Since I first tried the idea of Project 333 back in 2012, I have used “Project 333” as the preface for the title of all my blog posts about my streamlined wardrobe. I would like a similarly short, snappy preface that is unique to my blog posts so I will give it some thought but in the meantime I will use “Project 333”.
Tonight I want to address a question which vexes me and that is, “What is a capsule wardrobe?”
I read and hear of a capsule wardrobe, winter/spring/summer/autumn capsules as well as formal capsules and gym capsules to name but a few. Confused yet? I certainly am. Here is the Wikipedia definition.
My wardrobe has never been bulging at the seams but I have had the same issues that many other women have identified and that is the feeling of looking at a collection of clothes and feeling that you have nothing to wear. This seems to lead to random purchases which only further compound the problem. Therefore, I have chosen to carefully select clothes which truly fit my lifestyle and reflect my personality.
I live in a fairly temperate climate so have very little need for heavy coats. We do not have clearly defined seasons and generally have more warm weather than cool.
It is currently winter and the weather is as cold as it gets with overnight temperatures as low as 5C and some days when the maximum is only around 15C, however, on Sunday the daytime temperature reached 25C. You can begin to see the folly of packing all warm weather clothes away for a 3 month period.
Nevertheless, I did remove some of my true summer clothes from my wardrobe a few months ago and it is easier to see exactly what season-appropriate clothes are available.
As I have continued to define and refine my style over the past few years, I have found that I tend to purchase multiple items of the same style. For example: I have 3 identical pairs of shorts – black, white and khaki as well as a very similar pair of red ones. When I find a style that fits well and suits me, why not buy multiples? 4 dresses, 2 cardigans, 2 pairs of jeans and 2 skirts are other examples of where I have more than 1 colour of the same style. I guess it is a matter of ‘when you are on a good thing, stick to it’.
What do understand by the term ‘capsule wardrobe’? Have you tried to pare down the selection of clothes? What tips do you have?
organised castle 
Like you I have been following Project 333 for a while. This season has been the easiest for me as we are currently in the British Summer here. Winter and cooler periods are definitely harder to plan for because of the range of weather and temperatures. Next week we’re off on holiday and I’m just taking my wardrobe with me – paring down to a small/capsule wardrobe makes packing so much easier!
Thanks for your comment and enjoy your holiday. 🙂 I agree that having a small wardrobe makes holiday packing much easier.
I’ve just started project 333. We have huge tempestuous ranges here in spring. Still frosts in the morning but 20 degrees in the day…often both in the same day. My trick to this weather (generally and in 333) is to have a few merino base layers (i count as underwear) that will go under most things. Life saver!
Layers are definitely a very useful strategy. I have some cotton tank tops that are outerwear in summer, underwear in winter and pyjama tops as well. Very versatile!