Hey there! How was your weekend?
Hubby went out of town this weekend, so I planned the quietest weekend ever. I just holed up at home, only getting out a couple of times. Dang, it was nice.
Right now I’m in my introverted home body phase. So the quiet of the weekend was my happy place. See, the first half of the year I’m usually an introverted home body. Then the last half, I go a little wild, itching for excitement and adventure.
I kind of like being both — more introverted some days and more extroverted other days. There’s a lot of tension in it — two opposing ideas living in one human being — but also a lot of possibility.
I’m learning to accept the tension, as awkward as it feels.
In other news, it’s been warmer the past few days and that’s got me thinking about spring and my spring capsule wardrobe. The more I think about it, the more I am way into this idea of having just two capsule wardrobes — a warm weather capsule and a cold weather capsule.
It was good for me to have four capsules my first year because:
(a) It relieved the pressure of having to create the perfect wardrobe. I knew I could live with wardrobe mistakes for a little while + get a chance to redo it in three months.
(b) And detaching myself from shopping was a tricky process. It was easier for me to stick with it if I knew I could shop again in just three months.
But now, I feel like I’ve got my style nailed down and I’m actually ready for less shopping + planning. So, I’m thinking two capsules a year sounds awesome. I’m still not sure how many pieces I’ll include in each one — working on a realistic number right now.
Those of you doing two capsules a year — got any ideas to share + any secrets to make it successful? I’m all ears.
Blazer: Aritzia
Tee: old from J.Crew (different, but still awesome)
Jeans: Madewell
Shoes: J.Crew (also similar here)
When will you do the two capsules, Caroline? March and September?
Ah, LOVE this look! I feel like blazers give an other-wise casual outfit a slight upgrade, if that makes sense. I love wearing blazers but I rarely do as it’s so hot where I live!
By the way Caroline, I discovered your site a few weeks ago and I am so impressed, well done! (Becky is also doing a blog logo for me which I am so excited about!) Last year I started overhauling my wardrobe to fit in more investment/classic pieces and keep it a little more minimalistic. I’m not sure if I’m at the capsule wardrobe stage yet, but I’m slowly getting there. Thanks for such an inspiring blog. :)
Renee
Hello I have a fresh week fresh start kinda feeling this sunny morning in Scotland!
Cute outfit, I am going to have to get me a blazer! I have also been thinking about spring. Mainly because it will be the first capsule I can construct. Due to finances my fall and winter capsules have just been a whittled down version of my own wardrobe. Which has just made me realise that regardless of how many items I have owned I have had the same capsule wardrobe for the past 5 years, just replacing items when they were worn through with similar items. But this spring wardrobe will be the first I can think about and shape as a whole. And I am excited! And putting a lot of thought into it.
With that in mind 2 wardrobes could be possible, I have pretty much had one where I swap out say 5 summer tops and just wear thicker tights in winter. It will be the restraint necessary not to shop for 6 months I would have to work on! :)
Thank you for sharing :)
You’re amazing! I found you through some sidebar link while creating a more peaceful life…what a perfect match. Having fewer but well thought out choices creates an even flow. I’m extending your philosophy to my living environment as well and preparing to down size. (YouTube Tiny House Project) Peace…that’s my goal this year…peace. Thank you for being a part of my process.
You know, it’s crazy that you mention tiny homes… I started following unfancy and now I feel like I want to simplify my whole life! I used to want to save money for my husband and I to buy a nice big house we could grow into, and now I don’t want anything over 1,000 sq ft- which is still huge by tiny house standards, of course. It’s so refreshing to be a part of any process that simplifies life and causes me to appreciate relationships and experience over the material and status items. I hope your project goes great!
Thanks! I hope you build a house for your new lifestyle as well. My goals: to be able to afford housing without having to work so hard I’m not enjoying my life, to always have a place for my children (and grandkids someday) to come home to and to be connected to a community. I’m a teacher with two college boys. I know I’m not the typical unfancy demographic at 52, but the ideas and ideals transcend generations. I intend to simplify across my life. This capsule wardrobe was just the catalyst I needed!
Lisa, I am the same age and maybe we are a blip in the demographic ;-) We have just purchased a 1200sqft home on 10-acres and are in the process of giving up work. Part of our being able to stop work is that this property was affordable, due to the (comparatively) small house, and we can live partly off the property. Most other properties we looked at had large, two-storey houses with many bedrooms and bathrooms. However, there is just my husband and I living here permanently. Our house has two guest rooms, one with ensuite, a main bathroom, our large bedroom and an open plan living space with sunroom ,lounge, dining and living room and kitchen. The entry houses the laundry and another toilet. Clearly rooms are not large but as we simplfy they are large enough. I am in the process of simplifying my wardrobe as I don’t have a huge space to store it in. It makes more sense to us to simply than to spend money to store more things. I will be opting for the two season wardrobe. Our climate leans that way – very cold wind and very hot summer but spring and autumn as very changable. Adding extra sweater/cardigan/jacket to my warm weather wardrobe and extra light layers that can be worn alone to the cold one makes more sense to me. And frankly reviewing every three months is quite often and more effort than I am prepared to put into my wardrobe.
I found Un-fancy this time last year and the infectiousness of it all has spread through my whole life!!! I’ve been reading a book over christmas called the life changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo. It has changed my life.
I’m loving my new simple life and even moving to a smaller house :)
I’ve increased mine to six because I enjoy the whole capsule planning thing, but if I were doing two instead I would probably end up with one permanent (trans-seasonal) capsule plus one for cold weather and another for hot weather, because so many clothes work fine all year. So it would really just be putting away the cosy jumper dresses (sweater dresses) and woolly jumpers in the late spring, and putting away the summer sandals and high-summer-only stuff at the end of the summer. OTOH, what I like about your approach (and my six seasons) is that in making each capsule significantly different, we create psychological newness and pleasure when we bring out the next season’s clothes that one has not been wearing for one or more seasons, so for me, this actually helps me not to shop. I am easily bored though, and love playing with seasonal wardrobe creation, and I have a large wardrobe not a small one. Now that I am doing this six-season rotation, I have not actually bought any clothes or shoes at all in the last 8 months, and that is not intentional, I just haven’t felt the need, because of getting the feeling of newness when I create my next mini season. I have the Into Mind blog, and now you too, to thank for this.
I have to agree with Wendy…
I really think the “psychological newness” of changing capsules every three months is what keeps it fresh and exciting, even in the absence of a lot of shopping.
Caroline, I look forward to your quarterly capsule wardrobe unveilings like they are Christmas and would really miss that.
I think you would too:)
xo
Hi Lisa! I’ve definitely been thinking about that + questioning that. That “psychological newness” feeling was why I loved doing four. Hmmm. I’m hoping to get creative and come up with something that involves less planning + less pieces, but still keeping that newness feeling too (and is still mildly interesting to read about – hah). It’s so fun to think about the possibilities. :) xo Caroline
I like the idea of having a trans-seasonal wardrobe like Wendy talked about. Maybe Caroline, you could have a more permanent wardrobe. And then have 4 mini supplementary capsules for each season that you switch out to add to the permanent collection – then you would only have to plan a few different pieces each season but you still get some newness injected into your wardrobe?
…Or is that getting too complicated ;)
I could do an transseasonal thing, since I wear a lot of basics year-round (love layering). But I’m sticking with 4 capsules, with winter and summer being mini-adaptations of spring and fall (add summer dress or wool jumper). The thing is I’m way more drawn to light colors and fabrics in spring and darker colors and snugglier fabrics in fall, even though weatherwise they’re comparable. So that’s why I still prefer to create a seperate capsule for those seasons from the ground up (although in reality they will contain many of the same basics).
For a twice yearly capsule closet, I would imagine the number of items you keep would be more than what you keep now. I started condensing my closet at the beginning of last month and now have about twenty five pieces (including shoes) that I wear. The idea of having more in my closet to sift through when making outfits seems complicated. I think as long as you can still look at your closet and know each piece in there well, then more power to you! Of course, I will miss watching the capsule change every three months but hey, this blog is about your journey. I like that you are keeping it authentic :)
Hi Natasha! Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I do agree with you — I definitely want to keep the number small because I love having less hanging in my closet — less visual clutter, easier decision-making, etc. Hmmm. :) xo Caroline
I haven’t done an official capsule yet but I’ve been doing the purging and inspirational planning part. For me, I really need two capsules with slight variations per season. I work in a corporate environment so I need a work capsule and then an after hours/weekend capsule. I’m trying to be smart about both.
Do you know some other options for that type of blazer? I love the soft relaxed approach but those sizes are too small!
These are the blazers that I swear by: http://www.jcpenney.com/women/jcp/jcp-knit-blazer/prod.jump?ppId=pp5003380159&searchTerm=blazer&catId=SearchResults&_dyncharset=UTF-8
Great fit, look sharp- but are still very comfortable.
thanks for that link! I’ve been on the hunt for a nice blazer as well and that was a fantastic price!
Two capsules! I’ve been thinking about that since I’ve started capsule wardrobing and also since you’ve mentioned it a few weeks ago. I don’t think I could do it as of yet, but, perhaps over time, I’ll have 2 flexible capsule wardrobes. Core summer pieces + core winter pieces and then transitional things that can work for both.
And I’m thinking this core approach could maybe work for you too.
I’d have to work out the count myself too, but off the top of my head, summer and winter core would be about 15-20 items each and the rest I’d fill up with transitional items {about 30-40}. I said flexible wardrobe, because I don’t think I’d pick a specific number of transitionals for the one season, I’d just complement my outfit with whichever one I felt like that day – meaning I’d have something like 50-60 things to wear for the season and would only be swapping the core pieces at the end of it.
So I, or you, would end up with 20 + 20 core pieces + 40 transitional. Throw in a + 10 or loungewear and + 10 of workout gear and your whole wardrobe is somewhere around a 100 pieces. Might sound like a lot but it isn’t! And you could always minimise that if you wanted to. And if you wanted something new you could apply the old one in – one out rule. How does that sound?
xo Kat
Hi Kat! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here — I loved reading them! I like that you included loungewear and workout gear in the count. The idea of putting a number on my whole wardrobe (including LW + WOG) is interesting to me. Of course, it doesn’t sound as sexy or minimal at first, but it definitely feels realistic over the long haul — less like a one time challenge and more like a lifestyle. And the focus seems more on mindfulness than minimalism — which is also intriguing because minimalism can seem like a competition sometimes. But mindfulness … doesn’t feel competitive. Hmmm, now you’ve got me thinking and now I’m rambling. :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kat! xo Caroline
Oh, Caroline, you’ve put it really well there!
I think my goal from the start has really been mindfulness over minimalism, you just made me realise that. You’re right, minimalism often does feel like a competition: I have less than you, therefore I win.
Plus I don’t think minimalism, as I understand it, is for me. Minimalist homes make me feel cold, I like a bit of clutter :-) Instead, I’ve been thinking a lot about consumerism & need with this (hopefully more permanent) lifestyle change. When I read fashion blogs, I cannot stop asking myself this question: girls, what do you need 10 winter coats for? What good is that 25th dress going to do? I keep reading: “I spotted this skirt in Topshop last week and I HAD to have it!” And I think: You really didn’t.
So thank you for your ramble, Caroline, you can always rely on me responding with a ramble of my own :-) xo Kat
I’m definitely an introvert, but I’ve been trying to get out of my comfort zone and socialize more, especially now that I’m in college, and once I enter the real world it’ll be all about connections, so I need to get some practice :P However, after large events, I always need to have time to myself to recharge, and I let myself without feeling guilty about taking a step back.
Ooh I really wish that I could keep to two capsule wardrobes (ideally, even just one?) but this East coast weather probably requires four, and I haven’t even reduced my wardrobe to that yet! I’ve been following your blog for a few months, but I still haven’t created a single capsule wardrobe :/ Right now I’m just trying to buy less (or none at all if possible), because I’m not sure what my “style” is, and I feel like if I force myself into buying a wardrobe, it would feel too rushed and instead of creating my own wardrobe I’d just be copying others. ANYWAYS I haven’t even thought about spring yet! The weather is just getting colder and colder… Can’t wait for spring though :) -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Hi Audrey! I think the way you’re doing it actually sounds awesome. I didn’t buy a single new thing for my first capsule — I just lived with what I had already. It’s amazing how something so simple showed me my style, even when I wasn’t out looking for it. I totally get not wanting to invest in clothes if you’re not sure, and I say stick with what works for you. :) xo Caroline
Two capsules here! I call them Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. I have 50 items in each capsule. I’d like to work that number down – my goal is 45 each – but I’m a bit constrained, happily so, by a job that involves nice office wear, whereas I have two toddlers, calling for super easy-to- throw-on and washable during downtime.
There’s minimal overlap between the two capsules, maybe because I like my boucle cropped black blazer in dead of winter, white linen maxi skirt just in summer, etc.
Hi Caroline,
Sounds like at this time of year you may appreciate “hygge”, which is celebrated by the Danes:
http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/blogs/how-hygge-can-help-you-get-through-winter
Best wishes, as always, & you know I Love your blog,
Glenda
Hi Glenda! I am so happy that you shared this — thank you. The concept is so thought-provoking + fascinating + appealing. I’m in. :) xo Caroline
Yes! We do “hygge” in Norway too and I can’t imagine living without it – especially as an introvert I “hygge” myself with a new magazine/book and a glas of wine. Or with friends over for a game. The best description I’ve heard is this: imagine coming inside from really cold weather and get a doughnut and coke. Now what if you got a cup of tea and a home made cookie ? That’s hygge ;-) especially if you cuddle up under a blanket and your husband makes dinner, hehe
Thanks for your inspiring blog! Excited to see how it works out with 2 capsules, I’d love to do that. I sort of tried the capsule thing with bringing very little with me for my move from Norway to LA and not buying much. When I go back in April I’ll go through everything and and create my first capsule, can’t wait!!
Until then I use this time to try and understand what I really like and try to learn how I can limit my spending and invest in great items. I have this dream of only buying one item a month, but I’m so used to shopping so much as a way of relaxing… How can I redirect this “shopping energy” into something useful but equally inspiring/relaxing?
Sorry for this long and messy comment, Ingot really excited about “hygge” haha! :-)
I love the idea of capsule wardrobes; I’m currently still trying to find my personal style but once I’ve got there I will most definitely be tightening my belt when it comes to what I buy and let into my wardrobe.
Bella xox
I love those jeans! I totally forgot I had them in the dark hole that is my jeans pile in my closet, haha. Thanks for the reminder, they look great. Very interested to see where you go with the idea of just two capsules…fall and spring are so relatively short here in NYC that I could kind of see it working with a few tweaks – maybe just mini capsules for spring and fall.
I have basically two minimal wardrobes that we only change over twice a year: from cold to warm and warm to cold. Some pieces are in both season (such as some tanks to layer under shirts or cardigans, black work dresses that can be dressed for warm or cold weather). I live in Massachusetts so even though we have 4 distinct seasons, you can have some hot days in the spring that you may want shorts for and you can also have really cold days in early fall that you may want some cozy sweaters for. So we do seem to have two distinct wardrobes with some cross-over pieces.
i love this outfit! what size is the blazer from aritzia? and are there shoulder pads in it? super cute!
Hi Danielle! Thanks! It’s an XS and there aren’t any shoulder pads in it. :) xo Caroline
I really love the simplicity of this look! The tones are really spot on.
I realized lately that I’ve followed the “capsule wardrobe” concept forever without even noticing it! Execpt, I allowed the weather report to define my wardrobes. I lived in a “summer” wardrobe from mid-March to mid-October and a “winter” wardrobe for the rest of the time, with an easy transition in between. Fun!
This year, I decided to do it more purposefully. Having a seasonal wardrobe to develop every three months really isn’t doable in my lifestyle, so I’ve determined to shop for two major seasons, like I always have. I really don’t think this is for everyone, but since I’ve developed a strong personal style, I’m really not worried about ending up with a closet full of clothing I won’t wear for seven months. To keep it fresh, I’m still going to put up some of the more “summery” clothing that I wouldn’t/couldn’t wear during the cooler summer months.
Having the year split off-center like this also means that I won’t have an equal amount of items in each wardrobe. I’m okay with that. I think I’m looking at 45 items during the summer and 30 during the winter. We shall see. Its about living within my environment.
I’m curious to see what you end up deciding is right for you and your life.
Thanks for sharing this Mia. Love hearing how you approach having 2 capsules. :) xo Caroline
I thought about doing two capsules also (where I live the weather seems to be frigid or sweltering-no in between) and the more I thought about it…doing 2 capsules would essentially just be the usual thing I did in childhood: store out of season items in a tote and switch them around (+no shopping in between). So it got me thinking that maybe doing the smaller capsules is almost like training wheels to “get back to basics” + living with less clothes items altogether/eliminating impulse purchases. So even if I just switch out 2 seasons and don’t do capsule wardrobes, the attempts have still taught me valuable lessons on living with less clothes, avoiding impose buys, pointed out huge holes that were missing in my wardrobe and finding my style. Thanks for all the inspiration!
I totally agree with you, and I love how you put it — “training wheels to get back to the basics.” It’s so true and that’s how I’m feeling now that I’ve done this for a year. This year was transformative, teaching me how to be content, getting me off the shopping high, and revealing my true style. Now I’m ready to turn it into something more long-term, you know? Something more like a lifestyle, less like a trendy thing to try. :) xo Caroline
I agree this process is like the one we had when I was a kid too. Change wardrobes around Easter and October. We wore school uniform and those were changed from summer to winter. Our personal wardrobe was done the same way. We didn’t buy clothes, or very rarely, in between those times. It is good to get back to basics and away from shopping as hobby!!
I live in Austin too, and I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I’m leaning toward 2.5 capsules. One that is strictly winter and one that is strictly summer and then a “reserve” of sorts, the half mentioned above, that can be used to fill in in the spring and fall when the weather is shifty. Of course, living here, a good number of my pieces move from wardrobe to wardrobe anyway.
Hi Betsie,
That’s pretty much how I handle my wardrobe. About 1/3 is winter (heavy woolens, etc.), about 1/3 is summer (light-weight linens, etc.), and about 1/3 are pieces I can wear year-’round. I keep the year-’round third in the front of my closet along with the third that’s appropriate for the season, then the out-of-season third goes into the back of my closet. So in spring/summer I wear 2/3 of my wardrobe, and in fall/winter I also wear 2/3 of my wardrobe. It simplifies things for me and I don’t have to think too much about what wear, which I don’t like to spend much time doing.
It helps me to keep the out-of-season third in the back of my closet so that when transitional weather is here & we get a surprise-cold-snap-day or a surprise-heat-wave-day I can pull out a piece or two (such as a woolen-scarf or a pair of shorts) from the third in the back of my closet if necessary.
2.5 — I like that! Austinites represent! :) xo Caroline
hi caroline! I recently came across your blog and I am knee deep in my capsule transition. I am totally pumped about trying this idea out and equally pumped about discovering your blog! :) I live in fl so I am thinking 2 capsules will be the right # for me. however, I will be looking forward to hearing your insight on working with just 2 capsules since that basically means less shopping and more upfront planning and more options in the rotation. I look forward to your posts … thanks for sharing your fun, stylin’ knowledge!! :)
I’m highly intrigued by your idea of only doing two capsules a year. If you decide to go for it I’m really looking forward to seeing how you mix it up and hearing what the experience is like for you. For me, I enjoy changing up my color palette just a bit with the seasons in my capsules which is why I’m probably going to stick with 4 capsules a year. Although my spring and summer capsules are not that different – last year I just swapped out a couple cardigans with a couple more tees and swapped out a couple boots for sandals.
Jennifer Scott over at The Daily Connoisseur only does two capsules a year – she lives in Southern Cali though where the weather doesn’t change much throughout the year. I imagine you experience more noticeable seasons in Austin? Anywho – so intrigued to see where you go with this idea! :-)
Thanks Jodie! I’m excited to see where it goes too — it’s fun to reinvent it for a new time in life, you know? And thanks for the recommendation! :) xo Caroline
I’m just wearing my first capsule ever, but I’ve found that I may need way less clothes (specially in the top section). So I’m thinking about downsizing from 35 items (my current number) to something around 30 for next season.
But the idea of having just 2 capsules is so tempting! If I were to do it, I’ll do a basics capsule, and two capsules for different weather.
I just started following you and already built my capsule wardrobe! It has definitely been a challenge, as I like to wear a lot of color, but realized “oops! I packed that away!” However, it caused me to dump 8 bags of clothes to the Salvation Army! Whaaat! I am learning to appreciate the items I do have in my closet and wear those a bit more.
You’re such a sunshine! :) I haven’t been reading your blog for long, but I like it more with every new post. The idea of having seasonal wardrobes really attracts me but I feel like I do not own enough ‘basics’ for such a wardrobe. But then, this isn’t about owing basics but building up a better wardrobe for the current season, right? And to control the urge to go shopping… :) this sounds so easy but I’m sure it’s hard, especially in the beginning! Well done ;)
I love the idea of two capsules. It makes more sense and seems like it would be easier to put together. Plus… two planning sessions a year vs 4? It’s a no brainer. :) I feel like you could stagger the shopping though becuase obviously you’ll want to buy stuff as it comes in season because it’s hard to buy for two seasons at one time. I’m thinking since you’ve done all the 4 seasons now, you could see which types of things you’re likely to carry over into other seasons, subtract that number from your current capsule number, and then add the rest to the regular capsule total. Voila, two capsules. I probably lost you all with that math didn’t I? haha.
Here since Algebra was easier for me than other maths:
(Regular season capsule total – amount that carries over to other seasons) + Regular season capsule total = New half year capsule
And now… I must turn my brain off. THAT was way too much thinking to do before I even ate my breakfast.
Love this Lana! Totally makes sense. Thanks for breaking it down. :) xo Caroline
Hi Caroline – I love this look and your blog! It’s been a great resource in thinking differently about how I build outfits and buy new pieces. Question for you and other readers – any recommendations for a more corporate capsule wardrobe blog to follow or even a general corporate style blog? Un-fancy speaks so well to my work-from-home days and weekends, but I could use help translating a similar style and approach to the “business casual to business professional” spectrum. Appreciate any tips or links you all can share. Thanks!
Hi Michelle! Get excited about tomorrow’s post! You’ll get to meet Jacquelyn, one of the guest bloggers, and she’s talking all about her corporate capsule wardrobe. :) xo Caroline
NICE!!
It’s a good plug in to un-fancy ;)
**
Rita
I did, and enjoyed just two capsules. But – for LA weather that just made sense. If I lived in a colder weather climate with four distinct seasons I do not hunk I’d want that.
What worked for me was doing a detailed plan/ shopping session for two capsules, but having a mini evaluation and swapping out halfway. For example I made a Fall/ Winter but left some sleeveless shirts and lighter shoe options in there till December. Then in January instead of doing a whole new capsule I just swapped out a few of the warmer weather options for a couple more sweaters and boots. So technically it’s four – but the differences btwn are so minimal it’s pretty much two – and when you get down to it – a large chunk of it is all year long. That was my overall goal/ plan when I started and so far it seems to be working out well!
Oh I love the idea of doing a mini evaluation + swap out mid-season. That sounds totally doable. Thanks for sharing! :) xo Caroline
That’s pretty much what I do too. I have items that can be worn for most of the year out, including wool jackets which can be used in all but the hottest summer (and also don’t pack well). Items that only work in warm weather and cold weather I keep packed away until the season starts. Then mid-season, as temperatures get more extreme, I bring out an extra few items to tide me through, say a heavy wool skirt and thermals coming out mid-winter when the temperatures really drop and sandals coming out mid-summer when it’s finally (it comes late and sometimes never here in England!) warm enough to need them.
This is EXACTLY what I (as a fellow LA-er) was about to suggest! I’m still on my first capsule, but I can already tell that the idea of redoing the entire thing in only 1 week is stressful, so I think that’s what I’ll end up doing.
I also see no problem with doing a “rolling revision” and periodically swapping out a few pieces for a few stored or newly purchased pieces. I’ve found that removing strict rules and just seeing what works to maintain the ease and simplicity of capsule dressing while making it realistic as seasons/styles change is working really well for me (thanks, Caroline!).
Hi there,
I’m just starting my capsule journey, knee deep in piles of clothes which make me feel sick when I think of all that wastage and cost :(. Your posts are inspirational and help me keep focused, thanks very much.
You sound like me, the constant tug-of-war between wanting to go out and do things, or just hole up at home for a couple days. It’s a struggle, but actually pretty great.
I’m working this year toward a more minimal wardrobe, and quite possibly a capsule wardrobe. Your blog has been so informative and inspiring in my journey (though I’m still very early in the journey). I love seeing you reassess how you structure your capsules. It’s refreshing to hear that there’s no one, perfect way to do it, and that it changes, just like we as people do.
Hi Stacy! Thanks for your comment! I totally agree with you — we’re all different so there’s no single perfect way to do it. And I’m excited to let the idea evolve over time as I change. :) xo Caroline
Hullo Caroline! I just started the capsule wardrobe in summer 2014 so am trying to stick with 4 capsules for my first go-around, but since I live in California, I plan to switch to 2 capsules once I get the hang of this!
When I switch to 2 capsules, my current idea is to have maybe 5 or so transitional layering pieces as fallback for when the weather hits its extreme moments that don’t count as the 37 pieces. I still don’t know what all the pieces will be, but so far, I’m considering: 1. A vest (that hides perfectly under a jacket during the winter, and over a tshirt on chilly spring days), 2. A good quality black cardigan (goes with EVERYTHING) 3. a bomber jacket (I have my eye on one at Madewell) that can fit under a coat or again, worn alone during warm months/chilly nights.
Can’t wait to see you make the switch and get some new inspiration !
I keep meaning to ask you: The large vegan leather camel tote. I know you’re a photographer. Do you put any gear in there? Are you using it as a purse? Are you also traveling with camera gear bags? I shoot, too, and so I keep wondering. I mostly shoot prime, so I tend to have one prime slapped on the camera (usually my 50mm f1.4), and then I’ll have another separate, depending on what I’m shooting. I have a pretty stylish InCase bag I use. But if you’re shooting weddings and larger events, I’m imagining far more gear.
Hi Abby! I actually just use my tote as a purse. While it’s a great bag for the price, it’s not sturdy enough to carry gear in it. When I travel with my equipment, I use a ThinkTank. And then for shoots, I use an apron with pockets — I usually shoot prime too, and I usually just have one extra lens in the apron. Hope this helps! xo Caroline
I really admire your determination! Well done and looking forward to see your results! xx
I’m currently using a 48 piece fall/winter capsule and loving it, and I’m planning on doing the same for spring/summer! I was shooting for 45-47 pieces for fall/winter but when it came down to it I ended up adding a few more sweaters at the end of December because I pretty much wear a sweater or jacket at some point everyday in the winter. I feel really happy with this amount! 45-50 pieces feels like the right number for me for a 6 month period…still minimal, but I always feel like I have a lot of options.
I recently came across your site and am very interested in creating a capsule wardrobe in the hopes of simplifying some daily decisions. What suggestions do you have for teachers? We see the same students each day, need to be comfortable, and also want to dress as the professional in the classroom. I would love to hear your thoughts or see a future post about this. Thank you!
I’ve decided to commit to this whole process by starting the year with 66 items (Project 333 has been my inspiration, and YOU of course) and in my climate 66 is fine….I don’t need lots of different winter coats for example, 2-3 is plenty. My rule is that I can buy something new whenever I want…but it has to replace something I already own. As I love 90% of what I have now – I’ve been working on this for 2 years – I won’t need to replace much, just the worn out or outgrown. So 66 is my total, omitting sleep and gym wear (which I have also very much cut down). I admit I have bought a lot more shoes lately, but that’s because I have been a bit slow in realising what a difference shoes make to an outfit!
If you do decide to do two capsules a year, maybe you could still feature a couple of guest bloggers who either switch their two wardrobes out at different times than you or who are still doing four (or six) seasons. That way your readers still get that gratifying capsule eye candy four times a year. :)
Hi Christina! I think that’s an awesome idea — a way to keep things interesting around here, but still letting me do what feels right at this point. :) xo Caroline
Before I began capsule wardrobing, I really had a set wardrobe of year round items + sweaters, pants, coats, tights, and scarfs for the colder months. I pretty much kept my warmer months clothes in my closet in Fall / Winter and just added the other in for layering. I’ve learned that I like to wear tanks and lightweight cardigans year round, I don’t wear dresses much in the winter, and I never wear jeans in the summer … just too humid here for my comfort! Before, if the weather was cooler, I grabbed what I needed for layering. It didn’t stress me out since I hadn’t set “restrictions” on what I could or couldn’t wear at any given time. I liked that. However, since I’ve began capsuling, I ALSO like having less distraction in my closet and less temptation to shop by sticking with my number of items.
So, here’s where I’m at.
After evaluating, my Winter Capsule pretty much looked like my Fall. I took out dresses and added a couple of heavier cardis.
I’ve pre-planned for Spring and Summer and they’re very similar, too!
Since I like to feel all in control, I feel the need to categorize and label my more than two but not really four distinct capsules. I think I’m leaning toward the 2.5 Capsules + Mini Evaluation / Mid Season Swap Out of a few items! Marrying the two ideas feels right for me! Now, Caroline, … if I could just figure out what to call it! ;)
Please, please, PLEASE, keep 4 capsules! I think the only way to stay committed to the capsule concept is to know that in 3 months you can change out a few items and get re-inspired! Maybe, though, there is a core foundation of items that works through the 6 months, but there is a secondary level of items that change out every three I know I feel so different about my clothes in October than I do in February, as well as I do in April vs August.
I discovered your blog late last year and having followed your blog for a couple months now I think I’m completely sold on this capsule wardrobe idea! I’ll be starting to put mine together for spring but for now I’ll probably stick to four capsules, just two is a little intimidating right now! That said, I think having two makes a lot of sense especially in Texas – a warm and cold weather capsule will really do the trick! Do you plan to increase your number of items for the capsule since you’d be using it for a longer time and therefore could have a couple extra variations?
I also have two capsules plus year-round items, . But I think they’re much smaller than most of what people have mentioned. Maybe I don’t get tired of my clothes that quickly? In the winter I have maybe 12 tops and 4 bottoms, plus 2 dresses and 2-3 pairs of shoes. Then I have all the heavier gear like my winter coats (1 dressy and 1 utilitarian) and scarves. In the summer I have more bottoms because I keep my jeans but add in a couple pairs of shorts and skirts, and I obviously take out my winter outerwear. And I have a different set of tops and shoes for warm weather. I have a few layering pieces that I keep out all year (a blazer, a couple cardigans, a lighter jacket) since I live in the Rockies and it can be chilly on summer nights.
I like the idea of a mid-season refresh. Being able to step back and evaluate and tweak your wardrobe while you’re in the middle of wearing it makes more sense than living with something that doesn’t work for months and then at the end saying, “That didn’t work. I’ll do it differently next year.” Plus, adding even one new thing mid-season can be enough to get you excited about your wardrobe again. Especially if it’s a really versatile piece.
Good luck deciding on your approach. I look forward to hearing about what you decide.
I settled on ONE “Timeless” capsule of 25 pieces excluding shoes, outerwear and Accessoires. Every Season I add 10-15 pieces that suit the season like sundresses, sandals or chunky knits and down jackets. I travel a lot and my wardrobe now is like a No-brainer for packing because everything matches together. But I like the idea of a warm and cold capsule only – looking forward to caroline’s Experiment!
Nadine,
Love the one timeless capsule idea- where do you live or what’s the weather like? No sure I could do that in NC but the idea is intriguing….
Hi!
First off, I love your blog! Visiting your blog is part of my daily routine. I have even copied a few of your outfits exactly. Actually right now I am commuting to work wearing a b+w striped dress with the cape from Aritzia. (I went a little wild and got the lighter cape- ha ha) and I wore that exact blazer yesterday. So thanks for the links because it really helps me pull a more simplified look together.
Anyway, I am commenting because I have always done a two capsule wardrobe (well always meaning since I discovered your blog last spring!). I live in Medellin, Colombia and my apartment is, down in the valley where it’s always warm weather. Where I work, up on the mountain it is cooler fall temps. So what I do is when I am dressing for work I pull from my cold weather options and when I am dressing for the city I pull from my warm weather options. I don’t allow the 2
To mix for the sake of honouring the minimalist philosophy. I have managed to keep to 37 pieces, because I need rules or I get out of control. However, I have a suitcase with I few items down in my storage closet that I pull from when I travel to super warm places or go somewhere really cold (like when I go home to Canada for Christmas). Anyway, sorry for the long winded post, but the warm/cold capsule idea caught my eye. Keep on posting Caroline. Love your style.
Caroline!
Hi! Glad you so enjoyed your quiet weekend…no better time to enjoy those than in the winter!
As someone that is working towards the two capsule option I want to encourage you! Although only in my 1st capsule…(of which I didnt buy a thing) I can already tell 2 capsules will work great for me! At first I was concerned that I would miss shopping too much but it has been such a relief!! I have certainly been planning the whole spring/summer wardrobe with excitement because I am nailing down my style finally :)
With living in GA, I just dont feel 4 full capsules being necessary. Our Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer are similar enough to make it work and why put all that planning and effort forth in what I wear when I can be planning a trip with the hubs or out enjoying the sunshine!!
Although the ‘big reveal’ would be slightly missed…this is YOUR blog and its your actual life…so if it works for ya, do it!! We will still be on board for the journey with you! :)
<3
I just LOVE this outfit. So simple & chic!
Being a fitness professional, I would love to see WOG be a mini capsule of it’s own, maybe inserted between the other 2 capsules. :)
Such a chic outfit! I wish I could wear something similar but I live in the UK and it is FREEZING! W’ve had a lot of snow recently too!
I love the idea of two capsule wardrobes. This blog is so inspiring, but the idea of 4 capsule wardrobe overwhelms me for some reason. I live in Arkansas – weather similar to yours. I think having a warm months capsule and a cold month capsule would work so much better for where I live. Can’t wait to see what you decide. Thank you for the great content!
I like the idea of 2 capsules – it makes more sense to me and my life because I live in Seattle where I can wear fall clothing almost year-round with the addition of skimpier dresses and tanktops in the summer. I’m a fan of taking my shorts from summer and putting tights under them in winter. Also, I never put my cardigans away as I may need them for over a dress on those chillier Seattle summer nights. I only worry that my clothes would wear out faster with only 2 capsules. All the more reason to invest in sturdy pieces I guess!
I live in CA where the weather is mild enough for two capsules, but for now I’m working with four (having just started this process last spring and having so many clothes that I need to rotate). I too feel the ‘newness’ of a capsule keeps me from shopping – even when the items aren’t new. However, for work (in a corporate office three days a week) I’m actually thinking of leaning towards one separate year-round capsule with a few seasonal items rotated in/out instead of mixing my weekend/work-at-home days. I think two smaller separate capsules will make the whole planning process easier.
Caroline,
So good to hear that you are revising your plan to fit your current needs. I like to see you taking you own advice. I wonder where I will be next year at this time. Right now I content with 4 capsules but I leave myself open for change. I’m on my second capsule and SO enjoying this process. I still amazed at how freeing a smaller closet can be. It helps to tidy my mind- who knew!
Thanks for your constant inspirations and posts- always so refreshing!!
I’m 2 1/2 capsules in (half of summer, and then fall and winter) and I realized 4 capsules actually works great for me, but were I live (Portland, OR) Spring and Fall are shorter, like 2 months instead of 3. So really, I think moving forward I’m going to plan 2 main capsules- warm weather and cold weather based, but then switch out a few pieces for winter and summer. So really it’s like I will still create 4 capsules, but Fall with really be the winter capsule minus the heavier sweaters and coats, and plus a few short sleeved shirts from summer. I’m going to try that for spring/summer and see how that goes.
I love this idea and think the two wardrobes is an absolute must as an experiment even if it doesn’t work out. All in the name of research.
You really have changed my life since I started on a more capsule wardrobe I’ve found my style, I always have something to wear and I’m even learning to accessorise. The minimalism has spread throughout my whole life and I’m always looking for reading material on the subject.
I’ve just finished a book called Konmari Method that has helped me declutter my home (and surprisingly my wardrobe further) keeping only things that spark Joy.
Thank you so much
Caroline,
First of all I look forward to reading your blog daily! I imagine how difficult it might be to put myself out there while remaining true to myself and feel like you’ve done just that. I admire you for that, and many other reasons, and thank you!
Second I have a few blogs that I read but yours has really helped me feel comfortable about pairing my wardrobe down. I had heard a speaker I like to listen to say something in passing about how some people have just a few items but always look great. I loved that idea and attempted it but wasn’t sure how to do that until I found your blog. I’m happy to say with a lot of thought, planning, window shopping, online browsing, trial and error, and TIME (years) I now enjoy my clothes (and my day now that I’m comfortable in my own skin) and don’t put a lot of effort into what I wear.
That being said I have 2 capsule wardrobes with about 30 items in each. Both wardrobes have about 20 core, classic items that I wear year round. Each capsule is broken down into work wear, weekend wear, and evening wear. My work wear has about 5 blouses that carry over into evening wear, but I swap out my pants, cardigans, and dress shoes for jeans, fun jackets, and casual shoes. My weekend wear is just my evening wear but I swap out my blouses for an extra dressy blouse and dressy shoes or a black year round sweater that I dress up or down using jackets, scarves, and earrings. I also love that if at any point I feel like wearing all neutrals for a period of time it’s easy to do, so my looks can change drastically even within the one wardrobe.
I think my accessories are a lot of what helps me keep my outfits new, colorful, and interesting. During the fall and winter I wear jewel tones of green, red, and blue. I have scarves, earrings, and one piece of clothing in each of these colors. During the spring and summer I swap out the jewel tones for lighter colors like blush, white, light grey, and metallics. I also tend to wear more jewelry during the spring and summer so I have a lot of blush and metallic necklaces, bracelets, watches, and earrings.
Finding what works for me took a lot of time, but for me it was so worth it. I love how I look in my clothes and feel like I found the colors and clothing type that work best for my schedule, personality, and skin and hair.
Thank you, Caroline!!
I just finished reading and starting to implement the KonMari method, which advocates for keeping only things that spark joy. She advocates for not storing clothes, but keeping all seasons altogether. And, her amazing folding/storing methods make it so that you can fit everything in even the smallest closet. Might be worth a look with respect to downsizing your capsule.
Hi Caroline !
I have been following your blog (from France, so please excuse any mistakes) for a few months now, but it is the first time I leave you a comment.
You have been such an inspiration to me looking for minimalism that I have just created my own blog, talking about my capsule wardrobes. I have 2 capsules : one for fall/winter seasons and one for spring/summer. My fall/winter capsule counts 60 items including shoes. I divided this wardrobe into 10 categories, each limited to 7 items.
As far as I am concerned, I don’t consider having only two wardrobes as boring because I don’t stop myself from bying new items. But anytime I buy a new one, I have to get rid of another, so I seriously think about it before acting. That perfectly works for me.
Hi Camille,
I’d love to see your wardrobe on your blog, would you provide a link to your blog?
Thanks for considering it,
Glenda
Hi Glenda,
Here is the link to the article in which you can see my wardrobe:
http://bullesetmadras.blogspot.fr/2015/01/ma-garde-robe-automnehiver-ou-la-ou-la.html
Thank you for your interest!
Camille
Thanks, Camille! I especially love the page where you show “outfits 1 through 63”, or all the pairing-possibilities in your personal capsule-wardrobe–and, no, I don’t think it’s obsessive at all, just very well organized. Or maybe that’s the obsessive-me trying to make out that this is all so very normal… =D
I also especially liked your “mixing genres” page, where you pair the unexpected for extra style-punch.
Thanks again for including your link, and bonne chance for your blog & continued enjoyment of your new-found capsule-wardrobe-style.
Glenda
Thanks for visiting my blog and for giving your thoughts about it Glenda! That is very kind of you – especially to reassure me and tell me I am normal ;)
Hi, I’m brazilian and here at south the cold weather starts by March. I’ve used the Vivienne files start from scratch wardrobe and it’s worked for me. I search for one of her color schemes (two neutrals and two matching collors) every 6 months and I look at my wardrobe to check what I already have in these collors. Than I try to fit my clothes at a certain number (I try 4 bottoms and 12 tops at least). If there are gaps I go buy whats missing. That’s what has worked for me, I kind of addapted her scheme for my needs :)