Capsule Wardrobe

[Kat]

Hi everyone!

So...I really need to buy some new clothes. I was so excited after the baby was born to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes again, but I now weigh about 25 pounds less than I did when I got pregnant. So most of my old favorites are way too big (and showing a lot of wear to be honest). My feet changed somehow, too, during pregnancy. All my old shoes hurt my feet now. I kept thinking maybe they'd go back, but they haven't yet, and it's been almost a year.

I am really interested in the idea of a capsule wardrobe. I'm not interested in buying a lot of items of poor quality; I'd rather buy a few pieces that are high quality--pieces that mix and match and are flattering to my coloring (I'm a clear winter--pale skin, black hair, blue eyes). I think my colors would be black, white, a darker blue (like royal blue), and maybe a dark purple or burgundy.

I am struggling as to what pieces to buy. I do not work outside the home, so I don't need business pieces. Dry clean only and pieces needing ironing are also out. I am home with the baby most of the day, but I still like to look stylish and pulled together, especially when I run errands or meet DH for lunch at work.

Has anyone built a capsule wardrobe before? I'd be interested to hear your experiences.

[Jill]

Hi Kat, I did this when I worked in an office. For separates, it was a black pants, a black skirt, a beige skirt, a black jacket, a beige jacket, and a bunch of print and solid color tops that could work with either black or beige. I also had a handful of dresses, which are my favorite thing to wear - so easy, partly because I don't accessorize except for shoes and a purse and possibly a scarf. I think there are two key elements. One is to get pieces that all can go together. You don't want to buy a new top then discover that you have to buy pants and shoes to go with it. Two is to keep pants, skirts and jackets in solid colors or solid-like tweeds and use the tops to add color and pattern. this is because those pieces are usually the most expensive and the most difficult to fit. Tops can be purchased more cheaply and for most people are pretty easy to fit. It would be pretty easy to adapt this to non-office clothes though I haven't done it. I don't work anymore either, but I just go for the capsule-slob look -- croc sandals, three pairs of beige or khaki green cargo shorts, and a bunch of tshirts ;)

[Kat]

Thanks for your reply, Jill! That is really helpful. I like dresses, too, for the reasons you mention. :-)

I am thinking of maybe sticking with dark denim--a pair of skinnies and a pair of boot cut or flare--and then maybe getting a black skirt in a flattering cut and a pair of black slacks (since I do go to church and the occasional baby shower, wedding, etc.). I have a black blouse and a white blouse...maybe throw on a colored cardigan in the winter. I have a great navy corduroy blazer, too, that might be worth having tailored. Then I could get some tops in my color palette to pair with jeans during the week. Will need to get stuff that's layer-able, though, since I live in Iowa. Do you think that would work?

I'm not necessarily looking to be minimalist, but I need to find that "sweet spot" of enough but not too much. I don't want to do wash every day, but I also don't want more than I'll wear.

In going through my closet, I do see a lot of color mistakes. I really have a hard time finding things that look nice. I can wear black, white, dark gray, and jewel tones. That's about it. Anything else makes me looked washed out and tired. Black, white, and gray are easy to find. Beautiful jewel tones are harder (at least in spring and summer months).

[Tussiemussies]

Hi Kat, I've had color me beautiful done twice andI'm also a winter. You can wear pastels, as long as they have an "ice" look to them. I bet they would be great with your blue eyes!

[Mrs. Hermit]

I do it as a SAHM & graduate student. Black jeans, black slacks, black skirt for bottoms. Tops are wash-n-wear tshirts/blouses in bright colors. I tend to wear only solids, but patterns can hide kid-stains better. The tshirts don't need to be the plain crew-neck variety. There are a lot of cute, washable tshirts on the racks now. I have a couple of blouses for dates with hubby and the requisite formal affairs we have each year, but they are still wash-n-wear. Even the jackets I got to go with the skirt and slacks were washable!

I usually keep as a minimum 4 jeans, 2 slacks, and 2 skirts, 10 "daily" shirts, 2 dress shirts, 2 jackets, a dress (also washable), and 2 cardigans/button-front sweatshirts. Black pumps and walking shoes, black handbag, running shoes, scarves complete it for me. In the summer I substitute 4 skirts for jeans, usually picking out skirts that match the colors in my tops, and adding sandals.

[Gardenarian]

Miss Minimalist (http://www.missminimalist.com/2011/03/the-minimalist-wardrobe-aka-the-10-item-wardrobe/) has a nice article on this topic.

[Tammy]

My job requires black or white scrubs. I'm a nurse. I love that.

The rest of my life is wardrobed by REI clothing. It costs a little more. But I finally found my brand. It's a perfect match for my life. I have black yoga pants of such good quality that they work as casual dress pants for most other occasions also. I have cargo shorts that are perfect for almost everything I do during hot phoenix summers. I have about 6 tops with various sleeve lengths in white and blue colors. I have one pair of casual khaki pants which work for those times when yoga pants just won't do it. O have

[Tammy]

Goofy computer problem requires me to finish in a second reply:

I have flip flops, Nike tennis shoes for work, sturdy shoes which look like acceptable casual shoes but are also tough enough for hiking, and leather sandals. I don't do heels or dresses.

That's 90% of my wardrobe, with a heavy jacket and a sweater, a swim suit, and about 3 other items that I use but won't replace when they are worn out.

I used to have lots of things that were almost right, that I bought on sale but never felt 100% when wearing them. It's so much better in every way to just pay for a few pieces that are high quality and great match for me.

[Jill]

Sounds like you have a good base!

[lizii]

I've got my wardrobe down to black, navy blue, some pink and purple to go with each other.

My clothes are all wrinkle-free so I haven't needed to iron them--in fact if anyone living on the West Coast needs an iron or ironing board, you'd be very welcome to pick them up.

I have 3 good coats--one for spring, one for chilly autumn weather, and a warm winter coat.

I have a short-sleeved sweater to wear in the cooler evenings indoors and outside.

I try to keep myself warm by layering clothes during the early spring and autumn months to avoid turning the heat on as long as possible.

Being a beautiful spring and summer here, I haven't turned the heat on for months now.

[iforonwy]

As an aside we had a discussion rather like this at Weight Watchers the other evening. One of the ladies said that she had put all her "too-large" clothes on e-bay and made lots of money. She then used this to buy good, classic items. At the moment DH is helping me to alter some of my clothes that are now too big - he is the one with the skills on the sewing machine!

[Rosemary]

I'm a SAHM as well. I used to wear lightweight dresses all summer - until having a baby; dresses don't work if you're nursing. T-shirts and skirts work, but I find that I now prefer pants; just more practical for the activities I do every day.
So now my 'uniform' is khaki pants in winter, long-sleeved fitted tee or turtleneck and a sweater; in summer, khaki capris and a short-sleeved fitted tee.
I prefer khaki for everyday use because it does not fade the way that black does.
For dress, I have a pair of black pants and a black skirt, and two blouses.

[Kat]

Thanks, everyone! See...I knew I'd find like-minded folks here!

Tussiemussies--thanks for the tips on pastels. I've seen the icy pale blue, but most everything else I've seen has a brightness to it that isn't flattering for me.
Rosemary, Tammy, Mrs. Hermit, and lizii--thanks so much for sharing what you own. Hearing what others have done is so helpful.
Gardenarian--great article! Have it bookmarked. Thanks for sharing! :-)
iforonwy--I thought about selling a few of my nicer pieces on ebay. Maybe I'll give it a try--especially the beautiful red cocktail dress I bought right before I found out I was pregnant and never got to wear! ;-)

[Tussiemussies]

Hi again Kat, Was looking over the LL Bean latest issue and they have a clothing group like this, with Black for the pants, skirt and one jacket. The rest you could add your own colors into it, in the catalogue I believe it was plum.

In every catalogue they always have two pages devoted to an outfit like this...