So there was this thing going around the bloggersphere about creating a wardrobe capsule. Basically, clearing out your entire closet, and placing back only, yes only, 37 pieces (per season). For the rules and what to do, check out the creator of this concept Caroline Joy over at unfancy.
Anyhoo, give me a challenge and I will accept it! okay, well no one really challenged me, personally, but, in my own mind, I could hear the voice through the computer saying, “I dare you…”
Challenge accepted.
Wardrobe Capsule
I didn’t think it was going to be that big of challenge, I mean, I had no clothes. I truly believed I had less than 37 pieces already. I only wear 4 or 5 things!!! You know, the work outfit to meet clients, the stay home with kids outfit, the casual I shouldn’t look like a mom all day outfit, and the one going out outfit (since I rarely make evenings out).
So here is my closet before. Nothing fancy, easy peasy challenge.
So,
The first rule is to take every piece out of your closet….
no problem, shouldn’t take long, because, I mean, I only have a few pieces.
1 hour later…
OHHH S—-!
What is all this. I never wear it.
“EXACTLY!” said Caroline Joy through my computer.
IF you decide to do a wardrobe capsule do not skip rule #1, I almost did, thinking I didn’t need to take it all out, I could just pull what I don’t wear. HAHAHAHA. Not.
So, I took a step back and felt, well, sick to my stomach. Why in the world do I have all this. I don’t need it, and frankly, don’t want it.
So the purging began. What’s really funny is, I came upstairs with one, yes ONE garbage bag, to fill with clothes.
Long story short, I ended up filling 6 garbage bags of clothes.
And 6 hours later it was time to put the kids to bed. My little one came into the room at some point and asked me what I was doing. I explained the situation to him and at the same time I started showing him outfits I had that I haven’t worn in years. For instance, I had my high school graduation dress, and yes I tried it. It still fit!! (okay, well, I couldn’t close it or put it over my thighs). I had my first black cocktail dress my mom bought me out of college, and, my first and only red cocktail dress. Plus, you know, my turnabout dress from high school cause you never know, and oh yeah, my first business suit I wore for my job interviews after college.
So, yeah, I tried on every single piece for my kid and told him the story behind it.
At one point he literally left the room, came back a minute later with with pajamas on, a blanket, and said, “continue mommy, I just wanted to get comfy to hear the rest.”
AAAHHHHH!!!!!
At some point it was just me and my clothes again, and I wasn’t going to bed until I finished. It’s sad, but it’s true, it took over 8 hours to create my 37 pieces, but I did it and I am SOOOO HAPPYYYYYYY I did.
I will show the after in a followup post and why everyone should do it coming soon!
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CJLeahy says
I love this!!! Bravo, this is something I could never do. I still wear stuff from high school and am terrified I will miss something if I get rid of it. You look fabulous, as always!!!
Cecilia C. Cannon says
totally get your fear CJ!! I got rid of some things years ago that I regret now, BUT it was good stuff! you know, like a vintage seude jacket. This time around it was different. For the last 10 years my closet accumulated random pieces bought as I ran by a GAP rack between feedings. On top of it, my weight and body has changed after 3 kids so many times!! Which made it hard too because I am finally working on losing the weight. Luckily it is 37 pieces per season, lol, so my wardrobe might look different next Spring season (well, hopefully, because of weight loss, fingers crossed)
Angella Frasier says
Nicely done! I have recently been through the same process. We have just had bespoke fitted wardrobes installed and I didn’t want to absolutely cram them full of stuff. I had a major sort out and ended up with probably a bit more than a capsule wardrobe but it all fits nicely into the wardrobe. It’s a huge bones being able to see everything and not worry about it all being crushed.
Angella Frasier @ 4 Wardrobe