Since I posted a pic on Facebook last week, lots of people have been asking me about my latest capsule. “Wait, what is a capsule wardrobe again?” “Your capsule is too big – how is it a capsule with 60 pieces?” “Will you come do my closet?”
I’m here for you, friends.
A quick recap for those of you new to the concept. In 2015, I came across a blog from a Dallas mom blogger named Denaye Barahona who significantly downsized her closet. At the time, I had two massive Ikea wardrobes, a closet and a dresser packed to the brim with a lot of fast fashion. I shopped to reduce stress, to pass time, to feel fulfilled by the feeling of having new things to wear.
After taking everything out of the closet and wardrobes and drawers, I purged nearly 200 items.
I’ve been doing a capsule every season since. I spend less money, and now, when I shop, I shop with purpose. I go in knowing I need an off-white cashmere sweater that will hold up for years. I need a replacement pair of jeans. This intentional shopping keeps me from caving to impulse buys, and when I do indulge in an impulse, I really examine whether I will wear that item more than a few times. I’m not perfect in this area, but I’ve improved so much that I don’t expect to ever return to my old, wasteful ways.
2019 was a crummy year with a lot of challenges, so I wasn’t as dedicated to the cause, but as soon as 2020 kicked off I new I wanted to redo my closet and incorporate a rainbow version of closet organization and I must say that it’s my favorite one to date. I love being able to quickly pull out an item by color and selecting an outfit like I’m wearing adult Garanimals. Almost everything mixes and matches so I have loads of options to choose from, and I’m not overwhelmed by having too much stuff in my closet.
Here’s the breakdown since many of you have asked.
This capsule has about 60 items in it. It’s the largest one I’ve had since starting this experiment, but this season I have several things on the horizon and I wanted a bit more in there. I also changed shoe organizers to accommodate more shoes because I’m on a shoe kick again. Kick! Ha!
2020 Winter Capsule:
12 coats/vests/blazers/jackets: I have a bit of a coat thing. This is somewhat excessive but again, you can come up with your own rules. I’m very “coaty” this time because it’s been cold enough to take advantage of that this season and I love it!
12 tops – This is a combination of long and short-sleeved shirts, some button down blouses, a light denim shirt that I’ve had in almost every capsule but weirdly never wear, and one long-sleeved t-shirt.
3 printed short-sleeved t-shirts: (I keep this to a minimum so I don’t overdo word shirts).
6 sweaters: A mix of cardigans and pullovers. Confession – one sweater is a fast fashion impulse I bought at Austin’s Le Garage Sale – an off white sweater with a big red heart for Valentine’s. I feel that I’ll keep it for a while but we’ll see how it goes.
2 sleeveless tops for layering under things.
3 pairs of pants: I’m not working in an office so I can keep this number pretty low, but if I have offices to visit I can always increase this number by pulling more pants out of storage.
4 skirts: I adore pencil skirts but I admit that I don’t wear them often unless I have somewhat dressy events to attend.
3 pairs of jeans: This year I bought a pair of really light wash jeans at a thrift store and I feel very 80s in them but they are growing on me. My 16 year old and her friend gave me a nod of approval so I’m going with it!
17 pairs of shoes: I used to keep this number below 10 but now that I have the storage, I’m maximizing that number. I also don’t count running shoes in this number.
Total capsule: 62 pieces. (And a green wig I borrowed from my teenager that I hope to wear at some point!).
I don’t count handbags (which I switch out and keep somewhat under control), workout clothes, tennis shoes, pajamas, or scarves. Or jewelry. I have an embarrassing amount of bracelets and I don’t think I’ll ever change that.
To answer the question: “Will you come do my closet?” The answer is absolutely yes! For $100 (and a bottle of wine to share when I arrive, if you please!), you’ll get a 2 hour consult where we’ll go through piece by piece, decide rather to keep, consign, donate, store, or toss (some things just need to be completely let go), and we’ll start building a wardrobe that you can manage.
We’ll put away off-season items so they don’t distract you or get in your way, so every season when you start fresh, you’ll feel like it’s Christmas morning. “There’s my yellow blazer! My favorite summer slides!” I always find something I forgot I had when I hide it away for 3 months.
If you’re a super hoarder and we need more time, we can work that out after our first season, but I expect that in just 2 hours we can start changing your life.
Let me know if you want to set up a session! Happy capsuling!
