10 item / capsule wardrobe concept followers - how's it working?

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Harpertoo

Harpertoo

Member
Feb 5, 2013
870
815
#1
Wondering how the smaller, theoretically better, wardrobe concept is working for others.

Any current feedback!?:smile1:

I have managed it in the past, but got a little lost transitioning and moving the last few years. Adding things but not deleting what isn't working. I moved again in January and that has lead to a multi stage closet purge.
we've moved back to EU with smaller closets and different climate/daily activities so I am trying to get a handle on what works now. I went on a bit of a bender waiting for our sea shipment, but now I need to slow down and be more contentious about my clothing purchases. I thought I had a handle on it, but this move showed me I was hanging on to a lot of 'special occasion' dresses etc I just won't wear again...a lot I must say that was purchased on vacations when I felt I hadn't packed just the right thing.

I'm trying the 10 item wardrobe (maybe 15) because I really feel a smaller wardrobe helps me make better choices. I went to the 1 item/month thread, but that feels a little different from what I'm seeking. Let me know if you're trying something similar.
 
#2
Are you trying to have only 10 items for a whole season (i.e. 7 tops, 3 bottoms)? That is very ambitious! I don't think I could do it. However, I look forward to seeing how you do it!
 
#4
Harpertoo said:
It's actually 10 core pieces....from the daily connoisseur.


There are a lot of extras. It's more about maximizing and using quality every day.
The blog:

http://dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.ch
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for sharing! I understand much better now. I love the idea of having quality over quantity, and have tried to practice this in my wardrobe for several years. I'm in the process of adding some pieces to complement or replace what I bought last season. I replaced most of my summer wardrobe last year, and focused on practical clothing (shorts, tees, a few dresses, a few skirts) to suit my new lifestyle as a stay at home mom. Overall, it worked very well. I probably had more than 10 pieces, but I was replacing almost everything. I am trying to learn from my mistakes, and am in the process of making a list of my "missing" items. Are you starting your wardrobe with a list, or are you waiting for inspiration to strike? Have you ever tried something like this before?
 
#5
apl.79 said:
Thank you so much for sharing! I understand much better now. I love the idea of having quality over quantity, and have tried to practice this in my wardrobe for several years. I'm in the process of adding some pieces to complement or replace what I bought last season. I replaced most of my summer wardrobe last year, and focused on practical clothing (shorts, tees, a few dresses, a few skirts) to suit my new lifestyle as a stay at home mom. Overall, it worked very well. I probably had more than 10 pieces, but I was replacing almost everything. I am trying to learn from my mistakes, and am in the process of making a list of my "missing" items. Are you starting your wardrobe with a list, or are you waiting for inspiration to strike? Have you ever tried something like this before?
Click to expand...
I think transitions like changing careers, kids, and moving really spur the action.

A few years ago I left work and moved to EU and took very little clothing since most was work stuff i was so tired of I wanted to burn.

It was really liberating starting over buying just what suited my new life - also as a stay at home mom.
But being back on the US a while I lost some discipline with all the closet space. I think I need a more defined approach to stick with it.
I also need to move on from mistakes....and not let them clutter my closet - even of they were expensive. I considered getting a wardrobe organizing app, but i think i should just try a list - like yours. I want to replace a few key pieces each season (spring/summer & fall/winter). Also moving back to EU made me réalise i have too much.:smile1:
 
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#6
I have done this in the past and it worked really well for me.

I had gotten off-track, too, and had a lot of clothes that just were not working for me anymore. I had a closet full of clothing and nothing to wear.

I have been rethinking my style and am trying to clean it up and tighten up the pieces I choose, so that they all work together better.

I have clothes I need to take to the consignment shop, a lot of clothes I ordered to try on that I will edit and only keep the pieces that will really add to my wardrobe and I am trying to tighten up my list of items I still need to get to fill in the gaps.

I LOVE The Daily Connoisseur. Have you read her books? They are so good!
 
#7
I've read her blog - but just bought her first book.
I feel i really need the inspiration and instruction after my last move.

So glad to hear it's working for others!
 
#8
I'm not doing a 10 piece capsule, but I am in the process of streamlining my wardrobe to pieces that all get regular wear during at least one of the seasons (special event outfits aside). I've come to realize that I have a lot of repeat clothes when I usually wear one or two of them, so I've been donating/consigning/selling to clean out my closet and buy higher quality essentials where necessary.

I'm still editing/adding, but I am at a point where I can wake up daily and don't feel like I have "nothing to wear," or that there are clothes that don't get used. I have a list and a plan, and I'm at a point where I feel comfortable with my style that I know what I want and what works.
 
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