Capsule Wardrobe | Thoughts

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

I'm slowly putting together my spring capsule wardrobe, but before I finalise my selection I wanted to note down my thoughts on my first attempt at a capsule wardrobe.

The rules were simple:
- Pick up to 37 items to wear for winter
- Store everything else away
- Accessories, gym clothes, PJs, and going out clothes are unlimited

Wearing nothing but the 32 items I'd selected was easier than I thought.

At the beginning I told myself not to take it too seriously - "they're only clothes" - I gave myself permission to cheat if I wanted to, if I felt like it. But in all honesty I didn't.

There were a few items that I wore just once and a dress that I didn't wear at all, and yet I still found I had more than enough clothes to keep me happy and interested in the project.


This Louche dress wasn't worn because the sleeves made it impossible to wear anything over the top comfortably, so as much as I love it and would like to wear it, it's been reserved for the summer.


My daily uniform consisted of jeans and a jumper but it was nice to mix it up a bit with my khaki crochet skirt.
 
If I was going out I had full run of my wardrobe, I could wear anything as the capsule is about having a workable, wearable, wardrobe for everyday. But when going out I did tend to stick to the capsule, certainly more than I thought I would.

It focuses the mind when it comes to shopping.

I didn't give up shopping entirely but the capsule made me more aware of the holes in my wardrobe. I mostly purchased things I needed, either because they were missing (black heels), or needed replacing (slippers, sunglasses), or needed for something specific (bikini, clutch bag).

I found myself wanting less

When it came to shopping I found that my interest had waned a little. I was content with the things in my capsule. But if I was tempted I'd ask myself if I would swap something in my capsule for it, if I thought I wouldn't I left it in the shop.

I had fewer 'what shall I wear' days

I've enjoyed living with a capsule wardrobe. It's easier and quicker to get dressed in the morning, and I've found new ways to wear certain items. I've also identified some items that really don't work anymore.


This pre-loved denim dress, bought back in 2012 has been discarded. I wore it just once over winter. It's been worn many times over the years (pictured above right x4) but I stopped enjoying it, so I popped it into a charity bag for someone else to find and love.


I also gave away this orange top, purchased in December, on account of being not quite right. Normally I'd keep it simply because I hadn't had it long and hadn't worn it much.

I'm looking forward to spring

The switch over has been on my mind, I've been thinking about what I might keep in from my winter wardrobe and what I would need now that the coldest months are hopefully behind us.

Jeans will still feature highly but I think I'll definitely have more dresses this time around. I'm looking forward to getting into a dress or two. My only concern is that the weather will be less predictable. We could have sunshine or snow so I might need to tweak things as I go.

Have you ever tried a capsule wardrobe?

My seasonal capsule wardrobe is inspired by Un-Fancy.

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10 comments

  1. I'm always intrigued by your capsule wardrobe adventures but I don't think I could stick to them. I have been trying harder to plan my outfits for the week ahead, which makes things like leaving the house at 5.30am a little easier.

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    1. That's a good idea. Although I don't think I could remember to do it everyday :)
      I'm looking forward to changing things up for spring, but I have a feeling it'll be a little harder this time around.

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  2. I really enjoyed this post, I am trying to simplify my wardrobe, I have lots of things in my wardrobe but still feel that I don't have much choices to pull together outfits. Thanks for the inspiration to look at downsizing and creating a capsule approach to my wardrobe choices x

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    1. It's definitely worth a try, and nice that you can mix it up each season. Good luck!

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  3. I just don't think I could cope with one but I applaud your attempts! I like the outfits you created with it!x

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    1. These are just a few of the outfits, I didn't take many photos due to the light being poor. I hope to be able to document my spring outfits better.
      I found it interesting that the capsule forces you to pick the items you like the most, it really makes you think about what you have and what you like.

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  4. Thanks for always stopping by. Hazel Joy. Picking yourself up is the hardest part x x x

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    1. No worries, I hope you're feeling more upbeat soon x

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  5. Love the crochet skirt! I've done the 'wearing something to death then going off it' thing a few times - it always baffles me a bit that my taste can change to such an extent in a relatively short space of time, but at least someone else will maybe love it in future :)

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    1. I always enjoy wearing it but don't wear it nearly enough. I know it'll go back in to my capsule for autumn.
      I've bought three long cardigans this year and I've already gone off two of them, I think in my head they look different than they actually do - more like dressing gowns than effortlessly casual knitwear! Oh well...

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All products that are featured on Hazel’s World of Joy have been purchased by me unless otherwise stated. Any PR samples, items that have been sent to me for review or similar will be declared as such at the end of the post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.