When we started our KonMari/Decluttering journey, the first thing to go was clothing. Barry and I both thinned out our closets…me dramatically, and him less so because of the different types of clothing he has to wear for work. I even switched to a minimalist wardrobe for the kids – how freeing! Less laundry. Less ironing. Less mess and less clutter. More closet space!
I began reading some on Capsule Wardrobes because I saw them mentioned several times on Pinterest when doing research on how to live minimally. I thought “Hey…I can do that!” And when I think that, well…you better watch out.
So, I began watching tons of You Tube videos to learn all I could about a capsule wardrobe. I want to share the basics of what I learned here and then I hope to show you my Summer capsule via video later on. I’ll also be doing a post on what I did wrong…and maybe a post on the kids’ minimal wardrobes.
Basically, a capsule wardrobe is a wardrobe consisting of a minimal amount of items that you can mix and match, making the maximum amount of outfits – clothes that can all be used together…but obviously not at the same time because we’re not looking for the snowman effect.
Here’s something you might not know about me…clothes and fashion are not my thing. I’ve never been talented at that type of thing. In fact, I’m frequently texting my friend Erinn to ask her “Can I wear this!?”
But, I love learning new things. And I wanted to be able to teach myself to mix and match and make the most of what I had. So, that’s what I’ve been doing.
Because I need lots of rules, I used the method called Project 333. The basic idea is that you have 33 items total in your wardrobe that you wear for 3 months. So, you’ll end up having 4 capsules – one for each season. That allows you not to get bored and to be able to switch things up a bit here and there. And for me, it means when you mess up REALLY BAD, you can think “Oh. Well. Glad this only lasts 3 months.”
My 33 items consist of: clothing, jewelry, shoes, outerwear, and accessories.
What it does NOT include: underwear (thank you, Jesus!), jewelry that you never take off (wedding band, earrings, etc), pajamas, in home lounge wear (think pjs pants and ratty t-shirt), and exercise clothes (what’s what?!).
Because I like all things paper, I used this printable from Life Your Way to help me get started with my capsule.
What I quickly found out was, I didn’t even need the 33 items! Shocking. This is from the girl whose closet used to be stuffed to the brim.
Having a capsule is so great. I love the clothes I have…now. I didn’t use to. And I messed up at first and had to fix it. But now I’m so happy! I’ve learned to mix and match and have so many outfits from a minimal stack…thanks to my friend Erinn who gave me a lesson on outfits.
I needed to add a few things to my capsule, so I went to Target and other stores and tried to find some stuff. I quickly learned that…dude, I hate shopping. Like, I HATE SHOPPING. I left with one pair of skinny jeans that I haven’t worn but 4 times because it’s so hot here I feel like my butt sweats just looking at them.
So, I headed to my favorite online thrift store, Thred Up and was able to complete my wardrobe easy peasy – at night – when the kids were asleep – and wouldn’t see me measuring myself. I love that Thred Up lets me get great clothes for cheap and SEND THEM BACK FOR FREE if I don’t like them. Here’s my Thred Up review.
This first capsule has helped me learn exactly what I will need in my next one – including things with ELASTIC WAIST BANDS. I also know that using Project 333 helped me get started, but I likely won’t use it again and will use a bit more loose rules. It’s a great starting point.
You will keep each capsule – so you’ll have a total of 4 totes for clothing storage. Each time you want to try to re-use pieces in your capsule and try to make them fit the next season.
For more information on capsule wardrobes, check out Project 333 and Carrie Leigh Anna’s capsule wardrobe series on You Tube.
See my Summer Capsule Wardrobe here.
Do you use a capsule wardrobe?
i’ve been working on my capsules this week and I really feel like I might just need 2 capsules – one for HOT weather and then one for everything else 🙂 Do you store your unused capsule totes in the attic or somewhere more accessible?
In the attic. It’s easy for me to get up there and it gets it out of the way. If I had a big closet, I would store it in there.
Perfect timing. I had a dream a few weeks ago. The Lord said we needed to stop going to garage sales etc, as we needed to clean out. (We have a craft show and antique business, so it’s been justified). K…scared me as He also said we’d be moving soon. So…yesterday I went to kohls and splurged on some new clothes, justifying it for my book tour. Where to put it? Remembered your post, and did some research. We BOTH have been purging our closets, even the walkin for appliances and a linen closet! Though not quite there with the capsule idea (tomorrow), it’s a def motivator. Thanks ?! I’ll let you know if we’re moving?
You can do this! <3
Just to clarify, you plan to re-use these capsules, right? You will store three other capsules? Our of curiosity I looked at the “embracing everything” link and she really works along a certain color palate – mostly blues and blacks. Does your capsule look like that?
Are you doing 4 capsules for the kiddos, too?
I will discuss the kids later – I won’t use capsules for them because they grow quickly but they have moved to a minimalist wardrobe.
Yes, you keep your clothes and try to make them work for the next capsule. For example, you could keep a short sleeve skirt and make it work for fall or winter by layering it with a long sleeve cardigan. 🙂
My capsule will be up Friday.
Definitely need to lookninto this more. And your post on minimilizing kids clothes? I SO need that one! With seven kids running around, and all the hand-me-downs we’ve been blessed with, I feel like clothes are ruling this place…
Okay, great! I’ll be working on that post.
Yes, I do. Mine needs are very simple. I need a few things to wear to church, jeans and t-shirts for the rest of the time. Plus a few pairs of shoes and some outerwear. It makes life so much easier to just cycle through my few items. When one wears out, then I get another. I can also shop the season-end sales for what I will need. I love it!
Sounds great!!! 🙂
Please share as much as you’re willing on this topic. I’ve been trying for a year now to create a capsule wardrobe and just can’t seem to whittle. You inspired us to Konmarie, help our 4 yr old decide how to size down her quantity of toys and our house is so blissfully bare now…but the clothes! Even after doing Konmarie, they are still overwhelming. More pictures and tutorials please ? love your blog!!!
Coming up! 🙂
I’ve been waiting to hear this from you! I still haven’t started the decluttering book. Maybe this week, now that school is in process.
YES! Just do it. You know you want to.