Wardrobe in a Capsule

Much has been written over the past couple of years about a 'capsule wardrobe'.  Since I have little style sense and not much of a wardrobe, I didn't give it much thought.  Until I moved and the closet poles fell down.  Also, I had seen a couple of items in the store recently I would like to own.

According to Wikipedia, a capsule wardrobe has been around since the 1970's and refers to "collection of essential items of clothing that would not go out of fashion, and therefore could be worn for multiple seasons".  Lately, it means having 37 items for the season in your closet.  This is suppose to include accessories and shoes.  With my collapse of my closet and the state of my daughters' rooms (they  have 37 items per pile), I decided to see about creating a capsule wardrobe of my own.

Now I don't have a lot of shoes and accessories, so I didn't count those.  My t-shirts, which are this point are basically my NaNoWriMo shirts, I didn't count.  Neither did I count my yoga pants/sweat pants/pj's.  It was just confined to my 'stuff' hanging in my closet.  I also omitted my jackets/coats.  I didn't think it would be difficult at all to have 37 pieces for winter.

Boy, was it harder than I thought!

First, I ditched the old jeans and pants which were either (1) so old I only wore at home, or (2) paint covered.  I also ditched some t-shirts and sweat pants I had painted in.  Then I removed a handful of t-shirts which were freebies from things I had done.  A couple of them are being saved for a future t-shirt quilt, but the rest went.  Then I dumped my 1 dress which I never wear.  That left non-t-shirt tops and sweaters.

Out went the sweaters which were too short.  Being tall, I hate it when tops end right at my waist.  I want things to cover my tummy at all times.  (Although I should hold onto them to make stuffed animals from!)  Then the other shirts and tops which are several years old which I just hold onto to 'have something to wear'.

I got my closet down to 37 items for the winter.  There are a couple of sweaters which I didn't count because they wind up in Savvy and Texter's possession most of the time.  This freed up a lot of space in my narrow closet.  Now, when I buy clothing (which isn't often), it will be (1) quality over quantity and (2) one old item will be removed and donated as the new item comes in.

Who knew I was so trendy!