Wardrobe Funk

[lostarz]

I feel so blah about my clothes lately. I like the idea of a capsule wardrobe but it kind of freaks me out too!  I think I have this fear that if I get rid of the rarely worn, more colorful items, I'll miss them eventually.

During the summer of 2015 I did the whole, pull everything out of my closet thing, and got rid of probably half of my clothes. Well I'm pretty sure I could do that again. I have SO MANY PANTS from before I got pregnant and even though I'm down to my pre-preg weight, my hips won't let me wear any of them anymore lol. I need to try them on again to make sure.

I would like to focus more on quality over quantity (which I sort of have started doing) but I just feel like I don't even know where to start.  My office is pretty business casual and I can even get away with wearing leggings (as long as the tush is covered of course).

Idk, blah, just wondering if anyone else is in the same spot or has some tips or has discovered something that's helped.

[Mrs.flang]

I don't normally post here but I feel EXACTLY the same way.  A lot of my pre-preg clothes just fit differently and aren't flattering so I feel like I need a major purge in that department and could probably get rid of like, 75% of my wardrobe that way.   

In the past I have been a sucker for the cheap stuff even if it's not that flattering, and I've definitely changed my patterns in that respect and the more recent stuff I've purchased has been better quality.  But then I also sort of struggle with putting outfits together.  I feel like I need a list of basics/staples/must haves that can be worn in different combinations (but not as small as a capsule wardrobe).  Then I could work off of that list and make that my goal (whether it means pulling out the winners from my closet, or purchasing new).  I fantasize about using a nordstrom stylist once I lose some more weight and clean out my closet more.

[soso]

I put adjectives into Pinterest and also try to check out places like vogue and translate the items that catch my eye into something wearable by figuring out what it is about the image I like. I also try really hard not to buy something because I want new clothes but rather to hold or for an item that really fits my desired aesthetic.

You could do a fake capsule aka pack up everything and put it in a box.

Figuring out your desired style helps and then shed everything else that didn't meet it. Good luck!

[jennybee1018]

I struggle with this as well! I have a ton of stuff in my closet, but end up only wearing the same 10 or so tops/pants. I need to do an overhaul for sure!

I recently discovered Brass Clothing and really love their quality. They do have some specific capsule collections, and they also just have high quality, basic pieces that you can mix and match. I bought two of the maxi dresses, the v-neck and scoop neck shirt, but haven't yet tried anything else. I adore the dresses - they are beautiful!

Might be helpful to check them out - you can accessorize and change up the look pretty easily :-)  It also gives a nice base of their idea of a capsule wardrobe and then you could copy it or just fill in what you don't currently own.

brassclothing.com/

[dellabear]

I've been reading up on capsule wardrobes lately and today I finally bit the bullet and did a major purge. I probably got rid of half my closet, only keeping things I really like that fit and flatter. I separated out some wintery stuff as well as my suit collection as I'm not currently working, and am left with about 45 items (tops, cardis, pants, jeans, dresses). That doesn't count workout wear or outerwear either. It's not truly a capsule wardrobe but it's a lot less than I'm used to having.

Afterward I looked at some capsule ideas and lists of basics on Pinterest and started a wish list of items that will round out my wardrobe. I am going to be looking at quality over quntity and only buying items that I truly love in the fitting room.

Next up I'm going to sort through my accessories and shoes, keeping only the items I love and will wear and finding a way to organize / display them so I can see them rather than having things hidden away in shoe boxes or jewelry boxes for me to forget about.

[gennyu]

I hear you. I think a big part of it for me right now is that I'm HATING this season's trends - crazy florals, bell sleeves, boxy crop tops - so I haven't bought anything to freshen up last spring's wardrobe. (Except shoes, of course.  I can always find a shoe to love )

[blondemoment123]

Apr 3, 2017 10:57:15 GMT -5 gennyu said:

I hear you. I think a big part of it for me right now is that I'm HATING this season's trends - crazy florals, bell sleeves, boxy crop tops - so I haven't bought anything to freshen up last spring's wardrobe. (Except shoes, of course.  I can always find a shoe to love )

Yes! I can't find a thing I want to buy. I might pick up a new Piko top (my newest obsession) but that's about it.

[maryandbert]

I have the same problem - and I don't like the styles in stores these days.

[pizzapizza]

I am still working through the process of getting rid of a majority of my old pre-pregnancy clothing. So much of what I bought in the past was just ok - cheap crap that was not really that flattering. I have been replacing the old stuff with new to me, gently used secondhand clothes that are significantly higher quality. I focus on quality materials (silk, cashmere, wool, cotton, linen, leather etc) - Ebay, threadup, poshmark etc are great places to find high quality brands at target/loft prices.

I also no longer give a shit about trends. I wear what I like and looks good on me. If it happens to be a current trend too then bonus.

If I could get my act together I would really like to be able to pin the things I have found and create some online place for outfits. I hate having to think about this stuff (I don't have time with two little kids when I am rushing).

Also I have found that premium denim seems to fit better post partum and if it is purchased secondhand the price point can be really reasonable.

I have a slight addiction to pretty silk tops, which seems kind of dumb with kids but I machine wash everything with the Laundress delicate wash in a mesh bag and it seems to work.

For awhile I was really going for a Rick Owens/Helmut Lang minimalist look but in my everyday life it kind of looks silly on me. So I have some pieces with that aesthetic and otherwise I go with thinks I find pretty.

If anyone is interested in some tips on buying secondhand I could talk about it all day - my dream job would be to dress people with beautiful clothes at a great price point by buying second hand. Also better for the environment

I don't think I will ever have a capsule wardrobe as clothes are my guilty pleasure.