Capsule Wardrobe Phenomenon

These days we find we can have most anything instantly. This leads to too many things. We are constantly purchasing items. Most of these items get very little use. Sometimes not at all. But the cycle continues. We find ourselves with so much more than we need, and we can't even see what we have.

Capsule wardrobes provide us with a plan. They provide clothing that we look our best in and are completely interchangeable.

No more fussing about not knowing what to wear.

No more aggravation about having nothing to wear.

No more items that don't match anything in your closet.

Okay Michelle, I love it! But how do I make this miracle happen?

Start with an appropriate color palette. This is absolutely key in a capsule wardrobe. In order to coordinate everything, all colors must be working together. You can hire someone such as a colorist or a wardrobe stylist like myself, or you can buy your own book on the subject and analyze for yourself.

Once you have a clear idea and documentation of your colors, you’re ready for your closet edit.

I have a Blog post up with some information about what is involved in my closet edits. I will write another with more in depth instructions. For now, weed out the obvious pieces that don't belong in your palette along with stained and broken items. Separate piles please.

If it’s damaged and you love it deeply, put it on a hanger and put it on your front door or in your car. Then pencil in a spot on your calendar during the next 7 days to take it to a dry cleaner for repair. If you do not take care of it in that amount of time, it is clearly not important enough to spend time on and should be disposed.

I found about 15 different items in my wardrobe that needed alterations last year. Being here in Boise, Idaho, I was fortunate enough to have access to a small mobile alterations company that picked up my clothing and brought it back upon completion. Please message me if you would like more information. I love supporting small businesses.

Once you finish, look through the items outside your palette. Only keep what you are already wearing regularly. I do not make my clients’ closets bullet proof capsules. I know there are other colors that you love and pieces that happen to be in colors or styles outside of your capsules. Try to find a color in your palette that complements your beloved item.

For example, I love burgundy but it is not in my color pallet. However, it looks fantastic with mustard which IS in my color pallet. I just pair them together. I can't outline unknown combinations for you. I don't always know right away every colors’ complimentary color. I do find many fun new combinations in my clients’ closets. It's part of the fun.

The last of the closet cleansing is removing unworn items. These items tend to jump out at me because they have nothing to do with the culture of the closet or are a terrible cut/color on you. You subconscious may be recognizing that the cut/color does not fit you. You know it doesn't look right but you don't know why or how to work with it. Chances are you probably won't wear this item enough for it to have a right to stay in your closet anyway (just a warning).

By now your edit should be complete. I would highly recommend following my organizing instructions in my Closet Edit post for how to organize.

You now have your palette and some of the base for your capsule. Next you need to make a list of your new basic key items to add. I use dark neutrals, light neutrals, brights, and dark colors to begin my clients’ capsule. You'll need one of each in each type of clothing. I will use my color palette as an example.

Dark Neutrals: dark chocolate brown, coffee brown, and although it’s not in the palette, Black.

Light Neutrals: cream, warm beige, gold

Brights: yellow gold, mustard, oranges, rust, salmon

Dark: Mahogany, Olive Green, Teal Blue

If I get one top, bottom, and 3rd piece in each one of these colors my outfit options are endless.

This my friends is a Capsule wardrobe. Choosing well-constructed pieces in good quality fabrics will guarantee your shopping days will be limited. It also gives you so much more comfort walking away from items you don't need when you’re out and about (saving money). You can acknowledge the beautiful blouse but know it has no place in your wardrobe and use that $60 on something else.

Another little trick for capsule shopping is shop within or at the end of your season's color palette, that is when most of your colors will be available. If it is towards the end of the season, then you will find the most deals.

Please feel free to reach out to me with your questions and check out my Instagram @styleupwithmichelle, or facebook: styleupwithmichelle or just Michelle Hirahara.

Below is an example of a basic capsule wardrobe.

Fall Capsule Wardrobe