YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Which capsules do you have?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Which capsules do you have? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:35:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Sal on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381824 Sun, 09 Mar 2025 02:53:18 +0000 Sal 2381824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry to post and run!! Thanks to everyone for their contributions. It’s interesting how we all think about it and what serves us best. I have found the concept useful because I can check off occasions and see if I am covered. Sometimes it’s obvious - for example if you keep having laundry bottlenecks - but sometimes it is not. Thanks for all the ideas. Lisa on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381759 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:02:12 +0000 Lisa 2381759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have lots of capsules. For activities a few that come to mind are: Multiple gear capsules (weight lifting, walking, pickleball, horseback riding) WFH Loungewear Sleepwear Business casual Business formal Cruisewear Sportsfan (to support my favorite NHL team) Beachwear Other capsules include: Jeans Graphic tees Seasonal colors  Summer capsule Winter capsule I'm probably forgetting a few but this is a good representation. ChristelJ on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381756 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 14:53:29 +0000 ChristelJ 2381756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This subject is fascinating and I live reading everyone's take on it. I relate to Jenni NZ in that I used to think capsules were primarily small and business related. The word capsule always meant tight and rigid in my mind. If I call it a collection, that works better in my head. I have a big, rambling wardrobe but I am beginning to see the capsules (collections) within it. Most are activity based. Some are oddly specific, for example: Nursing home capsule: jeans and ornate printed tops and cardigans that please my mother when I go to see her. Flat shoes and ethnic earrings too. Driving capsule: stretchy or loose clothes and sun shirt, sun gloves, sun hat, sunglasses, add coat and knit hat and gloves in cold weather. Outdoor country capsule for summer: long linen pants, big hat, tanks and long sleeve tops for layering, all this for sun and bug protection. Then the usual ones: Casual out and about capsule, which overlaps with casual at home capsule Exercise / lounge Dressy casual Dressy formal Sleep Beach I do think in categories too, like boho tops or trendy jeans or walkable footwear, or colors, like cognac accessories. Also seasons, cultures, geographical locations, because I spend time in two different states. Really, it's about endless once I start to think of the mix and match possibilities in addition to all that. I really appreciate the posts Angie linked to in the recent wardrobe capsule post, and together with reading all your interpretations I finally see the lightbulb. Suntiger on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381749 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:11:42 +0000 Suntiger 2381749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My most specific ones are sport related- swimming, cycling, general gear, archery, and SUP. Also things that I'm using to paint the house, my print harem pants that I sleep in, and snow boots/heavy puffer for bitter cold/snow. Those are things that don't cross over into other areas. Daily wear is a bit harder. There are dressier things that I wear just to work (heels, wide trousers), mid range things like most tops/maxi skirts/some pants and dressier jeans that are fine anytime, and casual-only things like flare leggings and sneakers that I wouldn't wear to work. I also have a few more festive things, like my blouses and velvet skirt, which could be considered a capsule. Of course the daily wear stuff is separated into summer, winter, and transitional too. My summer and winter clothes have no crossover pieces, except during transitional weather where I might mix a skirt with a sleeved top or pants with a sleeveless top and sandals. Dee on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381746 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:34:08 +0000 Dee 2381746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm... I guess I do capsules in the way that Angie describes them. I have a couple of colour combo capsules labelled in my Finds and I do more or less seasonal capsules as well. I also have dedicated skiing and hiking capsules, but beyond that, most of my items do crossover a lot. Jenni NZ on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381743 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 07:30:15 +0000 Jenni NZ 2381743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think I really, really hated the idea of any capsules at all when I first heard of them (maybe 15-17 years ago when I started buying fashion magazines?) Well before finding YLF which is 8 years ago. I think it’s because the advice tended to be along the lines of having the perfect white shirt, the perfect black pants, the perfect blazer… and that could take you anywhere in business, type thing. That was a “capsule wardrobe”. So not me! I don’t have a white shirt at all or a true blazer and never enjoyed those items. I think Angie’s idea of them is different. I am not sure which ones I may have. Colour capsules maybe? Olive, grey…? Suz on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381738 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:53:18 +0000 Suz 2381738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sarah, it totally makes sense. It's like a subdivision of the moniker idea. It corresponds to what Brooklyn and Tanya have done at different times -- just a verbal way of looking at it vs. a visual way (for Brooklyn).  Tanya's was explicitly a way at pulling out those trends she'd incorporate in a given season, e.g. Urban Princess does xyz. I did it one year with Laid Back Luminous Garçonne does Utility Pretty. In the end I didn't find it super useful, or at least no more useful than my LBLG moniker. But I can see how it could help a person narrow down purchases.  Sorry for the hi-jack, Sally!  SarahD8 on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381735 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:16:12 +0000 SarahD8 2381735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I had an a-ha moment recently that if I want to pursue seasonal capsules I should think of these as aesthetic capsules (Urban Snow Queen, etc.) with a *complete* complement of items. So rather than deep winter clothing being a capsule and then my outerwear and bags capsules being separate, my "Urban Snow Queen" capsule includes clothing, footwear, bags, and outerwear. This has been HUGELY helpful to me in thinking through how to build out my neglected bag and outerwear capsules. Instead of building a collection of bags in and of themselves, I'm thinking: ok, is there a bag or two that would really help complete these Urban Snow Queen outfits?  Not sure I am making any sense but it is really helpful in my head! Suz on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381727 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:13:19 +0000 Suz 2381727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have colour capsules (e.g. navy, white, red, burgundy, lilac), and all of these cross seasons  to a greater or lesser degree (with different items to suit that temperature range). So at times I think  in terms of my "summer navy" capsule or my "winter white" capsule, for example. Since these are my dominant neutrals, it's a huge help to know I have my essentials covered in these neutrals for each season.  Within seasons I tend to think in terms of "item" capsules, too, e.g. "belt" capsule,  "coat" capsule, "bag" capsule, "footwear" capsule. This helps me recognize any holes before they get too big. I also think in terms of my "basics" capsule because I like to refresh that once a year.  And then I have capsules by activity. For me right now those include:  Fitness Gear Bikiing Hiking Swim Gym Sleepwear Everyday wear -- work from home, work out of the home, socializing. This is my largest capsule and there is activity crossover here -- for example I wear the same pants at home that I would wear socializing or classroom teaching. However, some of the socializing might involve dressier pieces pulled from my.... Dressy capsule.  This capsule includes items that skew festive and those that are a bit more sober (so could be pulled into a funeral outfit, for example). It is mostly composed of separates at the moment so it is very mix and match.  JAileen on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381726 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:21 +0000 JAileen 2381726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My capsules: - Color - for when I started adding pink to my wardrobe, and later, olive. - Exercise - mine is for swimming, and includes warm clothes that I don’t care about wrecking  - Birding - this is mostly sturdy footwear and warm jackets, hats and gloves, but also things for sun protection. - Scottie - I bought this Radley London bag and then added things to go with it, including other things with Scotties on them.  I might have gotten carried away with this capsule… Jaime on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381724 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:42:49 +0000 Jaime 2381724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, interesting to really think about this because there is no crossover between my main three capsules: Work out capsule - leggings, tanks and sports bras. I workout at home and just wear a version of the same functional outfit every day. At home capsule - a larger collection of graphic tees, sweatshirts, half zips and sweatpants/shorts and the like that I wear when I get home. I go no further than the minimarket two houses down in this. Key features are washability and softness. Includes my house Birkenstocks. Out in the world capsule - Everything else. I get dressed every morning before I leave the house. By far the biggest capsule. I also have a Holiday and occasion capsule - Dresses, skirts and fancier stuff, which might crossover with the out in the world capsule. Then there are endless other possibilities by category, color, material, designer and so on but I wouldn't know where to begin with that. Ket on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381719 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 22:59:29 +0000 Ket 2381719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I admit I abandoned the idea of a "capsule wardrobe" long ago because it just felt frustrating to me. However, I do have capsules, even if I don't consciously recognize it. A lot of crossover and mixing and matching. Of course.  Dress capsule I have many dresses. I just call it a capsule because well, a dress can stand alone easily. I own several.  Jacket/Topper capsule Small and I'm always looking to add to it. I love toppers even though my capsule could use some expanding.  Summer capsule I added to it recently, as it was very small and I need and want more variety. Activewear capsule For weightlifting and walking.  Comfy capsule Slouchy sweats for winter weekends. Dressy capsule This is mostly just a very nice dress coat. I have very few dressy events, thus don't need much. Knitwear capsule All my hand knits including sweaters, shawls, hats, cowls, and more. Needless to say, I mix these into various capsules and outfits.  Jewelry capsule Decent amount of costume jewelry in all sorts of glamorous and ethnic styles Scarf capsule Adding to this. Love a good scarf, 99% of the time worn in my hair. Turban capsule I have a couple of new hand-made turbans I'm enjoying, especially on days when my hair needs washed or cut. Casual, everyday capsule This is basically everything that I wear for church, coffee dates, errands, and the like. Lots of blouses, tunics, commercially purchased sweaters, jeans and jeggings/leggings. It's the bulk of my wardrobe, especially for autumn, winter, and through early spring cat2 on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381717 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 22:30:32 +0000 cat2 2381717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m keeping track of Gear, Resort, Evening and Accessories. The rest of my stuff isn’t managed that closely, as there is always something to wear. The other capsules need attention so I don’t have last minute panic shops. Angie on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381712 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:25:22 +0000 Angie 2381712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ To answer your question I have many, MANY capsules. I add and subract from them all year. I seldom begin a new capsule. Lots and lots of crossover. But some capsules have no crossover at all.  I have: <ul> <li>colour capsules (e.g. red capsule, chartreuse capsule, white bottoms capsule)</li> </ul> <ul> <li>category capsules (e.g. jeans capsule, coat capsule, shirt capsule, handbag capsule, silk blouse capsule)</li> </ul> <ul> <li>yoga capsule </li> </ul> <ul> <li>outdoorsy doggie trail capsule </li> </ul> <ul> <li>beach and pool capsule</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Summer capsule </li> </ul> <ul> <li>holiday and event capsule </li> </ul> <ul> <li>funeral capsule</li> </ul> <ul> <li>business formal capsule</li> </ul> <ul> <li>business casual capsule</li> </ul> <ul> <li>loungewear capsule</li> </ul> <ul> <li>sleepwear capsule </li> </ul> <ul> <li>everyday casual and smart casual capsule</li> </ul> <ul> <li>horsey capsule (I don't ride anymore but love horses, so I need them represented in my style!)</li> </ul> My travel capsules take from these capsules. I don't have designated travel clothes :)  Angie on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381711 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 19:54:11 +0000 Angie 2381711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My toes are tickled reading about your focused and personalized capsules for your life! :) Sal, your capsules are BANG ON THE MONEY. Irina, Carla, Sisi, cjh and Slim cat too!  Sal, I want to know about the board you're on that requires you to present in athletic wear. Fascinating! cjh on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381705 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 13:45:25 +0000 cjh 2381705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good discussion here. Yes, I have the capsules. I define them this way: Running and exercise (includes swimsuit and water shorts). I never wear these for other activities unless maybe for house cleaning or yard work, when I’ve done or getting ready for activities and just haven’t changed yet. Art-department. This includes some boho silky tops, some print kimono jackets, a couple of sweater tops with glittery accents, black knit blazer, gauzy skirts, some summer dresses, a few bolder style jewelry pieces. Worn (with nicer casual jeans or tees) for date nights, concerts or theater, art gallery things. So a little crossover with casual. Casual, every day. And I mean every day, including church, shopping, social activities, restaurants, painting with my groups, etc. Not very smart casual, because I don’t have much in the way of fancier jeans, dressy slacks, hard soled booties or coordinating pieces. This includes jeans, tees, flannel shirts, cotton button shirts, cardigans and pullovers, fleece and cotton jackets, vests, shorts, graphic tees, sleeveless tops, tennis shoes. This is 80% of my closet. Funeral wear. Black pants, black skirt, a couple of dressier button shirts, black dressy cardigan, black loafers. Fortunately rarely worn but necessary to have at the ready. Sisi on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381701 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:20:38 +0000 Sisi 2381701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thinking about it, I think I have three capsules in total: Smart casual capsule This capsule covers a lot of situations: work - out and about -  errands -  - casual lunches and dinners with friends. Casual capsule for life at home/gardening/chores and also for exercising (at home or in the gym hall) Summer vacations/beach capsule  As you and other fabbers already said, I also have a lot of crossover.  I have a long time wardrobe hole for a dressy/formal capsule.  Star (Lise) on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381700 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:50:40 +0000 Star (Lise) 2381700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I group together a capsule at the start of the various seasons.  I insert clothes I want to wear.  I have a vast wardrobe so this makes it less overwhelming for me and ensures I get to wear my favourites.  I also group together clothes by colour.  I do not have seperate clothes for my daily walking.   I also made a Grownup Tomgirl capsule which crosses over with what I really want to wear seasonally. slim cat on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381699 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 07:19:16 +0000 slim cat 2381699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hiking/swim  Work/dressy possibilities Off work/casual Home/lounge  There is a crossover to some degree Carla on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381698 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:11:00 +0000 Carla 2381698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a separate drawer for sports/fitness kit, but otherwise my clothes are all mixed together - though arranged by colour.  Some clothes cross over into more than one capsule, but not the fitness kit.  I don’t wear my lap swimming suits for beach vacations, and my black leggings are not worn as ‘pants’ IYKWIM! When I think of distinct capsules, I think of: dressy capsule fitness kit warm weather vacation capsule everyday summer  everyday winter I can source a funeral outfit from my everyday items and dressy items, and create a capsule for most travel from those same categories.  The outlier is warm weather vacations where a different type of bathing suit and associated garments isn’t something that crosses into other activities!   I do not have any loungewear. Irina on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381696 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 03:53:41 +0000 Irina 2381696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think my capsules reflect and serve my activities. Some might crossover but not all of them. <div>- Sporting activities - pool, yoga, gym. Each is separate, some yoga tops are worn in a gym but not the other way around. Also, I keep some sweats for daily walks that are worn to the pool, too. </div><div>- Out of the house wear (formerly work/weekend wear). Separated by a season. My main category of clothing. </div><div>- Beach wear - swimsuits, coverups and a hat. Strictly for beach activities - Lounge wear - comfy clothes that is worn only at home. </div><div>- Event wear - most of pieces are too dressy for anything else but occasionally a pair of pants is used for less formal occasions. </div><div>Aside from my main “out of the house” capsule, I keep capsules functional but small. I’m not into gear and these garments don’t excite me as a new pair of jeans or shoes. It actually pains me to spend money on it. </div><div> </div> Sal on "Which capsules do you have?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/which-capsules-do-you-have#post-2381694 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 01:31:13 +0000 Sal 2381694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do think in capsules, whilst in Finds I have colour capsules, in reality I think more of activities.... These are my capsules Sports/active wear specifically <ul> <li> Hiking</li> <li> Walking/gym/yoga</li> <li> Pool</li> <li> Pickleball</li> <li> Board (I have to be in public several times a year giving speeches in athletic wear)</li> <li>Cycling</li> </ul> Work <ul> <li> Smart and business professional</li> <li> Business casual</li> </ul> Social <ul> <li> Weekend casual</li> <li> Evening/events</li> </ul> Vacation <ul> <li> NZ Beach/holiday home</li> <li> Away from home (NZ or international)</li> </ul> Other <ul> <li> Funeral</li> </ul> There is a lot of crossover, for example my pickleball shorts get worn for a walk.  My business casual crosses over into weekend casual sometimes and for a funeral I would wear business professional.  I have some pieces that could fit across three or four capsules - for example casual sneakers. Once a year I run through these scenarios and think about my options.  I don't need many professional work looks, nor pool swimming choices.  This year I have needed more hiking and cycling options. How do you think about capsules and which ones do you consider?