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To kick off #CSCMiniCapsule Month, I’m here to explore the most important question before you dive into the deliciously Marie Kondo world of capsule wardobes: Is this the most wonderful idea since sliced bread, or a catastrophic notion that will drive you insane?
Let’s discuss. But first…
Why on earth would you dramatically limit the number of things in your closet?
People’s motivations vary, by common themes are:
- To avoid that awful feeling when you have a “full to bursting” closet but can’t find anything to wear.
- To ensure that all of your clothes mix-and-match — no sad outcasts that stay hidden because they have no friends.
- To be more environmentally sustainable, intentional, and thoughtful about your material consumption.
- To really nail your personal style.
- To focus on higher value, higher quality items rather than a bunch of cheap “fast fashion.”
How does a capsule wardrobe work for sewists?
While most of the guides and articles are for people who buy their clothes, it is easy to apply the same logic to clothes that you will sew (and patterns that you will buy). The goal is to end up with a streamlined wardrobe that:
- Works with your lifestyle
- Mixes and matches (often a lot of separates and layers)
- Gets worn regularly and will hold up over time
- Uses a cohesive color palette with complementary fabrics
We’ll be exploring these topics in more detail as the month progresses. And now to the main point of the post:
When is a capsule wardrobe a great idea for sewists?
There are a variety of sewists for whom a capsule wardrobe can be a game-changer.
The Impulse Buyer
You make random purchases of patterns and fabrics without a lot of forethought and planning. Those materials then stay in an ever-growing hoard that threatens to take over your living space. You want to be more thoughtful and intentional about your buying habits, and you want to make sure that you will actually sew/wear the items you DO purchase.
The Fad Chaser With Nothing To Wear on Monday Morning
You have a closet full of handmade cold-shoulder tops, but hate them on your body. (And who wouldn’t? I want my shoulders to be warm, thank you very much!) It seems like whenever there is a fad you are the first to make a purchase, but you don’t really feel comfortable in any of them. You haven’t successfully identified your personal style, so instead you fill your closets with the latest fashions — but still end up wearing the same 2-3 outfits each week.
The Frequent Traveler
You are regularly living out of a suitcase, and need to maximize your “looks” while avoiding overweight luggage fees. You dream of packing a single carry-on suitcase for 10 days in France. (Or, if you’re me, a whirlwind trip of business stops in the Midwest USA.) You’d like a mini-collection of clothes that work together, can be dressed up or down, in colors and fabrics that travel well.
The “New Season of Life” Sewist
You are in transition. Maybe you’ve just graduated from college and own nothing but joggers, while you face a business casual work environment. Or you’ve just become a new mother. Or retirement is looming on the horizon. Your current wardrobe doesn’t meet the needs of your new life, but starting over from scratch is overwhelming. You need a capsule to get your started — something that you’ll love now, but can add to over time.
When is a capsule idea a nightmare for sewists?
But wait! Give capsule wardrobe’s a pass (or at least, more serious pause) if you fall into these categories:
The Free Spirit
You sew for pleasure and delight, choosing projects on a whim. The idea of restricting yourself to a limited wardrobe of pre-determined pieces makes you antsy and rebellious. Who cares if your closets are bursting? The act of sewing up something beautiful is what gives you a thrill — not the wearing of it in a perfectly choreographed ensemble. You will make a cold-shoulder top with a bust flounce if you want to, dammit! (Even if you only wear it twice and then move on to something new next week.)
The Pattern Lover
Most of the capsule wardrobe frameworks you see focus on a lot of basics in solid colors, with an occasional stripes (and more rarely, a floral pattern thrown in for good measure). But you are a pattern lover — you want bold colors, silhouettes, and styles to wrap around you every day. Basics bore you — you are a hothouse flower that needs to shine with dramatically different looks every day of the week!
The Eclectic
You are vintage one day, and ultra-mod the next. You are a chameleon who truly loves experimenting with style — trying different looks together, or alternating between style eras depending on the day or occasion. You need a closet full of options, because the idea of wearing the same looks every day makes you want to cry.
So, is a curvy capsule wardrobe right for you?
I guess it depends with the persona you most identify with in the above scenarios. Regardless, I think that almost every sewist can agree that some kind of mini-capsule is a good middle ground. It’s a great way to focus on the basics that so often elude us (see the famous sewing cake vs. frosting post from 2012), or experiment with a new style, or refine a color palette. If nothing else, it will help you get the biggest bang-for-your-buck the next time you need to pack for a trip!
Next up on the CSC blog, I’ll be talking about different capsule wardrobe frameworks, including some photos from my mini-capsule process. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below — what have you learned about yourself as you think about developing a capsule wardrobe?
I like your idea of a middle ground best. My one attempt at putting together a true capsule wardrobe was for my two pregnancies, and both times, I was super-bored with my options by the beginning of my third trimester. I’m also a print lover, so I’ve found that what works best for me is thinking of one complete outfit, usually separates, and then sewing new pieces that go with those pieces over time. That way I can mix and match, but I’m. not stuck with boring neutrals all the time.
A good capsule wardrobe depends on how good an editor you are. It’s very easy to end up with not only a boring wardrobe but being bored in the process. A good wardrobe needs some serendipity. It needs a star and a supporting cast. I prefer a serial wardrobe that builds on itself but has some stand out pieces to add drama.
I wear the same clothes over and over. I have worn holes in the elbows (and not even noticed it!) so went out and purchased a bunch of new tops to wear with the same black slacks. Talk about boring. I have purchased some patterns in newer styles, drapey vests, jacket, tops. I am going to start the capsule wardrobe with what I have, build on it and move on to the next capusle. The NEXT capsule wardrobe will start to add new basic colors so I can move away from black slacks but will also be able to stand alone. I thought I’d start with mint green. We’ll see how often I will wear mint green slacks. LOL
I’m a huge Marie Kondo fan (yes, I do religiously fold my underwear) but the one area I haven’t been great at managing with that ethos is my fabric purchases. So when I saw this post I got really excited! I totally identify with the Impulse Buyer profile and want to get that put to bed!!
I think that for corporate work and for travel, capsule dressing and sewing is A MUST. That being said, if you went along with Ms. Kondo’s advice, we would ditch everything that we wear to work in a corporate environment, and have nothing but frosting in our wardrobes. Would we rather do that? Yes. Can we do that? No. Because that job is the money-making engine that supports our real lives as creative goddesses and fashionistas!
Sooo – cake at work and travel, frosting the rest of the time. LOL
I think the idea that we must throw out anything that isn’t “frosting” is a misconception of the Marie Kondo approach. She argues that you should keep items that perfectly fulfill their purpose — so an evening gown would make you feel like a radiant princess and a basic pair of black pants should be a perfect workhorse piece that always come through in a pinch. The idea is that you are looking for something that truly fulfills its purpose — a great fitting, high quality, “flattering”, stain resistant pair of black pants would definitely be Kondo-approved!
I thought Kondos said we should throw out everything that doesn’t “spark joy” – which is how she ended up pounding picture hangars into the wall with the heel of her shoe. Which is ridiculous. My towels don’t “spark joy,” but I sure do need them. Disinfectants don’t “spark joy” but I am going to keep spraying them in the bathroom. My husband only “sparks joy” sometimes. but I’m going to keep him. And I purchase a lot of “frosting” fabric because it sparks joy. My plain black pants don’t spark joy – but I wear them to work to my job, which does “spark joy,” so sometimes, you have to take with blah with the joy. If I need evening wear or need to dress like a gypsy fortune-teller, I am all set with a huge stash of fabric that sparks joy. Just looking at it, touching it, thinking about it sparks joy. But it won’t get me anywhere in my law firm environment. My “cake” wardrobe is more like an “oatmeal” wardrobe – it’s good for you, and it’s practical, but it doesn’t “spark joy.” Thus – sewing as a “duty.”
Just wanted to add that I’ve been ” making new friends” to add to “the old” “lone ranger” pieces , if you will. I had several items and had nothing to wear witn them. I created a mini capsule aroung them. It was fun!
I’ve only read the first Kondo book, but I thought too that the idea was that something that did its job perfectly does spark joy. So I was a bit surprised to read that she’d broken her joyful ruler undoing a screw because she’d thrown out her non-joyful screwdriver. Surely a screwdriver which does its job well is a thing of beauty and joy, and if her screwdriver was so rubbish it made her sad, shouldn’t she have replaced it with a better one? On the black trousers front, the problem with a work wardrobe and joy is that often you don’t have time to find the absolutely perfect black trousers but you still need some so you have to get the best you can / sew the best you can and then put up with them – work doesn’t care if you find them perfect; they just want you to be dressed appropriately… so yeah, I think there are limitations to the Kondo approach 🙂
For me, the concept of sparking joy with “functional” items is more like – I had a linen cupboard full of towels. It was overflowing and getting stuff out resulted in a towel avalanche. So I took out all of my towels and reviewed them. The soft, snuggly towels sparked joy at the thought of using them. The old, scratchy ones? Not so much. Out they went. The random faded handtowel that I never use also got the boot. But I also kept my older bleach-stained towel because I love using it when I bleach my hair. Not worrying about bleaching my other towels means the stained one sparks joy, and I kept it. From then on, I could wash and rotate my towels so easily, my linen cupboard stopped being so painful to use and became a spacious storage zone.
Like, you are not going to spark joy if you are trying to drip-dry in the depths of winter when running late for work. Therefore, towels. But nice towels you enjoy using! Kondo’d linen cupboard! Yay!
I also donated my old towels to an animal rescue, who were delighted to have them, and I feel happy that they are being used for a good cause now. 😀
She clarifies that concept a bit in her second book, as it regards practical, useful stuff like tools and cleaners and stuff. Basically, the idea there is that stuff can also “spark joy” when you recognise the contribution it makes to your happiness. (This may need to be cultivated!) Like for example: this particular bottle of bathroom cleaner may spark joy because it helps me quickly and efficiently clean my bathtub, and leaves a nice smell. But the two bottles I bought before then and didn’t actually like, but hung onto “just in case” (of what, a worldwide shortage of limescale removers)? Dispose of responsibly.
My clothing requirements changed when I retired from teaching. In addition to having to ‘reinvent’ myself, I needed to reinvent my wardrobe! I still have too many things, and although I purged the closet once, I’m still a bit appalled at the number of things I still have! I’m trying to change how I dress, but I have to say, it isn’t easy! I think I will always believe that black pants are excellent basic bottoms. I’ll keep working though this! Good article- you made me think!
Thanks for your comment! A couple of years ago, I took everything in my closet that wasn’t a “100% winner” and moved it to the guest room closet. I could go grab something from the guest room at any time, wear it and relocated it afterwards back into my own closet, but I found that 90% of the items were “out of sight, out of mind.” After letting them sit there for 12 months (so, a full seasonal rotation), it was SO MUCH EASIER to do a proper purge…
The idea scares me. I’m not a regular sewist. In winter I typically wear layers even though I live in Victoria, Australia. Outer layer is a jacket. At the moment my winter coat is a leather bomber jacket with lots of pockets that I invested money in. I’m about to invest more money in a long winter coat from my favourite made to measure designer. Next a pullover vest, then a cotton dress, then a silk and cotton jumper instead of a shirt then a pair of trousers or leggings.
Then in summer everything needs to be cotton to survive the hottest days
I kind of do a capsule wardrobe mindset without the actual official capsule. Like, being intentional in fabric / pattern purchases and trying to stay on point / realistic with color, styles, lifestyle needs. But actually planning out X number of garments is too stressful; I’m a slow sewer and I like to jump between projects. Having too strict of a “must-sew” list takes the fun out of it.
I totally agree! I’ve enjoyed the process of planning/sewing a mini-capsule wardrobe, but have had to give myself lots of flexibility to insert “fun” projects in between.
I definitely am an impulse buyer with life (and size) changes, but I’m also a pattern lover without much time for sewing. As I often say, my eyes are bigger than my calendar when it comes to sewing. I love the idea of mini-capsules, but I need to do one mostly made out of my closet!
Yes! My second post on mini capsules is coming in just a couple of minutes and it talks about how I shopped my stash (fabric and patterns) to tackle my first mini-capsule. While I don’t mind stashing fabric, I was ashamed to see how many patterns I have that have never been opened…
I’m partially a cake person but trying to sew some icing pieces as well, with cake fabrics. My issue is that I also purchase a lot of patterns and run out of time to make things between working full time, raising a 3 yr old, and general household upkeep. I’ve looked up capsule wardrobes and am very interested in this series.
Yes! I’m so embarrassed by the number of patterns that I’ve bought and then just abandoned without even opening the package. We really need a CSC “sew that pattern” challenge to get people like us to dig through the back issues. 🙂
I was looking at capsule wardrobes, and then I counted the items I have in my wardrobe, and I lol-ed. I only have about 40 pieces I wear out, plus a loungewear selection, an exercise selection, and a very small occasional selection. Even though I sew, I’m not one to have a huge selection of clothes in my wardrobe…
Me too! I purge pretty regularly, so most of the time I have 10-ish bottoms, 20-ish tops/layers and about 10 dresses. For me, the capsule wardrobe idea was more about focusing on neutrals to ensure that my limited wardrobe can be mixed-and-matched in more ways — rather than 10 bold tops with the same pair of black pants.
A capsule wardrobe just isn’t my cup of tea, I think of it as too bland. For me, a few basics which I combine with more colorful items are a good idea. I regularly sort through my wardrobe and I donate everything which I didn’t wear for two years. It’s very liberating to downgrade your wardrobe. The two-year-rule also applies to fabrics.
Interesting — I regularly purge my wardrobe of things that don’t “spark joy” but man, I will hold onto fabric FOREVER. Maybe I need to set aside a weekend to go through my stash and pull out the unbeloved pieces.
I would LOVE to have a wardrobe that was totally functional instead of always grabbing a top to wear with my black jeans to work. Trudy Hotpatterns puts together a capsule with seasonal regularity, but I don’t sew that fast ;(. What I need are pieces that work together with some of them stretching to the opposing weather.
I am so looking forward to this series. I am a pattern hoarder, free spirit who is experiencing life changes. I am hoping to not look like a total slob at work (I am a school psychologist who needs to be comfortable, able to be active in an emergency yet professional.) As a mature cuvy girl (61 years young), it is time to look like a grown up.
Thank you, Curvettes! I do love reading this blog!
Have you been spying on me? The spring I have been rotating through my collection of 12 Springfield tanks and two pairs of cropped black pants. I love these tops and feel 100% “me” in them, but I need more variety and I think a capsule approach can help. Check out my second post (coming today) on my process so far…
I’ve tried a capsule wardrobe when we took a three week trip to Europe in the winter. I was able to pack clothes in a carry on suitcase and a small additional bag. It was wonderful! Everything worked at least 2 ways with the other items or it wasn’t taken. It allowed different looks while not carrying too much luggage. Unfortunately, my sizes change frequently and I only used those clothes for a few months. When out of that size it was. back to t shirts and jeans. Fortunately my size is changing back to that capsule wardrobe size and I will be wearing the items again. This time it will be in spring/summer so I will need items added for that season.
Thanks for this idea in sewing. I’m looking forward to seeing future articles.
Totally agree — mini capsules are a game-changer for trips when you are living out of a suitcase. I especially like the process of thinking about using layers as a way to get more mileage out of the basics.
I’d say I’m a “new season of life’ for sure, having mostly retired this year. I know my style, but how does that style translate into my new life and activities makes this perfect timing for me. This will be fun. Great post.
Thank you! I vacillate between “polished consultant” and “totally casual, dress for comfort” and my goal is to somehow marry the two “me’s” together with my first mini-capsule.
I want a capsule wardrobe. I have a completely empty wardrobe bar 1 pair trousers, and a few very worn t shirts. I am desperate but have no real idea where to start. So, I am looking forward to this series and, hopefully, will manage to work out what to sew for me. Just once. At least.
Check out my second post on mini-capsules (coming later today). I think you’ll find it helpful — I was overwhelmed too, but found some really simple guides/templates that are very “plug and play.”
Thank you so much for this post, Jennifer. I have been thinking about a capsule wardrobe for so long, but I don’t know how to achieve it. I fit into the ‘Impulse Buyer’ category. My sewing room is crammed with baskets of fabric…….I need to dispose of most of it and start afresh! I would love to open my closet and see articles of clothing that I can mix and match and in particular ‘layer’ as that is my chosen mode of dress, rather than open my closet and be overwhelmed by the amount of garments that I have no intention of ever wearing. I don’t need a lot of different garments, I would love to clean out my closet. I am SO looking forward to this series…..bring it on!!
Yay — someone who shares my enthusiasm for this process! Check out my second blog post (coming later today) that offers some ideas on how to get started.
I will confess that layers are my toughest challenge. I am usually a 1-layer dresser, but I always think that 2-3 layers looks the most “styled” and put together. I’m still figuring out how to do that and still be comfortable — it seems like when I add layers I either run too hot, or feel restricted in my movement. I can’t tell if I’m doing it wrong, or if that’s just the price you pay for looking stylish!
Love these thoughts! If you’re a pattern lover like me though, you could make a capsule based around one or two favourite brightly-patterned pieces? That could maximise the opportunities for wearing them – and would be great for holidays, weekends away etc. I think my main issue would be sticking with the plan and not getting distracted by yet more brightly-patterned fabric on the way!
I think the challenge is that with a capsule, you are wearing each piece so frequently that any dramatic piece becomes REALLY EXTRA VERY noticeable. I think it can definitely work for a weekend away (or if you simply don’t care if people notice that every three days that BRIGHT AMAZING SHIRT appears).
Yes, that’s a good point! It partly depends on the kind of environment you’re in I think – if you work in the kind of office where that sort of thing gets noticed and commented on, that could bother you… I work from home three days a week and in the office for two and come to think of it I actually do wear the same couple of bright things to the office all the time because by the time Monday and Wednesday roll around it’s their turn… my colleagues probably think that’s all I own! But it’s not the sort of place where anyone would comment and in fact they probably don’t notice either. If I planned my wardrobe (capsule or otherwise) better I’d also be able to wear them with things that coordinate with them better! That’s the dream for me…
I’d love to have a captual warderobe, but what shall I make ? 😉
I dont work because of my healt (im 53), so my time is a lot of walks and some gym… and working with hobbies at home. Using mostly jeans and tops and wool jacket. I live in Norway, here we have just a fev days a year over
+20 c.
SO I realy hope there will be tips about what too make, for the different life styles.
Have you looked on Pinterest for inspiration? If you search for “capsule wardrobe winter casual” I bet you find some good options!
Great post, Jennifer! I’d say I’m a Free Spirit/Pattern Lover at heart, but with my upcoming move to a much colder climate, I am pondering whether I’ll be a “New Season of Life” Sewist!
My problem is a fundamental resistance to “sewing with a plan” — I can have six things cut out and ready to go, but I’m swayed by suddenly realizing that X piece of fabric would be amazing with pattern Y. And then it’s 2am and I’ve made no progress on that basic pair of black pants…
Oh, that is totally me! I spend all my free time planning around my options and then it is time to go back to work. I have a sizable stash of both, fabric and patterns, and matching them together is very stressful. I get stuck planning out my basics. They need to be very match-able and, considering I have to match each basic (usually bottoms) with 2-3 interchangeable items, they need to be made of some very reliable fabric. I live in hot climate so wool is completely out for most of the year, and cotton requires a lot of ironing. Polyester gets sticky in humidity over 50%, which is another reality of my everyday life, and so on, and so on. I can never decide!
Great intro! I’m the same as Kristina – I want a mini capsule for my part time job. I’m really looking forward to this series 🙂
My second post (coming later today) includes my plan for a mini capsule suitable for my business casual workplace. It also includes some templates to get you started!
I love that you gave both fors and against for the capsule wardrobe. While this concept has been around forever, I only discovered it a couple of weeks ago! I love items that I can wear over multiple seasons.
Thank you — glad you found it helpful! There are tons of resources out there for thinking/planning capsule wardrobes so you should have no problem staying inspired. 🙂
I just tried a sewing/putting together a coordinated capsule wardrobe for a recent trip away, and it was great, so I am looking forward to more information!
Yes! Travel capsules are such a godsend when trying to travel with carry-on only. And they are a wonderful way to baby step your way into a daily capsule wardrobe that works when you’re home.
This is so timely for me, I am really loving my sewing, but have so far approached it like a kid in a candy shop ( oh pretty, oh sparkle, oh new patterns, new fabric….wheee!!), resulting in some things I love, but a pretty disjointed wardrobe! While several areas of my life need new clothes, I’ve decided to focus on a work capsule wardrobe, getting up & being able to pick from a selection of items I’ve made, that I love & coordinate together, even before I’ve had my morning coffee is the stuff of my dreams 🙂 Cant wait to get started now!
Totally agree — I threw myself into garment making without a plan. I love the results, but they often feel disjointed. I’m excited to see if my capsule plans (discussed in the second blog later today) live up to the hype…