Clothing capsules are a clever way to extend
your wardrobe and do a lot with a little. Once you
understand how they work, you'll begin to plan your wardrobe
around them and give yourself tons of options--and no longer
tempted to waste money on impulse items that don't go with
anything else you own.
The first thing you need to do is remember
when planning clothing capsules is that you CAN mix and
match your clothes.
Often, we get in such a rut that we forget
that there's more than one way of doing things. I've done
that many times not only with clothes, but with accessories
and jewelry as well. Once you break out of that way of
thinking and try different things, you'll be amazed as what
you can do.
Let me emphasize this: Start building your
clothing capsules with what you have. Often, the first
inclination is to go run buy something new. It's not
necessary. See what you have, see what you need, and add
pieces as your budget allows.
In the meantime, experiment with what you
have. Write down the combinations if necessary. You'll get
the hang of this in no time.
Ready? Set? Here we go!
What Is A Capsule?
A clothing capsule is a group of 5-12 pieces
(jacket, skirt, slacks, etc.) that work in combination with
each other. When I first learned about them, lights went off
in my head. I'd been combining certain clothes for years,
but then only wore other items just one way. Learning this
became very liberating.
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While there are no set rules, here are some
general guidelines:
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Solids mix more easily than prints.
-
Prints can bridge two completely different
solids.
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Simple, untrimmed styles are more versatile
and become less dated.
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Make sure each piece is in your most
flattering color palette and fits both your shape and your
clothing personality. Don't waste money on stuff that
doesn't fit or make you look good.
-
Avoid trendy styles. What's "in" this year
will be "out" next year and you'll be out the cash. Invest
in quality.
I know from experience that some women are
really good at mixing and matching while others need a
little more help. Arrange your closet for easy access by
keeping all the pants together, all the jackets together,
all the skirts together, etc., by color, so that you can see
at a glance what you have to work with.
Study catalogs and window displays for ideas.
Make note of how a jacket might be worn a little differently
or how an accessory might be worn in a new fashion. It
doesn't take a lot. What's more, once you unlock your
creativity by looking at your wardrobe every which way,
you'll soon find yourself doing the same with other aspects
of your life, like your home, your job, problem solving,
etc.
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Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant
and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women
how to transform their unruly closets into workable,
wearable wardrobes. Visit her online at www.fa
shionforrealwomen.com .
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