Today we’re finishing off the perfect capsule wardrobe series by talking about about creating a checklist.
Now I would argue that this is actually the most important step, which is why I saved it for last.
Before I started doing a capsule wardrobe, almost every clothing purchase that I made was mostly on impulse. There was no purpose or order to it.
Once I started my capsules, I realized that this chaotic shopping was sabotaging my ability to find a style aesthetic that I loved. I realized that in order to figure out what my “look” was going to be I had to have a plan.
So I got rid of everything I didn’t love, found my style icon, figured out my uniform, and then created a checklist…
a checklist of everything that I wanted my capsule to eventually be.
I’ll be honest, I ended up doing a bit more shopping than I wanted to this first year of capsuling, and it’s because of my checklist.
Before I started last summer, my closet was full of pieces that were completely worn out (some I’d had since college), didn’t fit anymore, or were completely unrealistic for my lifestyle.
So when I got rid of everything I didn’t love* as the year progressed, I have been adding those checklist items in one by one.
Having a checklist kept me on track so that, while I’m still not totally there, I now have a wardrobe that will work for years to come (pretty much as long as it holds up).
Because that’s the point right? A capsule should be something that works long term so that you’re not needing to add new pieces to it constantly. Constantly shopping for each new capsule, year after year, is neither sustainable nor is it at the heart of a capsule wardrobe practice.
Having a checklist not only provides guidelines and boundaries for you, it also tells you when it’s time to stop. Something I know I struggle with.
What do you think? Do you have a checklist for your capsules? If not, what helps you stay on task? Let me know in the comments below!
Outfit Details:
Skirt: Vintage. Ethical Option. USA Made Option.
Tank: Hand Me Down. Ethical Option.
Tee: Old Zara. USA Made Option.
Necklace: Etsy.
Until next time,
*I’m not advocating getting rid of perfectly good clothes that you like just to start over. And if you are getting rid of something in good condition, it’s best practice to sell them.
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