Too many clothes makes life more stressful. Seriously, having too many items in your closet sets off a stress hormone reaction in your brain! Yep. We only wear 20% of the clothes in our closets. In other words, the reason you and your kids never have anything to wear, is because you have too many clothes.
So, what’s the solution? You need a capsule wardrobe! {This is not to be confused with a time capsule wardrobe… I’m not suggesting that you take your favorite clothes and bury them in the backyard for 50 years.} I’m suggesting you whittle down your closet to a few basic essentials and coordinating combinations.
I created a capsule wardrobe for myself because I wanted more closet space, more confidence, more outfits, more money and less stress. I created a capsule wardrobe for my daughters because I wanted less laundry, less overspending on clothes that went unworn and more easy outfits that my daughters could create themselves. Want to know how to do this for your daughters? Read on, mama.
Step 1. Closet cleanse
I sorted clothes into “keep” and “discard” piles, removing stained, torn, and ill-fitting items. Clothes neither of us like and things they never wear: discard pile. Things that still fit and can be used as layers in the fall: keep pile. Clothes I’m keeping out of guilt or sentiment: discard pile. Clothes I’m keeping because I spent too much money on them or someone gave them to me as a gift: discard pile. Keeping those things only creates stress around getting dressed.
- Discarding is painful because our brains interpret ‘letting go’ as threatening. The moment we decide to give something away, it immediately becomes more valuable. Instead of “what would someone else pay me to have this?” ask yourself, “what would I give to obtain this item if I didn’t already own it?”
- Remove the discard pile from your house. Don’t stack it back in the closet!
Step 2. Master List
The master list includes all the essential items you need to make your capsule work. Here’s an example of my Fall master list for one of my girls:
Bottoms
- 1 denim pant
- 1 black pant
- 1 color pant (perhaps corduroy)
- 1 pair leggings
- 1 pair warm tights
Tops
- 1 short sleeved white or grey t-shirt
- 2 short sleeved color t-shirts (1 stripe)
- 1 long sleeved shirt
- 1 cardigan
- 1 tunic top
- 1 shirt dress
Outerwear
- 1 fleece
- 1 denim jacket
Shoes
- 1 pair flats
- 1 pair tennis shoes
Tips:
- Tweak list for your family: A dress loving girl would need a handful of dresses in a coordinating color scheme, 1-2 long sleeve shirts, 2 cardigans, 1 jean jacket for layering, 2 pairs of tights, 2 pairs of leggings and 2 pairs of shoes.
- I prefer buying all my pants in straight/skinny cut because they can also act as leggings to layer under skirts, tunic tops and dresses. Layering is essential for fall in Denver.
- T-shirts can have small neutral images or print. The long sleeve shirts can act as layers under the short sleeve shirts, so I make sure they don’t have large plastic logos on the front. Also, if you have sleeveless t-shirts from summer, re-use them in the Fall wardrobe under a cardigan or jacket to accommodate the warm afternoons and chilly mornings.
Step 3. Plan
Now that I have my list partially completed from the items in my keep pile, I prepare to shop for the rest. I decide on a color scheme and prepare to purchase items in a similar style to what I already have. I research online for list ideas. I look at clothes online and decide what style and scheme I am going to use. I snap a few pictures of current items so I can be certain about colors and patterns when I’m shopping.
Tips:
- Evaluate the colors: Do you have a lot of pink? Plan to buy everything else in one or two coordinating and neutral colors. Do you have a lot of patterns? What is one common color in all of those patterns? Buy a top or pant that will go with everything.
- Notice your preferred style: Do you have a classic, preppy style or a casual, sporty style? Shop your style.
- Pinterest and Google are full of incredible ideas and lots of experienced moms who’ve gone the way of the capsule. Read here and here.
Step 4. Shop
I shop thrift, consignment, and big box stores like Target, as well as places like H&M or Old Navy. I stick to the list and turn down a lot of very cute things because I remember that guilty feeling I had when I couldn’t let go of unworn clothes because of how much they’d cost. Use the photos and the rule of thumb and stick to your list.
Step 5. Wear everything
The best part of a capsule is putting together countless of adorable outfits with ease. If you’re anything like me, then you’re going to love it! You can check out my fall picks Pinterest and start your own pin board for planning your master shopping list, then share it with us! I can’t wait to hear your questions and ideas in the comments below.
