Blonde Granny
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 15, 2013 8:27:13 GMT -5
Posts: 6,919
Today's Mood: Alone in the world
Location: Wandering Aimlessly
Mini-Profile Name Color: 28e619
Mini-Profile Text Color: 3a9900
|
Post by Blonde Granny on Mar 19, 2014 7:20:02 GMT -5
In trying to figure out how I can pack in a smaller suitcase for a 11 day cruise-tour in Sept. I came across this idea.
It started when I discovered the 40 hanger closet: www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/05/24/40-hanger-closet/
Then I discovered the capsule wardrobe:
As for the 40 hanger closet, I counted my capri pants yesterday and that takes up 16 hangers right there. So, I decided I'm not quite that obsessed with cleaning out my closet, but I can certainly do a lot better than continuing to buy clothes that don't go with anything else in my closet. Using the capsule wardrobe as a guide, I've decided my colors should be either red/black/white or 3 different shades of beige.
I don't have the courage quite yet to start tossing out clothes, but even after moving last year, there is still just too much stuff in there I never wear.
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,617
|
Post by swamp on Mar 19, 2014 8:16:38 GMT -5
I'm sorry, but that just sounds so sad. Color is good.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,147
|
Post by alabamagal on Mar 19, 2014 8:36:28 GMT -5
I have a pretty boring wardrobe, but I don't think that I could limit myself to the few colors.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,085
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2014 8:41:58 GMT -5
www.insideoutstyleblog.com/category/wardrobe/capsule-wardrobesYou might like this if you're interested in creating a capsule wardrobe. I think you're taking it too far by limiting yourself to three colors. A capsule wardrobe can have as many colors as you want, as long as all the colors can be combined to make multiple outfits. Plus after awhile you're going to look like you're always wearing a uniform if you limit yourself to 3 colors. If that's what you prefer and would make things easier go for it, but it sounds awfully dull.
|
|
bookkeeper
Well-Known Member
Joined: Mar 30, 2012 13:40:42 GMT -5
Posts: 1,783
|
Post by bookkeeper on Mar 19, 2014 8:53:04 GMT -5
My DH travels for work quite often and I have been tagging along more recently. I usually try to pack a week in a carry on bag and a small duffel.
What works for me is to stick to black and white. I am a big girl and black is slimming, especially on the bottom half. When all your clothes are black, white or gray or prints thereof, everything goes with everything. You only need one pair or black shoes. I often pack a pair of white sandals to wear with skirts or to the pool.
I add in color with scarves and tank tops/shells. Silver costume jewelry completes my look. I never travel with expensive jewelry.
As I pack for trips, it is usually the shoes that take up the most room in my suitcase. I try to stay away from bulky sweaters and corduroy pants when traveling. The other option is to wear your bulky clothes and shoes on the airplane leaving room in the suitcase for other things.
When I know I may run out of clothes on a trip, I pack a 3 oz bottle of liquid laundry soap for a quick swish in the sink.
I also pack snacks in my bag. I pack filling foods like nuts, jerky and granola bars to ward off the junk food in the airport. On the way home last time I was out of snacks and went to buy a turkey sandwich at the airport. $8 for turkey and cheese on wheat bread. Ouch. My brother in law travels internationally every year and he always packs 4 to 5 sandwiches before he leaves home.
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
|
Post by zibazinski on Mar 19, 2014 8:57:45 GMT -5
I'm packing for a trip to Italy. 16 days. I have 3 core pieces, skirt, jacket, and pants. Tops and scarves/jewelry to change out the looks. I'm doing 4 paid of shoes, all black. I was trying for 3 but threw in some sandals. I'm taking other pieces, of course but my theme is going to be black and white with some color mixed in. Bought a dress at Nordstrom rack yesterday and some black flats that are even more comfy than the ones I was going to take. The dress is a print so will hide stains but also a wash and wear kinda dress. So I'm doing a capsule for my trip. I want to look stylish but I don't want to pack a lot of stuff. DF is a huge packer and its going to be fun to see him try to fit everything into one bag!
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
|
Post by zibazinski on Mar 19, 2014 8:59:42 GMT -5
I'm going to read those capsule articles when I have more time.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 9, 2024 0:21:49 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2014 9:07:40 GMT -5
I'm going to read those capsule articles when I have more time. Read this first. www.amazon.com/Overdressed-Shockingly-High-Cheap-Fashion/dp/1591846544/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395237735&sr=1-1&keywords=overdressedI haven't, but I listened to an interview with the author. She said the average American buys 78 items of clothing in a year and (I think) 16 pairs of shoes. When she sorted out her own wardrobe she found she had 350 items. This is madness. Stop buying everything just because it's on sale so it's cheap. If you restrict yourself to high-quality items made by workers who have decent working conditions (yes, it IS possible but you'll have to stay out of Wal-Mart and most stores at the mall) you'll be more careful with your money and will have higher-quality, more comfortable clothes that fit better and wear longer. Two days ago I mended a couple of tiny pinholes in a 20-year old cashmere sweater. Yes, mended. Remember that? It was a $300 sweater. Darn right I'll mend it.
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,617
|
Post by swamp on Mar 19, 2014 9:10:53 GMT -5
78 items!? I'm woefully behind.
Unless you mean per family. I'm sure I buy that much for my kids. Little buggers won't stop growing.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,085
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2014 9:11:56 GMT -5
DH wears the same three shirts year round. Who out there is buying the other 75 pieces he's supposed to average?
|
|
Blonde Granny
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 15, 2013 8:27:13 GMT -5
Posts: 6,919
Today's Mood: Alone in the world
Location: Wandering Aimlessly
Mini-Profile Name Color: 28e619
Mini-Profile Text Color: 3a9900
|
Post by Blonde Granny on Mar 19, 2014 9:15:29 GMT -5
On our Alaska trip last year the 3 colors I used were black, grey & red. 2 Pr. of shoes, both black. The point of the capsule wardrobe idea is to use accessories for added color, i.e. scarves & jewelry, handbags & shoes. In one of the articles I read author said everything in your closet must be able to be worn with 3 different pieces of clothes.
My closet is so random now, with the exception of black, that many days I do stand there and wonder what to wear. And sweaters ? I have so many piled in there I frequently wonder who it was that bought it, because I'm sure I've never seen it before.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,085
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2014 9:21:14 GMT -5
I did a style challenge from the blog I posted back in November 2013. The goal was to try to wear every piece of clothing you own (exception for highly seasonal pieces) and not create the same outfit twice. Since I wear jeans all the time I wore the same pants the entire month but I was able to create a lot of new combinations with my tops/blazers/shoes/accessories. Not all of them worked, fortunately I work alone in a lab so nobody noticed my monstrosities. The exercise did really help me break out of a style rut It also helped me eliminate things in my wardrobe b/c I forced myself to wear just about everything if it still fit, it's a lot easier to realize you hate something when you're stuck wearing it all day as opposed to letting it hang forgotten in the closet.
|
|
Sam_2.0
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:42:45 GMT -5
Posts: 12,350
|
Post by Sam_2.0 on Mar 19, 2014 9:47:12 GMT -5
DH wears the same three shirts year round. Who out there is buying the other 75 pieces he's supposed to average? My DH. He takes up 3/4ths of our giant closet. I love the capsule wardrobe idea, but I need someone to come help me actually put it together. I have tried a couple of times on my own and can't seem to get the right pieces. But I have the general idea - solid pants & skirts that can be paired with just about any top to mix & match outfits for the week. I do have a thing for dresses in the summertime though. I probably have 20 that I wear to work when it's too hot out to wear pants but I can't get away with shorts at work. I love that dresses always make you look more put together even though it's even easier to get ready in the morning - pull one over your head, slip on some shoes and go.
|
|
Blonde Granny
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 15, 2013 8:27:13 GMT -5
Posts: 6,919
Today's Mood: Alone in the world
Location: Wandering Aimlessly
Mini-Profile Name Color: 28e619
Mini-Profile Text Color: 3a9900
|
Post by Blonde Granny on Mar 19, 2014 9:47:42 GMT -5
I just got dressed, but I'm retired and have that option. Khaki pants, black short sleeve T and a red sweater.
Seriously considering a trip to Dillards
|
|
bookkeeper
Well-Known Member
Joined: Mar 30, 2012 13:40:42 GMT -5
Posts: 1,783
|
Post by bookkeeper on Mar 19, 2014 9:48:52 GMT -5
Shopping at my Goodwill store has taken me out of the style rut. I will try on anything at the Goodwill, not so much at the mall.
As I hang up my clean laundry, it is obvious I enjoy wearing the clothes I purchased at the thrift store. My local store has many new items on the racks. I suspect that retailers are not putting returned items back on the rack, donating them instead.
I have found many slacks, skirts, tank tops/shells, and sweaters I enjoy wearing at the GW. DH has recently started shopping there too since I landed him a Calvin Klein winter coat and some Lands End slacks all in new condition with the tags on the garments.
I like thrift store shopping. It feels the same to me as shopping at the mall, with a much lower price tag.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,085
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2014 9:51:31 GMT -5
You can have more than one capsule wardrobe. You're not going to wear business formal on weekends. So if you work in a formal environment you'll have a work and a weekend capsule.
I'm not going to wear sundresses in the winter time or sweaters in the summer so I'm going to have at least a spring/summer capsule and a fall/winter capsule.
It's not a militant type thing, your capsule can be as big or little as you want and you can have different ones for different aspects of your life.
|
|
quince
Senior Member
Joined: Sept 23, 2011 17:51:12 GMT -5
Posts: 2,699
|
Post by quince on Mar 19, 2014 9:56:56 GMT -5
I wear mostly brown and green. Whenever I go shopping with my mom she shoves pink, aqua, yellow things at me. Do you think she's sending a message?
I do love thrift store shopping. Higher quality stuff for less, plus sometimes interesting stuff comes up.
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,617
|
Post by swamp on Mar 19, 2014 9:58:52 GMT -5
I wear mostly brown and green. Whenever I go shopping with my mom she shoves pink, aqua, yellow things at me. Do you think she's sending a message? Yes, stop looking like moss and wear some color!
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,085
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2014 9:59:04 GMT -5
Do you like pink, aqua or yellow? If you do then give it a try. My mom commented I look good in orange so I took a leap of faith and bought a bright orange blazer, it's now one of my favorite pieces. Orange is not a color I tend to reach for when shopping. Otherwise I think she's sending you a message about what she likes and wishes you'd wear.
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
|
Post by zibazinski on Mar 19, 2014 10:17:21 GMT -5
I did a huge purge. That's a beginning!
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,085
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2014 10:20:02 GMT -5
I like to do a wardrobe evaluation/purge at the end of every season. I clean out my winter wardrobe once it's warm enough to put it away. The stuff I actually wore is usually hanging out in the top of the drawer or front of the closet. If I find something in the back wrinkled to high hell I know I haven't worn it all winter so into the bag it goes.
Same for spring/summer wear.
|
|
|
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Mar 19, 2014 10:23:35 GMT -5
I have gotten such that I can do just about anything with my carry on roller bag and a backpack. I did 3 weeks in Turkey with this, and more recently, I spent a month in NY with only the belongings in my carry on.
The carry on is expandable, and expanded it needs to be checked. It was expanded when I left Turkey, as I bought about a dozen pashminas for Christmas gifts that year. I hand carried the carpet wall hanging in my backpack.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 9, 2024 0:21:49 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2014 10:41:24 GMT -5
I have gotten such that I can do just about anything with my carry on roller bag and a backpack. I did 3 weeks in Turkey with this, and more recently, I spent a month in NY with only the belongings in my carry on. DH and I have gotten very good at carry-on only. The exception was our own trip to Alaska, where we were going to be outdoors a lot and needed bulk and layers. I know from reading Cruise Critic that some people get all excited about dressing up for dinner (including people who bring military dress uniforms) but we chose a cruise that was far mor laid-back and, frankly, didn't have a lot of room in the cabins for clothing. They had hooks outside your door for the large items!
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,883
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Mar 19, 2014 10:50:01 GMT -5
I clean out my clothes regularly. I have a ton of them though. Regular work wear is a step above khakis and polos. I could do that but my soul would die a thousand deaths if I wore that daily. Meetings/audits require a suit jacket. I wear a lot of dresses in warm weather.
And then there's my non work clothes. And I live somewhere with distinct seasons. Some things stay out year round, others are packed away during the opposite season. I'm a total clothes horse. Few things are as depressing to me as wearing the same things week in and week out.
One of my worst jobs ever was hostessing at a steakhouse. We had to wear all black. I don't think I wore black anything for two months after I quit. I'm so not a uniform type of girl.
|
|
sesfw
Junior Associate
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:45:17 GMT -5
Posts: 6,268
|
Post by sesfw on Mar 19, 2014 10:57:52 GMT -5
average American buys 78 items of clothing in a year
Did this include undies?
Since DH lost his weight his side of closet had and extensive clean-out. If he bought something that fit, something else had to go. He managed to keep a couple of shirts that I put in donation bag when it comes through the laundry.
Now if I could just get him to get rid of some of his 50+ tees.
|
|
sarcasticgirl
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 14:39:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,155
Location: Chicago
|
Post by sarcasticgirl on Mar 19, 2014 11:05:05 GMT -5
I wear mostly brown and green. Whenever I go shopping with my mom she shoves pink, aqua, yellow things at me. Do you think she's sending a message? you aren't a tree! wear some color!
|
|
nogooddeed
Established Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:45:06 GMT -5
Posts: 358
|
Post by nogooddeed on Mar 19, 2014 11:32:24 GMT -5
DH wears the same three shirts year round. Who out there is buying the other 75 pieces he's supposed to average? Me!! Last trip to DSW in the fall led to 7 pairs of shoes and boots. Of course, I haven't bought any since, but it is almost spring.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,085
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2014 11:51:47 GMT -5
So it's MM who's buying my husband's share of the national average. I've bought 12 articles of clothing but in my defense it's a maternity wardrobe. I have a few regular tops I can rotate thru for awhile and a couple of empire waist dresses I decided to keep rather than donate once we decided to have another kid. So hopefully the 12 pieces I bought will be enough. I purchased the tops online so I don't know if they'll be long enough to last all the way thru September yet.
|
|
nogooddeed
Established Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:45:06 GMT -5
Posts: 358
|
Post by nogooddeed on Mar 19, 2014 11:57:25 GMT -5
I need to clean out my closet... I don't wear half of the stuff in there... and I have been buying new things. I'm loving color and patterns right now! I love coral/orange and I've gotten into pink this year... from a soft baby/ballet pink to deeper pinks. I have one or two pieces of purple that I can pair with a more neutral color to tone it down. I have some white pieces as well... Right now I'm really into maxi skirts and dresses paired with either a cropped jacket or today, I have on a coral maxi dress with a black somewhat structured cardigan and some fun pieces of jewelry to pull it all together. Sounds pretty. No maxi dresses allowed at work for me. But, I was feeling like spring so I wore camel slacks, a deep pink silk blouse, a camel/pink/coral/cream scarf and a cream blazer. I'm so ready to put the dark colors away for a bit.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 9, 2024 0:21:49 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2014 11:57:32 GMT -5
I'm going to read those capsule articles when I have more time. Read this first. www.amazon.com/Overdressed-Shockingly-High-Cheap-Fashion/dp/1591846544/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395237735&sr=1-1&keywords=overdressedI haven't, but I listened to an interview with the author. She said the average American buys 78 items of clothing in a year and (I think) 16 pairs of shoes. When she sorted out her own wardrobe she found she had 350 items. This is madness. Stop buying everything just because it's on sale so it's cheap. If you restrict yourself to high-quality items made by workers who have decent working conditions (yes, it IS possible but you'll have to stay out of Wal-Mart and most stores at the mall) you'll be more careful with your money and will have higher-quality, more comfortable clothes that fit better and wear longer. Two days ago I mended a couple of tiny pinholes in a 20-year old cashmere sweater. Yes, mended. Remember that? It was a $300 sweater. Darn right I'll mend it. Give me some ideas of where, PLEASE! I can find high-quality but trying to find the bolded seems impossible.
|
|