> <p>I think, actually, that this is the impetus for people to start looking at their clothes as part of capsules, particularly I think for SAHMs or people who don't have distinct delineations between parts of their lives. It's really easy when you are home (oh, I have been there!) to just throw on whatever the first shirt you grab in the drawer. But if you literally separate out your smart casual clothes from your housecleaning and your workout stuff, suddenly you start raising your game without any real effort! </p> <p>Same goes for students as well; I remember in college I would just put on whatever was clean and in front of me. But once I start separating out my pajamas from my regular clothes, I wore them much less often to the library. ;-D </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182713 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:35:57 +0000 Ariadne 182713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I think these would be my capsules:</p> <p>MOTG (casual) - playground, at home, etc.</p> <p>MOTG (smart casual) - shopping downtown, coffee, etc.</p> <p>Church - also smart casual but I can go a bit dressier/less practical here since it's a short block of time</p> <p>Dates and evening outings</p> <p>Camping</p> <p>Loungewear</p> <p>Exercise </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182704 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:01:23 +0000 chelle 182704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I organize item by item as well, but then forget what I have for, say, casual wear! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182697 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:49:34 +0000 chewyspaghetti 182697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have capsules together in my closet, I organize by item and color (all the dresses together in rainbow color order, all the short sleeve tops together in color order, etc.). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182661 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:08:35 +0000 chelle 182661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just wondering...those of you who have your capsules sorted out, do you keep a certain number of items in each capsule? If there is a lot of sharing of items between capsules, how do you organize them in the closet? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182585 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:27:01 +0000 Lisa 182585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been a very interesting thread. If I think of my wardrobe as capsules, I only have 3. Work, weekend and working out. This must be why when I go out I am always scrambling to put together an outfit. And my wardrobe is very heavily weighted to work clothing as the most items. I have been trying to find more dual purpose items for both work and weekend to cut down on the wardrobe size a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182519 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:59:54 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 182519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Although my wardrobe development is still in the nascent stages, I have a couple of casules established, or at least, planned:</p> <p>Workout gear - one trip to Lucy, and I picked up coordinating tops and bottoms for a great mix and match gym outfits</p> <p>Church - Skirts and dresses, ballet flats or nice heeled sandals</p> <p>Every day (summer) - walking shorts, a nice (ATL or J Jill) tee and well thought out accessories (bangles, statement necklaces), ballet flats or flat leather sandals (sometimes water shoes!)</p> <p>The biggest gap in all the wardrobes is the jacket or sweater layer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182518 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:43:55 +0000 stringy 182518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I glossed over the idea of capsules in that thread before, but yeah, I think that they'd work very well for me. But everyone is different! I reckon the less-minimalist people wouldn't really need them as such.</p> <p>My going-out clothes are just inappropriate for work, and vice versa. But by trying to make my clothes go everywhere, I was ending up with weird gaps in my wardrobe and too many orphans that are beautiful but not suited to my lifestyle. </p> <p>When I keep focused on what the dress or top is for, and where I think I'm going to wear it, I end up with better stuff that actually matches what I already own. </p> <p>The more I think about it, the more I think it's just about putting the places I go into groups based on what I'd wear there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182494 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:44:05 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 182494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I probably should capsulise more as it would make better use of my small wardrobe space. The problem that I have is that my work wardrobe is smart casual / business casual and a lot of those same items overlap into weekend wear.</p> <p>My list of capsuals would be:</p> <p>Work day<br /> Work evening functions - I am a fundraiser and I need evening attaire<br /> Weekend casual<br /> Weekend going out (covering events like the opera, theatre, restaurants and bars)<br /> Active wear</p> <p>At the moment I really only feel satisfied with my work evening and weekend casual parts of my wardrobe. My work day wear still feels like it is all over the place and I need a few key items like jackets to pull it together.</p> <p>Maya - I like your strategy for shoe shopping. I do not enjoy shopping for jackets and trousers so I think narrowing down what I really need in those areas and focusing on them for the rest of the year may be a good strategy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182463 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:07:21 +0000 Megan 182463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I capsule in a similar way to Kristen and Taylor</p> <p>- Work- teaching days<br /> - Work- lab days<br /> - Work- office days<br /> - Weekend casual<br /> - Weekend going out </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182380 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:54:33 +0000 taylor 182380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I capsule exactly like Kristen:<br /> Work - Salon<br /> Work - Ann Taylor<br /> Day's off<br /> Vacation</p> <p>They are all a part of my general wardrobe, but I wear different clothes for each. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182367 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:59:13 +0000 Maya 182367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I do this intuitively to some extent. I realized recently that my struggle to find closed, sockless shoes needn't be a struggle at all. For the bulk of the year, I can wear boots, oxfords, and sandals.</p> <p>I'm probably going to donate all of my ballet flats (which I can't wear anymore due to nasty foot cramps) and start bulking up my boot collection, which unfortunately is going to be an expensive endeavor. I wholeheartedly believe it would be worth it though. I absolutely adore boots. I just bought the Clarks Indigo Lyon sandals on sale and I think that will be enough for me. I wear sandals all summer but they are not my favorite type of footwear, so I don't feel compelled to own a lot.</p> <p>So my goal will be:</p> <p>-7 pairs of boots/booties: flat waterproof, heeled booties, slouch boots, heeled dress boots, equestrian style OTK boots, mid calf boots, lace up ankle boots. So far I have 4 out of 7. I'll need to look for OTK boots, lace up ankle boots, and most importantly flat waterproof boots as my go-to pair. I would definitely be willing to invest in those and can't wait to see La Canadienne's fall range.</p> <p>-5 pairs of sandals. Check.</p> <p>-One pair of oxfords. Check, though I'd like to replace them with a sturdier pair but it can wait until my current ones expire.</p> <p>-Two pairs of elasticized ballet flats, one that's fun and one that is more basic. I can only wear the styles with the elasticized topline. All other styles cause my toes to scrunch and I end up with horrible cramps at the end of the day.</p> <p>-3 pairs of pumps (only because I already own them).</p> <p>If I can get my shoe wardrobe to that point, I would feel it is "complete." There are some things I enjoy shopping for like dresses and accessories, but I have never really loved shoe shopping. I would love to get my shoe wardrobe to a point where I don't have to think about it anymore, just like I did with my denim wardrobe. That is my goal for the next year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182350 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:03:02 +0000 Kate 182350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To add to chewyspaghetti's description (which is great!), in a capsule wardrobe all of the items are highly versatile because almost all of them work with each other. This runs counter to Angie's post about being ok with only using an item in one or two different outfits: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2010/07/08/the-pressure-of-wardrobe-item-versatility/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2010/07/.....rsatility/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182348 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:53:29 +0000 chewyspaghetti 182348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A capsule (to my understanding) is a group of mix and matchable items, Medusa. That is how it differs from items for specific things.<br /> So, you probably want to pick a color palette, or at least a dominant neutral or two and maybe even a couple of accent colors. Think about it in terms of packing for a trip. You only have so many items that you can bring with you, and you want to be able to wear each things with as many other things as possible. You will consider color, style, and line when trying to make sure they work together.<br /> Does that make sense? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182324 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:16:18 +0000 medusa 182324@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Khris, I'm glad thinking about capsules is helpful for you. I had a similar comment to Maya's - I don't really get the whole capsule wardrobe thing. At least, I wonder, how is "a capsule" different from "clothes that serve a similar purpose"? Sure, I have clothes for working out, wearing to work, wearing to dressy occasions, but does that make them "capsules"? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182323 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:13:17 +0000 crwilson 182323@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the idea of capsules, for the same reason that I love the idea of formulas - it makes life easier when you're getting dressed. I haven't done it yet because I can't seem to organize myself well enough, but I'm getting closer. To address Maya's point: I do have pretty distinct areas that I dress for, and they don't tend to overlap that much, so maybe that's also why I like capsules.</p> <p>Kate - thank you for passing on those links. I found the visuals really helpful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182321 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:12:04 +0000 Kristen 182321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do think of my wardrobe as capsules, which makes it a lot easier to see gaps, and also to see the difference between uses for particular items of clothing, especially tops in the summer. When I am sorting through clothes, I ask myself if this is appropriate for:</p> <p>-work<br /> -casual<br /> -workout<br /> -vacation (which is usually exercise-based, hiking and walking etc)</p> <p>If none of the above, then I don't need it. If yes, then I see if there is anything I already own in that capsule that it will go with. If no, then I try really hard not to buy it. Not always successful, but thinking about it in capsule sections does help me focus. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182309 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:43:30 +0000 chewyspaghetti 182309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya- I think the point of a capsule wardrobe is that you have a set of clothing for a specific aspect or season that all works together so that you can make multiple outfits, and then you mix in other pieces and can mix those pieces with your other capsules (not that all of the capsule wardrobe pieces work only for that one area, although some pieces might- ie a bathing suit).<br /> At least, that is my understanding. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182306 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:33:38 +0000 Maya 182306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Frankly I find wardrobe capsuling very confusing and headache inducing. If your lifestyle involves several very distinct, non-overlapping capsules, maybe it's useful. I'm not sure. I haven't really adopted it myself. I don't need a different set of clothes for everything I do. If an item of clothing can only work for one aspect of my life, it doesn't find a place in my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182241 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:56:23 +0000 Carole 182241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>great way to filter this down, cheweyspagetti! Maybe that's what I need to do as well. thanks for figuring that out for us! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182238 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:53:29 +0000 Kate 182238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try to, but I think my wardrobe is much too big to count as a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is what I aim for when packing for a trip.</p> <p>There is a great website (it's actually for a business, but you can learn a lot from the website without paying) that explains capsule wardrobes at their tightest. The capsule seasons are based on color analysis, not on the season of the year, but it's easy to imagine how these capsules could change to take us though the seasons of the year.</p> <p>explanation here: <a href="http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page2.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page2.htm</a></p> <p>winter visual: <a href="http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page15.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page15.htm</a><br /> spring visual: <a href="http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page18.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page18.htm</a><br /> summer visual: <a href="http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page16.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page16.htm</a><br /> fall visual: <a href="http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page17.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.mycapsulewardrobe.com/page17.htm</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsulizing-your-wardrobe#post-182230 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:30:15 +0000 chewyspaghetti 182230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On her thread about her ideal wardrobe and how to get there, Stringy mentioned that her ideal wardrobe would consist of wardrobe capsules. This thought had never occurred to me, but it got me thinking. Since my lifestyle is all casual, my capsules would just be by season, but writing it down helped me see so much more clearly what my ideal wardrobe would look like:</p> <p>Summer- sleeveless dresses, strappy sandals, shorts, and sleeveless tops</p> <p>Spring/Fall- jeans, crops, clamdiggers, micro check pants, sleeved tops/tunics/dresses, lightweight knitwear, lightweight jackets, leggings and jeggings, shoes and booties</p> <p>Winter- ponte knit pants, warm tunics, boots, coats, layering pieces</p> <p>I found this very interesting and helpful. I can see that for extreme weather I really gravitate to a certain uniform- it makes sense to find as many versions of it as I can. I also found it interesting that while summer is my dominant season, since I can interchange fall and spring- that is where the bulk of my wardrobe should lie.</p> <p>Do you create capsules in your wardrobe? </p>