Hi everyone! Just here to share a little success story. I read some of Angie's posts about capsules and decided to use these ideas to organize my closet, hoping it would help me get dressed faster in the morning. First I tried the "category capsules" and it didn't work: I was still seeing jumbles of color everywhere: great pieces and no new outfit ideas jumping out at me. The I tried the "activity capsules" and that flunked, too, because I don't have a great variety of activities in my lifestyle. Then I attempted "mix and match" and WOW! Like magic! It turns out I have two color palettes. One I call "warm", with browns, tans, pinks, reds, cremes, pearl greys and navy blues. Another "cool", with blacks, charcoal, bone, whites, cobalt, and burgundy. No problem with outfits now!
Looking at my peaceful closet I had three epiphanies:
1) I had thought that my most used pieces were my denim bottoms, but I realized I only like to use them with my "warm" palette. The real denim workhorse going back and forth was my tired-out chambray shirt. Clear sign it needs duplication! So I picked up this cute J Crew one for $3.50 off ebay. The other big between-palettes workhorse is my Kenneth Cole tan leather jacket. I wear it so much that I'm the "lady in the leather jacket". But thank to it's quality I don't need to be replacing it anytime soon.
2) I had thought my "happy" colors were the cool ones, but they're actually the warm ones! I use the cool ones to feel "confident" and "blended in" (everyone wears dark colors where I live), but the warmer colors make me feel alive! Go, Team Pink!!
3) I realized that I'm not much into color mixing or strong color contrasts, and that's why I like my color palettes, but will occasionally use contrast for impact. For example, I have a red sweater dress in my warm palette that I soften with brown boots and a plaid scarf. But if I want to dramatize it for a special occasion, I match it with slick black boots and a long black coat, which makes it not just cool, but AWESOME!
Well...it's never too late to learn something new. With this new organization, it's been a cinch to make outfits and a cinch to shop. Now I can see what needs replacing or envision how a new item might fit into my palettes. Thanks, Angie!!
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