Reality of a Capsule Wardrobe

If you are comfortable in your own skin and don’t mind being seen frequently in the same basic pieces, a capsule wardrobe will fit your lifestyle like the proverbial glove. Growing up in New York City, I had a big wardrobe, an equally big life and loved having different outfits for each activity in my world. Moving to Los Angeles as an adult put me through changes on every level.

I had moved from a fashion conscious city to one where the blue jean was the daily staple. Fall ushered in the hottest weather and the world turned green during the winter months if we had ample rain. At first I balked. Slowly I began to realize that when in Rome, do as the Romans! I ultimately saw a pair of blue jeans as a blank canvas. If I tossed on a tee shirt and sneakers, I was ready for a hike, a coffee at my local Starbucks or a walk with my dog. On the other hand, if I tossed on an expensive sweater, designer jacket, good shoes and a great bag, I could go to a party or to a client’s home.

Cocktail parties, big events and fancy parties were not on my regular calendar. I got a canvas cover and tucked away a few basics for when those events came calling. Too infrequently to be bothered! Ironically most men have one tuxedo in their closet. It’s usually decades old, out of date and faded. In this day and age, renting a tux or a gown is the way to go.

Over time my need for an expansive array of items lessened. I invested in good quality and eschewed quantity. I began to hear about ‘Fast Fashion’ with its use of cheap dyes that polluted rivers, child labor or underpaid poor women and clogged landfills. I had a capsule wardrobe before it had a name. I also began to realize that people at parties probably didn’t remember seeing my ‘dress slacks’ at the last gathering nor did they care. We’re all looking in the mirror and making judgments about ourselves, aren’t we? As I get older, I lose the ability to care if someone is judging me for something. ‘What you think,’ as the say goes, ‘is none of my business.’

3 Reasons to Avoid Capsule Wardrobes

Here are 3 key considerations to ask before you begin a mad edit of your wardrobe and head to Goodwill!

• How Big Is Your Life?

I have extremely wealthy clients with big lives. The couple work outside the home. They are raising children. Many nights are devoted to social activities (many with a philanthropic purpose.) Some of these clients are famous. The world notices what they wear. They need expansive wardrobes.

You may not be famous but you might have a big life that includes the need for work clothes, items for hanging with your kids and their friends, social events for school and/or work and perhaps lots of travel. You need choices.

• Are You Wired for Variety?

There is no doubt that some personalities are not wired for any facet of the minimal experience. Embrace who you are. Feel no shame. Endeavor to find variety in clever ways that perhaps save the planet and your clothing budget.

For example:

1. Invest in trendy accessories rather than big, more costly pieces. Some years fringe is the hot ticket. You don’t need a new leather jacket with fringe when you can be just as trendy in a leather bag with fringe! There are several companies making stylish faux fur items. You can be trendy and conscious at the same time.

2. Go through your scarves and sort by type and color. Most winter coats are black or some other dark hue, right? Make them pop with a yellow or red scarf! Add a festive woolen winter hat and gloves and for very little you have small, timely pieces that will give the impression of a much bigger wardrobe.

3. Sort that drawer of costume jewelry pieces you haven’t touched in years. Jewelry can change the way an outfit is perceived. I tell the story in One Year to an Organized Life that I was a speaker at a weekend event in Palm Springs and wore a neutral pants suit every day. I changed my blouse, shoes and jewelry. I got compliments daily. Not a single soul caught my trick!

4. Finally, try and be more Mindful when it comes to offloading super cheap trendy items. Can you gift a younger sibling? Would a group that collects textiles take the item? Can you tweak it in some way to work on Halloween? Finally, remember that entities like Goodwill will take pretty much anything but if they can’t sell it, guess what? It’s going to a landfill. They will make the decision for you. If you want to learn more about fast fashion, here’s a great book to start with: To Dye For

• Are You Willing to Test the Waters?

I’m the kind of person who jumps into things so I understand if you are wired the same way. The first time I had my colors done I came home and donated everything not on the new palette. It was pretty much my entire wardrobe. I learned a great lesson. It’s prudent to take your time.

A capsule wardrobe has many benefits but set one up in your closet and try it out for 6 months to see if it suits you and makes you happy. I don’t want you to have regrets. Take a small area of closet real estate and organize the pieces you feel you can make life happy wearing on repeat. Don’t cheat. When you want to get dressed, this tiny area is your one stop shop home boutique.

No matter the size of your wardrobe, getting and staying organized is always going to serve you well. Here are 3 products I use on repeat!

1. Wood hangers are kind to your clothing and give any closet a look of elegance. Wood Hangers

2. Canvas covers come in sizes and breathe with your clothing. Please! No dry cleaner hangers or plastic! Canvas Covers

3. Shoes on the floor of a closet spell disaster. There are many ways to corral your collection but the basic solution always works! Shoe Rack

The Bottom Line

Everyone is different. Find organizing solutions that work for you. It’s equally important to know where you are in life and what the specific clothing demands are. Be realistic not emotional! Learn to distinguish want from need. The money you save will fatten your bank account!