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Creating a capsule: how to, step-by-step?

Ann in New England

I love the capsule concept, and in theory, I get it. Where I'm stumbling is exactly how to do it while starting from what I have in my closet. Ideally, I'll be able to create one or two capsules from the clothes I already own. I'm getting hung up on too much choice, I think.
I have my basic colors: black, navy, gray and taupe. I own bottoms (pants or skirts) in all of those colors. I have black, navy and gray jackets, and a taupe pleather moto.
And that's where I stop. I seem to have tops and toppers that work together but not across a set, if that makes sense. I likely won't wear the black jacket with the black pants, or the gray jacket with the gray pants, because they aren't the same but are too close to be obviously different. I have cardis in a million colors, and have a blouse or tshirt that may work with one or two colors, but not all. I know I'll need to buy some things, but how do I figure out what to start with so that I buy the fewest number of items? It seems like it would be easy if I could find print tops that have shades of black, navy, gray and taupe, but I have not had much luck *and* that seems a bit boring.
Thanks for any advice.

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from puppycat

Marilyn

Veteran

I have the same questions, Ann. I feel like I have lots of items but I'm disorganized when it comes to actual capsules. I'm anxious to hear what the wise Fabbers have to say.

Laurinda

Veteran

Here is a post that might be helpful: Wardrobe Capsules 101

And a listing of other Capsule posts: http://youlookfab.com/category/outfits/capsules/

Best wishes!

Liz

Veteran

Ann, what are you trying to accomplish with your capsules? Are you trying to solve a specific problem? I think that would make a difference in how you went making them. It sounds like you're trying to make a really big capsule with All the Neutrals where everything mixes and matches with each other. That sounds really hard and overwhelming (and a bit pointless, unless there is a specific wardrobe problem you're trying to solve).

Since you already have clothes in your closet to play with, I'd just start pulling items for practice. Here's a sample process. Let's use black, taupe, and one accent color.

• Choose three bottoms (two trousers, 1 skirt).

• Then choose three toppers (jackets or cardigans).

• Then choose four or five tops.

Voila, a capsule.

Now, do it again with a different set of colors: gray, navy, different accent color.

To get practice with an even simpler version, do

two bottoms
two toppers
three tops

Meredith

Veteran

I think when you are just starting to build a capsule and especially when you want to use what you already own it can be helpful to start small. Don't try to put together a capsule with five bottoms, try three. It's much easier to wrap your head around what coordinates well. You might even want to stick with one type of silhouette (such as slim on bottom, fluid on top) to make things even easier.
Go back and read all of Angie's old capsule posts, but focus on her most recent. And remember that realistically not every top and bottom will coordinate perfectly.
I'd start by laying out all your clothes in item capsules (pants, toppers, etc). Maybe pick six from each category and then start playing with combinations. Eliminate the pieces that don't seem to easily work in a variety of ways and start a shopping wish list. As you feel comfortable with your small capsule you can expand it or start a new capsule.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I struggle with the concept of capsules as well, mainly because I do have a large wardrobe. I posted about it and got some great advice, here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....les---help

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I feel your pain, it is tricky. You've gotten some good advice already but I'll just reiterate that the sticking point for me is the color and pattern matching. If you're aiming for a truly mix and match capsule, you've gotta stick with similar silhouettes and lengths so the proportions work, and also colors and patterns, unless you are a big fan of crazy pattern combinations. When I'm packing for a trip, I'll often end up with combinations that are a little off, like two grays together, and wear them anyway when I'm traveling because I have no choice.

I posted a real life example of Angie's recent winter work capsule a week or two ago: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....er-capsule . I didn't try on every single combination but I thought about each, and even so a couple of the combinations would have been a bit less than ideal if I were picking them from scratch.

I think it has to do with areas of focus and how many you prefer to have in an outfit. Some ladies here are very ALGO (a lot going on) and would totally rock a purple shirt, aubergine cords, and bright silver oxfords... But I would feel conspicuous, and prefer to have only one bold color or print in an outfit at a time.

Ann in New England

Thanks, all.
Liz asked what I was trying to accomplish, and so I gave that some thought. I'm trying to accomplish a few things, which might be part of what is making this so difficult.

1. Have a business capsule work capsule for travel, 4-5 reliable outfits that can fit into a smallish suitcase.
2. Stop the cycle of getting up in the morning and starting to get dressed, only to find that my planned outfit doesn't look right, so I take off the top and try another, but that doesn't look right either, so I try another, oh wait, maybe it's the pants, let's try these, no, I don't have the right shoes for those pants, so let's put on a skirt, oh wait....
3. Direct my purchasing so that I buy only things that work with multiple other things in my closet. I cut my clothing budget in half last year, but I don't feel that I was successful in buying smart.
4. Allow the purchase of accessories that will pull my look together. It's very easy for me to pull on a pair of black pants, a black shell and a colored cardigan. That's my "uniform" but I find it boring. I do feel, however, that this could work if I had the right accessories and knew how to pull it together. But I don't have any jewelry and I haven't mastered scarves, and I can't justify cool colored shoes if they just work with one outfit. Narrowing down the colors and silhouettes will (I hope) help me to purchase those finishing pieces that I need.

Going off to read the links posted and to look at Laura's capsule. Thank you!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Just because it's so much easier to talk about than actually do:

Based on your post above, #1 is one capsule. I also need to do this... choosing to pack for even two days away for work can take weeks of thinking! I always want to take all my favs, and be prepared for anything, and before I know it I have a full size suitcase for one meeting. And then, the weather changes. I have found in the past (not so much now) that I have favourite travel/work clothes that I rarely wear in my home life, which is interesting in itself. For example I have a black cardigan that goes on every trip I take to a warm climate, but I NEVER wear it here.

#2: You sound a lot like me here too. I think the way to do this is to put together a small capusle with one colour scheme. then a second capsule with a totally different colour scheme (or silhouette). Etc etc. Have a dozen work capsules if you want, just keep each one simple and manageable. Don't try to have things mix and match too much across the capsules, although of course some things might. But if you know which one they belong in, you're less likely to try it out with the wrong one.

#3 will fall into place, filling the holes you've discovered in pulling #2 together.

Ha. Now to practice what I preach.

harmonica

Veteran

Interesting topic! Thanks for posting. I'm not very good at capsules... I want all my favorites and "what if...". On top I'm a mood dresser and have to sort of feel every item in the outfit.

How about starting very, very small and picking some favorites:

2-3 tops
1-2 bottoms
1-2 toppers
2-3 shoes

Then you could look at the shape (slim or fluid, ) and the colours and then start analyzing. Hopefully you'd find out a few things about what you like and why, and what you need to combine one item with (i.e. trousers and tailored shirt). Maybe you find a colour or pattern scheme to focus on?

You could also pick a typical situation (i.e. presenting at a conference, meeting with client, weekend activity, out with friends), pick a few items you could wear and start mixing them. Then you'll might create a capsule for that kind of event.

Anyway - post pics and the forum will guide and support you through the process. BTW, Ingunn is a capsule master.

About stressful dressing in the morning: I always choose an outfit before I go to bed. I can't stand the getting dressed stress in the morning (been there, done that... for years...)

rachylou

Veteran

I have my closet organised by function: Office pants, office "jeans" (I don't wear real blue denim), bakery pants, Office tops, bakery tops, sweater tops, sweaters, *at home* (saturdays, dogwalking, etc.).

Which is to say I have three primary capsules: Office, Bakery, At Home. There are things that do double duty - like everything in the office jeans category also works for at home, but I don't bother to think about that in the main. Too much to juggle in the head.

When I was starting out, I chose a colour palette - navy, lavender, grey, and cognac - and ONLY put things in those colours on my shelves. Everything else was boxed up. I stuck to those colours as long as I could stand it. When I couldn't take it anymore, I'd box dive. It was a pretty good way of screening my stuff, without overwhelming myself. Each "new" item I brought back in got a thorough vetting, in terms of what it would work with and how.

I don't know. Other people could take a weekend and do it in one go, but I haven't the stamina for that.

Stacyanderic

There are some really good ideas about capsule wardrobes at http://theproject333.com/ that you might find helpful. Have fun!

retailgirl

Veteran

I agree with starting small. I sometimes have to travel for work, usually one week trips. Here's how I approach that: I decide if I want my neutral to be black or navy. ( I have lots of both.) Then I figure out an outfit for each day, ( I usually do this on excel.). Usually these outfits are my favorite combinations, things I've worn that I know work together. Then I look at what I've chosen, and see where I can use something more than once...usually pants or a blazer. ( this is business casual, don't need a suit but a jacket is nice.). So: my navy travel capsule might look like this:

Red blazer
Navy cardi
White cardi
Emerald blazer
Navy pants
Light grey pants
White blouse
Light blue ( Oxford) blouse
White shell or tee
Navy shell or tee
Several scarves
Navy flats
Navy bag
Tan trench

I would wear one of the Blazers and probably the navy pants on the plane. ( my blazers and pants are lightweight wool; wrinkles will hang out.). Then on first day I'd wear gray pants, second day, navy pants, then gray again then navy. I'd wear a blazer the first day, then a cardi, then the other blazer, then the other cardi. All of the tops would work with either pair of pants. And the ratio of two tops to one bottom is good...I'm counting a jacket and shell or cardi and blouse as a unit. So that's one capsule!
I never really thought about capsules like this before.
When a new season starts, I write down WIW each day on an excel spreadsheet. If I like the combination, I mark it with a star and I'll repeat it. If not, I won't wear that combo again. Sometimes I'll put a note as to why it didn't work. Sounds like a lot of work and thought, but it's my little hobby and its second nature, really.
As I read over this, I also do capsules for cold weather work wear, hot weather work wear, festive holiday wear for work or a casual party, etc. I have lots of clothes but I'm not overwhelmed by them because I do remember what I have and I love every piece in my closet. ( reason for lots of clothes: working in retail, average size, pretty classic taste...things don't get outdated quickly!)

Sorry this I so long!!!

Anonymous

Did anyone suggest the vivienne files? I find her posts to be very helpful.

http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....ratch.html

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It takes discipline, patience and time to create effective wardrobe capsules of which there are three types: Mix & Match Capsules, Category Capsules and Activity Capsules. You have to keep on thinking about how your wardrobe items relate to each other - and there is no free lunch. This requires EFFORT.

After an effective closet review (which includes the edit), you can begin building capsules. Start off with one colour palette and dress code. Pick a few bottoms and add some tops, toppers, and footwear. Lay the outfits out on the bed (put down a white sheet if your bed linen is patterned). Add accessories if you have them. Try on the outfits. Do they work? Do you like them? Would you wear them? What's missing. Note it down.

Start the next mix and match capsule. New colour palette, and build onto the original one. The same items can work in many capsules. If that's the case - does it need duplication? You don't want to bottleneck in the laundry. Note what's missing.

Perhaps you see a trend of what's missing to complete existing outfits so that they have pizzazz. This causes you to assess your Category Capsules. Perhaps you keep on "reaching" for patterned pants and silver flats - but they aren't there when you shop your closet. These items - if you had them - would complete 5 outfits. So note that down, and continue the process just like that.

Like I said, there's no free lunch. You have to put in the effort to reap the reward. You have to be able to build outfits that you love with your items, which means that your wardrobe items have to relate to each other. No point in having a closet full of gorgeous stuff that cannot be pulled together into outfits.

Sooooo, all of this leads me back to the point that there has to be some kind of strategy in place when you add to your wardrobe. How does the new piece fit in with the rest? THINK ABOUT IT.

Practice makes perfect. The more time you spend thinking about your closet in this way, the easier it gets. You have to get the point where you know exactly what you have at any given time to effectively build outfits. By that time, you'll be doing the capsule approach in your head and very intuitively. There are many people on this forum doing that already.

harmonica

Veteran

Analyzing what you already have is first priority before shopping. BUT when I shop, I always have to check as many of these options as possible:

Must fit with at least 3 other items.
Must be used in at least 3 different ways, i.e.:

untucked / half-tucked / tucked,
with / without belt,
open / buttened up,
skirt (a-line, pencil)
pants (stright, tapered) / jeans (skinny, relaxed, BF)

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

From your reply above, Ann, maybe a strict mix and match wardrobe isnt really your first priority - maybe you should start by focusing on outfits. Put together complete outfits, including accessories and shoes, that make you happy, are appropriate for your various environments, and use what you already have, filling in when necessary. There's no rule that says that you have to wear every top with every bottom; one outfit for each item that you love and repeat is fine too.

I think that forcing everything to work with everything else isn't all it's cracked up to be. I take a mix and match wardrobe on vacation, because it minimizes space and laundry to be done, but for business travel I pack specific outfits, and unless the weather goes unexpectedly awry, I usually wear them as planned, no mixing and matching unless you count shoes.

Ann in New England

Thank you, everyone.
I think Angie's first paragraph sums up where I'm stumbling: a) I'm trying to get 3 different kinds of capsules in one, and b) it's work. For some reason, it looks so easy when Angie does it
OK, back into the closet. Thank you!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think you already got your answer, but I learned from Angie that trying on items to see what works with what is probably the most important part. Laying it out on the bed is great for color and style eval but if you don't try them on, you won't know if it feels right and if the proportions work as you want. As you said, you get up in the morning, try on a top with x pants and it "doesn't look right" so you try another, and so on. Do the trying on work ahead of time and make notes of which tops look good with which bottoms and which topper works with various tops - take a pic or write down the combo and keep it in the closet so you can refer to it. Same thing with the shoes you plan to wear.

I really have learned a lot by doing this.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Angie has said it all I just wanted to agree with texstyle's comment, the trying on part is the crucial last step imo.

unfrumped

Veteran

I feel your pain.
The travel work capsule is a great place to start. Yes, it could include buying something, but you don't know yet.
I would do the example of laying out 4-5 of each item (bottom, top, jacket) that you actually like. See if playing with those, you can come up with truly interchangeable outfits (true mix & match= versatile, for packing light).
If not, can you branch out to rope in other items, as in, "next team up for tryouts", or are those not your favorite, wearable items.
Then as noted above, you might find you've got these 5-6 great top& bottoms for travel but do actually need a cardi or jacket (or 2) that goes with all of those pieces, and you don't have it. Or you might find that you have 2 jackets that mix and match well with 3 bottoms, but the tops are colored/styled so they are fussy about what topper, so you need 2 classic shells, or as you say, a print, or a bright color that works with mixed neutrals.

For the "whole wardrobe" thing, it took me awhile to realize that I had tops that only went with certain bottoms and pants that had to have a top that was yea long and that sort of thing. And, pant lengths (they seem to shrink up a little over time!) that would only work with this shoe or that. If I forgot that, I'd be inn front of the mirror and then going back to change. I was stubborn because I felt that if I'd gotten a great neutral top, it OUGHT to go with everything, and I hadn't thought I was that picky about proportions. But, NOT. So I made little cards to hang on some of my items--not all, but identified the "great" combinations for effortless dressing. I mostly did it for some things that, for some reason, I just kept grabbing the wrong things, or that were not intuitive as to what worked. Some people do this electronically.

lynn

Veteran

I haven't tried the capsule method yet but am very interested. One question I have is after you have done the work of forming the capsules, how do you put them in your closet? I hang skirts with skirts, etc. but then how do I remember the capsule? Does it need to be documented in some way or do y'all hang capsules together?

Linda

Rachylou, your suggestion for selectively removing non-candidate colored clothes from (let's call it) the working closet, sounds terrific -- I guess it just had not occurred to me but, I think I can do that and it will help me figure out the coordinations and my holes, if any (I am pretty much a maximalist!)

frannieb

Veteran

So I joined you look fab this last summer. These are my steps to creating capsules
1. I spent about two months editing my wardrobe and counting clothes. Editing meant getting really real with myself about clothes I had - trying them on and really thinking about what I had.

2. Read Into Mind and Vivianne files - As someone said most people could do a edit in a weekend - I took six weeks and did a category each week

3. While editing I also organized as I put things back into my closet and drawers. it was a mass reorganization

4. Posted pictures to get feedback on what looked good on me

5. Figured out my happy color is gray with pops of color

6. Bought some Angie finds based on my body type - went back and read old blog post. As I bought things would think to myself in terms of a capsule - How may outfits could I create.

7. Sorted my closet seasonally - packing away all my out of season clothes and it is with STEP 7 that this all came together and I found I had created a functioning wardrobe with a wonderful work capsule and am now taking a deep breath and break from editing, organizing and shopping to just enjoy.

As Angie said it takes time and patience and you will get there

Ann in New England

OK, I think I have my next step in my question for capsule(s).
Over the past few weeks I have edited my closet. That meant trying everything on and keeping only things that made me happy (fit, color, fabric). So my closet is in a good place in terms of what's there, individually.
So now I need to try them on in outfits. I'll track them and see what I have. I put some on the bed and photographed them, but as was pointed out here, I won't know if they look until I actually try them on.
Thank you again, everyone, for all of your advice.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Just finished reading all the comments here, and everyone has so much good to say - really interesting and motivational. One thing I might add: if you do decided to plan your outfits ahead - the night before, or on Sunday night for the whole week as I do - it works better if you seriously COMMIT to wearing what you have picked.

I am a mood dresser, BUT when I stick to the plan and wear what I picked out (in closet in order for each day, pants on one hanger next to another with tops/toppers except sweaters including jewelry, scarves etc.), I find that I am rarely unhappy or uncomfortable with my choice. Though it is often tempting to rebel and think I can find something better... I regret it if I do.

It saves me time in the mornings to spend 45-60 minutes on Sunday picking out all the details. But only if I COMMIT to wearing what I selected in advance.

Is this one way of doing capsules: more like the outfit way perhaps?

retailgirl

Veteran

I pick out my outfits in advance, too. And I never change once I'm dressed. If I don't like the outfit, I just don't wear that combo,again. ( here's where my spreadsheet of WIW comes in handy.). The outfits always look right, but sometimes the top won't tuck right, or the sleeves aren't comfy with the layering piece. It saves a lot of time and stress every morning. And I also make my lunch the night before, and put everything I'm taking to work near the front door. It allows me time for a second cup of coffee!

puppycat

I love these ideas. Picking out my clothing in the morning has become so much easier now that I've edited my clothing down to two neutrals and two accent colors. I have a much higher percentage of happiness with my outfits as I create them now.