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Encapsulating

Anonymous

Regarding my post on the 10-item wardrobe, it was brought to my attention this was essentially the same thing as creating different capsules. For some reason, I have railed at the idea of a mix-and-match capsule, mostly because I thought it would be impossible to create without going out and buying it all at once. I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and the knowledge that pants and skirts often need different types of tops was really getting me stuck.

In general, I'm quite happy with my casual look but my volunteer clothing choices were seriously depressing me. I've been at Dress For Success for almost a year now and can you believe that I *almost* wanted to quit because I just can't seem to feel like myself in their dress code? I still have not figured out my work outfit mojo after a year!

Looking at my wardrobe, I decided that I had accumulated too MANY work clothes. Yes you heard me right. After all I only work one day a week. I dug into the YLF archives over the weekend and read all of Angie's posts on small work capsules and was energized to make one out of what I already had. I chose one pair of pants, one skirt, four or five tops, two printed cardigans and a blazer in neutrals that layer and work together. That left a few pencil skirts that I put aside for spring/summer. Now the real work comes because I have to try on these combinations and make sure they really do look good together. I will report back on that.

Here's the amazing thing. Do you know what was left? Oh, just about 10-12 items of decent clothes that are in current rotation for my everyday life. So by separating out my work clothes, I discovered that I already had, and was wearing, a 10-item wardrobe. Heh. That's better than having correct change at the supermarket! So it's not like I can't mix the capsules up, I mean, that's the way they were before, but somehow the separation clarified things for me and the solution was right under my nose the whole time. I just had to stop shopping for a minute to find it!

Photo1 business casual capsule
Photo 2 everyday capsule
Photos 3-10 biz casual ideas

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Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yay! Very cool, Claire. Reminds me of finding the perfect, economic thesis - no cluttered thoughts and it makes the point. I hope dressing for success will be a breeze for you after this!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Excellent! I'm actually thinking of going through my closet while I'm off for a few days and just rearranging it in capsule form - I think "seeing" the items all together will make a difference in my mindset.

Like you, I think I actually have too many items in my work wardrobe and a few that only play nice with one or two other pieces. Although I work full time, I have more than enough items to create several workable and happy outfits.

This post is very inspiring to me Claire - thank you!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Brilliant work, Claire! What a fantastic idea. And it's fascinating how, even for someone with an already very pared back and minimal wardrobe, looking at it all at once can be confusing and befuddling. I can only imagine how confusing it must be for those with large wardrobes, although perhaps they are not as distressed by confusion as you and me!

These outfits look terrific, by the way. Clean, crisp, and very Claire. I think the booties will help to modernize some of the fall/winter looks. It is amazing how a simple accessory can make a difference to the overall look.

You have an amazingly well-edited closet. You can congratulate yourself on your thrift, your great taste, and your determination. You're an inspiration to us all.

I have been accumulating items at a much quicker speed these days, thanks to my job. But of course I continue to purge like a madwoman, so I don't always end up with so much more in the closet at the end of the day. Still, I have many more than 10 items in rotation for my daily wear. I am now on a quest to figure out how many I really need, how many I actually wear. So far, it seems as if I am wearing everything in the closet, but some items definitely get more play than others. And I haven't entirely figured the reasons for that -- or whether I could generalize from them to another season or another year.

Recently I realized that my work-at-home capsule needs to be separate from my go-out-to-do errands capsule. Yes, there is overlap. But I need to think of it first in separate terms, as you have done here. I also need to think of my city-visiting capsule as separate. Again, there is considerable overlap. But I think focusing on it as a unique part of my life might give me more clarity, as it has given you!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

YOU DID IT!! I think you've assembled some mighty fine capsules here, Claire, and the number of items and colors look great.

Oh, woman, we are on the same page! Thank you for illuminating this for me in your own amazing way. I've been lamenting that I just have too much in the way of items (and I love them all), and I want them to work as you have shown in your photos. These grab-and-go capsules certainly make everything so much easier.

You've done an outstanding job with this and I know it took time and thought (how did you do all this during the holidays!). Success!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*applause*

I'm so impressed!

Anonymous

Thanks Rae! I'm humbled to have my closet compared to the perfect economic thesis!
I've enjoyed looking at the outfits you've come up with to dress others for success as well. It's an interesting set of circumstances you deal with, given your weather and commute on public transportation and you do with finesse!

Shannon, can I come play in your closet with you? You have such fun clothes! I think you'll find you can make some super capsules without necessarily getting rid of anything. It helped me to just set aside a few of my "bossier" printed skirts.

Suz, you are accumulating some FABulous items, and you are wearing them, which I think is Angie's unofficial rule #3. You need more capsules than I do, but I wonder if around 10 items is a good number of items for each one? I'm not sure about the math and if a capsule ever gets so large that it needs to be split up. I love where your style is going. It's such an inspiration and I can't wait to see how your new items play together and with your old favorites. I agree that a separate at home capsule is practical for you, and I wouldn't feel bad about that at all.

Vicki, my fab friend, you have amazing style and amazing clothes. If I have sparked anything at all for you I am sincerely humbled.

Angie, you are so polite for never saying, "I TOLD you so!" Thanks for your wonderful practical advice. Sometimes it just takes a while for the penny to drop with me.

Elly

Veteran

Sounds like a good epiphany Claire! At first I was shocked by the size of your wardrobe, but then I started thinking about something my SO and I were talking about the other day . . . .

(Prepare for offshoot talking about Men's fashion)

. . . . my SO works 4 days a week, 10 hours, and commutes 2 hours. He wears a uniform and has just enough organization-provided uniform shirts and accessories to go 4 days. When he works overtime, he has to wash a shirt, re-wear a shirt, or wear a long sleeve or short sleeve out of season.

At first I thought that this was a huge pain, especially when he has to work overtime, but also because he absolutely has to make time to do at least 2 loads of laundry every week, which means being 2-3 hours of being near the washer and dryer.

And in some ways, it is.

On the other hand, an extra week of work clothes is easily a 500 dollar investment and an investment in the space to store them both clean and dirty. He also works at a job where he comes in contact with potential pathogens, which don't pose much risk to regular people, but both his best friend and I have immune deficiency problems. Not having 8-10 days worth of that hanging around is probably a good thing.

Also, because he works 4 days a week and does laundry every week, he only really needs 3-4 days worth of casual clothing. Sure, there are summer and winter versions, clothes for a few different activities, and the occasional smart casual or dress look, but he doesn't need much in the way of personal clothing. He generally works with a very small mix-and-match capsule which seems to work for him, and also allows him to replaces things as they wear out.

The only time he needs more clothing are weeks where he is on vacation, but a few extra shirts tend to take care of that.

So I totally understand how a small capsule wardrobe could work wonders for someone that can do laundry frequently, wants to save money but still be able to replace things frequently, and doesn't have to "dress" for work everyday in a situation where the only people that see you each day of the week consistently are family and close friends. You manage to look fabulous doing it, and in some ways it is a great tool to encourage creativity (or discourage a man wearing red and green clashing clothes together--- color unified capsules, a great idea).

However, he also was talking about my clothing needs. Since I wear smart casual to work and smart casual or casual when I'm off, I need a lot more smart casual options. I can't re-wear clothing as often because tops need washing after 1 wear with me and pants after 2, maybe 3. I also need to switch shoes more because I am on my feet. I also travel for work more, and therefore sometimes will need 10 days to two weeks worth of clothes without laundering, which also allows for a good rotation for work clothes without not having anything to wear on the weekend because of fear of dirtying a much-needed outfit component. Because I wear so much smart casual, I also need a few casual pieces for all of those weekend things that need comfy clothes I can mess up. Plus, at least two seasons, gear, and dress clothes.

Gaylene

Veteran

Claire, you've put into action what has been rattling around in my head for the past few months. Buying items that I like to wear and actually wearing them is like Stage One. But you've just brilliantly explained the next step that I need to take; it's time to work out capsules for the different parts of my life. I've used the capsule idea for years for my evening wear, but, for some reason, never really got into using it for the other parts of my life.

Also, your question about how large a capsule should be before it gets split up is a good one. I suppose that it really depends on how much variety one craves or how big a wardrobe one wants. For me, I know I find too many options just makes me revert into wearing the same things over and over. I'm definitely a candidate for 2-3 smallish capsules where everything get worn and where items can get replaced reasonably often to keep things fresh. The "one in, one out" rule would be a good rule to follow to know if I want to replace something in a capsule.

Great inspiration for me in this post; thank you!

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

Claire, what an insightful post. I often find myself trying to separate my work wear from my casual clothes. Having a clear idea of what constitutes work wear and what is more casual helps making the process of dressing up more organised.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Gaylene said. Too many options means reverting to wearing the same thing over and over, simply because it is *there* and to hand.

Claire, would you mind starting a thread (or would you mind if I started it) in the new year with your question: At what point (i.e. how many items) should we be thinking about breaking a capsule into two parts? I think Angie's basic work capsule this spring was 10 items: http://youlookfab.com/2012/03/.....t-capsule/
That one includes footwear and a bag but not other accessories.

Her other capsule was closer to 25 or 27 items but that included accessories: http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/.....-for-less/

I am suddenly all excited about this way of thinking for moving forward. I am pretty sure it will help me with my every day planning. Maybe for my work-at-home capsule I need something like her larger example (since I work at home almost every day and smart casual is my mainstay.) But maybe for my travel-to-the-city capsule I need something like the smaller 10 item capsule. There could be overlap (e.g. a pair of pants, even jeans). But I could also forgive myself (allow myself) the extra items if needed for the dressier city occasions.

Maybe using these two templates would be a way for many of us to start -- to me the 30 items (approximate) allows for so much more variety and yet there is still clarity because many of those items would be accessories.

jenanded

Veteran

I will chime in here with the advice from my 1980's styling book. They suggest a small capsule, less than 10 pieces. Then they say look for making ANOTHER capsule of less than 10 pieces. Step 3 is a connecting group that allows you to JOIN some pieces of the first two capsules. I think they presumed they were all for one part of your lifestyle that we have been talking about here... not sure if that sheds light but if I got up to 27 pieces my little brain would be boggling I think... Oh Claire, Suz I am ready to start capsuling!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Such good discussions on the forum recently! And so helpful!

Brava Claire, for your beautiful selections and thoughtful approach to dressing.

Money and space keep me from a Kardashian-closet (a good thing), but I resist purging too quickly. I think I've realized that I "cycle" through capsule, and sometimes double back and remix items that I had drown cool on.

This fall, for example, I've been into my ponte pencil skirts, my menswear vest and jackets. That said, I just pulled out a couple of tops and a jacket that I had in the thrift pile, and I find that I am wearing, and loving, these items again.

I realize that I tend to live in "cycles," with projects and interests coming to the foreground for a while, and then receding to background for a cycle. I think I would do really well with the "2 closet solution," using a spare closet for off-season and out of capsule rotation clothes. Of course, my 1,000 sq ft home lacks a garage and doesn't even have a coat closet, and I don't think my kids are going to give up their toy storage space so I'll have to find another answer!

I think Suz's idea to start a thread in the new year is a great one!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Yay! I love what you said: "I just had to stop shopping for a moment to realize that a capsule was right under my nose." (paraphrased)

I need to take this to heart.

The ideas you've put together in pictures 3 plus look smart and easy to pull together. Looking forward to seeing them in action. And I keep thinking there's a place for that navy and white striped sweater or top from your casual capsule (your bd present?) -- I think it could span several capsules.

Anonymous

Elly, it was so interesting to hear about your SO's wardrobe. My husband wears a uniform and his is much the same. He actually has plenty of uniform items, but his casual capsule is very, very (too) small. Your life necessitates more clothing than his and I can completely see why. It is no problem for me to put a load of wash in since I am home most of the day, everyday. In fact, I'm hardly going out at all since I'm not shopping right now, lol! But I do try to get dressed. Working full time would make it very hard not to need duplicates. And if someone were to have to go to a laundromat, or wait on their clothes to line-dry in very damp weather, they would need a lot more clothing as well. You've made some very good points!

Gaylene, you hit on what I do exactly. When faced with too many choices, I shut down and reach for the same items over and over. It takes me a while to break in new things and figure out what they work with. This only happens when I wear them repeatedly. Then when I reach for the oddball orphan item, it seems like it will take too much time and effort to make it work. I often order the same thing when going out to eat, too.

Asingh, thank you. I'm sure it's still okay to let work and casual clothes intermix but anytime I reorganize my closet to a different format, it seems to jog a bit of creativity.

Suz, yes great idea! And feel free to start it yourself if I don't do it soon enough. I'd love to find out what other people think about capsule size. I love what you said about *forgiving yourself* the extra items for your Travel to the City capsule. In a way, I felt like I was forgiving myself for my crisp oyster blazer (that I don't reach for day-to-day) once I placed it in my work capsule. That's a perfect place for it and now I don't beat myself up for not wearing it out and about more often.

Jen, that's brilliant. I could see how it could work too, especially if you have some prints but are not super-keen on pattern mixing. That's where my overlap would be. I'd love to hear more. What is the book?

Beth Ann, you need some more space! Your life and interests are so varied and then you have a performance capsule to worry about. Do you do the "hidden storage" thing that Angie talks about. You could use plastic bins and slide them under your bed--but I'm sure you've already thought of that!

Yes Denise! You have fabulous clothes. Make sure they are all getting worn and loved. You're right about the striped sweater, although it's getting worn plenty for casual wear. I was trying to use up some orphans in the business casual capsule.

moira

Veteran

This post is a bit of an epiphany for me as well.
I looked with interest at other people's capsules, but it looked like math and I was told there would be no math.
This makes it all seem more manageable, somehow.
I do work full time, but it is in the "fun" business, so there is a huge overlap between my work clothes and my casual clothes. My dress clothes are still usually just a change in shoes and accessories.
I also have a space issue. I think some serious purging is in order.
I will ponder this.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love these musing & can't wait to see how this capsule works for you. Thanks for sharing.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Laughing with Moira - "I was told there would be no math!" I feel just the same way. Sometimes I see the numbers and glaze over....it's too abstract, and right over there is a super cute top I've been hankering after and wait! It's on sale.....whaddya mean I already have four striped sweaters?????? SO?????

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jenaded wrote this over on my thread but I think she might have meant to write it here so I am posting for her:

"Claire ... I have just stepped to my closet thinking I can do one little capsule before breakfast and have run screaming back to the forum... Did you pick your capsules based on where/which part of your life you would wear them? Perhaps this is revealing but my first reaction was that is a 'good' jacket so it must be for work.... Ok one more coffee before I start... and ok I did pyjamas yesterday (I do have to say I capsule PJs so I feel like I have variety!!) so the easy one is done..."

moira

Veteran

Well. That was either a cathartic purge or a psychotic break.
All clothes not worn in a year are in a bag on their way to Goodwill.
ALL!!!
Now, I can see what I really have to wear.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Moira - you GO girl!!! That's fantastic!

moira

Veteran

Hold me.

morethanbeige

Veteran

This is so inspiring, Clarie. I love your business casual ideas. Such a cool revelation! I find that I often feel like I'm in a rut fashion-wise and then I have a breakthrough. I think it's part of my process! And I'm learning to accept it.

unfrumped

Veteran

I like this train of thought.

I'm thinking of the capsule item numbers not just as a min or max, but as a practical matter that everything really does not go with everything. I may say I have 20 items in a capsule, but if I were defining it strictly, it's 3 overlapping capsules. I'm not trying to over- capsulize, but it comes out more clearly when you're packing for a trip and find , that jacket goes with the pants but not the skirt.

So I'm planning some year 2 of YLF streamlining too , getting more practical about the usefulness of various items, outfits and capsules.

bj1111

Veteran

i want your capsules.

jenanded

Veteran

Sorry Suz and Claire - I did write into the wrong thread - such a dufus and wardrobe too daunting before 7am!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jen - no problem! I knew it was early there! You should see me before my coffee. Yikes!

Anyway, both our threads are really on the same subject so I might go back and give you my own answer on my own thread!

Anonymous

Hey, it's all good!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow Claire, your thought process is so inspiring but even more so your ability to get up and take action. I love the work outfits you have created using your new capsule! I think that you have really hit upon a way of explaining capsules that will help me and lots of us here rethink our clothes.

Anonymous

Moira, you crack me up! No math indeed. I think it's a bit like juggling. You start with two or three balls in the air and then slowly add one at at time, not adding the next until you're comfortable It helped me to shop my own closet for the capsule because if I were to go out and shop for it new I would be paralyzed by not wanting to make a *wrong* choice. In the same way, I'm loathe to spend money to build on something I already have that is *just okay*. When you told Suz to hold you I thought I might wet myself I laughed so hard. Save your stuff in the garage for a while. I don't want to get a bill if you decide this purge was a horrible mistake!

Suz, I'll have another striped sweater too, please! And thank you for pasting Jen's comment here. If anyone ever mistakes me for you I'm nothing but flattered!

Jenanded, I am HARDLY an expert at this, but it reminds me a lot of starting a family budget/spending plan. There is no convenient, neat place to start. You just have to jump in and work out the rumples as you go. And there will be plenty of rumples! For my work capsule, I actually took the things I *wasn't* wearing everyday and tried to puzzle them together to redeem them. I didn't have that many pieces so it wasn't that difficult. Now watch, I'll try this stuff on and it won't work at all!

Morethanbeige, You can't possibly be in a rut! You are super stylish!

Unfrumped, good thoughts. It helps that my volunteer capsule just has to be presentable, not super fashionable. In my regular life, I might prefer a longer blazer with slacks than I have here, but based on the donated clothing I have to outfit the women at DFS with, this is just fine. Like I said, I need to turn on the space heater and have a trying on-session!

bj1111, okay, I'll share.

Shevia, thanks. Obviously I have no life! I now understand all of the elaborate flow charts come into existence when people are on SYC for long periods of time....

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