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Naming Capsules

AM

Veteran

Over the last year I have done a lot of thinking and planning regarding my capsules. Ultimately after the "the analysis", I arrived at concepts which lead to names.

For example:

Spring/Summer - Work from Home/Errands = Urban Sporty Luxe
Winter - Work from Home/Errands = Comfort Minimalism and Apres Ski

Does anyone else do this?

I realized that this probably doesn't just apply for Work from Home Women which I earlier posted under Work from Home Hybrids (inspired by Suz's Unfancy Discoveries) -- but all capsules.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Penny

Veteran

Absolutely, and I love the names of your capsules! Both comfort and glamour. To me, a name makes the capsule more cohesive and creates a vision that could help refine the pieces over time. "Polished elegance" for work and "sophisticated glamour" for occasion / formalwear are some of the names that I use for my capsules.

anne

Veteran

I have "cozy casual" to describe those clothes worn at home and enough ease to enough to tuck me knees under on on a couch with, but also decent enough to wear when other people are at our house (which happens a lot)

bj1111

Veteran

I too bought a knee high lace up rabbit line suede boot that screams apres ski regardless of what I wear. So that's my work capsule name until the snows go away or it's June.

Bijou

Veteran

I have some "serious professional work clothes" that I wear when I have to make a good impression, such as when presenting in front of clients or attending important meetings. It is nice to have outfits ready to go so that I don't have to think about what I am going to wear, especially if I am feeling stressed about the workday ahead. AM your planning skills sound very useful and I could probably get more organised in my more casual wardrobe.

Anonymous

I live in the South yet I have always aspired to Apres Ski in my life. This is unrealistic, but I know exactly what you mean when use that term.

I love the idea of naming your capsules. This makes more so much sense to me. As Penny said capsule names create a vision that could help refine the pieces over time.

kerry

Veteran

No but you've inspired me to. It started with Joy's postings of her holiday looks. I decided to do something similar next year for about 6 weeks. Capsule name: Whimsical Sparkle (Nov - Dec)

I've also realized I wear the same things over and over again but I get bored and then shop. Instead of fighting it I've decided to embrace it. I've created timeline of several capsules based on the seasons where I live. Some clothes will transition to the next capsule but some will stay firmly in just the one thereby avoiding boredom and needless shopping, I hope.

Deep Winter Jan- Mar (I'm borrowing your Après Ski - thanks!)

I'm toying with ...

Cold Spring - Apr - May (Spring Bulbs)
Warm Spring - May-June (Cape Cod)
Hot Summer - July - Aug (Cottage Ease or Tex Style's Camp Counsellor - I dropped the Goes Out because I'm more casual)
Warm Fall - Sept - Oct (Apple Picking)
Cold Fall - Oct - Nov (not sure)

rachylou

Veteran

Actually, hey! You know what? As I've been working on capsule names, I've realised it's giving me quite a bit of insight into how well they reflect the overall style persona I'm going for...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am still loving this idea and really want to play with it, maybe along the seasonal lines that kerry suggests (as well as by function). Not coincidentally, we have a similar climate.

Only problem is, I'm having trouble coming up with names, ha!

Maybe this is why I did well with a style persona name. (Used to be urban prince but that doesn't work any more. Hmmm)

Anonymous

Kerry, neat idea for the two-month capsules. I need to have a think about whether that system could work for me.

Style Fan

Veteran

It is a great idea AM. I love planning and organizing but I don't know if I could put a name to my capsules. I will definitely give it some thought.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Heh. Planning, you say? I have a spreadsheet documenting every item in the wardrobe, all tagged and organised and everything. As for the capsules, there are so many of them that giving them each a name might make my head explode. It would take a relational database to make any sense of it whatsoever.

I do now have a frame of reference for the different looks and influences, which has helped me focus on what I'm trying to achieve. Sadly, it hasn't prevented me from leaving the house a couple of times looking like I got dressed in the dark. Still working on that.

I told you I was a huge nerd. Good to see you back by the way.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I really love this idea of naming capsules!

For all of you who have worked out names... I would love to see visual representations, via Pinterest, or some photo links here.

I'm not entirely sure what comprises "Apres Ski". When I Google "apres ski style", the images look all helter-skelter and wildly varied.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Looking at Apres Ski on Pinterest now. Very interesting! There is a lot of variation between rugged and sleek, RATE and elegant.

lpr200

Veteran

Kerri,
I think you solved one of my capsule issues-- I need to break it down like you have because that's closer to the weather where I live and I've been too hard on myself for not wearing items but it's not quite warm or dry enough for them yet in my winter capsule.
I'm going to name my capsules based on my style persona, so they reflect the seasonal aspects of my style

AM

Veteran

Penny
"Polished elegance" and "sophisticated glamour” are great names. And yes, about helping with vision -- someone else mentioned that too– and this couldn’t be more true.

Anne
Home, couch, around other people – yup. I have similar needs. I like "cozy casual."

Bj1111
Knee high lace up rabbit line suede boot sound yummy! Go après ski!

Bijou
Taking conceptual capsules and refining “ready to go outfits” (as you say) is really my next step. And being more deliberate so I can amp up my style.

Sterling
I’m DC suburb so my Apres Ski will have a limited season. But l am loving it so far. And yes, vision. I hope you post more about your style journey.

Kerry
Wow. These are so fun. I often get strictly analytical. Seeing your working names makes me feel like I need to lighten up.

Kerry and smittie
Having two month capsules? Is this all about weather? Variety?

Rachylou
I’m with you. Looking at overall style and seeing the capsules as building blocks to (as you said so well) “reflect the overall style persona I'm going for...). Right on!

Suz
Totally agreeing about needing to consider season and function. And it is such a brain work-out to come out with names that define and excite. Tough work! Can’t wait to see what you come up with. You have clearly been doing some thinking on this.

Style Fan
When I think more about this – it was probably planning, loving research -- but also about simplifying. I needed to get a handle on my style and my wardrobe. Will be interested to see your thoughts on this.

approprio
Oh to by a fly on your gray matter as you build these spreadsheets! These sounds unbelievable. And I have no doubt you could create (and manage) a relational database – and still command your creative talents.
Your style Lab 1 makes my heart sing. It’s wonderful. I’m moving in that direction and you have certainly laid out a wonderful example. So interesting how we share a few similar themes classic/modern and feminine/masculine.

La Belle Demimondaine
I agree about seeing how people interpret après–ski. I’m going to post some PowerPoint boards in the next few days about my capsules in hopes others will start sharing more of their goal setting, planning processes… or thoughts on capsule names. My “Après–ski” is represented by the lux belted parker (with fur collar/hood or with fur hat), the slim lines of ski pants, furry boots. When the parker is removed – it’s all about chic knit wear (sweater, wrap, scarf) and of course the fur boots stay on. Can’t wait to see what others say or post.

And I really hope people share their thinking, names, images, etc. on this. Fun to see and great learning to be had.

kerry

Veteran

Yes, mostly.

Winter is loooong. Summer is hot. Fall and Spring barely register so if I'm not paying attention I miss prime dressing season. This means I need to get my footwear ready to go at the first hint of cool (before I'll be in winter boots for months) and the first hint of warmer weather before it's exclusively sandal season. The clothing capsules are partly driven by footwear.

Because Winter is long I decided to break it up by doing a 6-week holiday capsule (like Joy). I also think Beth Ann has something called Hope for Spring. For me this would start in April (when it's often still cold) but I'll bring out colours (brighter, lighter) and patterns (stripes that feel nautical and springy but still keep me warm).

Summer temps start in June when I'm still working (teacher) and continue into September and sometimes early October. I wear very different clothing in July/August because I'm on summer holidays thus a different capsule.

September always feels like New Years to me and therefore I want to wear something I haven't in a while. I love true fall, apple picking, harvest, crisp evenings - cognac boots, wellies, light jackets all feel fall to me - kind of visit-the-farm look. I don't do traditional fall colours - I'm quite cooled-toned but I do feel the need to make clothing a bit darker and richer at this time of year, even if the temps don't cooperate.

ETA: added some finds to give some visuals to capsules (works in progress!)

Après ski 1-3
Cape Cod 4-6, 9
Apple Picking 7-8, 10, 12
Whimsical Sparkle 11, 13-15

Sorry it's not in better order!

This was fun, thanks!

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L'Abeille

Veteran

What a fascinating and inspiring thread this has turned into!

I am with Kerry and others in needing several shorter seasonal capsules to deal with both varying climate and varying functional requirements. I could easily take over her labels wholesale, too. In my world, Cold Fall could be subtitled Get Out the Tartan.

But lpr's desire to find capsule names that fit with her style persona really resonates with me, too. In fact, as my persona is "The Gentlewoman", what immediately popped into my head was "Town" and "Country" (with a possible modification for "Shore". Where I actually live.)

This would need further subdivision. Going to work and going to church are both "Town", but completely different in effect. Maybe "The Lady" vs "The Gent"? Or "On the Town" vs "In the Town"? And none of these address the seasonal aspect; which however I seem to have a bit of a handle on already. Maybe the functional aspect is where I have the most work to do.

Another question for you all about capsules. Do you have dedicated clothing items in each capsule? Or are they conceptual only, with items playing a role in more than one capsule? I think I tend to the latter, ever since I followed Angie's advice about wardrobe bottlenecks, and duplicated my white shirts. Now I don't have to "save" them for workdays, I feel so much more "me" in my down time, wearing them with chinos like a preppy or with an A-line skirt like Carolina Herrera.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. It just popped into my head. I just wanna say I need a capsule called 'Cold Comfort Farm.' I will have to buy to fill it, but I just have to have it...

http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0112.....m_tt_ov_pl

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AM

Veteran

kerry: I'm thinking on several comments you bring up. Preparing for shorter seasons to ensure items are worn. Dividing longer seasons to beat the doldrums -- and adding variety. And then looking at your examples, your names come to life, immediately. Interesting how you have incorporated an iconic location - Cape Cod, a romantic seasonal ritual - apple picking, and more. All with tremendous emotional content -- possibly driving more emotional enjoyment? This definitely widens my thinking on concepts and then naming of capsules. I think I might have to analyze what kind of emotional strings I am pulling (or could be pulling) with my capsules.

L'Abeille: Immediately smiling with "Get Out the Tartan." The Gentlewoman", "Town" and "Country", "On the Town" vs "In the Town", "Shore" -- I immediately have strong associations with these. Part of what would be so fascinating would be your interpretation of these. I hope you will share. And I do have key elements that I feel certain capsule concepts rely on -- but other basics can work across capsules. And I am absolutely about having duplicates to avoid bottlenecks.

rachylou: 'Cold Comfort Farm' -- please, please -- at the very least pull some examples to show us. And I'm still curious what kind of concepts/names you'll have for the baking.

Joy

Veteran

AM, I love the idea of naming capsules. I got the idea of having 6 smaller capsules from Suz and it works very well for me to keep organized and happy and not bored with my wardrobe, especially during long hot summer and long cold winters. Right now ( January/February) is cold winter...wool sweaters, serious boots, heavy jeans, sweater dresses, puffer coats. Most of this is in neutral colors as a change from the festive season of November/December.
March/April is cold spring. I have collected winter weight items in lighter and brighter colors for this capsule, such as a pink cashmere hoodie with matching pink cashmere scarf, sweaters in pale blue, lavender, white, and mint green. Right now I'm really looking forward to this color shift. I may keep some navy around to wear with these lighter colors. There is a small capsule of lighter weight items for warmer, transitional days that includes a variety of neutrals for mid April/May. I will wear blush with navy, peach with black, pale blue with chocolate brown. When it gets hot, June/ July, I pull out lighter weight pieces in midtones and some brights. My hot autumn capsule starts in August through September. I look for clothing in flattering autumn colors in light weight fabrics and summer styles. This capsule still needs the most work. Then comes the festive holiday capsule to which I try to include layering possibilities for warm and cold weather. Featured are red and bling for dressy or casual outfits.

kerry

Veteran

AM, thanks for starting this thread. I've had lots of wardrobe ideas percolating in my head since last Sept. and exploring my thoughts to respond to this thread really helped crystallize some things for me.

Anonymous

Goodness – I am an infrequent lurker here, but feel
extraordinarily lucky that I wandered onto this thread today. AM, your thoughts about a variety of seasonal
capsules has caused a light bulb to go off in my head. Here where I live, we have a fairly short winter with different types of weather.
The difference from the climates that most of you have described is that our 3 “winters” occur rather randomly throughout the North American winter months. For example, today we have “San Diego” weather – high in the 70s F, sunny, a bit of a breeze (which sadly does
NOT smell of the ocean). The low temperature tonight will probably around 60F and a little windier. By the end of the week, we could easily be having “Southern Winter” – cloudy and gray, maybe some rain, highs in the 50s, lows above freezing. Or a Norther could blow in and in the space of 4 hours we could be experiencing ice storms and temps
well below freezing – I guess you could call that
“Why-Yes-We-Do-Have-Winter-Here-in-Texas”.

Anyway, all of the above is a rather lengthy background to
the slap-myself-in-the-forehead moment, when I realized that I think what I need is three distinct winter weather capsules - ALL AVAILABLE SIMULTANEOUSLY - during these months. That is of course
layered on top of additional needs such as where-am-I-going-and-what-am-I-doing-today-and-how-dressy-or-casual-or-activity-specific-does-my-attire-need-to-be.

Despite the fact that it sounds rather complicated, it actually
seems to me to be a way to simplify both my thinking and possibly my
closet.

So, I am curious what others think. Do any of you have multiple weather
capsules that you draw from simultaneously?
Is this idea inspired or crazy?

AM

Veteran

Joy: Your seasonal analysis is fascinating -- much to learn here. I think I have over simplify Spring and Fall (I'm clearly not in tune with seasons). Again, this year has been experimentation. Because I only wear black, gray, and white -- for me to lighten -- I would wear more white. Thinking out load here. And I can definitely have more fun over the holidays (with style and festivities.)

kerry: Glad this has been helpful. It is definitely widening my perspective.

Ryce: I'm with you. With all this seasonality talk -- it reminds me that I have a variety of layers that gives me access to pieces for different temps. And yes, having access to these layers all at once is key. Just as you stated.

For me, conceptualizing and naming capsules was about simplification and furthering a very specific direction for my own style. The capsules were foundations for executing my personal style. The functional and seasonality components were essential for structure -- making life easier throughout the year. Additionally, I was going to pursue a rigid uniform for work from home/errands.

Folks on this thread have taken seasonality to another level and have opened my eyes to the emotional content that can come from naming capsules. For example, Urban Sporty Luxe is a definite direction in style but my Apres Ski has fantasy for me (much more rich in emotion). Others that mention town and country, apple picking, cape cod, cold comfort farm, holiday themes -- these seem to have more romance or drama (even more emotion). What a wonderful added value to associate with the naming (and wearing the clothes within a capsule). Then when I hear cozy, elegance, polished, etc. I see that we also need to be reminded of a basic feeling we are looking to achieve. That's my take. You?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ryce, because our winters are long and varied, I do have multiple winter capsules in simultaneous rotation, though mostly for outerwear. It is the outerwear that protects against the (various) elements. This includes footwear, of course.

AM, that is so true about the emotional element of the names...this seems important to making the capsules feel "fun" and enjoyable. I think associating them closely with the style persona could also have that effect as for L'Abeille.