State of The Capsule
At the end of the summer of 2013, I decided to do the whole “capsule wardrobe thing.” It was starting to become more mainstream, but nothing like it is now. I originally fell in love with the concept after I discovered Into Mind. I used her approach but customized it to my needs/mindset/brain. You can read my post about how I first simplified my wardrobe here.
I transitioned into the summer of 2014 without a plan but still kept my entire wardrobe under 20 items. I am a creature of outfit habit. I can wear the same thing every day and (if it makes me feel good) not care. When I look back on last summer, however, I can’t think of a single item that I really love(d). When we went to Vegas in September, I felt even more frustrated and realized that I lacked focus. I lacked so much focus that I ended up buying floral Birkenstock-style sandals because I literally didn’t have a sandal or summer shoe of any kind. I purchased a lot of trendy crap that leaves me (now) rolling my eyes. Hard.
I got a bit better last fall and my winter wardrobe has a vast improvement. It was more robust than I wanted (probably closer to 45 items) and I rarely wore half of what was hanging up in my closet. Last month I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and we plan to implement what I learned this upcoming weekend. I won’t “spoil” or break down the concept in full, but it comes down to one problem in our home. We really don’t have a lot of clutter, but we have a lot of shit we don’t care about. We own too much stuff that doesn’t bring joy. Clothes that make us feel uncomfortable or itchy. Books that we would never recommend. I own too much drugstore makeup that I never use but can’t throw away.
The clothes depicted above in that oh-so-lovely-makeshift-collage are the clothes that I wear consistently. All. The. Time. GOSH ALLIE, LOVE NEUTRALS MUCH? This winter I’m wearing a lot of white and cream and surprisingly not spilling mustard down the front of myself. I did have more than this all winter, but I recently got rid of about 20 pieces via my Instagram closet sale this past weekend. I can tough it out with these 14ish items until Ohio finally sees the light of spring. I hope to sell off the rest next week so keep your eye out at @alliepal_closet.
I’ll be posting again at the end of March once I pick out, purchase and finalize my spring and early summer capsule for about $250. I’ll be doing most of my purchases after I do another Whole30 with Adam and get back into the habit of working out. No need to buy a bunch of spring and summer clothes after hibernating under fleece and bread all winter! HA!
PS: I bought half of my winter wardrobe via ThredUp! Use my link to get $10 credit (and I get credit too!)
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Comments (11)
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I started trying out a capsule wardrobe this January and, if I’m honest, it’s HARD! I really didn’t put enough thought into my first wardrobe (e.g. I don’t have anything to wear on the “fancy, but not too fancy” drinks after dinner/event. Lesson learned.). I’ve started to brainstorm (and purchase) my Spring capsule wardrobe and trying to add a bit more versatile pieces and make sure I cover all the bases!
Chrissy x
http://www.chrissylilly.com -
Laura Lampe
Love this concept! My wardrobe is getting smaller and smaller, and yet I feel like I have more options. Also, I recently ordered a pair of beige suede booties just like the ones pictured in your collage from DSW for late winter/early spring!
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Agilborder
Hi Allison,
Thanks so much for your “how you did it ” post and the follow ups. I have been trying to figure this wardrobe simplification for about three years. Getting a classic winter wardrobe has been pretty simple and mine looks a lot like yours except less sweaters and no tall riding boots except when I am on my horse! I wear them a lot to ride and my friends would always ask if those were my “real” riding boots…so I quit tall boots unless on my horse!I have found it very difficult to get a summer classic casual wardrobe together. I am looking forward to seeing yours. I still want to look pulled together, but be classically dressed. I don’t wear shorts, no skirts. Skinny jeans and maybe a long Capri…but finding a comfortable mix has been difficult. Finding footwear that is casual but pulled together and comfortable has been hard. If it is comfortable, it is typically frumpy or club- footed looking. Therefore, my Summer uniform becomes the t-shirt and skinny jeans with Sperry topsiders in Summer. But…it just doesn’t seem to be enough, so I hope you will have some great insight that will help! A post like your winter one where you show your pieces and footwear would be much appreciated.
I find scarves too fussy and hot to wear all day and ” statement jewelry ” pieces just look kind of silly. I don’t wear blazers much in summer either, but occaisionally just to dress up the t. I do have a couple of those very light weight drapey long tapered sweater things that I wear and they are the only over jacket that is light enough and not so stiff.
I have taken to wearing a silver Tiffany timeless choker, always pearl or silver stud earrings as my standard jewelry uniform.
I moved to the coast of northern CA last year and here the temperature is always between 55 and 65 year round. I think my wardrobe is becoming more year-round here…just lighter weight versions of your winter work year- round. So I am updating my winter capsule appropriately.Thanks again for your help…we are all waiting to see what Spring and Summer capsules lok like!
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Kyla
I love the idea of a capsule wardrobe (something I am currently working towards) and also having a closet sale via Instagram! I’m curious to know if you had luck with selling most of the items you listed? I have a rather large pile of clothes that I don’t wear & don’t love that are still in great condition but haven’t had much luck selling in other online marketplaces like Poshmark, etc. A virtual closet sale on IG sounds so much better!
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Jennifer Coyle
I LOVE this. I was just out shopping with my friend last night at one of the biggest and best malls in the world. And she watched me not buy anything. I considered one blouse/shirt seriously but didn’t fret over it because they didn’t have my size. She was so sorry that I didn’t end up getting anything but it’s such a different mindset for me now that I am working with what sort of looks like a capsule wardrobe. I love how something has to be perfect or else it’s not worth my money or time or even emotional attachment. Great post- and please tell me more about thread up… What is it?