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4/5/2020 14 Comments

What the Heck is a Capsule Wardrobe?

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(photo found on Google, from Like Totally 80s :)

What the Heck is a Capsule Wardrobe?


Does anyone remember Units?

They started off as a section in several department stores, in the late 80s & early 90s, I think. But then, they became a tiny little corner store you could find in the mall.

They sold knitwear basics, and they came in several colors that were designed to mix and match. I suspect that there were prints that combined the different colors they were offering at any given time, but I might be making that up.

And I think they were affordably priced, because I wandered in and bought some at the time.

I liked the concept but I only bought a couple of pieces because I didn't like most of their colors.

But then, something wonderful happened!

I went to a women's show and was told, for free, that crescent earrings were the shape that fit my face shape best. And I was so pleased with their exciting booth and personalities and "we are image consultant experts!" energy that I went to a gathering they offered the next week.

Turned out they were image consultants AND consultants offering a network marketing business selling clothes!! It was called Karla Jordan International.

Well, my mother had sold Amway and Queen's Way to Fashion, the latter of which gave me quite a bit of my senior high wardrobe, so I thought that was cool.

And their store had a lot of the clothes on hand, with rooms to try them on.

They felt like pajamas! I couldn't get over how soft and comfy they were. This might be the moment to tell you that I have worn only knitwear ever since.

I mean, there were suits and leggings and pants and tops in colors I liked, with prints that tied them together. But the best part? This company had created jewelry in the exact same colors and prints as the clothes.

Let me ask you, do you think I joined that company? 

Yes, I did.

Well, eventually, that company went out of business. And so did Multiples, the knitwear company I joined next.

But my love of capsule wardrobes had been born. I just didn't know that was what they were called.

Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique, in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that never go out of style, ... which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces. - Wikipedia 
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Picture
(photo found on Google, also from Like Totally 80s)

Why Do We Call Them Capsule Wardrobes?


It started with Susie Faux, a boutique owner in the UK, who apparently coined the term.

And eventually, the rest of the world began to use the term, too.

Over the years, the concept of the capsule wardrobe has come to refer to a mix and match core wardrobe - a collection of pieces, in coordinating colors, that maximize the number of outfits that can be created.

Have you ever set out to create a capsule wardrobe? And if so, how did you feel about it after you created it?

A reader asked recently what a capsule wardrobe was. Hope this post answers his question and any you might have had about how the capsule wardrobe phenomenon began.

See you tomorrow!

Love, Jeanine

14 Comments
Amrita
4/5/2020 02:12:16 am

I liked the story about how you fell in love with a capsule wardrobe.I rather like creating these especially while traveling

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Jeanine link
4/5/2020 09:28:43 am

Oh, thanks, Amrita! Yes, they are great for travel - it makes it so much easier.

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Barry Joyce link
4/5/2020 08:35:41 am

I have never heard of Capsule Wardrobe before and interested to hear it was around in the late 80's

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Jeanine link
4/5/2020 09:36:18 am

I remember the image consultants teaching our group of consultants that our goal was to choose a couple of colors to focus on, and then only buy the jewelry that would complement it. Then, our goal was to teach others to do the same. All without really having a name for it. So, I was doing capsule wardrbes before they were cool! (LOL)

Reply
kelly
4/5/2020 09:16:57 am

very informative article.

Reply
Jeanine link
4/5/2020 09:37:02 am

Thanks.

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Julie A Jordan Scott link
4/5/2020 01:06:33 pm

What an interesting history! I love knitwear. Right now I am wearing my bathrobe because it feels good against my skin. :-) I have bought quite a bit of Lularoe - does this have its start in these companies? I didn't even know there was clothing network marketing before that... I bought a sweater from another network marketing company but I can't remember its name (it was a smaller company than Lularoe which I feel like everyone knows.) Thanks for this blog post that ties so much together!

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Jeanine link
4/5/2020 02:53:24 pm

Thanks, April! Yes, Lularoe is similar and from the looks of it, they have really great clothes. I bet their consultants feel the same way about them that I did about the ones I joined. I still miss them. And yes, i love the way soft knits feel against my skin.

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Paul Taubman link
4/5/2020 01:51:55 pm

I don't remember this, but I do remember the Granimal clothing line for children. You matched the animals up, and you were 'guaranteed' to have an outfit that matched, I guess this was for children so they could dress themselves.

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Jeanine link
4/5/2020 02:55:16 pm

Yes!!! That's right! I remember them. Yes, that is similar, because they did he mix and match thing, too, if I remember correctly.

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Martha link
4/5/2020 07:32:09 pm

I have never heard of capsule wardrobe unless it was so long ago that I forgot! But I like the concept. I have been purging my closet of things that I haven't worn in over a year or two. (The clothing bins at our recycling center loves me and it helps the Autism association so it's a win-win!) When I'm finished I may have to do some capsule wardrobing.

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Jeanine link
4/5/2020 08:50:42 pm

Sounds like a great idea to me, Martha!

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Alice Gerard link
4/5/2020 08:24:02 pm

What an interesting history! I love the idea of wearing soft clothing. All too often, I feel as if my clothes are binding me, which is unpleasant. Thank you for making clothes exciting!

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Jeanine link
4/5/2020 08:53:01 pm

Oh, what a neat thing to say!! Thanks! I can't stand anything that feels constrictive or binding, so I know what you mean. It must be comfortable.

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    ​Hi, I'm Jeanine Byers :)

    I'm an author,  Christian image consultant, proud former homeschool boy mom of a college student, Hallmark movie fan and big cuppa tea drinker. 

    I believe that creating your signature style is a spiritual calling. It's about seeing yourself as God does and delighting in your own beauty and style.

    I'm specializing in color analysis and signature style for black women.

    As women of color, we often aren't analyzed correctly when we receive color analysis. And all of our lives, we have been given sometimes subtle, and sometimes more overt societal messages about not meeting the cultural standards of beauty.

    My mission is to help you discover, embrace and celebrate your own beauty and style. 

    Thanks for dropping by! I'll see you soon.

    Love, Jeanine

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