I’m going to be a little bossypants right now. Shocking, right? I want you to close your eyes (well, you may need to squint so you can keep reading, but you get the idea) and picture me in your closet.
Naturally, I’d be standing on a stool. I’m 5’2″, and 5’1″ of that is hair, so a stool would be mandatory. So there I am, sorting through your clothes and dividing them up into two nice, neat groups, which are:
The Keep Pile
Clothes you love and wear.
The Toss Pile
Clothes you don’t love and don’t wear.
See how simple that was?
I know that you have sentimentality and labels and money and memories and dreams invested in your clothes, but, and I shudder to say this, they are only clothes. The memories and dreams and fantasy life they represent can remain. You just need to let go of the clothes.
I am not Marie Kondo, although she is gorgeous and I am sure her system will work for many. We’re all busy, many of us are moms. So I will not ask you to take every item in your closet, press it to your cheek, and see if your heart skips a beat. Who has the time? We are lucky, at best, to have an hour in our closets. Maybe 2.
So here’s what I suggest.
Sift through your closet, category by category, and do a quick yes-no-yes-no.
The Keep Pile
Clothes that fit
Clothes that flatter
Clothes that you love
Clothes that you actually wear, again and again, and feel great in! (This second part is key. If you wear that tattered sweatshirt solely because it’s comfy and it fits, it doesn’t belong in the Yes Pile.)
The Toss Pile
Clothes that don’t fit (unless you really-truly fluctuate between two sizes, and even then, you’re pushing it)
Clothes that make you feel okay. You know, not naked, but not fabulous either.
Clothes that are stained, pilled, worn or torn (except destroyed denim, because, well, it’s denim). You deserve better.
Trendy pieces whose moment has passed.
Shoes that genuinely and truly hurt so badly that you wince. Unless they are fabulous, in which case, you need to buy some Still Standing Spray and wear them anyway. They’re worth it.
Clothes that are too tight, too short, too bare, or too, well, anything.
Clothes that you don’t wear. Ever. Or hardly ever.
Next, take the entire Toss Pile out of your closet. Don’t look through it first, attempting to rescue some items and reconsider others. Just get them out of there. Where you put it is up to you, but here are some suggestions:
- Under your child’s bed. The dust bunnies need company.
- In one of those big plastic storage bins, tucked into a hall closet.
- The trunk of your husband’s car. Trust me. He’ll hardly notice.
Now, go back into that closet, and look at the Keep Pile. For many of us, what remains, if we are truly honest, is about 10% of what we started with. If you’re an especially talented shopper, or have a strong sense of your own personal style, it may be more. But 10% is true for most women.
What you are left with is your actual wardrobe. Your own personal capsule wardrobe. The rest of the stuff was just clutter. And now the work of creating a truly personal, workable, beautiful wardrobe can begin.
Now, I’d like you to create more specific Capsules: A Cool Weather Capsule and a Warm Weather Capsule, for example. Or a Casual Capsule and a Business Casual/Church/Dress-Up Capsule. Aim for 2-4. Here, from my own closet, is a sample capsule:
Cool Weather Casual Capsule Wardrobe
- Grey Velvet sweater
- Chambray button-down
- Grey knit Matilda Jane jacket
- Red Free People ruffled sweatshirt/jacket
- Taupe Paige skinny jeans with black piping
- Pink Carolina Herrera sweater
- Free People intarsia sweater
- THML Fox sweater
- Dark red Joe’s skinny pants
- Joe’s boyfriend jeans
- Tory Burch flowered cardigan
- Black DVF cashmere wrap dress
- Rock & Republic studded sweater
- Red long sleeve ruffle dress
- Cream Donna Karan jersey top
- Isle Patterned top
- Isle black jersey top with sheer hem
- Striped black and white tee from Zara
- Dark green sweatshirt dress
- Grey tee-shirt dress
Now add your favorite and most frequently worn shoes. (Never count shoes. It’s like counting hugs. Why limit yourself?)
Cool Weather Capsule Shoe Wardrobe
Black knee high boots
Red heels
Neutral flats
Colorful flats
Black booties
Leopard heels
Metallic heels
And then the accessories…
Jewelry Capsule
Long crystal Jewel Kade necklace
Long gold Beje necklace
Short crystal J. Crew necklace
Layered pearl J. Crew necklace
Melinda Maria gold bangle
Melinda Maria silver hoops
Dean Davidson gold hoops
Diamond cross necklace
Diamond stud earrings
Colorful statement necklace
Next, take these items, the items from your closet that you wear and love and actually own, and mix them with the items found in a capsule wardrobe. Here’s mine, to get you started, but most feature the same list of items, more or less.
Core Capsule Wardrobe
Basic capsule wardrobe featuring: tees (black and white), tanks (black and white), button down (white or chambray), black skirt, black shorts, black dress, black pants, black jacket or other neutral jacket, black cardigan or knit jacket, and dark jeans. (Use dark and light neutrals of your choice here, of course).
And this is why, in my opinion, most capsule wardrobes are a lie. There is no way most women will want to be limited to a very pared down, personality-less selection of basics. A capsule wardrobe was never designed to replace your existing wardrobe; it was simply designed to supplement it. And, when combined with the cute stuff you already have hanging in your closet, it allows you to create multiple combinations of cuteness. (I think I’ll brand that. Multiple Combinations of Cuteness).
When I combine my Cool Weather Casual Capsule Wardrobe (the cute stuff I have) with the Core Capsule Wardrobe (the basics), I get Multiple Combinations of Cuteness:
(Disclaimer: My Tory Burch cardigan looks nothing like this one, but I couldn’t find a picture of mine to use. Plus, this one is much cuter).
So now that you know the real truth about Capsule Wardrobes, I hope you’ll consider creating your own today. Need help! I found the coolest online tool for you to check out! It’s the Capsules App from Cladwell. It takes you step by step through the process of creating your own capsule wardrobe, from choosing a color palette to cataloging your favorite items to shopping for the missing pieces. It’s genius!
Nada Manley says
I LOVE the way you put this Sharon! Yes, we are all wearing a capsule wardrobe already. We just aren’t calling it that. I might have to quote you on that! I try to move the things that are out of season or dressier to a different section of my wardrobe so I can see what I’m currently wearing. Good luck and thank you so much for the comment!
Sharon says
So glad I stumbled upon this, you outlined it so well. Essentially we are all wearing a capsule wardrobe already, it is just hidden amongst all the clothing that is just hanging there and not being worn.
My issue is I do love everything in my closet but I keep reaching for the same things over and over and skipping over all the others that I still love and look good on me. In my case I think it’s because not all my clothes are for daily wear and I don’t go out like I used to or the weather doesn’t allow for.
I really like the idea of taking everything out and then picking out what you always wear and love and putting it back in.
Nada Manley says
Hi Rebecca! First of all I have to applaud you for doing this before 30. Many women don’t know their style well into their 50s and 60s, and it does tend to evolve a little over our lifetimes. Like you, I am a color person, and all of the neutral capsules looked boring and not at all like my style. A capsule can be anything you want it to be! Cheering you on as you create yours and make it your own!
Rebecca Hunter says
Thank you! I’ve been wanting to create a capsule wardrobe and I’ve been slowly pairing items down and figuring out what my style even is (I’m nearly 30 and I probably should already know, but oh well) and everything I find is all really bland neutrals and I just don’t resonate with that. I need more color! this is very helpful.
Nada Manley says
I LOVE this! What a great system you’ve developed and most of all you have a wardrobe that works for you, which is the goal for sure! It sounds so elegant and timeless!
CLOSET HAPPY says
A FEW YEARS AGO, BEFORE THE HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES CAME OUT TELLING PEOPLE HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE, I PURGED MY CLOSET OF EVERYTHING AND THEN PUT BACK ONLY MY MOST FAVORITE PIECES. IS IT OFFICIALLY A CAPSULE WARDROBE, NOPE…BUT I HAVE VERY FEW ITEMS SO MAYBE IT WOULD PASS!
HERE IS WHAT IS IN MY CLOSET: RALPH LAUREN JEANS (2 PR), CASHMERE SWEATERS (3), 1 PAIR LINEN PANTS, TALBOTS BLACK WOOL PANTS, WHITE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT, CHAMBRAY BUTTON DOWN SHIRT, 3 TSHIRTS (BLACK, WHITE, STEEL BLUE), LITTLE BLACK DRESS AND ONE LONG BLACK DRESS.
I HAVE. A BEAUTIFUL BLACK WATCH, 1 PR OF SMALL SILVER HOOPS, 1 PR OF PEARL STUDS, MY GRANDMOTHER’S STRING OF PEARLS, AND ONE SILVER NECKLACE WITH MY CHILDREN’S NAMES ENGRAVED. I DON’T COUNT SCARVES OR SHOES BECAUSE THOSE CHANGE FROM SEASON TO SEASON. I OWN A CASHMERE FULL LENGTH COAT AND A CASHMERE SCARF FOR WINTER. MY WARDROBE MIGHT SEEM TO A LOT OF PEOPLE BORING, BUT I PURCHASED THE BEST I COULD AFFORD AND I USE MY ACCESSORIES TO MY ADVANTAGE.
Nada Manley says
Love it! I am so glad that you were able to master this in your own wardrobe! Having only the pieces that you LOVE in your closet makes such a huge difference, doesn’t it? Thanks so much for the comment!
MiLissa says
This is EXACTLY what I tell all my friends who ask about my “very small” wardrobe and how they can pair down. Remove every single item in your closet that you do not wear because it doesn’t fit, flatter/make you feel good (you know…that item you put on & ALWAYS take off before leaving the house), too worn, wrong color, fabric, whatever. If it doesn’t get worn, it is moving out of your closet and dresser drawers. Done. Looks like you have nothing to wear but in actuality, you have the EXACT SAME number of wearable items. Now…you can live with that for a while (because that’s all you were wearing anyways) while you thoughtfully decide IF and WHAT you might like to add to enjoy those items more. Easy peasy. 🙂
Nada Manley says
Thanks for the comment! It’s not a misunderstanding, but more a reinterpretation. I think it means that there is a finite number of pieces, however you choose to define that. 🙂
Michal says
I think you are really misunderstanding the definition of a capsule wardrobe. It’s a small, curated collection in which all the pieces coordinate and each one can be paired with all the others. Love patterns and bright colors? Fine! Your capsule wardrobe can be colors and patterns. Love simple neutrals and natural fibers? Great! That works too.
Nada Manley says
That’s kind of true, lol. But the classic capsule is too restrictive for most women and not realistic, in my opinion. If you broaden the definition, then they work!
Confused reader says
Your article’s title and the content do not correlate AT ALL…
Nada Manley says
I totally agree with this! It’s just the cookie-cutter approach that I don’t love! You have to make it your own.
Minimalistic Girl says
I don’t really think so that Capsule Wardrobe is a lie. You don’t have to follow the others. You don’t have to use black-white-grey colors only. It’s just an idea and your task is to personalize it. You just need to create your own Capsule Wardrobe. Make it suitable for your own style and needs.
Nada Manley says
Thanks Rose! Great comment. Maybe I should write another more in keeping with the title. When I do, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 🙂
Nada Manley says
You know I totally agree with you on that! I do think it can be an added stress and cause us to hyperfocus on our wardrobes and on minimalism. That’s why I really like to view them as the starting point. To me they are kind of like the essentials in your wardrobe, the basics, and not the whole wardrobe. Hope that helps a little.
Rose says
As much as I appreciate your ideas, I do agree that the title of this blog is misleading. I saw this post on Pinterest and only followed the link because it sounded like you’d have an opposite take on capsule wardrobe. But then I come here only to discover that in the end, you’re only suggesting how to build one. I like your play with Colors but then there are too many stylist who teach how to make a colourful and true to your personality kind of CW. So it’s totally not a new take here and the title doesn’t go with the content.
DJ1326 says
One of the things I’ve noticed about capsule wardrobes & minimalism in general is how much MORE stress it seems to cause people! There seem to be countless videos & blog posts about people that tried it & found themselves spending more time shopping & stressing. The extra stress seems especially apparent if they’re part of any community of like minded people, seems like they spend more time stressing over sticking to these ‘rules’ & whatnot.
Nada Manley says
I get that. LOL. The way that capsule wardrobes are commonly portrayed is a lie, in my opinion, because most women aren’t urban minimalists who only want to wear 17 items. But the concept, when broadened, can work for every woman. Perhaps I should explain that better… lol
Nada Manley says
Thanks Taylor! I agree! What is fashion without the fun? If you just need it to be functional, then a basic capsule might be fine, but I find them uninspiring. I created the Confidence Capsules because I think we should all have some fresh, fabulous pieces to mix in with our basic neutrals. https://styleconfidenceclub.com/confidence_capsule_home
TAylor says
This is exactly the sentiment I have been feeling since trying a “capsule” wardrobe this month. I was left with basics and while I love neutrals it was top basics on basics. I think I like th e idea of a neutral year round capsule that is supplemented by a smallish number rotation of fun pieces that fit the season. THanks for the insight!
Nada Manley says
Absolutely Mindy! Then these clothes become your signature! Wear what feels most true to you, and pick up only the trends and silhouettes that work with your body and lifestyle!
Mindy says
My take away from the capsule wardrobe craze is that it is acceptable to wear the same clothes all the time just because you love them. There is no reason to force yourself to wear the weird thing you bought on a whim to fulfill some fantasy of being a fabulously artistic style icon.
Pam says
Wtf. First you tell us a capsule wardrobe is a lie then how to build one.