This is the fourth step in my How to Capsule series. Missed steps 1-3? Click on over here to check it out.
This next steps is like a continuation of Step 3. Take all those pictures that you took of your outfit options and be prepared to type everything out. This step is a bit time consuming but it’s the easiest way I’ve found to keep track of the number of times that I can wear a particular piece.
Be a Dork. Use a Spreadsheet.
I make a spreadsheet with all the outfit options I come up. This way I remember what outfits I made while trying things on. I’m also able to scroll through my phone and see my own inspiration if I’m in a style rut. A spreadsheet is helpful to my analytical brain but if that seems foreign to you, skip it! You could also hand write a quick list of tops + bottoms + shoes if that works better.
I give each outfit a season (usually just winter or summer because spring and fall are a weird combination of those two). This is helpful for creating a year long capsule. You don’t want too many summer outfits if winter lasts longer. This is also a chance to see if just a change of accessories would change the season. For example, tying up a tee shirt makes it a bit more summery while layering the tee shirt under a scarf and jacket make it more winter approved. I add in these outfits to my spreadsheet.
Another way to extend your wardrobe is to think about shoes. Take for example my white convertible shirt dress. With sandals, it’s totally summery. With a pair of booties and a jacket, it’s ready for fall. Again I add these outfits to my spreadsheet, even if I didn’t originally think about it while playing dress up.
Be Critical
I sort the spreadsheet by tops and count how many times I wear each item. If I only used a top a few times I have 2 options. Option 1) make more outfits with it. Option 2) donate it. My whole purpose of creating a capsule is to live with less clothing so I’m personally pretty ruthless in this step. When I was just starting out in this making a capsule, I was fine if a piece is only used 2-3 times.
If I’m thinking about adding a piece that I don’t own yet, I’ll put it into the spreadsheet and play with it. Does that leather skirt pair with my grey sweater? What about my gold sandals? Again, if I can’t make outfits with it, I don’t include it. My rule of thumb is to make at least 5 new outfits that fit 2-3 weekly events. So if I can’t wear that leather skirt to school + dinner with friends or coffee shops + exploring a new city, it doesn’t make it into my capsule. Does this piece work in multiple seasons? What about multiple events? If you are creating a workwear capsule, it needs to work for your work events but it’s ok if it doesn’t work for a Saturday morning brunch.
Numbers + Capsules
If you are trying to limit your capsule to a specific number, this is where that idea comes in. Pick the pieces that get you the most bang for your buck. Common options are 20 pieces (like I’m doing this year) or the 333 Challenge. This is where the spreadsheet is helpful because you can sort and search and let excel count for you.
If number crunching isn’t for you, you get to keep all the pieces you want. I would caution you here though and say if you only wear that pair of pants one way, it may not make the most sense in a wardrobe where we are trying to stretch pieces as far as possible.