Last week I showed you how I helped my hub get his closet organized. Before I show you how I whipped my closet into shape, I want to share this little trick with you because it has made a world of difference in terms of helping me to not only get my closet organized but to keep it that way. This is something I’ve been doing for a few years now, and I can’t believe I haven’t always done this. It’s such a simple thing, and yet it’s a total game changer. This one thing has not only kept my closet looking orderly, but it has also helped me to fill my closet with pieces I truly love. Gone are the days when I would stare at my clothes and think, “I don’t have anything to wear!” This trick has helped me to shop smarter, curate my personal style and keep my closet from becoming a chaotic mess.
What is this one little game changing trick? It’s a clothing collection. Some people refer to them as wardrobe capsules, but I prefer to call them collections. A “capsule” feels very closed off….as in you create one and your done, but a collection is something you continue to grow as the seasons change and as your style evolves. At the heart of it you’re creating a multitude of looks with just a few key pieces, but on the whole you’re able to really see what you want/need to add to your wardrobe.
In spite of the multitudes of fashiongrammers you’re following on instagram and the hundreds of emails your getting daily from every clothing retailer under the sun, creating a clothing collection helps you to be very selective about what you add to your closet. Because it’s easy to say, “Oh my gosh, this ______ is only $15! I totally need ______!” But the truth is, if ________ isn’t something you would have bought at full price you probably don’t need it. And it will probably just end up junking up your closet making it harder for you to get dressed every day. On the contrary, by creating a clothing collection you can better decipher what you really want, so instead of being distracted by all the fashion images you’re seeing everyday you can focus in on finding a great deal on that black velvet blazer you’ve been dying to add to your collection.
So, how does one go about creating a clothing collection? It’s easy!
Well, just as in designing a room, I like to start with an inspiration piece. One piece that is totally “me”, that I can build around. I have a few different clothing collections. I have one based around my favorite classic color combo – black and white. That collection is a staple and one that mixes and matches with other collections. I also have a couple of small seasonal collections. But as you all know my favorite color of all time is red, so the collection featured in this post is my fall, red & navy collection. I’m nothing if not a sucker for a plaid flannel shirt.
Once I’ve got my inspo, I start building around that.
I bring in pants, sweaters, skirts, dresses, jackets, outerwear and shoes. Most everything you see here I’ve had for a while. The only newer items are the long navy dress and the tan oxfords. Building a collection rather than buying random pieces makes it so much easier to put outfits together quickly. I’m also able to avoid being wooed by “what’s on trend” at the moment. It makes it easier for me to see that as much I love the way this lilac floral skirt looks on other people, it isn’t really “me” and doesn’t work with anything I own.
You can do quite a bit with a few clothing pieces and a lot of shoe options. Here are 20 different looks using 2 shirts, 3 pairs of pants, 3 sweaters, 2 skirts, 1 dress, 2 blazers, 2 vests and 1 denim jacket……..and 6 pairs of shoes.
Shopping this way has really made a world of difference for me. My hub is happy it no longer takes me for-ev-er to get ready. I used to spend a decent chunk of my time just trying to figure out what in the world to wear, and with this clothing collection concept in place I no longer struggle to put outfits together. It’s like Garanimals for adults. If you’re in your twenties you probably have no idea what I’m talking about do you? Google Garanimals.
Here are few similar pieces I’m loving for fall! The rainboots are def calling my name.
I love this Carmel. I weeded and cleaned out my closet about a year ago, anything that did not fit (no more, if I lose the weight stuff among others) or I no longer liked went. No I am building a staple wardrobe (basics) and adding pieces I truly love and can mix and match. There are only 7 days in a week, and with a few key pieces and some fun accessories many outfits can be created. I am personally over the fashion posts…just seems excessive to me. You can't possibly need or wear 30 pairs of booties!! Thanks for keeping things fresh and real. By the way…LOVE that plaid shirt.
Garanimals! Thanks be for those….and I do still do this to an extent, but I need to rethink what I have bought over the last year or what I think I need 🙂 Thanks for the "kick in the pants" 🙂
Question- Do you edit what's IN your closet to accommodate your collection (storing off-collection pieces elsewhere?) or do you group them together in some way? I recently moved ALL my clothing to one location as I had different "season" clothes in different places., but I can always layer in spring/summer pieces over/under others for a Fall look. I love the idea of a collection- just wondering how you keep it from getting mixed in with non-collection items…
I laughed when you said "Garanimals for adults" because that's how I have described my wardrobe. Around 30, I finally admitted to myself that I only like to wear about three colors. (Accessories don't count – they can be other colors.) Anyway, it cured me of "I have nothing to wear" and helps me get dressed faster. I love your outfit combos!!
I love this post!! Thank you for showing us your fashion collection! Do you have any advice on how to put collections together? I realize that it is simply pieces that you love all put together, but I still find myself staring at a room full of clothing, not seeing the potential outfits. Thanks!
I love this thinking! I always try to think of one other thing that would go with something I want to buy but this makes much more sense. Also, having the collections photographed would be helpful. Keep these posts coming. 🙂
I love this blog entry as it relates to me right now. I have been mulling around the idea of purging my closet and building a collection, but just can't seem to get started… loss of courage, I suppose. I look at all the clothing I have, think of what I paid for some items, and vapor-lock. Logically, I know this change would make my life easier. Yikes.
Carmel to the rescue. We just returned from a life time trip to Italy and yesterday I started on my closet. I'm so glad I sat and read your posts I missed. Collections are the way to go.
Love this. Great motivation for the new year! Shelley
I don't know if you've ever heard of the site Thred up, but it seems like maybe something you could use. Go to http://www.thredup.com and check it out. It's basically an online consignment shop. They pay out for items you send them in their free clean out bags, they will sell your items on the site and you can use the money to buy key pieces from them to fill in where you need. I am doing the same thing with my closet as well and find this option better than goodwill when it comes to they money some items cost. At least you can get some return on the investment. Hope that helps you!
I love this Carmel. I weeded and cleaned out my closet about a year ago, anything that did not fit (no more, if I lose the weight stuff among others) or I no longer liked went. No I am building a staple wardrobe (basics) and adding pieces I truly love and can mix and match. There are only 7 days in a week, and with a few key pieces and some fun accessories many outfits can be created. I am personally over the fashion posts…just seems excessive to me. You can't possibly need or wear 30 pairs of booties!! Thanks for keeping things fresh and real. By the way…LOVE that plaid shirt.