YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:58:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387909 Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:16:29 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1387909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've never gotten traction with writing this stuff down in a notebook or having a spreadsheet. Every time I do laundry, or whenever I don't know what to wear, I spend a few minutes pulling out items I want to wear, haven't worn for a while, whatever, and then making outfits for them. Then I'll hang them in one section of the closet so I remember what I came up with. The only clothes I organize in functional capsules in my closet are my dressy capsule - and sometimes I think I'd wear the individual pieces more with other stuff if I didn't do that, and hung them with their own types of garments, like I do everything else. I guess I kinda have a gear capsule that's organized in its own drawer in my dresser, if that counts. Staysfit on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387904 Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:05:43 +0000 Staysfit 1387904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am figuring out the capsule business. I think in terms of silhouettes more than capsules. "what goes with the straight leg jeans", " what goes with the pencil skirt". And then by color. If I did it by capsule, I think I would be dividing by casual work, dressier work, at home on weekend, going out with friends, work out gear, etc. the two approaches seem very different to me, and I'm a bit confused about which ends up being most helpful in the end? It's a form vs. function question. rachylou on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387884 Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:30:38 +0000 rachylou 1387884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I definitely have my closet all sorted out by capsule. frannieb on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387562 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 22:58:32 +0000 frannieb 1387562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I tried a spreadsheet and it didn't work - I have a notebook and I make capsule lists in my notebook it works for me. I guess like excel spreadsheets but I'm more a list making on paper type of gal. I have a very very  small closet (in my stupid large bedroom) that I share with my husband so my clothes are between two closets. I'm slowing getting it all figured out. Getting some good ideas from this post. Sal on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387539 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 22:28:03 +0000 Sal 1387539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hang my clothes by type and then by colour.  I have coats (in season), dresses and skirts on one rack, tops and shorter jackets on another, and shorts, pants and jeans on the last.  For dresses I have the day/casual ones at the front and the evening ones towards the back.  I tend to try and put the tops in colour, but as I don't have a large amount of clothes I also don't have that many that duplicate. I did start photographing all my clothes but came to the conclusion it was too serious for me.   Angie on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387502 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:11:35 +0000 Angie 1387502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ High five, IK. I don't use spreadsheets either - apart from my wardrobe budget - which HAS to be on a spreadsheet so that I know exactly how much I've spent each month.  ironkurtin on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387499 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 21:08:34 +0000 ironkurtin 1387499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm surprised by how many people use spreadsheets. I'm a Virgo and love organizing, but I don't know how I'd use a spreadsheet with my clothes. Mine are hung by type and then by color.  Right now the long-tunics-for-over-workout-pants are all with the workout pants, but they're still sorted by color. Carla on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387307 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 14:56:03 +0000 Carla 1387307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The new house has a walk in closet, so now more space! Clothes are hung by colour with neutrals followed by 'colours' kind of like Joy and Shiny. (I'm a 'Vivienne Files' fan too.). Since I have to get up very early for work, I take a little time to pull a mini capsule for the work week from my clothes and hang them at the end of the rod (I have lots of room). Then I make up 5 outfits from this mini capsule. Kind of a 1week version of what Susie does. Everything goes with everything, for the most part, kind of like Deb's closet! Angie makes an interesting point about different capsules for different activities. I haven't mastered this yet. Other than 2 drawers full of sports/workout gear that I do not let cross over into regular wear, most of my clothes can do double duty. Work is biz/casual and non work is dressy casual. Gardening and house chores is jeans and T. Susie on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387303 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 14:44:27 +0000 Susie 1387303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was thinking about this the other day, not so much for capsules, but for proportions- just as you said, that tunic length tops go with leggings or slim leg pants. So I added it to my spreadsheet; something else to play with :) At this point it is just lists of each silhouette- leggings, slim leg pants, slouchy pants, hi low tops, tunic length, etc. In practice, I am still working with my outfit project in which I select a number of pieces that I want to wear over the next 2-4 weeks. Then I choose a top or bottom to go with those pieces and those are the outfits i wear. I do have one section of my closet where I hang all of those together. The rest of my closet stays organized by category, by color. I'm not as focused on mix and match, if I have a favorite way of wearing something, I will repeat it that same way. The best benefit to me is having ready made outfits ready to go each morning. And if I put something on and don't love it together, the rest of my wardrobe is right there to swap with. E on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387295 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 14:24:26 +0000 E 1387295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mine are just in my head. I arrange my clothes by type, then colour, and I don't keep any photo or spreadsheet reference stuff. Even though I have a large closet it's rare for me to forget specific clothing items, so my mental inventory approach works for me. Anonymous on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387293 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 14:19:36 +0000 Anonymous 1387293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I use Pages to pull together various capsules.  Each page includes different wardrobe items combined with pictures of outfits that worked especially well.  It is a quick reference guide and works really well for me.   Isabel on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387180 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:17:27 +0000 Isabel 1387180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My everyday capsule is down to about 31 items at this point.  Excluding basics.  After reading everyone's responses, I realized that mine is organized by type of item too.  The sweaters are all together, the pants, the long sleeve t shirts, etc. My small "fancy " capsule is in a separate small, cedar closet.  My "activity" capsule is on a different shelf.  And so on.  I no longer keep non-seasonal items. The taunt me to much because of magazines that tell you that you CAN use that sheer summer dress in the snow. You CAN...I was a failure because I couldn't.   Oh well.   :  )  Caro in Oz on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387130 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 01:41:47 +0000 Caro in Oz 1387130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In my wardrobe, I have my clothes organised by colour first then style; this works for me because I have mainly neutrals. I keep my capsules in my Stylebook app because many of my clothes/accessories span more than one capsule. I have capsules that I know work & I also have "pending" capsules of outfits I want to try - usually things I've bought for the coming season but haven't road-tested yet. Anonymous on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387125 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 01:34:40 +0000 Anonymous 1387125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I  do what Joy does. Since my wardrobe isn't that large, I haven't felt the need to use spreadsheets or whatever. Ideas start in my head, and then I try on the clothes to make sure my ideas work, lol. I've gotten better at figuring out what will go with what, so it's not a big deal. When I buy new things, I try to make sure they go with what I already have so as to avoid closet orphans and make the most of my wardrobe. This year I'm having to spend the bulk of my clothing budget on basics. That's not too thrilling, to be honest, but I'm trying to buy interesting basics so my wardrobe won't be boring. Angie on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387036 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 23:01:34 +0000 Angie 1387036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yes. Like Joy, my items are hung PER ITEM, PER COLOUR. I find it easiest to create outfits from that strategy and my closet looks nice too.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387024 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 22:44:50 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1387024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do the same as Joy. Windchime on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387023 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 22:44:31 +0000 Windchime 1387023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I spend a couple hours each new season laying outfits out on the bed. Then I write lists on my Nook of tops, bottoms, toppers, etc. which will be in the new season's capsules. I remove everything from my closet that's not going to be worn that season. I am fortunate to have an unused closet in this house where I can store off-season clothes. deb on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387013 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 22:27:44 +0000 deb 1387013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I look at my closet as one big capsule. I have a hard time breaking it apart because more often than not, all of my tops can be worn with all of my bottoms. And since I am unable to wear a heel higher than 1 1/2 inches, my shoes work with everything also. I am really bad about changing when I get home from work. I go out into the garden to relax and the next thing I know, I am digging up a plant in the skirt I wore to work. I cannot even seem to keep a garden capsule so I gave up on capsules.   Style Fan on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387009 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 22:22:56 +0000 Style Fan 1387009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have just recently found out about the term capsules so I am working on organizing my clothes this way.  I am also using Vivienne Files to create capsules.  I find this very helpful. I am also getting my closet renovated (Yeah!) so I can hang and sort my clothes properly.  I am very excited.   DH thinks I am nuts. I plan outfits in my head, try them on and look in mirror.  I might make changes.  I am surprised how different I look in photos than in a mirror.  Sometimes better and sometimes not exactly how I thought. I do keep my formal, evening type clothing in a holding zone.  Also, I keep work type clothes there.  I rarely wear these. shiny on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1387003 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 22:06:43 +0000 shiny 1387003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My closet is now organized by Vivienne Files capsules  - neutrals, expansions, accents. I do find that quite helpful for breaking out of the box and getting more creative when contemplating outfits, or what to pack.  But it's powerpoint where I can see & brainstorm all the other potential capsules that are possible from the core VF capsules, without making a mess of my bed or closet, and without forgetting what I came up with. I basically now have an electronic version of each VF capsule on a single PPT slide - blacks, grays, creams/whites, plums, reds, navy, expansion (combos) & accessory capsules (scarf, two or three shoes, bag, belt). I have fun playing around with the PPT - usually late at night before bed. Oddly I find it soothing & relaxing! texstyle on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1386998 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:59:07 +0000 texstyle 1386998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can't really hang my clothes in capsules because a lot of items work in different ones. I try to remember my own "rules" like this:  I can use my new warm gray/taupe  handbag with most of my F/W colors as long as I keep in mind what shoes/belt/jakcet I will wear. Example, I wanted to be able to wear my gray flannel or gray v-neck knit with jeans and my gray handbag - and right now my 2 favorite Fall shoe choices are leather sneaks in navy or light caramel tan. SO, if I plan to wear my light tan belt with the light caramel tan sneaks I feel like I can wear the gray tops and gray bag successfully. OR I can wear the same basic outfit but use navy for my belt and shoe color and the bag matches the gray of the top. Jacket choice is probably the deep eggplant fleece in this case. Make sense? It's a lot  like planning a painting in my head. Angie on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1386992 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:46:57 +0000 Angie 1386992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm reminding you of the capsule archetypes. Your wardrobe is made up of MANY capsules: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2012/09/07/three-wardrobe-capsule-archetypes/">http://youlookfab.com/2012/09/.....rchetypes/</a> To answer your your question IK, in my head, on the bed (with WHITE sheets), and with the YLF Collections Feature. I am putting together my holiday capsule for 2014 right now, actually. Some of the items in my closet are no longer available, so I had to substitute with similar items for completeness sake:   <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?collection=288">http://youlookfab.com/finds/co.....ection=288</a> Anonymous on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1386985 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:35:19 +0000 Anonymous 1386985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do both, but in the closet things get hung by color, then item type. It is especially easy to make tonal outfits from the closet. Others are made in my head, using inspiration found here mostly. Meredith on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1386977 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:19:32 +0000 Meredith 1386977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm trying out a capsule for the first time this fall. I live in an old house and the guestroom where I store my clothes has two coat/linen sized closets. I keep all my capsule items (arranged by category) in one closet and additional items I want access to in the other closet. We'll see how long my system lasts. Tania on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1386975 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:17:17 +0000 Tania 1386975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am in the process of reworking my closet.  It has been easier to physically organize the clothes into sections by capsule, but I think that will fade over time.  Suz on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1386973 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:14:58 +0000 Suz 1386973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like you do. It all pretty much works together. Or not. And I figure out outfits in my head. (Or based on inspiration).  Just this year I made a special place in the closet for my legging type skinnies (i.e. the super skinnies) and my sole pair of actual leggings (which I may pass on, because I've decided I hate myself in leggings.) I thought that putting the legging jeans together would help me remember them and encourage me to pair them with the longer tops/ tunics/ sweaters that I have bought for that purpose.  ironkurtin on "Do you make capsules in your head, or in your closet?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-make-capsules-in-your-head-or-in-your-closet#post-1386966 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 21:11:59 +0000 ironkurtin 1386966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So, when arranging your capsules, how do you keep track of them? Excel charts?  Hanging things that go together in your closet? My closet is pretty much one big capsule, except there are certain styles that typicall go with certain other styles - longer tunics over leggings, instead of flares, for example. how do you keep yours sorted?