Making seasonal capsules - YouLookFab Forum

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Making seasonal capsules

Sally

Veteran

I've been in isolation for a week after my son got covid so a lot of time to stare at my wardrobe. My problem is that I don't have a lot of space to keep my clothes out for easy access but I don't want to purge any more clothes at the moment. So I have decided to take the idea of small capsules of maybe 37 items and put the other clothes away in a trunk. Then at periodic times review what is in the holding zone and maybe rotate depending on my needs. It will also mean I will encourage more wear from items that may not always be worn.

I'm going to prepare a late summer /early autumn capsule now and in 5 weeks change it to an autumn/winter capsule. It's going to be mainly midi skirts for work with a couple of jean options for variety. Has anyone else with limited closet space done this ? or do you have other solutions to the limited closet /cupboard problem?

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Neha Jangid

Sisi

Veteran

I think this is an excellent idea and I encourage you to do so.
I have not limited storage space, nonetheless I keep the season clothes in my small bedroom closet and the out-of-season ones out of sight, in a box. Visually, I do not like a clogged closet. This method helps me to have more mental clarity.

Star

Veteran

Yes Great idea. I do similar in Spring and Summer as I just have too many clothes for these seasons but do not want to purge, so I take out the ones I am feeling more, those that are more trendy at the time, those that fit better (my weight fluctuates) and make sure they all go together reasonably well. It is much easier for me to work with a smaller amount of clothes, when there are too many I my style goes all over the place. Also this will help to wear clothes out - which may sound crazy to actually want, but I do want to have a smaller wardrobe eventually, without being wasteful.

unfrumped

Veteran

I am thinking of something similar and have been going through items for that purpose. I recently moved house and gave a smaller main bedroom closet. I do have some additional space in a small guest room closet plus can do underbed storage and have upper closet shelf space. But like Sisi, I’m finding while I can cram a fair amount in my main closet, it bothers me to see too much and have hangers packed.
Although I have at times aspired to a much more “ seasonless “ wardrobe, I run very cold in winter, then have hot summers and do a lot of outdoor yard work. So I do have very seasonal items that are in heavy rotation for 3-4 months , then not worn for several more months. These deep winter/ hot summer items are fairly easy to organize to store & switch out.
My bigger problem is that I do have a lot of mild weather/ transitional weather items- I need to curate this group more , but so far I still like most of the items. If these get “ hidden “, I forget I have them and miss the fall or spring or odd mild winter days when I could wear them.
But I have more than will fit in prime closet rod space along with the cold or hot group.
So I’ve been doing tryons to identify outfits and possible logical “ capsules “ that I might intentionally rotate- not rigidly like some capsule bloggers, but more as “ wear these for the next month “ to really put outfits through their paces, which helps me identify the real favorites and any “ wardrobe malfunctions “ that might not come to light when I’m just trying something on, and also , if I have to keep going to get something else from the other room, then maybe THAT item is the real workhorse.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Yes, I did a version of 30x30 challenge soon after I started here. Many people say having so few items makes for kind of a pressure cooker where they have to start experimenting and mixing in new ways. I enjoyed the challenge, but didn’t experience it in that way. I usually wear a couple outfits over and over for a week or more, so don’t think I even got to 30 pieces worn. But I did think about my wardrobe more carefully than I had before, so it was helpful in that way.

I do switch out clothes seasonally now, would prefer not to do so. Long underwear and heavy sweaters are only for winter, shorts and lightweight fabrics are for summer, but the same tops can be tank tops in summer and undershirts in winter, and summer days here can be cool enough to wear jeans or a light sweater, so they stay in the closet year round.

Joy

Veteran

I have done this with limited closet space. Another advantage is that the things put away out of sight seem new and welcome when you bring them back. Now I have part of a walk-in closet and try to keep everything out all year. I miss the seasonal switches but it is useful to mix things up more. I want to soon bring spring / summer things more to the front and put the winter things ( especially boots and booties) to the back or on high shelves where they are still accessible but not as easily.

ETA: I just read some of the other replies and agree with the idea that transitional weather and seasons may need it all. That is hard with a small closet space. Things get crowded and packed together.

RobinF

Veteran

Our transitional seasons are short here but I do switch out winter and summer, or at least those that are only for those seasons. I agree there are some items that can be worn year round. I agree with Joy, having them put away makes them seem new and fun when I get them back out again.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Despite having a smaller closet, I keep everything in there at once (since we deal with mild winters). So I do what Joy mentioned & shuffle things around within the closet (e.g. move jumpers to the back in summer) instead of elsewhere.

I know what a pain a smaller wardrobe can be though - unfortunately I don't really have any solutions, except for using the space on top of your closet (I store my PJ's there lol) & the doors (I hung belts & scarves on my old ones, plus a long mirror). Good luck!

slim cat

Veteran

I do similar things with my clothes - currently there are mostly work pieces and some casual favorite ones that I have hanging in the closet.
I have my graphic tees folded and nearby since that's what I like to wear 24-7. I keep my dressier skirts hanging since I hope to wear them earlier this spring ( it'll be some effort - jeans are my go to bottoms ).
Need to do spring mini edit - and re-thing some arrangements as well.
Good luck with your project!

Runcarla

Veteran

I have ‘everything out’ in a small walk-in closet with the exception of outerwear. Outerwear is split between a main floor closet and a basement closet, and gets switched out seasonally. I practice ‘wear counting’ and the numbers reveal that I tend to rotate through 10-12 different tops (out of 20 total) and 5 different bottoms (out of 10 total) - in a month. Some items just naturally fall into one season or another. Sleeveless tops and shorts for summer, sweaters and warmer pants for winter.

I have created small capsules of garments (similar to packing for a trip!) and challenged myself to mix-and-match from that subsection for a specified period of time. Sometimes I do that for a month, or sometimes just a week.

10 tops, 5 bottoms (pants/shorts/skirts), 1-2 dresses, 3-4 toppers = a one month capsule, and possibly even a 3 month seasonal capsule. Of course, if you fancy dresses, or have another favoured garment, or crave more variety, adjust the numbers accordingly.

*Keeping a record of everything I own/have in my closets and dresser in Finds ensures I don’t loose track of garments, and allows me to easily ‘shop my closet’ anytime.

Sal

Veteran

I think it’s a fun experiment. Why not! Have you seen Signe or Useless on YouTube. She does this.

I do swap my out of season clothes because I like doing so- and I won’t wear sandals in winter nor boots in summer. Many things are available all year though- jeans, blouses, sneakers, jackets. I do sometimes put away something I am over-like a holding zone.

Lesley

Veteran

I am such a big believer in a tiny wardrobe! Every time I was pregnant, I was like, why do I feel more stylish wearing these 4 dresses over and over than in my normal life when I have a whole closet to choose from?

A capsule can at least help you pretend you have a small collection. I packed perfectly for a recent trip to Florida (a rarity... I usually spend trips wishing I had just one more pair of shoes or that cardigan I left at home) and it reminded me of this. Less is more.

Sally

Veteran

Thanks everyone. Your words were really inspiring me to challenge myself. The highlights to me were
Sisi - the importance of not having a clogged closet in order to see things.
star - this as a way of using what you want to and as a way of transitioning to a smaller closet
unfrumped - I also run cold in winter but I'm going to try and survive on one coat (because I tend to wear the same one anyway) and a few sweaters.
stagiaire fash - this as being similar to the 30 X 30 challenge and as a means of forcing more creativity.
Joy - the option of moving different items forward at different times and the freshness of clothes that you bring out after putting them away.
RobinF- some clothes can be kept out all year round and the fun of like new clothes that were away. I'm thiking of my khaki shirt dress.
Zaeobi - the opportunity to use other places to store clothes
slim cat - good idea to have those clothes you wear 24-7 closeby. I generally wear tanks and shorts or trackpants if I am not at work or going out.
Runcarla - the great idea of making small capsules for weeks or a month.
Sal- thanks for the youtube inspirations. use less looks especially good.
Lesley - yes I always love my wardrobe on holiday because i do pack light and make do with what I have. I also put a lot of thought into what I'm going to take so that might be why it works.

I put a lot of my clothes in a big trunk last night and even put a lot of scarves away so I could concentrate on certain scarves. I will put the capsule up on a different post when I have organised it or maybe when it is over if it works well.

Runcarla

Veteran

Sounds like an excellent plan, Sally. ♥️

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think there is a fun factor in putting away clothing and rediscovering it later. I have a generous closet but basically do this every season or major mood change and, for me, it is very enjoyable to rediscover things that seemed wrong then but seem great now.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Building on what @slimcat said, I hang my proposed outfits for the week (including the accessories) on the back of my bedroom door. I know some people use a rolling clothes rack for this instead - same principle.

It gives me the room to play with my wardrobe without being cramped within it, so I can clearly see what's going on & build looks based on what I have(n't) been wearing. I dedicate the rightmost hook to my PJs/ loungewear for convenience

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Sally

Veteran

Great point Jaime as things can seem unappealing for a while and its good to put them away and look at them later with a fresh set of eyes.

Zaeobi thank you for the photo. That is a great idea. I might try this though I am quite mood affected in that I will change my mind at the last minute but I do like to have the combinations already sorted.

rachylou

Veteran

I often pull capsules out to work with… but more on a two-week basis. I have a couple of waterfall hangers on my closet doors where I display the items. The seasons seem to progress in two-week increments…

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

That's the great thing about hanging multiple looks though, @Sally - you can still easily mix & match, since you have many options 'on display'! For example, I wasn't feeling the purple jumper tunic with the marigold turtleneck in my example, so I wore the turtleneck with the chocolate sweater dress behind it instead. It helps if there's a cohesive colour scheme already

I like @rachylou's idea of hanging up a mini seasonal collection instead - don't know if my door could take that much weight though (the perils of renting), lol...

Lesley

Veteran

You are totally right-on—putting thought into the capsule is what makes it work. I lay it all out on my bed like I'm doing one of those mix-and-match layouts you see in InStyle and anything that doesn't go with the mood sticks out like a sort thumb.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I share a walk-in closet with the BF, and I keep anything that is wearable in the current season in there, minus heavy coats, or fancy stuff. I find it helps not to have to dig through off-season items. And as Joy so wisely put it, it makes my older pieces seem new and welcome.

I love your 37-item capsule idea, and why not give it a go? It will be a fun experiment! If it works for you, you'll get a lot of enjoyment from your pieces, and have some breathing room in your closet. And if you find it isn't working for you, it will help you assess whether you can swap out or add other items from your storage area, or if there are genuine wardrobe holes.

I hope you'll post some pictures of your selections and let us know how it goes!

Sally

Veteran

Thank you for all the great ideas and contributions.
@rachylou - love the idea of the two week capsules. I guess it gives you time to review your capsule.
@zaeobi - yes even pre-planned outfits allow for changes and flexibility.
@ Lesley - I used to love looking at the layouts of capsules wardrobes. Probably why I love travel wardrobes.
@ Mary Beth - yes even sorting out a capsules helps to identify gaps like for example I have quite a few skirts to put into a capsule but still lack the tops to add variety to the skirts. I will definitely share my capsules, some outfits and how worthwhile I found it.

Neha Jangid

(website)

Hey Sally,
I'm horrible at organizing my warobe.
No matter how much free time I get, I just don't feel the drive to organize my wardrobe.
At last, as always my sister has to do it for me, and I do her assignments & other work in return.