Have you heard people buzzing about capsule wardrobes? If not, let me explain using a classic movie scene.
What movie?
Clueless.
Yes, you heard me right. Remember that scene where Cher was deciding what to wear to school? You know the scene…the one where she walks into her super-high-tech closet…uses a computer program to select a well-coordinated outfit…and once her selection is finalized, racks upon racks of clothes move around to deliver her outfit.
Remember that? Yeah…capsule wardrobes are basically the opposite of that.
Now don’t stop reading if you are a fashion lover – because I also love to wear current trends and have a variety of clothing options. So hear me out on the capsule wardrobe.
The capsule wardrobe concept is keeping a minimal amount of clothing that can be easily mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. The items are usually staples – meaning they are not focused on current trends. Think core t-shirts, pants, coats, sweaters, etc. These items are also high quality because you are wearing them more often…and therefore (hopefully) washing them more often. If you use lower quality items, they’ll start to show wear and tear quickly. Lastly, and in my opinion, the most important, the capsule needs to focus on basic colors with one to two color or pattern “pops.” The key is to keep most items in neutral colors (meaning black/white/gray/brown/navy) and add a color that you love to wear. Keeping the number of colors and patterns minimal allows for more outfit coordination between your items.
There are a variety of opinions on the “rules” of capsule wardrobes. It really depends on what is included in your capsule. If you include accessories, shoes, and undergarments, you may have over sixty items. If those items are in addition to your capsule, maybe you keep a capsule of thirty items. The key is – YOU make the rules!
So…why do a capsule wardrobe? Simplicity. In our world today, we have endless options for everything. Just stand in the aisles at the grocery store trying to pick out a toothpaste, a jar of marinara sauce, or a nail polish color. The options are overwhelming! With a minimized amount of options for our outfits each day, we limit the amount of decisions to make – and simplify our day…even if just a tiny bit!
I have been testing this the past few weeks by doing a weekday capsule of ten items. I pick ten items every Monday to wear for the week. From my experience, there are a couple of key considerations. First, what activities do I have planned this week? I am a stay-at-home-mom so I need a lot of “play” clothes that I am okay getting messy (hello toddler hands covered in dirt). Second, I have found it very helpful to check the weather forecast for the week. Is it going to be a hot week? Make sure to pick sleeveless options and shorts. Is it going to be cooler? Make sure to add a couple of layering pieces. Lastly, make sure to add some “fun” items to the mix. The first couple of weeks I tried this out, I found myself wearing white t-shirts with shorts or jeans almost every day. Later on, I have been intentionally mixing in colorful items to jazz up my wardrobe…even if just for one day of the week.
So what do you think of capsule wardrobes? Will you give it a shot? Have you tried it and found it helpful to simplify your morning routine of picking out outfits? Please share in the comments!
