Capsule Wardrobe My Way – A Year Without Shopping – Summary

A year ago I decided to build my perfect wardrobe.  And as I had no idea how to do it better than not to go shopping I tried that way. First, it was just about keeping basics I didn’t mean to include loungewear, underwear, socks, pyjamas, etc., but it actually ended I included even my kid’s wardrobes and a full house. I started by going through my whole wardrobe. I cleaned and sorted everything. Actually, it was a big sort out since we moved in. I managed to get together all my clothes – all of them in one room and in one wardrobe. I slowly but surely created my first capsule wardrobe.  And this is the summary of the year-long capsule wardrobe challenge that was created my way without shopping in a year.

Month By Month Of My Year Without Shopping

When I started I didn’t know what to expect. I will be able to stick to the ‘No shopping’ for a year? I can proudly say, I DID IT!!

January was really easy. I had plenty to do with my newborn boy and plenty of clothes in my wardrobe didn’t make it any difficult to follow my decision. It was a really easy month.

Jeans, Boots, Sweater, T-shirts, Blouses, Slip-on, Tote/ Striped Tee, Coat/ Trainers/

February was still easy to follow, but I started to go out and look around what everyone is wearing and also what is in the shops. But still I could stick to my decision, hello there was still loads of baby weight to lose.

March was getting warmer and I started to get smaller I could fit more clothes. My wardrobe opened to new choices and I shopped my own clothes. I fell in love with all the favourites that I didn’t wear for years. – First big learning point – give your old clothes a second chance.

April, I think around that time I got a feeling and terrible urge to buy something. Anything, a simple t-shirt, jeans whatever. I was even close to doing so, but as I was looking at it I just put it back because I knew I still have many unworn or hardly worn t-shirts in my pile that was waiting to be worn and styled. The second big learning point – think before you buy.

May and June were easy I swift my mind about shopping I started to really enjoy what I am achieving and I even told many people about it. My husband was very supportive and stop telling me to go and buy something if I want to 🙂

July and August these two months were the easiest ones. We went for our big holiday to Slovakia. We stayed with my mom and I didn’t need much as the weather was amazing and most of the days we spent in the pool. I used my new learnt skills to grow my little online business. Third big learning point – instead of shopping learn something or try something new.

September I started fresh with a big clear out. My wardrobe started to show off, I kept mostly black, white, grey, blue and stripes in it. I lost a few t-shirts and shirts. I was still doing fine with what was left. And in my spare time, I was creating websites to help my clients take off their businesses.

October and November days got colder and I was slowly experiencing gaps in my wardrobe. Especially socks were a huge problem I had to buy some. I was left with none. At that time I downsized my jeans collection and t-shirt pile. I went down from 10 pairs of jeans to only 3 – and only one of them in really presentable condition. Rest was ok for school runs and playing with the kids. And surprisingly most of my t-shirts wore out so much to actually having holes. Down from roughly 20 t-shirts to 2. Also in November, I was gifted a t-shirt from Baukjen. Something new in my wardrobe after 11 months 🙂 of wearing my own clothes. It was so nice and rewarding that I didn’t even wear it for a few days, I just kept it in the box. The fourth big learning point – appreciate your clothes and buy quality over quantity.

December was the hardest month of the year. Of course, I was looking forward to shopping again, but mostly because I had nothing to wear. Only one pair of jeans – which is not really comfortable, 2 t-shirts but blouses helped me to survive. It was also a month when we had holidays planned and I could pack light what I made my husband really happy about. He was so pleased with the result and surprised that after so many years of travelling I finally managed to travel with only one pair of shoes for 2 weeks. How good am I?

In December I also made a few purchases. It was a week to the end and I was on holiday. I wore new items after I came back on the 2nd of January :). I was following my new rules what I learnt along the way.

Would I Do It Again?

Oh yes! But probably for a shorter period. A few months would be enough. If I ever again will feel I have too many clothes in my wardrobe what is not getting used I will do it again. I feel I used my clothes to the maximum and my money was well spent.

What I Learned

I learned to live with less and don’t need to shop for new trends what doesn’t fit me anyway. I know I don’t need 10 pairs of jeans or 20 different t-shirts. I KNOW MY STYLE.

I achieved what I wanted, smaller better wardrobe with clothes that I love to wear and look good at it.

Would you join my challenge? What is your biggest struggle while building a capsule wardrobe?