CAPSULE WARDROBE

INTRO.

Are you wondering what a capsule wardrobe is all about? Lemme tell you! A capsule wardrobe is basically a super focused set of clothes that perfectly encapsulates your personal style.

Now…you might wonder…why do or create a capsule wardrobe? These are the reasons that first prompted me to start diving in :

• You get a better understanding of your personal style.
• Which in turn makes impulse shopping less of a thing. You know what clothes you actually really love + feel good in.
• Getting dressed in the morning is much easier – your pieces work together + because it’s all clothing you love + feel good in you don’t waste time feeling like you have nothing to wear!
• Less impulse buying is better for your bank account.
• Less consuming is better for our planet.

Charles Etoroma

Before you get started, grab a copy of the ebook linked below. Ask yourself some key questions :

• Why are you interested in putting together a capsule wardrobe?
• What do you hope to gain from this experience? What will having a capsule wardrobe do for you?
• What values do you identify with?
• What emotions do you want to feel?
• How will curating a capsule wardrobe align with your values + emotions?
• How do you spend your work weeks + weekends? Where + how do you spend your time?
• What is the weather like in your area?
• Do you have any special events or occasions coming up?

STEP 1.

Get prepped with a few garbage bags for all the clothes you’re going to say “thank you + goodbye!” to.

Get your diffuser going with a grounding or uplifting essential oil blend (my favourite combo is Arborvitae, Frankincence, + Wild Orange).

Play some of your fave tunes. I like to start with some gentle jams, + turn it up with some dance beats when my energy starts to drag mid-way through. It can be a bit of an intense experience, so drink your water + do what you need to keep your energy up. Stick with it – it’ll feel so good once you’re done + your remaining clothes are put away!

Now, what’s your target number? There’s no right or wrong answer (I’ve done a 40 piece + a 50 piece at different times). But this number includes all items you wear up + out + about (clothing, jackets, shoes).

Are you ready? Let’s get started!

STEP 2.

DUMP IT! This is where you go through EVERYTHING you own + dump it allll out. EVERYTHING.

I’m talking closet, dresser, outerwear, footwear, stuff you have in rubbermaid totes that you’ve been hanging on to for years with the hopes that they’ll fit or come back into style again (ahem…), your dirty laundry…time to air that ish out.

It’s all coming out, EXCEPT FOR lingerie, jewelry, sleep/lounge/gym wear (unless you have a consumption problem in this area, in which case you’ll have to put a cap on it).

Pile your clothes into categories (ie., winter jackets, t-shirts, jeans, legging, dresses, etc.). You’ll already start to know which pieces you’re going to def be keeping, but leave them in their respective piles until it’s time to sort.

This step is actually my favourite, because it’s creating a clean slate. #freshstart #blankcanvas #cleanslate

You’ll feel some excitement knowing that only the best of the best is going to end up back in your closet +/or dresser.

STEP 3.

SORTED! Like Harry Potter, but without the hat.

(It’s not like Harry Potter at all…)

Start by taking out your faves in each category – ones that you get a thrill or have an internal sigh when you see them + touch them. Trying things on during this phase is a good idea, especially for items that are not on your love list. If anything pulls or is tight in ways that aren’t totally comfortable, get rid of it. You don’t need that in your life! Really. Because every time you wear it you won’t truly feel comfortable, + that carries into everything you do throughout your day. Be comfortable in what you’re wearing – YOU need to feel amazing!

As you sort, keep a pile of items that you like or feel drawn to, but don’t totally love. At the end these pieces fill in the gaps. Or if you’ve reached your max #, you might want to hold on to them for a few weeks in a separate bin, + swap out clothing items that aren’t working for you as you work your capsule wardrobe. Make sense?

Lastly, as you’re sorting, use the next page of the planner to make notes on clothing items that need to be repaired (ex., I am in desperate need of a sweater defuzzer, + I have a pair of heels that need to have some repair work done). Take note of gaps in your wardrobe where you might need to buy a new piece (make sure you include these pieces in your count!).

Jose Soriano

MOVING FORWARD.

Schedule a date + time to go shopping for your gap-pieces or have items repaired. Make a plan to do it now so it doesn’t live on as an ever-lasting to-do.

Bag up all the pieces you have that don’t serve you anymore. Bring the bags out to your car + schedule a time to drop them off at a local shelter or biz that accepts donations. If any pieces are really ratty, worn out, or stained just junk them or use them for rags.

Something that I started doing years ago, but which makes a big difference in how I feel about my closet is using wooden hangers instead of wire or plastic ones. It helps clothes to hang nicely + looks great in the closet. It’s a very inexpensive way to feel like you have a fancy closet!

If you still have a Rubbermaid tote of seasonal clothes, or pieces you really aren’t ready to pass on, put them into a storage closet or separate room, + schedule a date 4-6 months from now to go through the process again with these items. You might find you have a different perspective on holding on to them, or might find that you have space in your capsule wardrobe if other pieces aren’t working for you anymore.

Hang or fold your keeping-clothes, put them away, + bask in the glow of a beautifully curated wardrobe!

Yay you!

Take a few minutes + feel your feels. Are you feeling lighter? Excited? A sense of relief?

What kind of realizations did you have throughout this process?

Remember, this doesn’t have to be written in stone, so feel free to revisit this process whenever you need to.

This is about you, your life, what works, + supporting yourself in the best ways possible!

The tools I used.

Anthony Ginsbrook