Capsule Wardrobe Update

In November I wrote about my progress on That Whole Capsule Thing.  Now that I'm a few months post baby, I've been able to pare down my closet quite a bit more.  My beloved J. Crew pants are now too snug.  Dang hips spreading!  I've also realized that while I'm in the breastfeeding stage of life, I'm still in a holding state of a few items of clothing.  I'm keeping my outfits focused on easy access, which means I have quite a few tops and dresses that aren't wearable for the foreseeable future.

I read this article that really hit home.  Many years ago when I lived in Lincoln, NE, I had a part time job at The Limited.  (I only worked there for the clothes.  Pretty sure I paid them more than they ever paid me!)  I often scored killer deals on cute clothes, but ended up wearing the same thing every day.  Black dress pants, cami, and either a cardigan or turtleneck.  In the summer I'd occasionally wear a pencil skirt instead of pants.

My work attire took no thought and I knew that I looked professional every day.  I had more fun with my casual attire, but working three jobs kept me in a similar look at least 6 days a week.  As I've gotten older I am still drawn to the same look.  When I pull out my weeks worth of clothes every Sunday, the outfits are all very similar.  Button down, dress pants/skirt, heels.  And for casual attire - I just change into jeans.

With this "uniform" in mind, I've been able to remove quite a few more items from my closet with out a second thought.  I have another bag of clothes on their way to ThredUp and a handful more to list on Poshmark.

I have five variations of outfits I wear on a regular basis:

Dress Pants/Skirt, Button Down

Jeans, Button Down or Cardigan

Leggings, Boots, Tunic Sweater

Shorts, Button Down or Tee

Dress

Now onto pictures!  I know, you are just dying to see my closet.....right?  Haha.

Heel rack - made by J

His clothes are on the right

Empty space between hangers!!

Shoe rack made by J.  It's the first time all my shoes have space!

No overflow!  For the first time in.......?  Forever, I think it's forever.

I'm so glad that I decided to attempt the Capsule wardrobe.  I know that I'll never make it to the '30 items per season' because I love clothes too much.   My biggest take-away was my 'uniform'.  I wear the same five styles, but I had a closet jam packed with clothes I never wore.  Cutting back to my essentials made me realize how much excess I really had.  #firstworldproblems

That Whole Capsule Thing

Back in August I mentioned that I was on a closet purge inspired by The Un-Fancy Blog.  Every week I'd take another item or two out of my closet that I just couldn't see myself wearing anymore.  Either it never fit well, I hadn't worn it in years, or it just really wasn't my 'size'.  After a few months of this, my closet has been picked through pretty well, but I still have a lot of clothes.

What I have parted with is going one of three places: Good Samaritan, Twice and ThredUp.  Twice and ThredUp are online consignment stores that buy and sell brand name, gently used clothing.  I've had lots of success with selling and buying from both of them and highly recommend them!

But the still stuffed closet?  This is partly due to the fact I have no idea what size or shape I'll be after this baby has arrived and partly due to the fact that maternity items are mixed in.  I don't want to part with items I really do love because "they may not fit again".  I also am a big fan of the concept - if you love it, buy multiples.  My thought is if I really do love an item, I'll wear it often.  If I have two of the same, they won't wear as quickly, and I'll have the option to wear it twice in one week ;)  Not a single item that was put in the purge pile was a duplicate.   

Those duplicate items?  They are all staples.  Items I wear every single week, both for work and play.

White or black Merona V-Necks from Target (a score at $10!)  I also kept every v-neck in other colors.  They wash and wear so well.

Black Dress Pants from the Limited.  I did get rid of a few pairs that I bought in 2006 and were a size too small.  I have both the Drew and Cassidy fits and I'm not sure what fit will be more appropriate after baby, so I kept all of them in the appropriate size.  Just a side note - I haven't bought a pair since 2011 and they all still look brand new.

Winnie Pants from J. Crew Factory.  Granted, I think I won't ever fit into them again after baby :(  I'll probably need a size larger, but they are my favorite dress pants Spring - Fall.  So worth the investment.  

I also couldn't part with any of my jeans (because they all fit pre-baby) or any of my blazers and most cardigans.  I love to layer, especially at work, because I tend to run cold.  It is also one of the fastest ways to change up an outfit without having to change everything.  Going from work to a dinner date?  I'll quick take off the blazer and throw on a scarf and cardigan and feel like I'm wearing a whole new outfit.

HOWEVER, and this is a BIG however, I've spent the last three years being very conscious of my wardrobe spending.  I've been focusing on better quality pieces that will stand the test of time.  I look for classic cuts, quality fabrics and a quality brand.  (Yes, I did buy some cheap maternity items because I know this is a season of life that ends quickly and I won't be wearing maternity clothes all year/every year.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money on wardrobe supplements that would only be in my closet for 4 or 5 months.  I'm still wearing most all non-maternity clothes!)  

My next step is to go through everything that is left and sort it by 'Maybe, Baby' and 'Stands the Test of Time.'  The items in the 'Maybe, Baby' pile will be questionable items that I think won't fit again or sizes that have me on the fence.  Those items will be moved to one side so when I'm able to start trying them on again, I'll be able to purge or keep.

At this time, I haven't even touched my drawers.  I have plenty of 'lounge' clothes that I'm refusing to part with for the foreseeable future.  My next 4 months will be at home with a new baby and the more lounge clothes I have, the less laundry I have to do while I adjust to life as a new mom!  I know there are quite a few items that really should see the trash can, but I think I can hold out a few months until I have a handle on this whole Mom thing.  (Also, if I wear it and it needs to see the trash, it can head there once it's dirty.  Multi-tasking at it's finest!)

I may not ever make it to the "30 items per season" like the Capsule Wardrobe aspires too.  I love my fashion and love to mix and match to pull new outfits together.  I have a private board on Pinterest that I will put outfit ideas I want to try for that week and I've put many new outfits together from using this method!

Now I just need to start on the husband's side......

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