Capsule Clothing Wardrobe For Work

**crafty73** · 12-31-2010, 01:55 AM

I'm hooked on the whole capsule wardrobe idea. I wasn't sure if I should post it here (as I use this method for my business wardrobe) or in general chat?

Capsule clothing is pretty much a mix and match concept to stretch not only your dollar but your wardrobe by creatively mixing your core clothes in various ways. And yes there is a method lol. I will upload if possible what mine looks like on paper. You can start your capsule wardrobe with as little as 7-12 pieces of clothing

Out of 4 blazers, 7 bottoms (suit pants, skirts) and 32 tops, I can create 896 different outfits!! The backbone of mine are neutrals (black & grey - for blazers and bottoms) which can be mixed with a variety of tops (black, white, grey and a variety of solid coloured ones as well as a few patterned ones). I do want to add a 3 piece suite (blazer, skirt and pants) in either navy blue or brown in the future to create even more outfits

To change the look of each outfit, I have a variety of cheap but versatile silk scarves, belts, jewellery, footware (1 pair of black high heels, 1 pair of black loafers/flats, 1 pair of black boots, 1 pair of tall brown boots and 1 pair of black 1-2 inch heels) and 2 purses (1 black - goes with anything and a black clutch purse for evenings out etc).

If you are just entering or returning to the workforce, the capsule clothing concept is awesome as you get more out of your clothes and spend less money once you get the hang of it. I purged my closet, donated clothes that I no longer fit or wanted and made a list of what I needed to get. I stick with more of a classic look and only incorporate 1-2 trendy pieces if budget allows. Overall, its a waste of money to incorporate trendy items into your wardrobe - here today, out of style tomorrow. If you pick more classic, clean cuts, timeless pieces of clothing - your style will never 'go out of style' - trendy pieces become very dated very quickly. You will also have at your fingertips a multitude of different outfits with just a few basic items

And talk about saving money

My suits cost the most and to me, they are an investment, money well spent as they are quality pieces made of quality material that will last quite a few years.

The following link is for a video on youtube that shows how to create a capsule wardrobe with just a few basic pieces - she has alot of videos on youtube, check them out. Her name is Lori RobinsonI think.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXNnNnBgotc]YouTube - Building a Capsule Wardrobe for Women : What is a Capsule Women's Wardrobe?[/ame]

The following link is awesome at giving you a visual of how a capsule wardrobe works with just a few basic items.
In My Wardrobe: Clothing Capsule

I will attach a word document that shows how I came up with over 896 different outfits out of my current wardrobe of 43 items. On page 8, it shows how if you omit the blazers and just combine the tops and bottoms you get over 200 additional outfits.

Ok I tried attaching the word document but it didn't work lol

It's 8 pages long and shows all different combinations, not sure how to upload the link? If you want the document, I can email to you if you pm me

**crafty73** · 12-31-2010, 02:04 AM

The clothing capsule method works for men too, minus the skirts

**madhen** · 12-31-2010, 07:37 AM

I was not aware of the method, but I did a huge purge last year and kept just the basics: a couple of pairs of khaki pants, one navy, one black; several button-down shirts and a couple of turtlenecks; and a couple of jackets. I will go check out her link, as I am always feeling like I'm wearing the same thing over and over!

**joyofsix** · 12-31-2010, 08:04 AM

When I worked this is how I managed my clothes. I had 3 pants/2 skirts/3 blazers/1 nice dressy sweater set/6 or 7 tops all in colors that 'went' together. It made dressing very easy. Now I'm more a jean/yoga pants capsule, lol.

**ladykemma2** · 12-31-2010, 08:05 AM

i do this.

add to this, buy good quality, timeless, classics.

i am plus size 26/28. i find ralph lauren, liz claiborne at macys (plus size galleria).

i tend to ruin knit tops so i buy those at walmart and consider them somewhat disposable.

black, khaki, olive drab, navy are all classics.

edited to add: i don't "cheap out" on shoes . i just picked out a pair of ferragamos (500 -600 dollar leather pumps) for $50 at neiman marcus clearance. the shoes make the outfit. you only get one set of feet. a lot of people notice your shoes first, so it is an opportunity to make a good first impression.

**madhen** · 12-31-2010, 08:25 AM

I agree on the shoes, definitely! I typically wear boots, but they are nice boots. I often get compliments on them, so you are right about people noticing! There is one woman at my office who wears cheap open-toed sandals all the time and typically wears no hosiery and paints her toenails strange colours (like green). I definitely notice that!

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-31-2010, 10:58 AM

When I worked I did that. I had 3 pair of nice slacks, several button down shirts, a couple vests, a couple sweaters, two skirts and I think 3 pair of shoes. All in black, tan, navy and grey with a few colorful pieces thrown in like a paisley skirt and a maroon vest. I was on a tight budget and really couldn't afford to get anything that didn't coordinate with what I already had.

**crafty73** · 01-01-2011, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by joyofsix

Now I'm more a jean/yoga pants capsule, lol.

lol nothing wrong with that

**crafty73** · 01-01-2011, 01:56 PM

I totally agree about having great footware, they can make or break an outfit. I live in the middle of the prairies in a small town, we don't have any top of the line designer brands anywhere near here. The best we have is the payless shoe store lol

That being said, make the best out of what you have.

Sadly ppl are often judged by what they are wearing and how well they are put together, it can even have either a positive or negative impact on one's career.

**pollypurebred39** · 01-01-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by ladykemma2

i do this.

add to this, buy good quality, timeless, classics.

i am plus size 26/28. i find ralph lauren, liz claiborne at macys (plus size galleria).

i tend to ruin knit tops so i buy those at walmart and consider them somewhat disposable.

black, khaki, olive drab, navy are all classics.

edited to add: i don't "cheap out" on shoes . i just picked out a pair of ferragamos (500 -600 dollar leather pumps) for $50 at neiman marcus clearance. the shoes make the outfit. you only get one set of feet. a lot of people notice your shoes first, so it is an opportunity to make a good first impression.

Awesome! $500-$600 shoes for $50!!!!

Agree with the shoes. It's the most important piece of an outfit to me.

My DH's Grandmother used to say the shoes make the man. LOL! or Woman as the case may be.

The only thing I'd add to the shoe thing is that no matter what kind of shoes you have/can afford, they should always be clean & polished. Even my sneakers get a good scrub, a coat of white polish and washed/new shoe strings monthly. Nothing worse then unkempt shoes no matter how little, or much you pay for them. They last longer too!

**Squidge** · 01-04-2011, 10:28 AM

This is EXACTLY what I need to be doing. To be honest, I think it'd be useful for all of my wardrobe to be put together like this, not just work outfits. I end up with random tops that I can't wear with anything else, or skirts that don't suit any of my blouses.

**mauimagic** · 01-04-2011, 11:14 AM

Funny to me - but this is how my wardrobe is evolving - basic slacks and long skirts - plain colored tops and great shoes (I'm in love with Eccos!!)

Having just culled out my wardrobe, tere are some holes that I need to fill - and I will - slowly with only things that I truly love!!

**shoiji** · 01-05-2011, 04:19 PM

I don't even want to go into how many pieces of clothing I have. I know I will be purging soon.

The worst part is that when at home I have my home clothes that I wear.