Nifty 50 Fabulous

Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog for women over 50

Categories: Fashion

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

Hello, Darlings! What is a Capsule Wardrobe? A capsule wardrobe is a “smaller” wardrobe of strategically selected pieces that look good on your body type, fit your style, and LOVE to wear. These pieces need to be in colors that work with your skin tone/hair color and are your favorites. But these clothes also need to work with your current lifestyle.

A capsule wardrobe will have small variations as we change seasons, but many of the pieces will work year-round, especially in warmer climates.

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?

Why Put Together A Casule Wardrobe?

Statics have shown that women wear only 20% of the clothes in their closets. 80% of the wardrobe goes unworn! But at the same time, the phrase ” I have nothing to wear!” is a common theme. I spent too much time crying in my closet because I truly did not have something appropriate to wear to a function that looked good on me.

The goal of a capsule wardrobe is to have clothes in your closet that you LOVE and will wear, and look good on your body. Picking out clothes each day should be a no-brainer. Your only questions should be “What is the weather going to be like today?” or “What color am I feeling today?”.

Some people define capsule wardrobe with a number, such as you need limit it to say, 30 items. The limiting factor will come as you start to really see what you truly wear and what is taking up space. It is a process.

Stop Chasing Trends!

I want to look updated and stylish. But at the same time, many of the fashion trends would NEVER look good on me. I have stopped chasing trends and instead”fill the wholes” in my closet. This is easier since I have a good understanding of my body type, my best colors, and my own personal style.

There are times of the year where I don’t buy anything because it will not work in my wardrobe (wrong color, wrong styles). Other years I will stock up on items in my colors, styles of pants, and dresses.

Accessories are a great way to create updated looks without spending a lot of money. I will add new accessory styles but only if they truly work with what I have in my current wardrobe.

Stop Buying Just Because It Is On Sale

This is one of the most wasteful habits. You need to invest in quality pieces that will work with your body. If they happen to be on sale -winning! The goal is to have fewer clothes, but quality, that will get worn constantly.

Stop buying clothes just because it is on sale. Goal is to build a capsule wardrobe of only pieces you love
Stop buying clothes just because it is “on-sale”. Be strategic in your clothes buying.

Now when I shop I am very strategic. I have a list of items I need. Anything I add to my closet needs to be able to mix and match with other items. No orphans!

Due to supply chain issues, many brick-and-mortar stores have poor selections. The US is flooded with cheap, poorly made clothing. You need to embrace online shopping and be very picky. Take your time trying clothes on evaluating them on your body and deciding if they will go with your wardrobe. If not, send them back! Be brutal.

Think of your closet as valuable real estate. Whatever you put in there must be able to work with the other pieces. That is the only way a capsule wardrobe will work successfully.

Analysize Influencer Marketing With A Stragetic Eye

Chic Over 50 is one of my favorite Instagram influencers for women over 50. A sweet lady with a great style, but it doesn't match my style. Her body type, best colors, and lifestyle is very different than mine.
Chic Over 50 is one of my favorite Instagram influencers for women over 50. A sweet lady with a great style, but it doesn’t match my style. Her body type, best colors, and lifestyle is very different than mine.

It use to be catalogs and magazines, now it is Influencer Marketing. Companies partner with “influencers” who are women with a large number of followers on social media, to present their product to the influencer’s audience. It is actually a great thing because you get to see the items on real women of various sizes. Get product recommendations and reviews on things such as sizing.

Now before I get “influenced” to buy I go thru an analyzing process. Do I need it? Will it work with my current wardrobe? Does it work with my style, body type, coloring, and lifestyle? Many times I have said, “That looks great on her, but would never work in my closet”. But also said, “Those are the exact shoes I need to fill the hole in my wardrobe”, let’s go check out the website. Buying now becomes very strategic, limiting impulse buying.

Before You Start Building Your Capsule Wardrobe

Know Your Body Type

I can not preach this enough. It is simple to figure out with a Body Type Calculator. Then start learning what clothing items/styles/details look best on your body. This is called Body Type Rules. One of the best courses I took to learn about fashion/clothing is Adore Your Wardrobe. Not cheap, but an investment to learn about your body and why “fashion is broke” and how to fill your closet with clothes you will love.

Don’t even start without knowing your body type. The foundation of a capsule wardrobe is pants/jeans/skirts/shorts. If you don’t get this correct, you will not achieve your goal.

Know Your BEST Colors

This can be a little more tricky. I was analyzed by House Of Colour. But as this company is new in the US, there are not many consultants. As a matter of fact, I had to go to Georgia to do my consultation. There are other color analysis companies, some even online but I don’t know how accurate an online consultation would be.

If you don’t have the ability or money, this simple quiz from Kettlewell Colours can give you a general idea. It will not tell you your WOW colors or your BESt colors but tell you what season you probably fall in.

Know Your Personal Style

This too can be tricky because style evolves. Style can also be affected by lifestyle and life stage. But most of your personal style comes from your body- height, facial feature, body shape. Other aspects of personal style come from your “energy”.

Not sure about the concept of personal style? Check out this FREE course, Dressing Your Truth. It will start you thinking about style. For me, most of it was “spot on”.

Do A Lifestyle Audit

You do not want to have a closet full of clothes for a life you do not live! This is a HUGE mistake that many people do. I realized that I live a quiet simple life, and because of that, I do not need as many clothes. Not only that, many of the activities and events I go to have gone more “casual”, even church.

No need for silk shirts, blazers, dressy pants, or suits. Even my dress selection is paired down. The clothes that I wear to church are the same I wear for a date night. The biggest change for me is the need for more athletic and everyday casual pieces. This is where I am really stepping up my “wardrobe game” and actively searching for better pieces in my BEST colors.

Even if you are a stay-at-home mom, or retired, you still want to look and feel good. By doing a lifestyle audit you can now only focus on pieces that work with your TRUE lifestyle and save money.

A Lifestyle Audit is simple, write down what you wear for different activities for 2 weeks. Then look ahead on your calendar and write down outfits you will need in the future. Be very detailed. The next step will be to go thru your closet and see how many clothing options you really have for your daily wardrobe needs. You might be shocked to find you have so few casual/comfy clothes for everyday use.

Start With A Closet Clean Out

You are ready to downsize and get control over your wardrobe. The “mental” part is sometimes the hardest. Now it is time to take action. While you are excited and motivated, let’s tackle your current closet. It is time to do a Closet Clean Out. This will be a process and you evaluate your clothing and how it fits your current lifestyle. Check out my post Time For Closet Clean Out for tips and tricks, as well as some closet organizing solutions to help you get this first step finished.

The Rewards Are Worth It

This is an investment in YOU!!! You are worth it. Having a capsule wardrobe that works will save you time, money, and frustration. You will be able to easily pack for a trip, pick out an outfit for an event, and find great pieces even if you are just staying at home for the day.

Categories: Fashion

Time For A Closet Clean Out

Hello, Darlings! It is Time For A Closet Clean Out. It is always good to purge your closet of clothes that you do not wear, are not in good condition, don’t work for your lifestyle anymore, or are not in colors that look good on you. This is a hard process because when you purge, you are throwing away items of value. You spent money on these clothes. But the goal is to STOP spending money on clothes you will NOT wear. Stop throwing away money.

After you take the time to “really” get your wardrobe in order and organized, seasonal closet purging is a breeze and will free up valuable real estate in your closet

Time For A Closet Clean Out

Time For Closet Clean Out

Be Honest, Be Brutal

In the last 5 years, lifestyle has really become a factor in what we wear. Let’s be honest, everything is much more casual and I don’t think we will go back. Casual equals comfort. Newer fabrics with stretch are just more comfortable. The days of heavy jeans and dry clean only fabrics are over.

If your goal is to create a capsule wardrobe, you need to really purge your closet. Because only by purging can you SEE what you have that you LOVE to wear. This purging will create what is called “AH HA” moments.

Time For Closet Clean Out- Make It A Weekend Project

This is not a quick project if you have not done this before. It is more of a Weekend Project. Many people empty the entire closet out, cleaning the shelves which probably have years’ worth of dust. You need to try on items, especially pants/jeans to see if they fit. Other items need to be separated into piles for evaluation.

As I am going thru my closet, I put items into piles: LOVE it and Wear it, LOVE it But Have Not Worn, OKay…BUT, and NEEDS TO GO.

LOVE It And Wear IT

Use Felt Hangers to create more space in your closet
Use Felt Hangers to hang and organize your closet to help make better use of space and keep clothes from snagging. These are from Amazon.

This pile is the easiest to work with. I take very special care of these clothes. Use felt type hangers to rehang and start an organization system that will make it easy to find these items. I actually use closet organizing dividers similar to those found in stores. I make sure these items are clean and are in good condition. Hanging the same way on hangers. Making notes of any pieces I need to replace.

Circular clothes dividers are a easy way to keep clothes organized.
Use plastic clothes dividers (just like stores) to help keep your closet organized.

Now since I have my closet organized, it is so much easier to do a January Purge. This section doesn’t even need to come out. I do make quick notes if anything is soiled, torn, and needs replacing. I also go thru and make notes of “holes” in my wardrobe, which are pieces I need to purchase better utilize my current wardrobe.

LOVE IT But Have Not Worn It

These items you LOVE, they are in your BEST colors, fit your BODY TYPE. It may be that your lifestyle has changed and you need to re-evaluate them for lifestyle. Are you going to wear it anytime soon? Are you saving it for special occasions? Or have you just not had the opportunity to wear them? You may need to do a mini purge, or may not.

Try the Reverse Hanger Trick to quickly see what items of clothing you are not wearing
Use the Reverse Hanger trick to help you easily see what clothes you have not worn

Once you have done a once thru with this pile, check for the fit, body type, color, and condition. Re-hang these items using your new organization system. BUT….. hang the hangers backward.Once you wear the item, hang it back correctly. Called the “Reverse Hanger ” trick, this will help you easily see what clothes you do not wear. The next round of purging will be easier and quicker.

For me, most of the pieces in this pile are “options”. I like to have color options to mix and match. This pile may also contain pieces that are “weather dependant”, such as cold-weather options.

Needs To Go

Wanted clothing can be donated to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army

This is another pile that you can quickly go thru. You need to divide this pile into TOSS, DONATE or SELL. Items that are current, in great condition, popular brands can be sold on sites such as eBay, Poshmark, ThredsUp, or local consignment stores.

Any item that is stained or in poor repair, TOSS IT. What is left you can donate to Salvation Army, Goodwill, or local organizations that accept women’s clothing.

Okay… BUT

This is the HARDEST pile. You will need to spend some time going thru this pile. Start with a few questions:

  • Is the item clean, and in good repair?
  • Does this item fit my body type?
  • Is this item in my color palette?
  • Does this item fit my current lifestyle?
  • Have I worn it in the past, if so, did I love it?
  • Do I see myself wearing it in the future? List a very opportunities.
  • Does this item go with other items in my closet, can I mix and match this item to complete an outfit?

If you still can not make a decision about this item, go for the “Kondo Method”. Marie Kondo is the author of the book The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up-The Japanese Art Of Decluttering And Organizing.

The idea behind the “Kondo Method” is that you ask yourself, “Does This Item Bring Me, Joy?”. But asking that question may help you to get to the “WHY” or the reason you are keeping this item. Do not let anyone guilt you into keeping an item they gave you because they did not want it! If it was a gift and you do not like it, get rid of it. Nobody is going to go thru your closet and judge you, this is a burden women put on themselves.

Finally, if you still can not make a decision on the item, take a selfie with the item on in front of a mirror, in a complete outfit, and evaluate it. If the item is a keeper, move it back into your wardrobe organization system, hanging it backward.

Contine With Shoes & Accessories

I have a terrible habit of buying shoes and never wearing them. I want colorful, fun-print shoes, but it does not work with my Petite Pear Body Type. This year I actually put a note on my shoe organizer that says, “NO MORE SHOES!”.

Use a shoe organizer to keep shoes off the floor and limited the number you own.
Use a shoe organizer to keep shoes off the floor and to limit the number of shoes you own. This one is the Closet Maid Stackable from Amazon

Accessories are where it is fun to buy for short-lived trends. This keeps your outfits current, updated, and modern. But when the trend is over, toss them out, making room for new items. I do not buy expensive trendy jewelry. This is also a great time to evaluate why you bought an item you are going to toss in the first place. Next time you see a trendy piece of jewelry you can better evaluate whether you will get the wear out of it.

Bras, Panties & PJs

Now is a good time to purge and organize your bras, sports bras, and panties.
Don’t forget to purge and organize your bras, sports bras, and panties.

Bras and panties do not last forever. They wear out quite quickly- bras stretch out, panties get worn out from washings. As for PJs, you need to LOVE them too. I am struggling to find pajamas in my BEST colors. Currently, I have one pair of pajamas that I seem to wear over and over. I need a couple of more in my wardrobe.

January is a great time to stock up/replace these items as they are usually on sale.

Finally, Remember The Goal Of A Closet Clean Out

The goal of the closet cleanout is to limit the number of clothes in our wardrobe to clothes we LOVE, will wear, fit our body correctly, work with our current lifestyle, and are in our best colors that will we can mix and match with other items in our wardrobe. Whew… that is a mouthful.

This is the FIRST STEP to creating a capsule wardrobe. Check out my latest post What Is A Capsule Wardrobe for the next step in your journey to get control of your wardrobe and spending habits.

Categories: Fashion

Welcome To My Colorful World!

Hello, Darlings! Welcome To My Colorful World! In 2019 as Covid restrictions were firmly in place, I went in search of something to make me feel “happy” and color was the answer. Looking to find colorful clothing (that is what I put in the Google Search Bar) I found a company called Kettlewell Colours. Kettlewell Colours had any items in an array of colors. This started my journey into the world of color.

Welcome To My Colorful World

Colorful World-It is amazing how much better you look and feel when you add color to your wardrobe
It is amazing how much better you look and feel when you add color to your wardrobe

Impact Of Adding Color Into My Wardrobe

The impact of adding color to my wardrobe is immediate. It is amazing how much better you feel when you wear color. Wearing color can give me energy. If I have a day with a huge to-do list, I need to put on my bright pink and off I go. But not only energy, wearing color can change my mood. I am not saying it is a cure for depression, but it does help to lift spirits.

Even activities such as exercise can get a boost from wearing colorful clothing
Even activities such as exercise can get a boost from wearing colorful clothing

How about a better night’s sleep? I know this sounds weird, but when I feel good about myself, knowing I look good, even in my pj’s, it seems to affect my sleep. As a matter of fact, I am currently searching for PJs in bright colors. The market is full of muted neutrals.

Colorful World even in your sleep! Add fun prints and bright colors to your pajama drawer
Wearing color can even impact your sleep

Feel like a winner? I am building a tennis wardrobe full of my best colors. Again, when you feel good about yourself you have energy and a winning attitude. I seem to win best wearing my Turquoise Blues and Lime Greens. I am also slowly adding more workout wear in my Winter Seasonal Colors.

Knowing Your BEST Colors Is So Important

Knowing your best colors is so important as you build a “colorful wardrobe”. I am lucky in that my best colors have always been apparent. With my deep olive skin, I need bold and bright colors for balance. I had my colors done back in the early 90s and was declared a Winter. Recently I had a color analysis season with House Of Colour, although my color palette did not change, I was able to narrow down my BEST or my WOW colors.

Knowing your WOW colors can help you find the best colors to add to your wardrobe
Knowing your WOW colors help you narrow down and build to build a capsule wardrobe.

Building A Colorful Capsule Wardrobe

With a couple of years’ worth of “fashion schooling” from Kelly Snyder from Adore Your Wardrobe. Learning about my body type and how to create outfits that are interesting and balanced, now I am ready to narrow my wardrobe down to a Capsule Wardrobe.

I say narrow, but that word is misleading. It is not a “small” wardrobe, but a wardrobe that only has pieces in my Winter Seasonal Color Palette that works with my Pear Shaped Body Type and fits my Mid-Life Lifestyle.

This year I will be building a Capsule Wardrobe. You will see me wearing repeat items in different ways all year long. I will work from a basic color palette, mixing and matching my items, getting more wear and value out of the items in my closet.

I Am The Color

Colorful World- I am the color. Keeping my blog neutral and letting my colorful personality shine .

A new look for the blog is simple, white/black with a touch of grey. I AM THE COLOR! That is very much reflected in my closet. White and black are my neutrals with a touch of grey. Everything else is bold and bright, allowing my somewhat sassy personality to shine.

Join me this year as I examine the concept of Style Personality and build/refine my Capsule Wardrobe.