Capsule Wardrobes DON'T Work & This Is Why!

Capsule wardrobes don't work & this is why! In today's video we will explore three different capsule wardrobe concepts. There are SO many different concepts out there, but we will just be focusing on three for today. I will explain the foundations they are built on, and why some of rules you are intended to follow end up falling a bit short. One of the biggest issues I see with capsule wardrobes is that many times these methods are way too tailored to a specific audience. When a system is too rigid, it makes it difficult for a larger audience to adopt. We are individuals. We all have different preferences and needs within our closets! These capsule wardrobe concepts needs to reflect that if they are going to truly work for many people.

My hope is that I can show you that you absolutely CAN find a way to pair down items in your closet without sacrificing the things you love.

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:57 10x10 Challenge
1:30 10 Item Wardrobe
3:23 37 Piece Wardrobe
5:12 What I Recommend

What I am wearing:
Venture Hoops
Unified Necklace
Ring - Noonday Collection (retired)
Top - Thrifted

Jennifer Scott's Channel

I unfortunately cannot find the exact mirror/jewelry organizer I have....but this is pretty close!

*This video is NOT sponsored. Links are not affiliate. All opinions shared in the video are my own. *

#capsulewardrobe #sustainablefashion #minimalism

[laurenromeo]

What capsule wardrobe concepts have you adopted in the past? What has worked and what hasn't??

[adrianataboada]

I think the appeal to a capsule wardrobe (for me at least) is that it functions as the antithesis to consumerism! Use what you have and focus on the essentials instead of buying new things that don’t go into a regular rotation and end up in landfills when they go out of style. Your clothes want to be worn, and often we forget things we purchase/only wear once unless we make a deliberate and intentional decision to add them to our regular wardrobe! Great video 😊

[katiechasm]

Agree that even nicer quality clothes and shoes wear out pretty fast when they're constantly in rotation. I don't aim for a super small number of items for this reason, I just go through regularly and donate things that are never being worn. Plus there are always changes in work formality level for me so I think of it as having a couple different 'sets' of clothes I can reach for depending on what's going on!

[emilywilliamson]

I loved a capsule wardrobe for my daughter when she was young. It helped me have a template of how much to buy at the start of each season and would usually get everything from the one place at once so everything could be mixed and matched. Now she's older and has her own sense of style we just buy things she likes as we find them and replace basics at the start of each season.

[annamichelle]

I've done the 10 item wardrobe, and it has worked well for me. I use it as a flexible framework and don't stick to it religiously. I'll have about 10-13 core items, plus extras. I'm extremely limited on space, and it's better for me to have a few things even if they wear out more quickly. Plus I move between the US and West Africa, so I need different styles of clothes for weather and culture. I do have to admit that even though I've been back in the US since May, I've only done a "capsule wardrobe" when traveling, not when at home.

[BriLamberson]

I really loved your take on this. I’ve personally never fully adopted a capsule wardrobe. I’ve hosted a 10x10 challenge on Instagram which I absolutely loved because it opened my eyes to see how creative I could be with a few items. But I’m personally too fascinated by clothing to keep it paired down a small number of items. However, my style has been going through a major evolution where I’m working on buying more of those higher end pieces. Like you, I wear the crap out of my clothes and regret not having more things in rotation to carry the load. Good work! And congratulations on your channel.

[christiana_mandalynn]

Based on the title, I was not expecting to absolutely love this video and breathe a sigh of relief... and actually 💯 % of what you said, I agree with and it actually brought me a lot of validation and peace. Thank you for making this video. I discovered capsule wardrobes (37 rule) about 4 years ago and have been trying to mimic that. Then last year I discovered Jennifer Scott at the Daily Connoisseur and LOVE all her videos. But I’ve been too scared to commit to the 10 item wardrobe, and I finally realized why a few days ago.

The trouble is, I have 3 different personal styles that I love, depending on my mood, and with being a mom to 4 very young children, I go through outfit changes sometimes 2-3x a day! I’d wear through everything so fast and I need enough to last me in between washes, cause I line-dry all my clothes and I can only do it once every week, not more than that. On really hard days I just need some variety, something to look forwards to. Clothing has been a way to lift me mentally out of discouraging times and honor my self care.

So right now I am ok to keep 2-3 capsules in my closet and rotate them with seasons, and be very intentional about what I purchase and if it goes with one of those 3 aesthetics.

[darrylbannon]

There is nothing sustainable about having to constantly wash clothing. Even with spot cleaning, some items like t-shirts and anything that fits close to the armpits area, needs washing more frequently. With a larger wardrobe you can wait longer to fill your machine instead, of loads of small loads. You also need to air fabrics. Jeans need around 3-5 days between wears, it prolongs the life of the garment and helps to keep its shape. Far more practical, to assess your life style and buy more of the categories that you wear more frequently. Plus as women we do see body shape changes during the month, so we all need a pair of pants/skirts that are a little looser for those days:)

[janepain]

Most practical, usable ideas about clothing I've heard. Last December, being unable to spend Christmas with my grown up daughters, we each pledged to do something special to celebrate on our own. Mine was wearing Christmas jumpers everyday in December. That sparked my interest in capsule wardrobes. I have spent 2021 trying to wear everything in my wardrobe, assess whether I want to keep it. Apart from a few very special dresses only suitable for a wedding or very special occasions, I am on track. A lot of clothes have gone. The only clothes/bags i have bought this year have been as a result of spending money given for Christmas and birthday. I agree with other comments that having more clothes and thus reducing frequency of putting washing machine on is much more sensible. I have much more space, like what I have, wear what I have and have found new combinations of outfits. But definitely have more than 37 items.

[Lifewithmarilyn]

I have done the capsule wardrobe for the past 2 years and they do work. It has taken me two years to build it. I have picked colors and don't buy things that l don't need. I do occasionally buy pieces but my rule is if l buy something something has to go. I wear my clothes all year round. I started by going to homegoods and bought 3 packs of nice velvet hangers. I also bought a pack of skirt hangers and heavy pants hangers. Hang your clothes backwards. By the end of the season if you haven't worn it purge it. Unless it is a special occasion, winter item, or coat. It works. Just like anything else ya can't quit!

[SusanBame]

I started working in 1978 and life was much different then; clothing was much different then; "what you wear to work" was much different then. I got a job in 2019 and had no idea how to dress for work anymore, so I started watching capsule wardrobe videos and getting an idea how to dress for today. Now, when I go to the coffee shop every morning, I get several baristas complimenting me on my outfits!

[emmy]

Hard agree on outerwear: in a region with real winters, your jacket or coat is 3/4 of your outfit for a big part of the year.

[elisecccccccc]

This video sparked something for me. I have been looking into capsules because I work from home but I also do go to out events on occasion. I think what I really want is something like the ten item wardrobe but for when I leave the house only! It’s been a big shift moving to WFH and changing my clothing consumption has been a big thing. I think eventually too I want to focus on getting more elevated loungewear pieces so I can still feel like I’m getting dressed even if I’m just going to be around the house all day.

[maryanne]

Thank you for making this video! I was not expecting to resonate so much with a lot of your ideas. I very much agree with coats and jackets... if I don't have some sort of "fun" coat I lose interest in fashion in the colder months haha.

I really love the main goal of capsule wardrobing--that you can always style something in a *NEW* way. I think at the end of the day for me it's about rotating items (instead of buying something new) and styling with accessories like you mentioned!

[kenn]

I think the key is to decide on your style, what you love, but to keep it real for your job, lifestyle and hobbies. Matching your wardrobe items is a must, in palate and style, and pairing down what you have and what you are willing to get rid of. There should not be a minimum and maximum set in some sort of strict rule, The person needs to decide on how many items they need to have, themselves. Mixing and Matching is the key to the ideal wardrobe. I would not throw half of my wardrobe away, but store the items until I decide if I can let them go. Like you mentioned, you had to rebuy some of your clothing when it came to a time that you needed something (that you originally had), and then had to go out and buy, because you tossed it. I would veer away from the word capsule and go more for a mix and match wardrobe, weeding out things every season that I may have decided was just not me.

We also have the weather and body weight fluctuation to consider, in these decisions. The ideal is to own less, but invest in great quality items, that will last many years. ITs the cheap fashion that is non sustainable, the toss it after a couple of wears, not only hurts the environment it encourages a 'throw- away' world. I had to learn all of this myself as I had no role model to explain why cheap in not always good. I have invested in items and felt really special wearing them. It is psychological in a way, that you know the jacket you are wearing is really good quality and you feel special wearing it. I am NOT a designer follower, nor do I like someone else's name scrawled across the items, that puts me right off. If you can afford certain items, it is so uncouth to display large logo type items, so the world can see you are wearing Gucci or whatever. subtle is better!!
My Mother had about 40 plus jackets and coats. I imagine someone buys and buys and buys cheap stuff, and are never actually satisfied with what they have or they would STOP!! I tried to push her into getting a really good quality coat, in a high end store, rather than keep buying these cheap items, but she refused. She would never actually treat herself and pay the price for these items!!! It is a shame as she never experienced feeling really special!!

[VictorLee]

Prior to watching, I thought you would be arguing against the concept of interchangeability of capsule wardrobes but I agree with what you said! I personally have multiple duplicates of the same functioning piece (color too for tshirts) but I still keep the conceptual benefit of capsule wardrobes which is essentially most of the pieces could potentially be worn with the others. I think investing in essentials with mindful intension but not being so bound by the actually number keeps the functional practicality but the stress away.

[angelatewson]

I decided recently to have a go to capsule wardrobe, which was more about buying new items I needed, but in colours and tones that would all go together. So I bought middle quality in a sale. I find very highly priced items are not worth it, and middle designer ranges (meaning smaller brands, but reasonably well known) have better materials and finishing. I needed a casual selection for the winter that still looked elegant, so sports luxe kinda thing. Tones were neutrals, greys and soft blues, as I have other things in my wardrobe that go. I bought 7 jumpers in a half price sale in those colours. I already had some neutral pants (like cargo or smart track bottoms) and hought a couple more pairs. I have lots of coats, most are in neutral tones so they go with all I bought. I have boots in brown and black, but I bought some smart trainers that are warm for winter. Really, this was to save me time in the mornings, to have a section of clothes I know I can mix and match and will look good.

I do have special items in my wardrobe, some of which are 30 years old and were second hand, vintage or new (but in sale) of very good quality and know how to style them to look modern. I find separates are often better though I like a few dresses. Think about ways dresses can be made warmer - if the colour is darker, you can belt them and wear a sweater or cardigan over in winter. I have liked brighter colours the last few years but this year feel I want lighter neutrals, greys, soft blues, creams, beige, taupe, white.

Last year I bought very little as we were in lockdown from November to beginning of April here (Europe) which meant unnecessary shops were shut and there isn't a huge choice in the town anyway. So I caught up now. I need new T-shirts and a couple more warmer pairs of trousers. My jeans also go with my new purchases for a more casual look.

So I'd say half my wardrobe will be capsule for ease and the other half will be various things I already have and only add to if I see an item I really love and can afford.

Always keep accessories. Put them away and they will come back in fashion later. There are only so many styles of belts, bags and earrings etc to go around.Also remember that when a lot of people are wearing the 'in' style, your old style will look much more individual and eye-catching.

Much as I like natural and good quality materials, if you are washing something a lot, a mix is often better. For instance, I love cashmere and pure wool socks, but they will get holes quickly unless you only wear them in bed! So a mix with 20 percent nylon or so is tougher and lasts longer. Similarly cotton socks will get loose quickly unless a small amount of elasthane or polyamide is inclued. Buy fine merino wool jumpers if you can, and they are often washable and non-itchy. Cashmere is lovely but bobbles quickly. Wool mixed with nylon is often good with knitwear, makes it wash better.

If you can get wool/cotton mix, go for it, but items last longer if washed by hand carefully, if that's possible. Washing machines wear your nice clothes out much more quickly as do dryers. So at least hang fine fabrics up to dry naturally after a short spin.

I love knitwear but it is not always longlasting. If I can keep a sweater looking good for four years, then I'm happy, after which it can become housewear, loungewear and then gardening/odd job wear! Reuse your nice clothes until they wear out if you have the space, and it saves money.

I also decided long ago that small capsue wardrobes could be a go to but would be very limiting. I have a lot of coats and keep them all. Some years I don't wear certain ones and then bring them out again. When you see something you really love at a good price, that suits you and is not too trendy, buy it. You will wear it a long time. I wouldn't spend too much on very trendy pieces unless I loved the item, for instance good shoes or bags, and knew I would keep them a long time.

Similarly, know what colours suit you and what shapes suit your body at the time you are buying it. There are clothes I really like, but on someone else! Don't buy cheap, fast fashion. The cheap material ruins the look, they wash very badly, are wasteful and exploitative, and very often, if you wait, you'll find similar good quality items on sale or discount. ALways think before you buy.

[ValKovalchuk]

Great video Lauren! I also love a more relaxed approach to the capsule wardrobe 😊

[aliblue]

I love my variety too, I tried 10 item wardrobe for 5 days and hated it, felt restricted. Capsule wardrobe works for some people, but not all.

[beverlysimple]

Well said. I love your concept.

Currently, I’m trying the Approximately Right 54321 method. However, right off, I added a dress category. Consequently, my summer capsule is 5 tops 5 dresses 4 bottoms 2 shoes 1 handbag