Shop Your Closet Challenge: What I Wore & Why I Did It
I did it! I created and followed my own version of the shop your closet challenge. Not familiar with the challenge? Neither was I, but that’s because I’d seen different variations of it. The most common approach typically includes wearing clothing and accessories from your closet for a month’s worth of time comparable to a capsule wardrobe.
Considering where I am now, that’s a little too aggressive for me. I’m still trying to fully understand what a capsule wardrobe is and how to create one that’s versatile enough to last a month.
What Is A Capsule Wardrobe?
Wait a second. I’m getting ahead of myself. I promised to break concepts down as I learned about them. So, question: does everyone know what a capsule wardrobe is? No? Perfect! Let me define it. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing pieces and shoes that can be mixed and matched to create a multiplicity of ensembles.
Here are five facts I’ve learned about capsule wardrobes so far:
Created with about 25 to 50 pieces
Selected pieces should offer a range of styled looks (I.e. everyday to special occasion)
Majority of the selected pieces are typically tops/blouses/T-shirts
Outerwear and shoes are critical and should be selected based on their ability to be worn with more than one piece or look in the collection
Typically last anywhere between a month’s time or a full season
Why Did I Participate in the Shop Your Closet Challenge?
I chose to create and participate in my own version of the shop your closet challenge to start familiarizing myself with building and creating looks from a capsule wardrobe. My goal is to continue to create mini capsule wardrobes and slowly work my way up to creating and strictly wearing outfits from a full scale seasonal version.
I know this seems as if I’m being dramatic, but I’m not putting any pressure on myself to speed up this process of understanding and building. My biggest fear is having some of my old habits resurface and doing what I’ve done before. I do not want to splurge on clothing, shoes, and accessories all at once to fill in the holes of what I think I need.
I’m slowly acclimating myself with the clothing and shoes I own so I can (quite literally) wear them out and push their limits of versatility in a way I’ve not done before. I’ve established I used to be a ‘wear once, discard after’ person and I’m working hard at not being that person ever again. So, I’ll happily maneuver through this learning curve carefully and with intention if it leads me to minimizing waste, optimizing my closet, and eliminating frivolous apparel spending habits.
What I Wore During My Shop Your Closet Challenge?
I chose to style a cropped white hoodie I’ve owned for the last couple of years five different ways. I didn’t realize I already had a wealth of options to wear the top with, but that’s the beauty of challenging yourself to refrain from buying new and working with more of what you have. I like each of the looks I pulled together, but if I had to choose, the Shacket and Girlfriend Leggings combination was my favorite.
Since many of the pieces I styled during this challenge are old, the links I shared are not the exact products, but rather similar ones. Some of the links are investment pieces. As I move towards building an intentional closet, I want to use my journey to bring awareness to smaller companies and/or brands that focus on sustainability and manufacturing quality pieces that last. I share to inspire and enlighten where needed as opposed to monetizing your clicks.
Which look are you going to recreate with items in your closet?
