I’ve been thinking about capsule wardrobes for a year or so – in an abstract kind of “that’s interesting” way. It wasn’t until I started thinking about packing for my trips to South America – and after a frustratingly time consuming afternoon of laundry sorting (as in I have a crap-ton of clothes & yes that is the real measurement: crap-ton) that I started to seriously consider what implementing a capsule wardrobe could mean for me.
I’m planning to spend a few days and dive in to creating my own capsule wardrobe this week, and I’ll be sure to share how that goes. So far, I’ve gone through my closet and pulled out all my “less-than-perfect” clothes (clothes that don’t fit, that make me uncomfortable, that I just don’t like anymore) – as evidenced by the photo above. Also evidenced by the photo above? I have too many clothes. Clothes that I’m not even wearing regularly. This small step of simply piling up the items I no longer want to wear has been really eye opening. It makes me sick to think of all the money wasted in that pile. My next steps include sorting that mile-high pile into two separate donate and consign piles, storing out-of-season clothes in an area away from my capsule wardrobe, and determining what my bare bones wardrobe is going to look like.
Until then, if you have any great links for hints/tips in curating a smaller wardrobe, PLEASE share them in the comments. Below are a few videos and resources I’ve been looking over recently …
- Project 333: Getting Started
- Unfancy: How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe
- EnjoyIt: My First Attempt at a Capsule Wardrobe
- Packing the Perfect Suitcase
- Pack Lighter Rule
- TED Talk: 10 Item Wardrobe
- I Only Have 33 Items of Clothing
It’s definitely a goal of mine to reduce the amount of “stuff” in my life – from fabric, to clothes, to trinkets – there’s just to much junk. For me, curating my wardrobe – freeing up space both physically and mentally, is the perfect way to start this de-cluttering.
With Elephant Grace 
Project 333 is a great place to start. I don’t follow it strictly, but I have found so much freedom in limiting my clothing options to what I really like to wear. I love wearing my favorite clothes every day. I used to think others cared a lot about what I was wearing but then I realized I’m really the only who notices. I also think it’s funny that I moved out of the walk in closet in our bedroom and let my husband have it all – he has way more than I do. And I’m perfectly happy in the little closet that used to be for our off season stuff.
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I am enjoying your posts related to your word of the year – curate. I can relate to the need to de-clutter, and hopefully your posts and ideas will help motivate and encourage me to be brave and get rid of things!
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Thanks, Beth. So far, I’m really enjoying my word – best of luck with finding your courage to clean-out. I’ve only taken small steps so far, but I can say that it’s been totally worth it.
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I have the opposite problem in that I need to add items to my wardrobe. I have exactly three pairs of dress pants and two pairs of jeans. I have like 5 or 6 tops. I’ve worn the same pair of shoes almost every school day for 3 1/2 years. My one pair of sunglasses are at least 6 years old. Hoping to run into a few good deals this year!
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