Why I Am Giving Up My Capsule Wardrobe
I am giving up my capsule wardrobe…for now. After years of creating seasonal capsule wardrobes I have decided to abandon them. This past year I have really struggled with creating a capsule wardrobe that left me feeling inspired. A few weeks ago, I started pulling items from my closet to put together for my spring capsule and it just felt so restrictive to me. Which got me thinking…why am I even doing this at all?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the concept of a capsule wardrobe. About 3 years ago, I tried it out for the first time as a way to help me downsize my wardrobe. I had way too many clothes, many of which had tags on them or no longer fit. It helped me learn so much about my style preferences, including the types of fabrics and patterns that I prefer and feel most comfortable wearing. As a result, I stopped overbuying and overspending on clothing and became more conscious about what I was bringing into my wardrobe. But lately, the thought of curating a seasonal capsule has seemed suffocating. So while I think capsule wardrobes are awesome and I have had a lot of fun creating them in the past, I think it is time for me to let go of the feeling that I need to have one.
What made me decide to give up the capsule wardrobe
This past year, I feel like I discovered a whole new version of myself. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I became a mother. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on certain aspects of my life, and while it seems trivial to focus on something as materialistic as clothing…it is a space where I know that I have full control. Limiting myself to a certain number of items of clothing every season just started to feel so restrictive and I started to have guilt every time I purchased something new, even if it was an item that I loved and knew would get a lot of use.
My body has gone through a lot of changes this past year, which has made getting dressed a little more challenging. Not only did I experience all the postpartum body changes, but I am also now in my thirties and things change! Over the course of the year, I have fit into 4 different pant sizes, tops fall different, and what I felt comfortable wearing now isn’t the same as it was 1-2 years ago. In this season of life, I know that my body will continue to change and instead of getting frustrated with trying to make what is already in my closet work, I want the freedom to be able to make my closet work for me.
So, what now?
I have no intention of going crazy and buying anything and everything I can get my hands on. I am simply removing the restrictions of sticking to a certain number of items of clothing. Instead, I want to shift my focus to curating a closet of pieces that I truly love and feel confident wearing.
At this point, I know what brands, fabrics, patterns and styles that I enjoy. If I see an item that I like, and fits into my lifestyle and wardrobe, I want to be able to purchase it without guilt! I also want to learn more about sustainable and ethical fashion manufacturing and discover more brands that have similar values.
As far as what to expect on the blog, not much will change. I may not put out my full seasonal capsule wardrobes regularly, but I would like to put together smaller collections of basic wardrobe staples each season. I am really looking forward to sharing more brands that commit to sustainability and ethical manufacturing, while also incorporating favorite items from more affordable brands.
Will I by giving up my capsule wardrobe forever? I am not sure! What I do know is that I am looking forward to having a more relaxed relationship with my wardrobe and getting back to a place where putting together outfits feels fun again.
I would love to know, have you tried the capsule wardrobe in past? How did it work for you? Let me know in the comments!
April 14, 2022 @ 10:29 pm
Capsule wardrobe
Just want to say thank you for doing the capsules, they’re a huge help to women who have little to no style like myself. You make shopping easy for the rest of us, so thank you!
April 15, 2022 @ 9:13 am
I am so glad that you have found them helpful!
April 22, 2022 @ 2:50 pm
The very thought of a capsule wardrobe fills me with dread. I would find it totally restricting, with no margin for being frivolous or different. Same skirt different top, same top with tailored trousers, try a snazzy scarf ….! There must come a point where you run out of ideas and even your next door neighbour is fed up of seeing you in the same clothes! A bit like 100 ways with mince ! Give me a walk in closet, bursting with possibility. Yeah, bring it on.
April 23, 2022 @ 8:10 am
I am quite the opposite! The idea of a closet full of clothes fills me with dread lol – I definitely like to keep things minimal in my wardrobe and still love the idea of a capsule wardrobe, but it just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle at the moment.
May 8, 2022 @ 9:12 pm
I like seasonal capsules since I live in the southwest I love sweaters jeans a great all weather jacket a tennis shoe a leather ballet flat and a boot all in cognac w/a bag in a similar color. A 5 piece dress tank pant and shrug basic color black or navy add a legging and a jean a trench coat and it’s packed in my ready to go bag add a couple of lingerie pieces jammies my Skin care/cosmetic bag and I’m on the road.
May 9, 2022 @ 7:22 pm
Hi Debra! You have got this capsule wardrobe thing down to a science! I struggle most during the spring with seasonal capsules, the weather in NY is so unpredictable during that time!
May 1, 2022 @ 11:10 am
I initially was annoyed with the restrictions of a Capsule wardobe, but felt they were essential for trips (like 3 weeks in Germany). As I started to build that kind of Capsule wardrobe, I did finally start to carry it over into my regular wardobe.
So at this point I have my clothing organized by all 4 seasons. I have 2-4 Capsule wardrobes per season. For me I have a limit of 5 pair of pants per Capsule (I use the hangers that hold 5 pair of pants together for easy organization) and 5-10 tops that mix and match nicely with that grouping. I lay them out on the bed and photograph what I have so I know how to keep it all organized in the closet (I hang everything including t-shirts and sweaters, using the pants hangers to indicate where one Capsule starts and stops). I also label the pants hanger so I know if it Fall #1 or Spring #2, etc…
Having several capsules per season keeps the clothing feeling fresh and fun. As something doesn’t fit or goes out of fashion, I can replace an item at a time, with a shopping plan. It also keeps the ill fitting or wrong sized stuff out of the closet, and causes me to wear everything I own regularly. If it doesn’t get worn, or I have to force myself to wear it, then it needs to be replaced with something else.
I am the type who easily over spends on clothing that I might never wear, so this helps me a lot. I love grabbing a Capsule when going on a trip and not having to think about what to pack. And the planning is often as fun as mindless shopping!!
May 2, 2022 @ 2:37 pm
Hi Marta! Thank you so much for your comment. I love the idea of having multiple capsules per season. I think this would be especially helpful for people like me, who live in the northeast and struggle with seasonal restrictions to what we can wear. For example, this past spring we experienced 4 seasons in one week!
May 3, 2022 @ 3:30 pm
Over the years I have looked at capsule weardrobes and I have only ventured into them for travel. Like you said they are very restrictive and seem like they would require laundry much more often. I really live the freedom to wear beautiful things and having to force everything to go together really just does not sound appealing. I like to dress for my mood and not have a closet with a very limited selection.
May 6, 2022 @ 10:49 am
Hi Ami! Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to post this. I love that you have found a way to make your wardrobe work for your lifestyle AND bring you joy. This is the goal!!
May 4, 2022 @ 8:08 pm
I find the capsule wardrobe and the closet filled to the brim both depressing and overwhelming. I once read a cosmetic company founder’s and a fashion designer’s lists for a basic ward-
robe. It was based on a certain number of bottoms and tops but pointed out you can figure what works best for your lifestyle. Then you add dresses for certain occasions and outerwear – again for your lifestyle. I wish I could explain it better but it worked for me because it made me think about what I need my clothes for and how many pieces would be practical.
May 6, 2022 @ 10:49 am
This is the direction I am hoping to move toward! Now that I have learned what pieces, patterns, fabrics, and style fit into my lifestyle and preferences, shopping is a lot easier and I am saving money by not purchasing items that I will never wear!