When making capsules; what do you do with clothes that go into both?

lyn*

My article in question is a black blazer. It goes into my Flirty Tailored capsule and it goes into my Nautical Princess one

I can't even buy a second black blazer because I really like that one :p

13 years ago

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

Vildy

Veteran

If you hang by grouping, just put the blazer between the two. I don't think the capsule idea is supposed to be about having to avoid mixing. The books on it, originally by Janet Wallach?, took a few colors and then broke one of those or both of those out and formed new capsules with other colors. And so on, extending out as far as you liked.

13 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I admit I'm not a capsule dresser but why can't a piece be in two capsules? I always thought it was more of a mental grouping than physical grouping of items?

13 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You can add the same piece to as many capsules you wish. The idea is not to make physical groups, but to have a plan for which items in your wardrobe that mixes easily with each other. I think a black blazer would fit into a whole lot of capsules, and then it will serve its purpose in your wardrobe even better than if it only could go into one capsule!

13 years ago

rute

Veteran

I have only 3 capsules (i'm not an expert, I know):
- gym wear;
- lounge wear;
- all the rest (my work wear and weekend wear is all the same)

13 years ago

Anonymous

I don't have any capsules as such but I agree wit the others that it is more of a mental list of combining. It sounds like your jacket is a workhorse and very versatile.

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Maybe you need to set up a 'bridging capsule'

I did that for a few items I wear to work at the office or OTG around town as well as to work from home or use as layering pieces in travelling. They now have their own shelf space. I might duplicate them when budget permits if I find laundry is hampering their versatility (capsule 1 in laundry while capsule 2 incomplete without bridging piece) --- provided I still like the piece that much and can still find it!

13 years ago

Krista

Veteran

I'm with the others - I see it more as a mental grouping. I think it's more about knowing what pieces in each capsule the black blazer will go with and that it doesn't have to "fit" specifically into any one place. But I struggle with ambiguity like that, too, so I hear what you're saying!

13 years ago

Anonymous

i only take actual capsules when I travel. I don't physically organize things by capsule. It is more of a mental note.

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

LOL, unfortunately my mental capacity is limited. I was hoping to make a physical capsule and actually print out all the different combinations so I can grab and go in the morning - I don't think I could remember what goes in what capsule without actually going through the motions.

I can see myself end up with a yellow top and a green bottom and a red blazer and going HUH? :p

13 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Lyn, I agree that you need to keep some kind of record of your capsules. I recommend taking snapshots of the singular items (a phone camera is perfect for his), and make an inventory somewhere - Evernote is my preferred choice, but there are numerous others. Create a table, add a photo into each cell, and now your capsule can be viewed at a glance. Many workhorses can do double duty this way. You can choose items from the capsule you want to make use of, and then pick the actual ones from your closet. I do this, and it really takes the guessing out of getting dressed.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Maybe you have 3 capsules.
Flirty Tailored
Nautical Princess
Mix and Match

13 years ago

Mia

Veteran

I think Ingunn just covered it but I also do my capsules by writing them down after doing "Polyvore on the floor" and/or taking pictures with my phone or camera. Most of my pieces belong to multiple capsules which is why I am so much happier with my wardrobe now.

My closet however is organized by type of garment and then colour. Dark to light.

Try taking a couple of minutes to lay out an outfit the night before. If you are like me the morning is not the best.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Plus, you are really talking about outfits within capsules. You are interested in defining your outfits--what you put on in the morning--to make life easier, I imagine and to get the outfit right, after you planned it or tried it out. So your blazer is part of several outfits, and the outfits may have different "vibes" or perhaps worn to different places (work vs. party/not-work) hence capsule.

I try to use the ideas to both fill wardrobe gaps (nothing to wear to a party or wedding, hence need items for dressy/party/wedding capsule) or when I have too much stuff in one area (don't buy any more tops that are only used in casualwear capsule) or now also using if trying to move into a new style area or "look" which, if I can give it a moniker and have a mental image, may help me make the right purchases to achieve that goal.

It's all for fun and not to get to stressed about but I can see myself doing it, too.

13 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'm glad you asked this question, because when I read about capsules a while ago, I thought of them as more physical than mental, and couldn't get my head around it. I have tons of pieces that I wear to both work and play, so didn't quite know where to start. So I didn't.

13 years ago

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