This is the second step in my How to Capsule series. Missed step 1? Click on over here to check it out.
The next step of creating a capsule wardrobe is the most daunting: tackling the actual closet. I pull out pieces I love and put them on my bed. I usually do this process twice a year, once at the beginning of the year and once during summer. You could do this process each season or once a year if you want. There are lots of resources to completing this step. I recommend the Minimalist Podcast (which focuses on more than just clothes) and The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
The Sorting
I sort into 3 piles a keep pile, a donate pile and I’m not sure yet pile. My keep pile is usually pretty small to start out with. These are my ride or dies, I immediately go out and replace them if needed, I can’t live without them. These keep pieces are usually the first pieces I pack on trips too.
The donate pile is usually easy at the beginning. These are pieces that still have tags on them, pieces I bought but ended up hating, things that don’t fit right, or pieces that I haven’t worn in the last 3-6 months. I won’t miss these pieces when they are gone.
The I’m not sure yet pile is the toughest but if you can get yourself in the right frame of mind you can narrow this pile down. Be ruthless. Get rid of things that you don’t wear often. Donate it if it has stains that won’t come out. Now some of these pieces might be sentimental and if you can take the Konmari approach and thank it and move on. Or you can keep it a little longer. While I’m not a super sentimental person in anything, I still have a few pieces that I just can’t seem to get rid of. Now for me that’s 2 dresses and a few old long sleeves that I wear to bed. The rest of my closet is full of things that I love. If I don’t LOVE it, it needs to go to make room for something I do love!
Another way I get myself into the right frame of mind is to scroll through Pinterest looking for images of organized closets or simple wardrobes. Because I crave that in the end, I’m able to get rid of what is holding me back from attaining that dream.
Helpful Sorting Hacks
This step took me the longest the first few times I created a capsule. And that’s ok! If it’s better for you to take breaks, do it! If its easier to tackle it with a friend, do that! Whatever you need to make cleaning out the closet better.
I put any clothes that are still questionable in a small under the bed bin and don’t open the box until I either a) need it AND will wear it 10 more times or b) the season is over. If I didn’t need anything in the box, the whole box goes into my trunk to be donated. Out of sight, out of mind. The needing it and will wear it 10 more times is the key for me because if I want to wear a shirt once but won’t wear it a bunch more times, it’s not worth it to take it back out of the bin. My purpose in creating a capsule is to live with less. So adding a piece to wear once isn’t helping me accomplish that goal.
The Capsule
Once I clean out my closet, I just focus on my keep pile while thinking about my capsule. Do I want this to be in my capsule? Some pieces always make there way into my capsules, like my olive green jacket, jeans and a tee shirt. I then add in my base colors (black, white and grey) with basics that I need to actually make outfits (pants, shirts, shoes). I’ll also add in pieces in my secondary colors (denim & olive green) for variety. I sometimes go back into my ‘I’m not sure yet’ pile and look to see if there are items in my color scheme that might make my capsule better for a certain season, or a part of my lifestyle. For example, I have a blush pink peplum top. I love the color and the thin fabric is perfect for spring/summer. However, it’s not long to wear with pants, it’s more of a legging top. So while it comes close, it’s not going to be in my keep pile.
If you are making a seasonal capsule, you will have clothes that are in your keep pile that aren’t going to be in your capsule. For example, you might love a thick cardigan but you’re creating a summer capsule and that cardigan doesn’t fit. Sort your keep pile into your capsule and everything else. Don’t worry if your capsule pile is too small or too big. We will narrow down or expand your capsule in the next step.