https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:11:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2475099 Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:03:51 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2475099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Great selection! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2475055 Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:41:09 +0000 delight 2475055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: love your two new additions!! So glad to see this working for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2475023 Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:21:00 +0000 Mrs D 2475023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...I bought my first two pieces of my "new" collection. I am SO excited. </p> <p>1) LulaRoe dress...I cannot tell you ladies how good it felt to have a vision of an outfit...notice I was repeatedly pinning the same style...hunt down the right piece...do a quick check that it fit well in collection and was versatile enough - then have absolutely zero issues spending $60 on it knowing how much use I would get. I'll attach a picture below. This piece falls into both work and casual. I can wear it alone, with a cardigan (I'll have at least 2 solids) or with my navy blazer. I have 3 pairs of shoes that it goes with, endless jewelry items and plan to add a "statement" color belt to my collection which will also pair nicely with it.</p> <p>2) Casual Outerwear Piece: I noticed I was pinning lots of simple jeans/tshirt looks...and I decided I needed a nice light weight coat to complete that look for a 7-9 mos out of the year look here in Michigan. At first I was going to do Khaki - then I realized I wont be able to wear it with Khaki's. I decided if I do the green I can wear it with khakis (chino's and shorts), jeans and the pink chino ankle pants I plan to complete my summer look with. It also will work fine with my yoga pants. Its a more classic style - and will go with my nude toned fashion shoes as well as my casual shoes. Again...seeing how easily it fit into my plan made it not so bad to stomach $88...</p> <p><a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5739&#038;vid=1&#038;pid=177698002" rel="nofollow">http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5739&#038;vid=1&#038;pid=177698002</a></p> <p>[attach=2617/16/o34gn0.400x600.12778990_10156492672055580_3918963741250449648_o.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2439245 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:33:16 +0000 brownepiano 2439245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: My neutrals are black, grey, and Navy. I use teal and orange as accents which sometimes goes into reds and green depending on season. </p> <p>Before the capsule I used to have a lot of brown too and other colors but I realized I needed to streamline. That allowed me to cut out shoes I didn't really like and clothes I didn't really like. Having set colors makes buying clothes easier too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2439235 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:21:48 +0000 Mrs D 2439235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@brownepiano: Great site! Thanks for the link! I totally agree that working with certain colors is really key.</p> <p>For my work wardrobe - my staple pieces are black (all year), grey (fall-spring), khaki (summer) and Navy (summer). This includes most bottoms (pants/skirts) and most outer layer tops (jackets, blazers, cardigans). I take my color cues from blouses/scarves...same with patterns. I keep most of it very basic - which allows me to pick a statement piece here and there and be able to mix it in.</p> <p>My two chosen colors seem to be red/blue...with some more pink/turquoise in the summer. Its great because these colors all play nicely together.</p> <p>I think if you try to have too many different colors in a capsule it is a nightmare to stick within your numbers. If you limit it to two colors (that play nicely together) it is so much easier to mix n match. Plus you can always add other colors through accessories (jewelry scarves purses)... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2439070 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 15:12:08 +0000 brownepiano 2439070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I started figuring out a capsule, picking colors helped me narrow down a lot. I know there is a ton of info out there, but this site is nice for seeing less casual capsules.<br /> <a href="http://www.theviviennefiles.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theviviennefiles.com/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437747 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:24:49 +0000 Mrs D 2437747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ValentineMommy: I will definitely post pics from my stylebook when I am done!!!</p> <p>And ya, if I truly get to where I plan to get to I should be able to keep all pieces in my master closet and still not have it look the mess it looks now!!! Pictures for sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437711 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:54:09 +0000 ValentineMommy 2437711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I can't wait to see - we should take before and after shots of our closets! Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437706 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:51:00 +0000 Mrs D 2437706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ValentineMommy: yes - my goal is to completely get my clothes (minus seasonal items) out of the guest closet. I think I'll have a decent amount to buy if I do get down to my goal weight - if not then I think I probably have 75% of the pieces already. I have a solid 25% that will work no matter what - just might take some tailoring.</p> <p>For me - I had a f*ck it moment two weeks ago. I was livid with the state of my organization. I am still kind of in it. When I was making my "dream" list...I was kinda pricing things out...in reality if it makes me happy and feel good (not to mention reduces my stress level in the morning) I can afford to just do it and I know that...when I had that f*ck it moment, combined with the knowledge of what my ideal new wardrobe would cost it made it easy to just pitch pitch pitch... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437686 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 13:39:41 +0000 ValentineMommy 2437686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I'm around a 10 now, but my happy size was a small 8/large 6 as well. </p> <p>I might be kidding myself, but I don't think I'll have TOOO much to buy. I think I already have 95% of what I want....maybe just some new tops and a nice new pair of leggings or ponte pants....even better if they come in s/m/l....cause I'm happily back to a medium.</p> <p>You're right though...I need to just nix all the extraneous stuff anyway. My style has also morphed, and a bunch of stuff in my closet just isn't "me" anymore. Ideally, I'd like the closet to be clean enough to be able to store other stuff in it, other than just clothes (linens, etc). It's a really large walk in, but packed to the brim with clothes I just don't wear (and won't, no matter what my size). It's just so hard making the leap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437544 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:20:42 +0000 Mrs D 2437544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ValentineMommy: That was my issue for the last two years...I knew I was 1) not at a happy weight and 2) going to get preggo again sooner than later.</p> <p>I started PP at a size 14 (when I made myself put away maternity clothes)...I was a freak of nature that lost ZERO weight while nursing. I finally got to a size 10 before getting pregnant this second time but really my happy weight is a comfy size 8 (some size 6s). My tops are always L/M depending on the cut bc I am busty.</p> <p>I basically allowed myself to keep everything - especially bottoms since those fluxed a ton. The good news is that most of my tops from my pre-baby days are a style that is not "me" anymore so I have had not many issues pitching them to start over.</p> <p>I think pieces you "know" are not your style anymore you could get rid of now. But I would allow yourself to hang on to the pieces that will help you transition after baby #2. You can also start building your dream idea of a wardrobe now and buy some of the tops since you dont have issues there as much?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437533 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:14:16 +0000 ValentineMommy 2437533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your #2 (investing as a reward for losing weight) is what I plan to be doing, except with shoes. Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437531 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:12:48 +0000 ValentineMommy 2437531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's a GREAT start - you're way ahead of me. </p> <p>The thing I'm having the most trouble with is....I'm 6m pp and not back to my "happy" weight. It took me a good 9-10 months pp after DS1, so I'm hoping that's the case again. However, we want to TTC again after DS2 is a year old (so, in 6m)....</p> <p>Sooooo, I'm struggling with what to keep as far as sizes. I mean, I'm literally 2 sizes bigger than I was before, but I'd like to get back there eventually! It pretty much only applies to pants and dresses (my tops are mostly mediums either way). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437528 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:11:25 +0000 Mrs D 2437528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Its going to be a process and likely an investment. I am LOVING the whole "bottom up" process but pinning outfits, collecting ideas and building my dream wardrobe. Even more - I love that I already own many pieces of it (easily 25%).</p> <p>Here is what might make my situation unique 1) I am done having babies after this kid - so no more known yo-yo weight fluctuations. 2) my reward for losing the weight will be $ to invest in these new "dream" pieces. 3) I have a great womens shelter so I feel good getting rid of clothes bc I know it is going somewhere good.</p> <p>I am also not counting jewelry or scarves...but I dont have a tendency to go overboard in these areas.</p> <p>I plan to use Stylebook App as I get things set up. I also plan to use Nordstroms personal shopper and Stitch Fix to help build my pieces. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437522 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 12:08:07 +0000 Mrs D 2437522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ValentineMommy: I am trying...slowly but surely...I am 8.5 months preggo so that's my big snag right now! Here's where I am:</p> <p>1) Started weeding through my secondary closet (the place where things go to die) - I have it trimmed pretty low and donated a ton. Its separated into "fat clothes" which I will need immediately PP and then "non fat clothes"...these will be tried on a few months PP.</p> <p>2) Started making lists of what I "NEED" in my capsule collection. I basically took the mindset of "If I could build my dream wardrobe what would it be". Taking hints from capsule posts/blogs (i.e. tops should go with every pair of bottoms, etc). I started with Summer and Winter, Work and Casual. (I live in Michigan - so our seasons have distinctly different clothes). I started building what pieces I envisions and started pinning inspiration to help. I have these two "dream wardrobes" planned out...21 pieces for work, 20 pieces for casual - including shoes.</p> <p>3) Items I am excluding pajamas (but limiting to 3 bottoms and 3 tops), basic tee's/cami's/long sleeves (these are layering pieces - again limiting to 3 of each...should only be 6 per season), workout clothes (limited to 2 tops/2 bottoms at a given time ie season). I also excluded non fashion shoes - workout shoes, plain rubber flip flops, winter boots and rain boots).</p> <p>Here is what I have found so far: I own many of the shoes I need which is great because shoes can be significant price wise. I basically have a statement (i.e. colored) pair of shoes to buy for each season once I sort out the tops. Many of the items I would call investment staples I also own - i.e. my Navy Schoolboy Blazer, denim and some of my suiting dresses for work. I am shocked how many outfits you can build from 14-16 pieces of work clothing and 14-16 pieces of casual clothing. Mixing and matching is huge.</p> <p>Here is my plan for next steps...this will happen as I get back to my PP (and hopefully 'happy' weight):</p> <p>1) Go through existing pieces. Items will fall into 1 of 3 categories. Love it/its on the wardrobe list, not on the list but love it, not on the list/looks bad/doesnt fit. If I love it and its an item on my capsule list it goes straight to the master closet - cross it off the "to buy" list! If I love it but its not on the list - or am not sure but cant part - it will stay in the guest bedroom (see more below). The last category is getting donated immediately.</p> <p>2) I will have only 40 pieces (probably less) in my master closet to "start". Once I am at a Happy weight I will start filling in the holes from what I own - depending on where I am in my weightloss journey I may not fully invest in some of the work items (suiting) as those are expensive pieces.</p> <p>3) Ongoing evaluation - if an item is in the guest closet and I wear it I will replace it to my master closet. If I do this before I have a fully loaded 40 pieces it can stay free of charge. If this is after I have "completed" the wardrobe process - it will only get added at the expense of another item (1 in 1 out). When the "season" ends...any pieces still in the guest closet and not worn are gone (if I havent worn it in 4 months I dont need it).</p> <p>4) Special Occasion Items - I have been struggling with these. I have 3 prom/homecoming dresses - I am donating 2 and keeping 1 (for DDs to play with some day). I have 8-10 cocktail dresses (bridesmaid dresses from JCrew, other fancy dresses) - I am going to keep these for now but only if they fit (PP/Happy Weight). I am going to buy a covered hanger for them...as they get worn - they come out of the covered hanger...to be evaluated after 1 year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2437481 Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:49:23 +0000 ValentineMommy 2437481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Have you started this?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418331 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 10:35:35 +0000 erinbaderin 2418331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying to work my way towards this - I have way way way too many clothes, and things I haven't worn in a long long I'm kind of trying to merge capsule wardrobe with the KonMarie thing, and anything that doesn't make me happy when I put it on, I get rid of it, with a goal of getting down to the pieces that I really love, and then I can see what I need to fill out my wardrobe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418145 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:15:11 +0000 Mrs D 2418145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm also thinking of doing one of those closet apps...anyone use them? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418143 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:14:54 +0000 Mrs D 2418143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the link @delight: ! I like her style too but its just not realistic for my lifestyle. I could definitely pull pieces and ideas from her but with a business casual 9-5 job I need more work stuff and less cute/fun stuff! ;) </p> <p>I did some reading last night and general consensus is you should not repeat an outfit in a two week span (for day jobs)...so minimum would be 10 outfits...I think 15-20 is better. This should be easily accomplished with 15 articles of clothing.</p> <p>For my lifestyle...I need 2 casual outfits a week (Saturday &amp; Sunday) plus a "date night" outfit a week - which is more than we do date night but anyways. Half the time my date night outfits could really be combos of work items.</p> <p>I think my number will be 40-ish...depending on where I land with shoes. While I love shoes...I am not a crazy shoe person...so I think 4 work and 4 non work is totally doable.</p> <p>I am also hoping by taking this approach I can focus on investing in nicer pieces - and/or not feeling guilty about splurging on a shirt that I love or fits my style perfectly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418130 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 09:10:29 +0000 Mrs D 2418130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyD: So my main reason for doing this is my over all 2016 goal to simplify/streamline my life. To allow more time for the things that really matter. Obviously this spreads many different facets of my life...</p> <p>I have been doing it (more or less) for this pregnancy. I am do in March - so by the time I started really showing (late Oct) I was already able to sport mostly winter/warm clothes. I made a list of pieces I thought I needed, built outfits according to tips I had seen on blogs and honestly...I probably have 15 staple work outfits I rotate between (2 pants, 2 dresses, 4 sweaters, 1 blouse and a handful of maternity and non maternity cardigans) and my life is SO much easier in the morning. Really I just grab either a sweater, cardigan or dress in the morning to start and then build around it. So much better than my normal non preg closet.</p> <p>@delight: I tried it out with maternity and love it. With DD#2 being our last one (we are 90% certain) I am comfortable moving towards a normal clothes capsule as well.</p> <p>I was thinking about it last night and came to the conclusion while I would limit the "non capsule" pieces...I wont count them in my count. If they are folded and in my dresser (I hang almost everything that isnt lounge/layering t/pajama) they arent in my count.</p> <p>I love the idea you presented @JennyD: . We have a guest room with two huge (5' each) closets. DH has one and I have one. I think for anything I struggle to pitch - and any special occaision items I am not ready to pitch - I will move them into there. (along with non seasonal items) Come the next season if I did not wear the questionable pieces I will donate/recycle/sell. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418092 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:54:31 +0000 looch 2418092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@delight: Haha, I see you read unfancy as well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418091 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:54:02 +0000 looch 2418091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Capsule wardrobes are all over blogland, it's basically a small wardrobe, per season, where all of your stuff is thought out and goes together somehow. </p> <p>This site has a good primer:<br /> <a href="http://www.un-fancy.com/capsule-wardrobe-101/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe/" rel="nofollow">http://www.un-fancy.com/capsule-wardrobe-101/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe/</a></p> <p>I have tried to do this, but it doesn't work for my lifestyle because I'd need too many capsules, which kind of defeats the purpose. I've learned instead that I do better when I have a uniform, more or less, and stick to that when buying new pieces. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418081 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:46:33 +0000 lamariniere 2418081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@delight: Ohh, I like the link you posted, her style is somewhat similar to mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418067 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:40:57 +0000 brownepiano 2418067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and usually that number does not include work out clothes, pjs, undergarments, or shoes. Many of the seasonal capsules will overlap so it's not just about storing half your wardrobe either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418061 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:32:57 +0000 brownepiano 2418061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: A capsule wardrobe is just having fewer clothes for each season that in theory all coordinate. Some people stick to a 333 rule: 33 hangers for 3 months and then switch out for the next season. If you Google capsule wardrobe or project 333 you'll find a lot of blogs about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418057 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:30:22 +0000 brownepiano 2418057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did one post pregnancy when I realized that I'd managed with a lot less clothes while pregnant. I'm doing it now too on my second pregnancy. I stick to roughly 33 hangers in the closet because that helps me limit and change out stuff more. Choosing colors that I wanted and sticking to this helped me cut down. A lot of my clothes were perfectly fine, I just didn't wear them a lot or they only matched one thing. Coordinating outfits is the way to make it work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418044 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:23:27 +0000 regberadaisy 2418044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can someone explain this to me? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418035 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:08:27 +0000 Ms. RV 2418035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tried to do one with my maternity wardrobe, but needing maternity clothes in the middle of summer made it too difficult. I couldn't layer because it was too hot and I think layering is a huge part of capsule wardrobes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418033 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:04:09 +0000 Miss Sarah 2418033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started this...donated and threw away soooo many clothes and shoes. It was truly cathartic. However, someday I would love to have a true capsule wardrobe, but I have to start slow because I need to purchase better quality staple items. I'm on board with working towards this this year! I will have to hoard my maternity clothes since I'm not done having babies, but I'd love to have a more practical closet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/capsule-wardrobe#post-2418029 Tue, 12 Jan 2016 07:53:19 +0000 ValentineMommy 2418029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@delight: That's part of my problem too! I have maternity clothes (mostly boxed up for hopeful future pregnancies), pre-preg clothes I don't fit into yet but still plan to, my post partum clothes that I need to wear in the in-between phases....the list goes on. It's so hard when you're in the baby making years! </p>