Some people want to minimize the size of the wardrobe while Others want to build a more travel-friendly selection.

Creating a capsule wardrobe is such a personal journey. Each person has their own unique goals. Our customer Lisa shares her thought process on transforming her overflowing closet into a curated collection that meets her needs.

Lisa shares:
”I simply wanted to begin a more mindful approach to my clothing, with the goal to have a variety of colors and designs in clothing that was comfortable and made me feel put together and confident in a wide variety of activities. For me, those activities include cozy writing at home, dog training, playing with my young grandkids, recording virtual teacher trainings, behavior consulting in classrooms, and presenting in person at national conferences. My 100 day challenge in a black Sierra during a pandemic work stoppage was the springboard for me to purge the fast fashion that was overflowing my huge walk-in closet, a six-drawer dresser and several storage cubes. During the two years since then, I have created a wardrobe that works well for me, and am happy to share some of the tips and tricks I used to go from “like” to “LOVE”!”

My motivation was to gain a more mindful approach to my clothing, with the goal of having a variety of colors and designs of clothing that are comfortable and make me feel put together and confident in a wide variety of activities. For me, those activities include cozy writing at home, dog training, playing with my young grandkids, recording virtual teacher trainings, behavior consulting in classrooms, and presenting in person at national conferences. 

1. Determine how much variety you need

When thinking about the size of your capsule, give some thought to your own unique “novelty to predictability” balance. Also consider how much decision tolerance you have. This will help you determine how much or little variety you will require to be happy with your capsule.  

2. Consider Cost Per Wear on investment pieces

Question your beliefs about how and when to wear your “Good Clothes”. In short, wear them all the time! The more you wear an expensive clothing item, the more worthwhile the expense is! The only way you reduce your wardrobe substantially is to minimize (not eradicate) “single purpose” items that sit unworn most of the time so investing in versatile, quality pieces is a great plan. 

3. Decide on your Budget

Develop a strategy for your clothing expenditures. Will you invest in all high quality pieces? Mix and match with thrifted items? Will you start with favorite pieces from your existing wardrobe and build around those?

One of the benefits of a higher quality wardrobe is that they retain resale value. I have a dedicated PayPal account that I use for purchases and for sales of items that I no longer find that I am using much. Now that I have attained my ideal number of clothing items, I rarely spend “new money” on purchases because I often have money available from other items I have sold. Selling unused items to help fund new purchases can be a great strategy.

4. Select Your Color Palette

Choose a color palette touchstone: a scarf, blouse, painting or photograph or even a paint chip card that inspires you and brings you joy with its colors. Of course there is nothing saying you have to stick strictly with that palette and it may evolve over time. But it is a great way to begin the capsule process so that you don’t end up with random items that don’t work together.

5. Don’t forget about neutrals

Select 2-3 neutrals to build your wardrobe around, but expand your mental definition of a “neutral”. A neutral can be any color that you love with a variety of other colors. I choose to use Forest Night (dark green) as a neutral where others might use gray or taupe. My main neutrals are black, forest night and navy.

6. add in some accent colors

Choose 2-4 accent colors that you love in combination with your neutrals. This allows what I call the Quadruple M:  Maximum Mindless Mixing and Matching! My accent colors are reds, teal/turquoise, purple and gold and each accent color works with at least one of my neutrals. Remember I have a high need for variety and a medium tolerance for decision making. You may choose to only have a couple of accent colors if you like less decision making and variety.

7. Choose colors by category

As you select dresses, tops, bottoms and top layers, try to choose at least one in a neutral and one in an accent color in each category.  That way you have neutrals and accents in each category. This allows you to put together monochromatic looks OR a variety of fun color combinations! By sticking to your color palette, everything will be harmonious.

8. Prioritize Size

Have a total number of items in mind for each category -or- for your whole wardrobe. It is up to each individual what that number is! Whatever your ideal number, have an easy system for keeping track of how many items you have. When you exceed that number, consider donating or selling a less beloved or less used item for any new item you add.

For me, I have a certain number of hangers that represent my wardrobe goal. When the hangers are full, I know I should consider selling or donating an item before I buy something else. This makes me more intentional about what items I add.

9. Make your clothes work for you

Remember that your clothes should work for you, not the other way around. So don’t hesitate to alter a clothing item to take it from “like” to “love”. That can be accomplished with a hem, a dart, a pocket change, a dye pot, or a bit of embroidery to mend an old favorite. While it may seem counterintuitive to buy a relatively expensive piece and then pay to change it, it actually makes much more sense than buying piece after piece of cheap, fast fashion clothing that will likely fall apart much sooner. Quality clothing is worthy of alteration because it will last for years!

The mindful work I did during and beyond the 100 Day Challenge has transformed my overstuffed closet of “nothing to wear” to a beautiful and tranquil location where I begin every day.  There, I am able to easily create comfortable, beautiful outfits for any purpose by mixing and matching a variety of dresses, tops, bottoms, and top layers that work together in many combinations. Decision anxiety is gone and I spend my days feeling comfortable and confident.  I hope the journey leads you to your own perfect wardrobe destination!  

You can find Lisa in our active Facebook community or on her website.