This is it, buddies!  The last step to officially starting your own capsule wardrobe!  I’m so excited to hear from you all and see how this experience went for you.  I’ll tell you, the first time around was way harder and lots more work than any of the other times I’ve pulled together a capsule.  Just think, you’ll never have to do a purge that large or a fashion show that long ever again!  You’ve begun, my friend.  It’s a whole new world now!

(If you’re just tuning in, there’s no rush to get going-this is all at your own speed!  If you’d like to catch up, here are steps [ONE], [TWO], [THREE] and [FOUR] in the Cotton Stem Capsule series.)

For this fifth and final step, it’s time to pull it together, girl!  Your capsule wardrobe, that is!  😉  Using the notes from your Capsule Planner, your curated Pinterest boards and the knowledge you gained regarding the contents of your closet during the fashion show, it’s time to make final decisions about what goes into your capsule for this current season.  Most of the work is done: now it’s just time to pull it all together!

If you are still missing a few items needed to round out your capsule, now is the time get buying!  You’ve had a minute to research product and read reviews, so be wise with your choices now so that your new item will hopefully last through many capsules to come.  Because you already know which items you need, you won’t be temped to impulse shop and blow the budget–be mindful and stay focused, and your wallet shall thank thee.  😉

Oh and…the most frequently asked question:
“HOW MANY ITEMS SHOULD BE INCLUDED?”
That, my friend, is entirely up to you!  As an example, my single season capsules usually include about 35 items give or take, including shoes and outerwear.  Right now, I’m combining spring and summer into one capsule, so I’ve included 50ish items in order to cover both seasons.  This is where you need to try not to get bogged down in strict rules like I did when I first started.  Your number will change as you move through your capsule lifestyle, and it might even change DURING this first capsule if you forgot to add something necessary or you realized you included TOO many things.   IT’S UP TO YOU!  Just give yourself grace for the journey.

So, here are some final tips and ideas as we finish up our capsule experience:

–I like to clear out a section of my closet that is strictly reserved for capsule items.  We all have different closet situations, so for some, storing off-season clothes will need to happen under the bed in boxes or maybe in another part of your closet, but no matter what, keeping things as uncluttered and streamlined as possible will help keep us on track as we go through life capsuling!

–This might be kinda nerdy, but I really like my capsule items to have matching hangers.  🤓  It keeps things organized and cohesive!  I use wooden hangers and velvet hangers which I’ll link below!

–In my closet, I group items by type and then by color gradient (lightest to darkest within that clothing type–see example below).  NERD. 🤓 I know, you guys. 😩😂  BUT!  It makes things so easy!  Right now, my capsule goes from left to right: tanks, tees, long sleeves, button downs, sweaters/cardigans.  Then I have shorts, jeans/pants, dresses, jackets.  Each section is then broken down lightest to darkest moving left to right.  I’m telling you, a streamlined looking closet does WONDERS for the psyche and cut down on getting ready time, too!  You certainly don’t have to be as nerdy as me and my closet…but if you wanna, that’s cool (…*cough* NERDY…), too.  😉

A note about your next capsule:

As you move through this season, start turning your attention to the approaching season’s capsule.  Start early with your Pinterest boards, paying attention to what draws your eye for next season, thinking ahead of what you already have that you could make work.  I like to start about a month ahead of the season/capsule shift making plans and pre-shopping.  Because you’ve already done the hard part of actually STARTING the capsule lifestyle, all future season/capsule shifts will be so much easier and require much less effort…you’re already doing it!  Now you’ll have the time and flexibility to prepare early for the next capsule.  Boom.

Well friends, you did it!  You are well on your way to living a simpler, more mindful lifestyle when it comes to shopping, getting dressed and organizing your closet! 🙌🏻 And honestly…this taught me so much about myself: my spending habits, how I view my body, why I buy what I buy…so many lessons through something so seemingly unimportant as a closet full of clothes!  I sure hope you are inspired to give capsuling a try!  Be sure to say hello on Instagram and Pinterest, too!

STEP 1 – Purge + Pile
STEP 2 – Nerd Alert List Time
STEP 3 – Fashion Show
STEP 4 – How Pinteresting
STEP 5 – Pull It Together, Girl!

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