Following on from my efforts to make myself a "capsule wardrobe" back in the summer of 2019. I thought I'd give an update from what I've achieved/learned from the exercise.
On the good side of things, my wardrobe hasn't grown since my cull, as I've been working on a strictly one in, one out basis. It could never be described as a "capsule" as I still have more clothes than I need, but I am pleased to say that pretty much all my separates work well together.
I have learned that the "must have" wardrobe staples that are in every capsule did not work for me. The trench coat, I think I wore once before eventually donating it, the plain white t shirt, did not look good with anything whatsoever, so now wear as a vest underneath my work uniform in the colder months, the well cut plain black trousers, always looked too formal and I never felt comfortable in them - donated those too, black wool mini skirt (not too short) still got but hardly wear - too officey.
The stuff I love and still wear regularly are a satiny midi skirt, the Joules breton striped top and a loose fitting stripey shirt and the Wallis jeans I got still get a good airing...but considering how much I spent on all that clobber, that's not an awful lot of "hits"
I've definitely learned not to spend a lot of money on t shirts - 2 of them were terrible quality and have since been thrown in the bin, a sweatshirt from the same brand has faded and gone crispy (Hush brand - avoid at all costs) and the plain grey French connection t shirt I paid more than I should have for got badly splashed with cooking oil and had to be discarded - I tried everything to remove the stain but it remained sadly. Had it been a £3 Primark job it wouldn't have mattered.
So in summary - a capsule wardrobe is a bad idea, but keeping the amount of clothes you have in check is a good one.
Buying clothes in colours that compliment one another is a good idea. Trading up to higher end brands isn't worth it either. I don't like the idea of throw away fashion but at least if something wears out or gets spoiled you can chuck it without without being too annoyed. Cheap n' cheerful all the way from now on, clothes as when they're needed from my catalogue - can't go wrong. The pyjamas which I bought 3 years ago for £12 and have been worn extremely frequently throughout our lockdowns still wash up like new!
On the good side of things, my wardrobe hasn't grown since my cull, as I've been working on a strictly one in, one out basis. It could never be described as a "capsule" as I still have more clothes than I need, but I am pleased to say that pretty much all my separates work well together.
I have learned that the "must have" wardrobe staples that are in every capsule did not work for me. The trench coat, I think I wore once before eventually donating it, the plain white t shirt, did not look good with anything whatsoever, so now wear as a vest underneath my work uniform in the colder months, the well cut plain black trousers, always looked too formal and I never felt comfortable in them - donated those too, black wool mini skirt (not too short) still got but hardly wear - too officey.
The stuff I love and still wear regularly are a satiny midi skirt, the Joules breton striped top and a loose fitting stripey shirt and the Wallis jeans I got still get a good airing...but considering how much I spent on all that clobber, that's not an awful lot of "hits"
I've definitely learned not to spend a lot of money on t shirts - 2 of them were terrible quality and have since been thrown in the bin, a sweatshirt from the same brand has faded and gone crispy (Hush brand - avoid at all costs) and the plain grey French connection t shirt I paid more than I should have for got badly splashed with cooking oil and had to be discarded - I tried everything to remove the stain but it remained sadly. Had it been a £3 Primark job it wouldn't have mattered.
So in summary - a capsule wardrobe is a bad idea, but keeping the amount of clothes you have in check is a good one.
Buying clothes in colours that compliment one another is a good idea. Trading up to higher end brands isn't worth it either. I don't like the idea of throw away fashion but at least if something wears out or gets spoiled you can chuck it without without being too annoyed. Cheap n' cheerful all the way from now on, clothes as when they're needed from my catalogue - can't go wrong. The pyjamas which I bought 3 years ago for £12 and have been worn extremely frequently throughout our lockdowns still wash up like new!
