Beyond A Capsule Wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is not for everyone. It really isn’t.

Some enjoy the options. Some enjoy spending time choosing an outfit. Some are not bothered by the number of clothing items and accessories they own. That is JUST fine! Seriously, no judgement here. I am just odd in the sense that I like to live with the fewest things needed because clutter drives me crazy! Just ask my husband.

I realized that when I started to think about creating a capsule wardrobe for myself, I had a few things I needed to work through. In order to create a wardrobe you are happy with, I think we first have to deal with some deeper issues. Issues beyond the clothes and the wardrobe. So first things first:

1. What you do with what you own, matters. I believe that everything we own, is a gift from God. Because I believe that, do I see everything that I own AS a gift? Do I own so much that I can’t be a good steward over it all? Do I own so much that I can’t even begin to take the time to be thankful for it all? Take a look in your closet. Can you be a good steward over it all? Do you wear everything you own? If not, time to get rid of a few things.

2. A capsule wardrobe is created out of the need to be more content. The whole idea of a capsule wardrobe comes out of a spirit of discontentment. Discontentment over not liking how you look in your clothes, not liking what you own, and maybe not liking the number of clothes you own. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I define a capsule wardrobe as:

simple and basic coordinating clothes that are essential to YOU

That means that you have to be content with what YOU have. Not with what other people have. What is your style? Ask yourself WHY you are discontent with the clothes you own?

3. Be okay with YOU. This is one of the hardest concepts, which also deals with contentment. We all have things we would like to change about the way we look. I have wide hips that are hard to fit into some jeans. But really, there is no changing that. That is the very problem. No capsule wardrobe is going to make you feel any better about your body. The clothes might change, but your body will not.I have to learn to be okay with who I am. I am 6’1″ and I do not plan on shrinking anytime soon. I have been this tall since high school. Some of the capsule wardrobe lists have 3 different kinds of heels on them, which will never be in my closet. I have to be okay with that (plus I am not a heel girl). I do not look good in certain styles and I have to learn to be okay with that. God created each person in HIS image. Be thankful for the body God gave you. Yes, it may frustrate the living daylights out of you sometimes, but be thankful for what He has given you. Some bodies are a representation of the journey God has had you own. I have scars from surgeries that tell a story. I have a brown line still, on my stomach from carrying a child (a line I actually love to see because it was a line I wanted for so long). When you take time to be thankful, the easier you will be on yourself, and the more content you will be.

4. A capsule wardrobe will NOT solve all of your clothing issues. You will still want to buy new clothes. That is a habit we have. You will still want to change it up because styles change. And seasons change. What it will do is help you realize what you can live with and how little you can live with. When every piece of clothing can be coordinated with something else and has an intentional purpose, it makes getting ready in the morning a whole lot easier.Just be careful to not think that a capsule wardrobe is THE answer! It can lead you in the right direction, but like I said, you have to deal with some of those deeper issues first.

There is a whole lot behind the capsule wardrobe, than just the wardrobe itself. I like how it really made me think about how much I really own and if I wear everything I own, Am I really content with what I have? Am I okay with being ME? I too, had to go into this idea knowing that it will not solve all of my clothing problems. It was just one step closer and one idea towards spending less time and money on my clothes, and being more purposeful with what I have.

Stay tuned because in a few days I will share how to create a capsule wardrobe and I created one my very own!