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You are here: Home / An Organized Closet / Is a Capsule Wardrobe for You? A Few Things to Consider

Is a Capsule Wardrobe for You? A Few Things to Consider

January 26, 2018 By Katie Rushton 1 Comment

We hope you’re down for a quick fashion history lesson. Did you know that the capsule wardrobe has been around since the 1970s? It’s such a modern concept that it’s hard to imagine that people have been practicing it for decades. Created by Susie Faux, owner of the London boutique Wardrobe, the capsule wardrobe has taken on many different versions and contexts over the years, but at its heart it still embodies Faux’s original definition: the refinement of a wardrobe to include only a few essential items that don’t go out of fashion.

On the heels of our closet audit focus, we thought it would be helpful to discuss the capsule wardrobe. With it still being January, a lot of people are still in that refreshing their lifestyles and modifying their shopping habits mode. While founded on classic, less-is-more ingenuity, somehow the capsule wardrobe has become trendy with a side of extra. The irony: everyone’s talking about, when it’s not for everyone. And it’s not the same for everyone. Effortless Style owner and stylist Katie Rushton weighs in on the capsule wardrobe and when it’s a good idea (or maybe not) for you.

A Capsule Wardrobe1. WHY DOESN’T A CAPSULE WARDROBE WORK FOR EVERYONE?

A capsule wardrobe doesn’t work for everyone for a few reasons, I think. Primarily, not everyone is on board with the minimalist look and/or movement (which is essentially what the capsule wardrobe is–a minimal wardrobe/closet). A lot of our clients love clothes and like having many options, and that’s okay. Some of our clients are also very attached to their clothes.  Getting rid of so much and moving to a 40-piece wardrobe would send them into a panic attack. *ha*

2. WHY WOULD A CAPSULE WARDROBE BE EASIER FOR SOME THAN OTHERS?

Putting together a capsule wardrobe for clients who work in a professional environment and wear business attire everyday is easier from a stylist perspective. We usually start with the basics. We pick out the client’s favorite two to three pairs of slacks, two to three skirts, two jackets (a classic blazer and another fun option), and two to three pairs of shoes (black or nude heels, black or nude flats, and a fun option). From there, we sprinkle in tops and accessories that coordinate with all of those options. The client can mix and match the pieces in a multitude of combinations for a different look every day of the week.

3. WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE/LIFESTYLES ARE MOST CONDUCIVE TO A CAPSULE WARDROBE?

Just because professionals are a great fit for the capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean that it’s not easy for others, too. For example, we could easily curate a casual capsule wardrobe for a client who was a nurse and wore a similar outfit to work every day. Since her wardrobe wouldn’t have much overlap between casual and business attire, we would replicate our process from question #2, just with casual pieces instead. All that to say, I think a capsule wardrobe is most effectively achieved for clients who don’t need the overlap of professional by day and casual by night/weekend, or who don’t alternate between casual and business attire during the work week.

A Capsule Wardrobe4. WHY SHOULD SOMEONE CONSIDER A CAPSULE WARDROBE?

This may sound too basic, but, honestly, I’d say to make life simpler–to make getting dressed every day a joy, not a hair-pulling, stressful thing that starts off your morning on the wrong note. Fashion blogger Caroline Rector writes about her capsule experiment on Unfancy, describing her joyful reemergence into the world after simplifying. Her twist on the minimalist movement is fun! She shops for a new capsule every three months, at the change of every season.

A capsule wardrobe, however, is not the only way to simplify and doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. A lot of our services, such as the wardrobe consult or closet audit, help to simplify and uncomplicate dressing yourself without the drastic measures of a capsule wardrobe. At the end of the day, we emphasize quality over quantity for the more low-maintenance lifestyle we’re seeking.

5. HOW DOES A CAPSULE WARDROBE DIFFER FROM A CLOSET AUDIT?

For a closet audit, we work with clients to clean out and get rid of all the items that shouldn’t be in their closets, because the items don’t fit, are in poor shape, or are out of style, etcetera. If we were working with a client to achieve a capsule wardrobe, we would start with a closet audit. However, it would have to be a much more in-depth closet audit in order to pare down to just 37 to 40 pieces.

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Filed Under: An Organized Closet

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  1. Summer Capsule Wardrobe | Effortless Style Nashville says:
    August 6, 2020 at 9:28 pm

    […] wardrobe concept! In case you are not familiar with that concept, check out an older blog post here where we answered a few key questions about the capsule […]

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Katie Rushton

Being a stylist, image & wardrobe consultant, and personal shopper means I get to do things I love every single day. Read more...

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Winter Workwear Capsule, Day 7! . The printed swea Winter Workwear Capsule, Day 7!
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The printed sweater and jeans….a great look for “casual Fridays” but also a great look for the weekend. We love how Katey added a fun touch to this easy look with the snakeskin flats for Day 7 of our 15 Days of Looks! 
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
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The cropped cardigan from the capsule makes its debut today! 🖤 We loved styling this piece! Wear it with the cargo pants! Wear it with the midi skirt! Wear it with faux leather pants or simply wear it with jeans and sneakers like Katie did for today for day 6 of our 15 Days of Looks! 
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Cropped Cardigan + Dark Wash Jeans + Sneakers 
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
Winter Workwear Capsule, Day 6! . This easy look i Winter Workwear Capsule, Day 6!
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This easy look is the epitome of “casual Friday” at the office AND weekend casual. We love how SEB added a fun touch to this easy, classic look with the snakeskin flats for Day 6 of our 15 Days of Looks! 
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Textured Sweater + Button Up Shirt + Black Jeans + Snakeskin Flats
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
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This printed blouse from the winter capsule is so fun! We loved styling this piece! Wear it with jeans! Wear it with the midi skirt from the capsule! Wear it with faux leather pants like Dana did in this look! Date night ready (or GNO ready). Here’s day 5’s look for of our 15 Days of Looks!🖤 
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Printed Blouse + Faux Leather Pants + Black Mule
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
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How fun is the Tweed Coat from the workwear capsule!?! So many ways to wear this coat! We love how Katey is wearing it today over the bodysuit and jeans for Day 5 of our 15 Days of Looks! 
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
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You guys are going to be seeing more of this plaid button-up shirt! We loved styling this piece! We dressed it up, and we dressed it down. And this look that SEB put together with the faux leather pants and sneakers for day 3 of our 15 Days of Looks is so good!🖤 
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Plaid Button-Up Shirt + Black Bodysuit + Faux Leather Pants + Sneaker
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
Winter Workwear Capsule, Day 4! . We are loving th Winter Workwear Capsule, Day 4!
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We are loving the bow blouse from this workwear capsule! It works great with both skirts from the capsule and both dress pants, but it’s also fabulous with jeans. So many ways to wear this piece on it’s own or under a jacket for winter and we love how Katie is wearing it today for Day 4 of our 15 Days of Looks! 
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Bow Neck Blouse + Dark Wash Jeans Jeans + Black Pumps
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
Casual Winter Capsule, Day 3! . The printed cardig Casual Winter Capsule, Day 3!
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The printed cardigan from this capsule is SO good gang! 💗 And we love how Dana styled it with the dark wash denim and combats boots for look 3 of our 15 Days of Looks. 
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Printed Cardigan + Dark Wash Jeans + Combat Boot
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All outfit and capsule details are available at 👉🏼effortlesstyle.com
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