Note: Refer to Wikipedia for background information on the capsule wardrobe concept if you are not already familiar with it.
The term capsule wardrobe was coined in the 1970s, but the concept has been around for much longer. Vintage sewing patterns featuring a collection of pieces designed to work together attest to this fact. The basic notion is to generate a core wardrobe consisting of a few key pieces that will mix, match, and work together effortlessly and it is truly brilliant in theory. When I first read about it, I thought, "Why did no one ever explain this to me?" I thought of my time spent frantically shopping the local thrift stores after I landed a job, in search of work-appropriate clothing to replace my T-shirt and jeans college wardrobe. There was no rhyme or reason to the pieces I bought other than they fit, I liked them, and the price was reasonable. As a result, I was forever unable to wear certain garments because I did not have the right shoes or a coordinating top to go with them. So they hung, unworn, in my closet, mocking me at every turn. I did not have a plan.
When I first read about clothing capsules, I immediately sensed the shortcomings in my current wardrobe. I was so intrigued with the capsule idea that I immediately set out to transform my closet. It seemed so easy. Little did I know that I would be besieged by difficulties and I discovered that the capsule concept is not as easy to execute as I first believed. I searched the Web, as well as many women's interest publications, and found a lot of different lists containing "must-have" or "essential" pieces for creating the perfect capsule wardrobe. Unfortunately, a great deal of the information conflicts. For instance, there are many different opinions regarding the specific pieces needed and what styles and colors to choose. The examples can be great guidelines but, as I discovered, they should be approached with caution. There were times I could not find clothing to precisely match the list; other times I simply felt restricted by the limited colors and styles of the garments. All in all, I found myself more frustrated than ever with my wardrobe. As a proponent of thrift and frugality, I am reluctant to confess that I have wasted more money than I care to admit trying to force-fit some of these capsule wardrobe lists to my wardrobe needs. I gave up for awhile; however, the capsule idea never completely left me. I find myself continually drawn to it, despite the fact that I have seemingly failed in my efforts to follow it before. I remain attracted to the concept because, at the very core, it is about simplicity and I truly crave to apply simplicity to my life, and most especially my closet.
The most important lesson I have learned is there is no magic formula that will suit every woman. The clothing that performs best for one will not be the same as for another, due to a multitude of factors. A woman must consider where and how she lives her life and her own personal clothing preferences when putting together a capsule. Moreover, there is an extra element necessary but not often mentioned. Perhaps the single most important factor to consider is whether one truly loves the garment and would purchase and wear it regularly, even if she were not trying to build a capsule with it. I really think that is where I got lost along the way before, choosing to purchase items I would not ordinarily purchase simply because they were on the "list." So here is to a fresh capsule start, one in which I listen primarily to my heart about clothing and keep the advice of "the experts" at a distance.
The term capsule wardrobe was coined in the 1970s, but the concept has been around for much longer. Vintage sewing patterns featuring a collection of pieces designed to work together attest to this fact. The basic notion is to generate a core wardrobe consisting of a few key pieces that will mix, match, and work together effortlessly and it is truly brilliant in theory. When I first read about it, I thought, "Why did no one ever explain this to me?" I thought of my time spent frantically shopping the local thrift stores after I landed a job, in search of work-appropriate clothing to replace my T-shirt and jeans college wardrobe. There was no rhyme or reason to the pieces I bought other than they fit, I liked them, and the price was reasonable. As a result, I was forever unable to wear certain garments because I did not have the right shoes or a coordinating top to go with them. So they hung, unworn, in my closet, mocking me at every turn. I did not have a plan.
When I first read about clothing capsules, I immediately sensed the shortcomings in my current wardrobe. I was so intrigued with the capsule idea that I immediately set out to transform my closet. It seemed so easy. Little did I know that I would be besieged by difficulties and I discovered that the capsule concept is not as easy to execute as I first believed. I searched the Web, as well as many women's interest publications, and found a lot of different lists containing "must-have" or "essential" pieces for creating the perfect capsule wardrobe. Unfortunately, a great deal of the information conflicts. For instance, there are many different opinions regarding the specific pieces needed and what styles and colors to choose. The examples can be great guidelines but, as I discovered, they should be approached with caution. There were times I could not find clothing to precisely match the list; other times I simply felt restricted by the limited colors and styles of the garments. All in all, I found myself more frustrated than ever with my wardrobe. As a proponent of thrift and frugality, I am reluctant to confess that I have wasted more money than I care to admit trying to force-fit some of these capsule wardrobe lists to my wardrobe needs. I gave up for awhile; however, the capsule idea never completely left me. I find myself continually drawn to it, despite the fact that I have seemingly failed in my efforts to follow it before. I remain attracted to the concept because, at the very core, it is about simplicity and I truly crave to apply simplicity to my life, and most especially my closet.
The most important lesson I have learned is there is no magic formula that will suit every woman. The clothing that performs best for one will not be the same as for another, due to a multitude of factors. A woman must consider where and how she lives her life and her own personal clothing preferences when putting together a capsule. Moreover, there is an extra element necessary but not often mentioned. Perhaps the single most important factor to consider is whether one truly loves the garment and would purchase and wear it regularly, even if she were not trying to build a capsule with it. I really think that is where I got lost along the way before, choosing to purchase items I would not ordinarily purchase simply because they were on the "list." So here is to a fresh capsule start, one in which I listen primarily to my heart about clothing and keep the advice of "the experts" at a distance.
