YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wardrobe Capsules

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wardrobe Capsules - help! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 06:01:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php MsLuna on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help/page/2#post-1352706 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 03:59:56 +0000 MsLuna 1352706@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm the little weirdo that would one day want a minimalist wardrobe yet I can't seem to make it work! I've managed to whittle down to 24 pieces but they were not happy pieces! The thought of a good capsule wardrobe still eludes me. "But what about when the only holes you have are the ones you dig on purpose?" I relate to this like you wouldn't believe! And this is why my capsule wardrobe never works! For instance, I have a very uniform silhouette (slim, long over lean), but the top lengths and bottom lengths always throw me off! Argh! Look into another wardrobe blog called into-mind.com. She has three methods of building a wardrobe that includes statement pieces! Maybe you can look into that? amiable on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help/page/2#post-1352609 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 02:26:51 +0000 amiable 1352609@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Loving this thread, and now I want to make an X-Y chart and plot out outfit possibilities....    (Then make it in 3D for outfits with toppers... Hmm...) Elizabeth P on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help/page/2#post-1352573 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 01:56:55 +0000 Elizabeth P 1352573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know Beth Ann, isn't it great how one persons speedbump can generate a whole flood of things to think about? I think that I am trying to find something that will work for me, yet what I really need is to spend some time seriously evaluating my wardrobe. Trying on the things I don't wear much and determining why. Playing with combinations. And to stop obsessing about the capsule concept :). At least in terms of a whole wardrobe - for me, maybe capsules work for specific functions, but not overall. I DO like to play with different silhouettes, at least for now, as I continue to figure out my style. Beth Ann on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help/page/2#post-1352520 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 00:58:49 +0000 Beth Ann 1352520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a fascinating thread, Elizabeth!  I don't always use capsules, but I create them for special occasions (holiday and travel, particularly.  I also use them as a learning tool, deliberately putting boundaries around my dressing to break through fashion doldrums or try something new.  I wanted to pop on and just add that you can cheat on capsules!  I feel free to wear anything I feel like on any given day.  Knowing I can take a day off of a capsule makes it much more fun --- and it's essential to have fun with fashion! Suz on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352313 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:36:57 +0000 Suz 1352313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Elizabeth, that's sort of what I was thinking -- that in terms of colour, you already have a ton of cohesion, and most things work with one another on that basis (should you want them to). It's more according to function and probably weather that you need to divide them.  Elizabeth P on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352305 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:27:41 +0000 Elizabeth P 1352305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ And another quick check in to say THANK YOU. Again, no time right now to respond properly, meeting my gang in 5 min for supper. Gotta love road trips. But I have definitely got a lot of value from your comments. Don't take my lack of good response as being blown off! But i have realized one thing - I may not be able to do a traditional capsule based on colour, however my colour palette is already fairly established. My neutrals are black, navy and white. My colours are bold. So while they may not be limited to 3-4, they ae limited by colour group, and as such do all go together. Or at least, go with black, navy and white. I think just rethinking MY definition of a capsule will help me use the approach in a way that suits ME, in a way more in line with what some of you are suggesting above by function. OK, my 5 min are up. Thanks again! shiny on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352265 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:23:57 +0000 shiny 1352265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Maybe it's less about being minimalist or maximalist, and more about how both teams need some sort of guideline to set a limit. The maximalists' limit is just larger, but still real for most of us (budget, closet size, memory, time-in-the-day, etc).  Your limit could be lifestyle. Or silhouette. Or color. Or a little of each.  I'm enjoying limits based on color right now. Like Suz, I have a lot of neutrals so I'm not super constrained there, but it enables me to sit back and see that I have enough navy, don't really wear it as much as black, and camel/cognac is calling my name more loudly lately. So if I'm going to add a topper or pants, how about adding it to the camel capsule instead. For accent colors I'm fairly predictable - preferring colors in the red/blue based zone because they flatter me. I have to say it was very liberating to discard the small handful of tops in the orange/yellow family. I was on the fence about these already, as they got little wear as it was. In that way having an accent color limit was just the extra push I needed to finally get them out of my closet. GONE. Not looking back. That's not to say I might not start a capsule with the Next New Trendy Color that appeals to me AND that flatters. I probably will. I'll just keep that capsule to the "accent" level -- a manageable size of knits and sweaters, the type of garments that need frequent replacement anyway. And not go too crazy. Because next year or the following, there may be a different Trendy Color and I may want to rotate out the old to make room for the new.... Actually & thanks to this thread, it just occurred to me that my closet is now organized this way: Mainstay neutrals (black & white/cream) are front and center -- and take up the majority of the space. As they should. Mainstay accents are to the far right -- and take up the second most amount of space. This is the reds-raspberries-purples. My favorite colors, no matter what decade it happens to be, never changes. Trendy neutrals (cognac & navy) - are farther out, in the outskirts of my closet, and take up less room. If next year my hair goes gray and I decide on say, Taupe or a particular shade of gray that works better with softer color, then boom... I know which capsule to replace, and it's a manageable size. Trendy accents (blush pink) - takes up the least amount of room. It appeals to me now -- but it might not tomorrow.  DocP on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352219 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:43:31 +0000 DocP 1352219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm a bit of a maximalist as well.  In thinking about capsules, I could never get attached to the concept because I love color too much.  Then I thought about a longitudinal capsule - a capsule around a color group that works through the seasons.  So my gray/pink/rose gold capsule can take from 90 and humid to 0 with snow.  I only have in season items in my current closet and everything else in storage, and may have a half dozen capsules which share neutrals. Suz on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352190 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:07:01 +0000 Suz 1352190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Popping back in to emphasize that for me, like Emily and Cerinda, capsule creation is more about thinking of function than colours or any other limiting factor. Now, maybe that's because I've already limited my palette. But not strictly.  I mean, I definitely do not cleave to the 2 neutrals, 3 accent colours (or whatever it is) of the Vivienne files.  Instead, I go with no fewer than FIVE neutrals (ink/navy - winter-white/cream - grey -- all shades, black, taupe) all of which work well together...with accents in yet another neutral -- cognac!) as well as an entire RANGE of colours that harmonize well and with the neutrals (plus the odd "pop" of a warmer tone). When it comes to colour, my basic consideration is: "Does this colour look good on me? Great! I'll try it."  :) And truly...you have seen...there isn't a lot that doesn't "mix and match" colour-wise in my closet.  I agree with others that silhouette is far harder to get right. Proportion is key. Cerinda said it best: "The Vivienne Files' approach is brilliant, but it fails to account for multiple silhouettes. I felt so closet-incompetent until I realized that!"  Anyway....in building my closet from the ground up, I've found it most useful to take Emily's approach. I consider an activity that I do. And then try to figure out -- do I have enough clothes that work together for that activity in all possible weather conditions?  Angie talks a lot about this on the blog, and several other members, including Mo, Gaylene, and others suggested this approach. And it has been a godsend.  At first I wasn't breaking it down enough. I was just thinking: "Oh, I need clothes for my work life. "  But...I actually have several kinds of work life. My work-from-home stuff. My meetings with colleagues in the city. And then my writing life, which is separate. The writing part itself is not -- that's just like work-from home. But I also teach classes, give readings, and make other appearances from time to time -- so that involves a different capsule. And of course I do a lot of travelling also, to different kinds of locale.  Once I'd really figured that out, it helped.  Next step is -- do I have enough variety within that capsule to satisfy my yen for variety?  Last year I discovered that switching colours and patterns is not enough to satisfy me. I also want a change in silhouette from time to time. That automatically puts me into the category of people who need at least a "moderate" closet -- for whom one capsule for each activity won't be enough. I just have to accept this about myself and go forward.  But even though I want/ enjoy a medium sized (and not minimal) wardrobe, it can still be under my control.  That's where splitting it out by season is really helpful to me.  And thinking it terms of "item" capsules is equally helpful.  It doesn't always mean that I'll be making edits, either.  Example: For a while last winter, I noticed that I wasn't wearing my button downs. Oh, how wasteful, how awful! How could I not be wearing my beautiful shirts? Why on earth did I buy all those shirts, anyway? What was I thinking?  (Much gnashing of teeth and shame.)  Then the weather turned.  OOOPS! Suddenly, it almost felt like I didn't have enough button downs! And I realized I actually had a wardrobe hole for some drapey, fluid ones..... PLUS....I also realized that I needed to add to my knits capsule with a few cozy cardigans for at home wear in winter. Because if I had the cardigans, I'd be wearing my button up shirts underneath them all winter, and wouldn't have been asking myself the question about why I wasn't wearing them in the first place.  celia on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352180 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:52:36 +0000 celia 1352180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh well, better come out of the closet and assume that I am not minimalist. I counted how many items I have and minimal is not what I would call the total. I tend to do a mix of what Emily and Susie do. I make capsules for different aspects of my life and every week I pick up some items from them and make them the starts of my closet. This makes dressing in the morning very easy, I don't get bored with my outfits and use my clothes without playing favourites(much). If for some reason what I have in that capsule or in that week doesn't appeal to me I simply take what I want from the rest of the  closet. I would like to, and have been trying, to purge part of it because I (well, DH and I) have been putting our off-season clothing in DD wardrobe, and now she is getting to a stage where she might want to use mentioned closet, but still it is not as easy as I might have thought. Cerinda on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352141 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:03:08 +0000 Cerinda 1352141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Echoing Shiny:  The Vivienne Files' approach is brilliant, but it fails to account for multiple silhouettes.  I felt so closet-incompetent until I realized that!  Functionally, my capsules have very fuzzy edges.  And despite my tiny old-house closet, I am no minimalist.     I found analyzing how I actually spend my time extremely helpful:  I needed to move out of my fantasy life / former life.  Now that I recognize that I live in casual / smart casual, I'm trying to think in terms of silhouette capsules:   jeans and trousers that require long toppers; jeans and trousers that require short toppers; jeans and trousers that can solo; a pencil skirt capsule; a dress capsule. But I know I still need to nod to function for that other 5% - 25% of my life:  a fieldwork capsule; gear; a conference capsule; a conservative interview/funeral capsule; a special occasion capsule. I'm not concerned about numbers:  I would have to do seasonal swaps in any case.  I am resolved not to be subjected to panic shopping ever again! Elizabeth P on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352117 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 16:21:53 +0000 Elizabeth P 1352117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just a quick check in, I'm out of town at meetings, will respond properly later, but just wanted to say thank you for all the ideas, thoughts, and for taking the time to share. shiny on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352078 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 15:41:31 +0000 shiny 1352078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ "Another way of tracking that just occurred to me would be to list all the tops along an x-axis, and all the bottoms along a y-axis, and check mark the cells of the ones that go together." <div>We are like-minded!! I have been pondering this as well. Perhaps you are only joking... I am serious....  It seems that one of the keys to having a minimalist wardrobe is to settle on a specific silhouette, and sticking to it with rigor. For example, if skirts are your thing, then only skirt-length tops or tops that can be tucked, which leads to standardizing on jeans and slacks that look good with tucked in tops or are high waisted enough they work with skirt-length tops. Long long ago, when necessity meant I had to have a very small wardrobe, I did find it quite handy to stick to just such a strict formula... basically I duplicated the same exact higher waisted dress slacks in black, grey, camel and then collected colorful tops, shoes: black and brown. Done. Easy to get dressed every day for work. But oh... so ... BORING! I can no longer have such a uniform approach. I need more variety than that, and thankfully my budget allows me to indulge. This means my wardrobe can never fit on 33 hangers.... 100+ is more like it. The more silhouettes you have, the more that number necessarily must expand. But not everything goes with everything, Garanimal approach. Low waisted skinnies just do not work with a skirt-length top... although I'll bet you $ that belly-baring, thong-exposing look is going to come back next... that, and shoulder pads are the only thing that hasn't come back. Yes, it could fit on an X-Y chart! Bottoms along the X, tops along the Y....  </div> Emily on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352044 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:56:59 +0000 Emily 1352044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm another maybe-maximal wardrobe person, but I find capsules useful for organizing my wardrobe, making sure I have enough outfits for a particular situation, and planning future purchases. For example:  #1 A "dead of summer" capsule I put together this past season for work. I wanted to be sure I had enough sleeveless top/skirt or dress outfits to get through a week of extreme heat and look put together at the office, which was a challenge for me in summer '13.  I added a couple of sleeveless, office-appropriate tops so that I would have 4 days of fab business casual outfits. #2 a Fall Workout Gear capsule I built last year, nearly from scratch: 3 days/week of cooler weather running gear.  I had the shoes, bras and a pair of long tights already from spring/summer, but needed tops, a jacket, and bottoms for cooler weather.  It's easy to skip out on a workout when your most functional gear is in the laundry hamper! #3 a Party Wear Capsule from my current wardrobe for fall/winter.  This is a collection of some of the fun stuff I have that I could mix and match for the theatre, holiday parties, or dinners out. I didn't only wear the pieces in each capsule for the prescribed season/activity.  This past summer wasn't as hot as last year, so I had plenty of opportunities to wear sleeved tops and trousers in addition to sleeveless tops and skirts.  Last fall I kept wearing my spring/summer running gear as appropriate for the weather.  The Party Wear capsule is meant to be a source of inspiration and starting point so that I can shop my closet for fun social occasions.  I will definitely be mixing in other items from my wardrobe when I actually get dressed. These capsules contain only 14, 12 and 15 pieces respectively from my ~265 piece (including shoes, scarves, belts and gear) wardrobe.  They provide both a starting point for outfits and assurance that I am prepared (from a sartorial perspective, at least) for all aspects of my lifestyle. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1352038 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 14:51:16 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1352038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Something that several people have said strikes a chord with me: thinking about formality level, or even feel/vibe, is as important as color coordination or proportions. For example, I have 12 long sleeve woven tops right now. Some of them are classic button front shirts that I could wear to an interview, or a funeral, or to jury duty. A couple are plaid or patterned that I tend to wear on the weekends with jeans or on very casual weekdays. Those tops are not interchangeable. I'm sure everyone is the same with shoes, jeans, etc. The reason that minimalist capsules work is that they flatten out some of those distinctions. You might have a plaid western shirt in your capsule, or a classic button front shirt, but you wouldn't have them both in the same capsule. So in a way it's about definition as much as limitation. Vildy on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351976 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:38:52 +0000 Vildy 1351976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ "Another way of tracking that just occurred to me would be to list all the tops along an x-axis, and all the bottoms along a y-axis, and check mark the cells of the ones that go together. " oh. my. gosh. Finally something that I think will work for me. shiny on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351967 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:18:28 +0000 shiny 1351967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Suz said... for the longest time, I kept track & organized by "item" capsule. I am finding value now in the Vivienne Files approach, but my closet is not minimalist and probably never will be. In some ways, I can see the Vivienne Files approach is giving me permission to "dig new holes"! I don't really need a camel/cognac capsule, but I had a couple items and instead of purging them, I decided to round them out. Or hey, wouldn't it be great if I had a burgundy/cranberry tee shirt to add to my long sleeve blouse, short sleeve blouse, long sleeve sweater, short sleeve sweater, short cardigan, BF cardigans... all in that shade... ha! But even if I didn't add any additional items, having my closet organized now according to Vivienne Files "core of 4" categories (each with way more than 4 items), rather than items is making it a snap to get dressed, and unleashing my creativity.  The reason I am getting more into capsules is because I'm traveling so much now - once or twice a month. It makes packing so much easier if I think in terms of capsules. Right now I'm focusing on building out accessory capsules, organized around shoes. By this I mean i have it in a PPT electronically -- each capsule has a pair of flats, a pair of heels, a boot or bootie, a scarf, a handbag, a belt. My idea is that if I start with those items when packing for a trip, it will keep it all down to a carry on. But yeah... I often get bored with the items I wear on my travels. I often wish I had access to my full closet, and haven't left anything at home. Which tells me loud & clear I need the variety that comes with a larger, not smaller wardrobe. One last thought, in the past here we've done challenges. There was one I recall where you had only a certain number of pieces and you had to mix-and-match for a full week's worth of outfits. I really loved that challenge, though the lesson for me was not necessarily "less is more." The lesson was more about spending the $ on clothing that is versatile (like a basic sheath dress, a basic 3 piece suit, etc) and then getting creative with accessories and mixing-and-matching. froggiebecky on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351926 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:05:44 +0000 froggiebecky 1351926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm a bit of a capsule person, but only because my lifestyle has me forced into it (I'm bouncing between continents, and I have luggage restrictions). Actually, I've been taking a hard look at my wardrobe again, as there's another one coming up in a few months... But that aside, I would bet that you do have some capsules in your wardrobe: you might/probably have a gym wear capsule (even if it's older clothes to ratty to wear elsewhere). You might have a 'home improvement' capsule--a couple paint-stained shirts and shorts. If you had to go to a funeral in a couple of days, what would you wear? --there's probably a couple items of relatively formal and conservative clothing that you don't wear every day.  To me, capsules are groups of clothes to get you through specific parts of life. For me...I have the following capsules: 1. Gym wear/dance wear/active wear 2. 'life' capsule (work and weekend completely overlap for me. This is the capsule that can be worn anywhere) 3. Scotland capsule (heavy coats, bulky sweaters, closed-toed shoes) 4. conference capsule--'grown up' clothes. Capsule remnants/not currently in active use: 1. Fieldwork capsule 2. Sydney capsule (very light fabrics, brighter colors, sandals) I have no idea how many pieces this is, but I will say I'm usually in some state of buying because I have very limited number of items, and so they get worn out pretty quickly. I do know that it all fits into about 3 suitcases (which is 2 too many). Gigi on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351865 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:23:50 +0000 Gigi 1351865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can't do the capsule thing very well either, because I feel too limited, especially with color. I just try to keep my current wardrobe in mind when buying new things, to make sure that there is already stuff in my closet that will go with the new item, or whether I love the new item enough that I would be willing to shop for companion pieces if necessary. I don't have a huge closet—mine's about the size of Suz's, so moderate sized—but one thing that helped me think about my closet and how I wanted to use it and where I wanted to go with it was by making a mood board as described by Into Mind: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://into-mind.com/2014/02/28/mood-boards-2-0/">http://into-mind.com/2014/02/28/mood-boards-2-0/</a>. (She says to use hard copy, but I did all of mine electronically, and I don't know that it really matters.) It was a lot of work, but when I was done, I really had a clear idea of some specific items I wanted to buy, some specific colors I wanted to try, and some specific silhouettes and color combos that I wanted to experiment with. So it really helped me see where I could concentrate my energies best. Maybe this would work for you? Since it sounds like you have a maximal wardrobe, you might even have the pieces you would need for the items on your mood board; it would just be a matter of trying them in the combinations you've picked out. Elizabeth P on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351656 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:42:08 +0000 Elizabeth P 1351656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for your input Thumbelina, Susie, Suz, Kiwigal, Rabbit, Aida and Caro  I guess that’s kind of what I do – use my closet as one capsule, with separate categories for casual, work, cottaging, etc, as Suz mentioned.  I really do like the idea of them, but maybe it’s a silly way for me to approach my closet organizing given the clothing numbers I currently have.  I suspect pseudo capsules are naturally forming anyway, as I think about things a bit more.    But I AM glad to hear that they just don’t work for some of you.    Thanks again ladies, will read this a few times to see what ideas you use and suggested will work for me. Suz, your list of questions is excellent.  What I really need is some time, to attack this for real! Caro in Oz on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351557 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:11:22 +0000 Caro in Oz 1351557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just my 2c :) I don't think capsules are only for minimalists. I think in some ways the more clothes you have the more important they become, so you can keep track & make sure you aren't wasting your money :) If you like variety you can have lots of capsules. I know "pre-capsules" I've was often in that clichéd place with a wardrobe full of clothes & nothing to wear. For me creating capsules is just a way of making sure I have toppers, tops, bottoms & accessories that all work together to make a fab outfit. Aida on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351527 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:48:32 +0000 Aida 1351527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'll come play with you and Laurinda and Laura! Capsules don't work for me at all -- like Susie, basically all of my closet is one big capsule. I have a loosely formulated idea of "weekend" items, but really I just simplify my outfits down compared to work. My "organization" is determining my overarching seasonal vision and then finding the pieces to work within it 0:} So no capsules for me either, except for my active-casual capsule which has very little crossover into my otherwise everyday wear. As Suz suggested though, I do keep all of my items sorted by type within my closet and keep an eye on how much of each kind of thing I've got so it kind of functions as item capsuling. rabbit on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351508 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:26:52 +0000 rabbit 1351508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm also not a capsule person (except for a small gear, and a 'get muddy in this' capsule which don't overlap my other clothes.)    But I've found that there needs to be some way to record outfit ideas or what works with what.    I usually keep a running list of outfits to try in my wear tracking excel sheet, either ideas that just pop up,  or matches I've identified by exhaustively testing a new item with my existing wardrobe when I bring it home.   I also jot notes next to each item listing all the things it partners well with -- so for a top it would be bottoms, shoes, scarfs, toppers sometimes.   I keep a daily outfit log, and star ones that are high happiness and I should repeat. Another way of tracking that just occurred to me would be to list all the tops along an x-axis, and all the bottoms along a y-axis, and check mark the cells of the ones that go together.  Doing this and tracking let's me know when something really is a hole or something really needs an upgrade.   It also let's me know what categories have room for growth based on happy discoveries out shopping because everything I have in that category has been worn a ton, so a new item won't take away wears (for me this is bags and jackets, but no more leggings and solid dark tops!). Also I'm trying not to bring home things now that can't be worn in at least 4 or 5 different really good outfits.   Sal on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351475 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:49:06 +0000 Sal 1351475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do agree....I like to have some fun pieces that only work one way. I think more in outfits than capsules.... For example I did count all my clothing and realised I have a lot of nice tops, but less trousers/skirts/shorts and a lack of toppers to wear with. I also had several patterned statement pieces needing a simple top to wear with them. So this summer I am only getting bottoms, the simple tee and a topper or two...when I buy them I am making sure they work with two of the lovely tops I want to wear. It works for me rather than artificially building a constraint I don't need. My wardrobe sits in the 80 to 100 area and I like it here. I swap out pieces for seasons due to space constraints but I am happy doing that. Suz on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351468 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 21:38:55 +0000 Suz 1351468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm with Laurinda here. It sounds as if you are a maximalist, and why not enjoy that?  Having said that -- you do have at least two broad capsules. Workwear and casual, leisure wear. You also have a winter and a summer capsule (with some crossover.) And of course you have many "item" capsules -- the coat capsule, the shoe capsule, the denim capsule.  Angie has said before that for those who build their wardrobes intuitively the whole thing (or most of it) is likely to work as one big capsule. Which is sort of what Susie describes and more or less what I think you have.  But if you really want to continue to whittle things down or identify a minimum number of items in different categories that make you feel good, here are a couple of thoughts:  How about looking at your current closet less in terms of "mix and match" (just for a minute) and more in terms of item capsules.  So....how many, and what kind of denim? Does it feel right? Too much? Not enough?  Then, a long sleeve shirt capsule. Enough? Too many? Right balance of lights and darks, patterns and plains?  Ditto for skirts. Or dresses.  Also ask what function each item fills. I.e. a flowy print shirt that looks great with skinnies and under jackets. A dark, warm dress that I can wear to work. A pair of casual boots that I can wear on a walk.  At the end of this, you might decide that what you have is perfect. Or you might decide you want to get rid of a few items that seem redundant. Or you might want to add a few new items.  Then, you might want to do something like I have been doing. I break my wardrobe (roughly) into sub-seasons. I do two main closet switchouts -- spring and fall. But within each main season, there are sub-seasons that effectively equal smaller capsules of about 40 to 60 items. (I had 55 in the summer closet after Juggernaut June, LOL.)  There's overlap, of course. And sometimes I'll go into the "other" closet to pull something from there if the weather is weird or I have an event to attend.  I think my ideal number is something close to Ingunn's (not counting footwear). But I don't wear it all at once.  When looked at this way, a medium to larger wardrobe doesn't seem as large. You are wearing all your clothes in the season to which they are best suited, and not staring all the time at the ones you aren't wearing, so it feels controlled.  Does that make any sense?  Suz on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351361 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 19:13:19 +0000 Suz 1351361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ "But what about when the only holes you have are the ones you dig on purpose?" Excuse me, but I almost spit out my tea.... Must stop giggling before I can reply... Susie on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351338 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:36:10 +0000 Susie 1351338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I basically think of my entire closet as a capsule Actually, my strictly weekend casual clothes are a separate capsule. What has been working for me is thinking in outfits- for the 5 work days each week. If my favorite way to wear a particular top is to pair it with 1 or 2 pairs of pants, then that's how I wear it! I'm not going to remix it just for the sake of making a different outfit if I don't like it as much that way. And I have enough items that I don't have to make each one work 5 ways. So I've been working in 2 to 4 week blocks and selecting outfits to wear during that time. I don't limit the number of shoes or bags that I use because those are important components for me. And if I put something on in the morning and don't love it, I am free to swithch it out from somehting not in  the chosen group! For me, this works because it saves time in the morning since I have a list of pre-determined outfits rather than just standing there and flitting from one idea to another. I've also been tracking (for almost a year) how often I wear each item so I do know for sure what's really getting worn and what isn't. Works for me! thimblelina on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351316 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:01:39 +0000 thimblelina 1351316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That precisely! I think capsules are great for building a wardrobe up or culling it down. If you're in your comfort zone you don't really need all that. I do like the vivienne project's 'core of four' idea for avoiding closet orphans. If you're going in the direction of a new style or colorway, make sure it has some buddies. It's like a little mini capsule to get the party started! Elizabeth P on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351253 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:48:30 +0000 Elizabeth P 1351253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I guess that's the key isn't it Mo, to make sure when you purchase something, if it's not intended to be a "one off" that it actually goes with a few things and doesn't accidentally become one.  Ingunn, I think you articulated something I was thinking but hadn't quite arrived at... capsules are for those trying to limit.  I'm not.  I just want to have a better handle on everything.  I do track what I wear, probably need ot be a bit tougher with matching it up with my lifestyle.  LOL Laurinda :) For some reason I feel if I used this way of thinking, it would help me identify my orphans, and what can go.  Cuz I have too much stuff.  But I'm not purging just for the sake of it, I don't get that either.  What I really need to do is have a "boutique" but I don't have room for that. Mo on "Wardrobe Capsules - help!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wardrobe-capsules---help#post-1351228 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:30:55 +0000 Mo 1351228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can't really force myself into the capsule thing, although it's not because I'm in any way maximal.  I have about 3 basic colors and 4 neutrals in my closet.  I just don't see the need to limit unnecessarily, which is why I don't try the project 333 either.  I wholeheartedly believe my clothes are there for me and should I want to wear any old piece any old time I like, I will!   I will say I may think in a more capsule way when shopping, to be sure an item is playing a specific role and what the supporting actors may be.  But I don't even begin to try and arrange my closet with one capsule of items over here and another over there. I say, if it doesn't serve you, or somehow improve your wardrobe, don't bother with it!