Download Now!
Have you ever heard of a capsule wardrobe? Is it literally a wardrobe in a capsule? Let’s get that straightened out – Eugenia is a wardrobe stylist and she’s here to help us out with that. Tune in to learn more about capsule wardrobes!
What is a capsule wardrobe? When I first heard that term, I had no idea. So we’re going to be answering that question and also talking about is it professional? Alright. So, I’m actually curious and I haven’t discussed what your opinions of a capsule wardrobe. Like I did YouTube it. Somebody thought what somebody else’s. So I kind of think I know what it is. But I’m curious to know first off, what is your opinion of a capsule wardrobe? -So, my first and foremost opinion is that it’s an awesome idea. So, what a capsule wardrobe is, it’s a wardrobe that is full of timeless and essential pieces, right? Pieces that you keep going back over and over and over for. So really, in essence 20% of what’s hanging in your closet that’s usually what people wear, the other 80%, no one touches. And a lot of times that is those capsule pieces. Those pieces that are timeless, that you feel good in and that work with everything else in your wardrobe. -In my case it would be the new Mavi Jeans that I’ve got. -That’s right. I was just about to say that. You took the words right out of my mouth, yeah. The dark denim jeans which goes with everything. You can wear it with a t-shirt or a button-down. You can dress it up or down. So, yes. That’s a capsule wardrobe. -So, the video that I watched was it was a guy really coming at it from a minimalist perspective. It’s like, what’s the least amount that I can get away with but still have… Do you agree with that kind of mindset of kind of minimalist? I did… I don’t get that vibe. I felt like, “Yeah, let’s buy a variety of things.” I mean, just a quick…. What are your quick thoughts on that? -Well, it depends. More isn’t always better, right? I mean, it depends who you are, what you do for a living. If you are someone that wears a shirt and tie every single day for work, I mean you need to have at least 10 for them to go to the dry cleaners, you know, or in case if you or more than one a day and so forth and so on. So, it depends. What a capsule wardrobe means is to have those essential pieces or to invest in those essential pieces that you know you’re going to get your value out of them, right? So, for example, dark denim jeans or good pair of sneakers, v-neck, sweaters, you know in black and gray or navy. You know, those can go with so much. v-neck, black tea and a v-neck, white tee. A trench coat if you’re a lady. Or man, you can also wear one. But a good pencil skirt, a good pump or a good brown shoe, a good black shoe. Those essential pieces that you know that you can in essence recycle them with one another. I call it. And you always feel good and you can just grab them on the go. And it makes packing also easy. But I think sometimes especially for a man, if you have too much hanging in your closet, it’ll… It’s overwhelming. Is it overwhelming to you? -It’s… It’s not now. I went first, because my wardrobe was such a big shift. Like button-down shirts were something I never wore. And the polo shirts I wore were golf shirts. And I’m not even a golfer. So basically, to set… To set aside the t-shirts and those polo shirts and the athletic shirts to switch to… Anyway, I felt like after we went shopping, it’s like I had a good weeks worth or maybe or so of shirts. But I still felt like with laundry and istead of like… So, I had to go out and I bought a whole… I bought a whole bunch more and that, that made me feel comfortable. I wasn’t wearing the same shirt every day. -That is correct. Because if you just have I don’t know how, many items this person was that you saw in the video was suggesting having. But you have to account laundry. And you have to account after… I mean, I’ve been doing this for so many years that people often say, “Oh, I think this is enough. And at first, I’m like, “Okay, that’s fine.” But let me just remind you. There are 7 days a week. Have to do laundry and if you’re traveling and if you spill. So you have to you know, keep… Be mindful of all those things that might happen. So, if one pair of jeans, it’s probably not enough. You should probably have three or so, right? Depending again, how often you wear them. And so forth and so on. So, it depends on what your lifestyle is.
-Okay. Well, the next question I have is more of are there any disadvantages…? And before, I throw in my kind of my thoughts. I definitely want. What are there any disadvantages to a capsule wardrobe? -There are no disadvantages. It’s… You.. Well, only if all you have is black or all you have is white or all you have is gray, right? You do want to have a good balance. So, a balance of colors, you don’t want to buy the same top and every single color which a lot of people do. Even though you love to fit, you love the material, you love how it looks on you. So, it’s a great thing because we all have such busy lights. You do want to make sure that when you walk into your wardrobe that you’d love everything that’s there. And if you don’t, then you should delete. Because you don’t want it to overwhelm you. So, invest. It may feel a little indulgent at first but remember, you are an adult, you’re not growing anymore. You’re striving for classics. Invest in good timeless pieces because you will wear them over and over and over again. And number 2, when you walk into a closet, you want to make sure that you love everything that’s hanging there. And that it makes you feel good when you’re wearing them. -Okay. So, from somebody that’s a newbie to this space, if I can just kind of state back what I’m kind of learning or taking away from this. And going back to that YouTube video that I saw, the takeaway that I got there was mostly that his goal was focusing on minimizing the size of the wardrobe but still having it be functional. So… And I don’t remember exactly but let’s say he had… He had 2 pair of pants and 2 shirts, you want to make sure that both pants will go with both shirts. -That’s correct. -Go with the socks, that go… And so strategically, that makes a lot of sense. That I’m not just buying one shirt that only works with… But so it’s being… That… Is that the difference between maybe a capsule wardrobe in an anon capsule? -So Nate, you remember correct. So Nate, you remember when we shopped together and when we started building your wardrobe, I told you… I suggest it to you, “Let’s buy clothing that can go with… What with well… With it with each other, right?” You don’t want to just have this blue shirt only going specifically with these pants. Now, you will have some items that that will be the case. But in essence, as far as capsule, you want to make sure that everything else goes with each other. So, that did that answer your question? -And so… -It’s more affordable to do that in a long run. And it’s faster to get dressed in the morning. -So, let’s say I’m walking through a mall. -Okay. -And I see this pair of shoes that I’m like, “Wow, those are amazing.” But what if they don’t… I have to buy a whole new wardrobe to make them fix. They don’t have anything that that will fit? -Well a capsule wardrobe in essence is also solids. It’s also basics. So, if you are looking at a pair of shoes that are a WoW pair of shoes, most likely those shoes will go with those, with those basics. Because in often, those basics… Again, it depends. Everything… Those my basics will… Will need something to spruce it up to. -Okay. -So, let’s say it’s an animal print shoe. Obviously more of a woman would love to see that. Using it a woman as an example. Then if I’m wearing a solid black pair of pants like I’m wearing today. A cream top. That animal print shoe will take this look to the next level. Okay? You bought a pair of… Was it red or bright blue? Which one? It was awesome. -The bright blue, the double monk strap. -Double monk strap, bright blue shoe. Okay? Most people are not confident enough or even would know what to do with that. With a shoe that… Of that color, right? But with all of your clothes being so basic, and in neutral, that blue shoe will just take all of your basics to the next level. So in essence, will take all of your capsule, capsules that you have hanging in your closet to the next level. So, that’s a good thing. So the shoe might not be considered part of the capsule wardrobe? Or it may. If you love it enough. -But if I… -Make sense? -But in this case and in my example, it would be, so if I create a capsule wardrobe, basically then I can find something else that I won’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe just to match that one thing. -That’s right. -Alright. So, if someone is brand new to this approach to their wardrobe and they want to shop well for for you know, to create your capsule wardrobe. What do you recommend?
So, I recommend… There are 2 stores right now that come to mind that provide great basics. One is Banana Republic. On a more affordable level and then the other one is Theory. And they both have awesome basics. That’s what they’re known for. Theory is more of a little bit more of an investment. But it’s totally worth it. Their materials, their fits. They’ve got beautiful clothing. And Banana is more of a… If your budget… Depending on your budget, go in figure. You get to… -Men and women, for both those? -For both of them. Men and women. I love them. I love them. -Now, I think that there’s a Banana Republic near me in an outlet mall. I haven’t heard of Theory. There… They do exist in Utah? -So, theory is a brand and we don’t have the theory store. The theory store excuse me in Utah. We only have some Theory clothing. And Nordstrom offers that sometimes. The nearest one is in Las Vegas. And I… When I go and take clients there to shop, we always stop at that store because we want to make sure they have some really great capsule pieces. -Okay, so that’s… If that’s a travel destination or a pass through, that might be a… Is it at the outlet mall or is it? -It is both at the outlet mall which is a great outlet store. Theory is and sometimes be careful with outlet stores. Because you actually could be wasting more money than saving. It’s not always you know, the affordable route to go. But these outlet stores are phenomenal. and I go there multiple times a year with different clients because you save so much money. And you get exactly what you need. -Is it kind of like the rack versus Nordstrom comparison there? -It can. It depends. So, when you’re talking about the outlet store for Banana, it’s not the same. They are so low end that I really… For example for you, I wouldn’t recommend shopping there. Their materials are not what they used to be. I would rather just you go straight to Banana regular store. -Okay. Alright, well that definitely answer my questions. And gave me a better understanding of a capsule wardrobe. Well, thanks for your help. Be sure to subscribe. And if you want to find out more about Eugenia or connect with her… How do we connect? -You can find me on social media on eugeniawardrobestylist.com or… That’s my website or you can go to my Facebook which is also Eugenia wardrobe stylist or Instagram which is the same name eugeniawardrobestylist. you