Capsule Wardorbe (+ a $100 Giveaway)

on September 3, 2015
in Sponsored Posts, Giveaways, and Reviews

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Rosie Fit N Flare Tunic

Solid Fleece-Lined Leggings

 

After hearing about the Capsule Wardrobe concept for months and months, I decided to bite the bullet and do it.  What is Capsule Wardrobe?  This post is a great explanation (although a bit long-winded), but it boils down to this:  You select 37 items (including shoes) per season, clear the rest of your closet out (either store or donate), and rotate the 37 items to mix and match outfits.  The reasoning behind Capsule Wardrobe is that, since your choices are limited to what you truly love and actually want to wear, getting dressed is less stressful AND you end up more stylish.

 

My closet looked like this prior to Capsule Wardrobe…  AHHHH!

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So I pulled everything out and dumped it on the floor…

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Some things were easy to eliminate from my Capsule Wardrobe.  No need for sweaters or heavy jackets right now.  The seasons really shift at the end of October here, so I’ll probably need to revamp my Capsule Wardrobe in a month and a half (not the typical 3 months). 

 

I put everything that didn’t make the cut into garbage bags… I plan to sort and donate when this Capsule Wardrobe is up.

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It was actually pretty easy to whittle my closet down to 37 items!  I tend to wear the same favorites over and over again and everything else, I just push past and never put on.  I love how airy and open my closet looks now.  Much more functional!

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Here’s what made the cut…

 

2 sandals, my grey chunks, a pair of boots, a pair of flats, and wedges

Four dresses

A navy blazer and a faux leather jacket

Black jeans, dark wash jeans, gray jeans, black moto skinny jeans, fleece leggings, dress pants, and 2 shorts

12 tops, including the Raquel Resort Blouse and Rosie Fit N Flare Tunic, both from White Plum

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I’m actually a little under 37 items because I think I may need to add a piece in as I go through the process.

 

So fun, right?  I absolutely love it.  It’s so much easier to get dressed now!

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Want to add a few lovely pieces from the incredible White Plum to your wardrobe?  Who wouldn’t?!  You can enter to win a $100 gift card to this beautiful online shop filled with vintage-inspired pieces (and the best leggings around!).  Use the widget below to enter.

 

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And if you want to make a purchase right now, use discount code 20OFFHTP for 20% off your order!  Seriously, the leggings rock. 

 

This post is sponsored by White Plum.

{ 41 comments }

 

  • Monica Kirkham September 3, 2015, 9:40 am

    The cooler temperatures… though I don’t like it TOO cold!!

  • Stephanie September 3, 2015, 9:45 am

    I love the capsule idea and might have to do something like that for fall!

    Also, I love those brown sandals you are wearing in the last pic. Mind spilling where you got them?

    • Caitlin September 3, 2015, 9:52 am

      They are from DSW. They are from the Katie and something brand.

  • Amanda September 3, 2015, 9:47 am

    Sooo the capsule wardrobe does not include workout clothes, right? That’s what makes up the bulk of the mess in my closet!

    • Caitlin September 3, 2015, 9:51 am

      No or pajamas!

      • Lauren September 3, 2015, 10:06 am

        I meant to put this in my other comment too – old t-shirts for either PJs or workouts are my problem haha!

  • Jess September 3, 2015, 9:51 am

    I’m having to (involuntarily) embrace the capsule wardrobe right now, too… we’re moving to a new state, and our temporary digs just straight up don’t have the space for more than a capsule wardrobe, haha. Are you going to do another post when you switch things out in October? I’d love to know how this experiment works out for you!

  • Sana September 3, 2015, 9:56 am

    I was too distracted by how cute Claire is!!!She does not even need a wardrobe 🙂

  • Lauren September 3, 2015, 10:04 am

    I just don’t see this working for working professionals – of her 37 items I only see 3 shirts that are work appropriate (two of them being the tanks which would have to be layered with other pieces like the blazer, cardigan, or knit vest) and a dress. The only bottom is the wrap skirt. I see where it could work for people who are able to wear a more relaxed look to work but I cannot wear jeans or shorts or tees to work. And if you switched everything to dress pants, etc. that would leave no room for jeans/going out after work outfits!

    • Caitlin September 3, 2015, 10:28 am

      I think it would definitely work. 37 items is actually a lot!

    • Olivia September 3, 2015, 11:46 am

      I disagree — I work in a professional business office (i.e. no jeans, tanks, or sandals) and have a capsule wardrobe. I’ve had it for some time and it works great! I definitely have more business attire in my closet than weekend wear, but I work 5 days and am only home for 2 so that disparity makes sense to me. Looking at Caitlin’s closet, I see a ton of pieces that could be combined and be perfectly appropriate for a professional business look.

    • Sarah September 3, 2015, 2:26 pm

      I totally agree! I’d need to bend the rules and have 2 “capsules”, one for work and one for weekend.

      I don’t have a shopping/organizational/clothing/closet problem so I am going to skip this trend and keep doing my own thing. To each their own!

  • Ellyn September 3, 2015, 10:14 am

    I love this concept, but why does White Plum only go up to size Large? Many ladies (even fit ladies who like to workout and eat healthy) are over a size Large!

    • Caitlin September 3, 2015, 10:27 am

      Yes, that is definitely true about sizes!

  • Kathy September 3, 2015, 10:30 am

    Hey Caitlin, I love this idea!! What about workout clothes though? Did you keep those separate, or should they be included as well?

  • Natalie September 3, 2015, 10:38 am

    What are your grey chunks?

  • Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy September 3, 2015, 10:44 am

    My fave thing about fall is the cooler weather!

  • Erin September 3, 2015, 10:47 am

    Man, Claire is seriously adorable!
    I agree with a previous comment, I just don’t see how you scale down your weekend wardrobe + a professional wardrobe down to 37 pieces including shoes. Maybe I wear too many t-shirts and shorts on the weekends?
    But I may try this with just my professional wardrobe. I could really benefit from finding something to wear much more quickly!

    I ordered the White plum fleece lined leggings and was unimpressed. They pill strangely and got a hole in the crotch the 2nd time I wore them

  • Katie September 3, 2015, 10:53 am

    I’m currently reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: the Japanese are of decluttering and organizing (Have you read it? Seems like a book you’d like). The author, Marie Kondo, addresses organizing clothes and while her approach is different than the Capsule method, she talks about only keeping the items that spark joy. Similarly, in the end you’re left with a closet of items you love. I cannot wait to tackle my closet… I have so many clothes that do not spark anything 🙂 It does look so much easier to put outfits together with a select collection of items.

  • Kelly D September 3, 2015, 11:03 am

    I like the changing colors of the leaves.

  • Kelly September 3, 2015, 11:17 am

    That pink tunic is so cute! I am planning on trying the capsule wardrobe after I’m done with these maternity clothes… Which is a capsule wardrobe on its own, but not one I’m too fond of!

  • Michelle September 3, 2015, 1:06 pm

    Super cute top!

  • Erica @ SmartGirlsLift.com September 3, 2015, 1:19 pm

    I love the colder weather because that means I get to wear more scarves and knit beanies! YAAAS.

  • Sara September 3, 2015, 1:26 pm

    I love this idea, and am glad to hear workout clothes and pajamas don’t count. I think I may try it after I have my baby but would revamp it a bit. I would probably do a shorter cycle as I hope to lose the baby weight. But, I like the idea of picking items that fit at the beginning of that time period and trying to make them work. I think it would be positive for me to know the clothes, jeans especially, will only get bigger on me and will give me a good long term goal to focus on my health. Otherwise, I could see myself trying to fit into prepregnancy jeans everyday and having that cause me very negative feelings about myself.

  • Cara's Healthy Cravings September 3, 2015, 1:27 pm

    A change in seasons always re-inspires my wardrobe, I love it.

  • Tara | Treble in the Kitchen September 3, 2015, 1:27 pm

    My goodness! I think I need to do the capsule, my closet is a little out of control right now…but it seems a little scary! :/

  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul September 3, 2015, 1:50 pm

    I love that top on you! Super cute!!

  • Beth September 3, 2015, 3:12 pm

    That baby of yours is looking cute! Love what you chose for your capsule. Brilliant idea as I tend to wear a small selection of what’s in my closet anyway.

  • Mariah September 3, 2015, 4:07 pm

    This was so intriguing! I’ve never heard of a Capsule Wardrobe. I really want to simplify my wardrobe to pieces of clothing that can be used in multiple outfits. Getting dressed always feels so complicated, but this idea is awesome. Thanks for sharing your experience about this. I’m eager to try it out. 🙂

  • Dagmar September 3, 2015, 9:09 pm

    I just love the weather and the trends that come along with fall! Sweaters, jeans, boots.. You name it! (:

  • Tina W September 4, 2015, 1:29 am

    I love being able to wear boots and long sleeves.
    (sadly, we are still in the 90s here. Come on FALL!!!!)

  • Amanda Bowen September 4, 2015, 1:02 pm

    I love boots!!! They are always so elegant!

  • Gena Lazelle September 4, 2015, 3:03 pm

    I’m so impressed! I’ve always wanted to do a capsule wardrobe, but when I start the process I can’t make the necessary decisions. I definitely went through my closet and removed any of the duplicate items I may have, like 3 black blouses – only need 1. Can’t wait to hear how you like this.

  • Amanda Whitley September 4, 2015, 10:01 pm

    my favorite part of fall is hoodies.. they are so comfortable

    • Caitlin September 7, 2015, 6:38 am

      That’s a small I’m 5 foot four

  • Emily September 6, 2015, 3:22 pm

    Such cute stuff at White Plum. How is the sizing? How tall are you and what size is that tunic? Thanks!

  • Melissa L. September 7, 2015, 11:11 pm

    My favorite thing about Fall is getting to wear great riding boots, and layers.

  • Angela P. September 8, 2015, 12:32 pm

    I love the crisp, cool air. The colors of the changing leaves. Getting to wear cute sweaters and boots. All of the pumpkin and apple seasonal foods. The kids are back in school. I can’t pick just one thing.. I love this season.

  • Nicole Michelle September 8, 2015, 6:16 pm

    My favorite thing about fall is the beautiful decorations that start to come out!

  • Julie @ Running in a Skirt September 8, 2015, 8:01 pm

    Love that pink shirt!!!

  • Rebbecca September 12, 2015, 4:19 pm

    Any update on the winner?! I’m sure it wasn’t me… Congrats to the lucky lady!!

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