I'm over 40 and tried a capsule wardrobe. Here's what happened...
Yeah, so I did it. I built a capsule wardrobe, and sure, it works for some people, but for the rest of us, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. For me, it deflated my innate sense of style, leaving no room for my one-of-a-kind, special pieces, and made me feel drab with a closet full of bland items.
The worst things about capsule wardrobes:
1. Based on limited colors
Who just wants to wear neutrals? Not me! I love a good fuchsia, emerald green, neon yellow, and salmon. Limiting my colors feels like limiting my ability to express myself fully. No, thank you.
2. 30 garments or less
I currently don’t live in a tiny home and don’t foresee it in my future; therefore, if I see a fantastic asymmetrical bright yellow wool jacket, I’d love to be able to purchase it without feeling guilty about exceeding my 30 garment limit.
3. Only personality is statement pieces
I’m just not that into cheetah print. Why does every capsule wardrobe seem to have at least one ballet flat, clutch, headband, or cardigan in an animal print? Please don’t make me wear animal print!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeease!!!!
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Best things about capsule wardrobes:
- Buying Quality over Quantity
Even though I’m into fashion, I actually don’t enjoy shopping, and tend to only shop when I need to. The items in my closet are from one of the following categories: made from eco-friendly materials, hand-made by me, thrifted, purchased on special travels, obtained from a gal pal clothing swap, or from some crappy fast fashion company (which I am soooooo not proud of, but in the vein of honesty…).
Given my really specific and sustainable requirements for clothing items entering my closet, I wholeheartedly believe in spending money on well-made, special, or hand-crafted items. I can honestly say that every single item in my closet I love, and am truly proud of each purchase. My closet is not huge and I make sure that what I choose to take into my space makes me smile, feel beautiful, and confident. It’s not just about how it makes me feel, but about the value of the purchase itself.
- OK, there’s only one reason
Rachel Zoe's (Fashion Stylist) Closet - NOT a capsule wardrobe!
3 Reasons Why You DON’T Need a Capsule Wardrobe:
Guess what? Not everyone needs a white button-down shirt, and I know very few women who want a closet full of “basics”. Here are some things that can happen to you when you don’t do a capsule wardrobe.
- You DO Have a Fashion Sense!
If you’re trying to keep up with fashion trends, don’t bother. (OK, maybe keep up with some hairstyle trends, no one needs to have curled, ratted, and aerosol-sprayed bangs anymore.) We all know the latest denim jean look will be long gone in a year. Remember when skinny jeans were all the hype? And then it was the wide leg again? And now it’s OK to wear skinny jeans again? SERIOUSLY?!
Whether it’s an ice cream flavor, paint color for the bathroom, or your favorite moisturizer, you know which stuff you like and which stuff you don’t like. You have an innate knowledge of what items you’re drawn to. When you shop for clothing, you might shut it down or justify why those pants are too ‘out there’ for you right away.
First thought, best thought.
I’m a grown-ass adult, so why do I still feel pressured to fit in with the trends? Maybe it’s because I’m also a high school teacher, so I get a whole bunch of students wearing the latest XYZ in my face all day long. Or maybe it’s all those mommies at school or the neighborhood mixer wearing similar versions of the latest denim pants paired with layered mala bead bracelets.
As humans, we have an innate need to fit in and feel accepted. It’s part of who and what we are. This desire to be liked, even to be loved, is beautiful. It’s what makes us feel good and drives us to connect deeply with others. One way we connect with the world is through our clothes. Our outfit choices help us access or can hold us back from new opportunities, certain groups of people, and even getting to know ourselves better.
When we try to merely fit in with the trends, and ignore our unique style inclinations, we are likely grasping to connect with that high school teenage girl inside of us who wanted the popular girls to like her, to not get picked last in P.E. class, to be asked to the dance. Or maybe that’s just me… Trends and trendy clothes are just methods of tricking us into thinking we need “that” to fit in. The only way we fit in anywhere is by first fitting in with our ideas of who we are, and trust me, this is a moving target.
“Trends are for people who don’t know who they are yet. I’ve met me. We’re good.” - Ali Wong
When I turned 40 (quite a few years ago), there was this huge internal shift for me. It felt like all of a sudden, BAM! I was old, irrelevant, invisible, and fat, yet at the same time, I was also significantly more confident, and empowered, and my desire to give a $#&* dropped to almost zero. It was shocking, confusing, invigorating, and liberating. And you know what else happened? I finally started stepping into my power and out of my occasionally vanilla box.
Being a woman over 40, I instantly, and I mean instantly, stopped caring what other people thought of my outfits. Those kooky neon green platform sandals? Wearing em. Those red cat-eye reader glasses? Also wearing em. Even those oversized bleach tie-dyed jeans? Wearing them multiple times a week.
Maybe you’re not 40 yet, maybe you hit this don’t-give-a-care era many years ago, or maybe you’ve always been blessed with self-confidence, but for me, reaching this point in my life, finally, shifted my entire wardrobe, closet, and shopping habits, all the things. I stopped following trends, followed my own intuitive fashion sense, listened to my heart instead of my head.
So the next time you’re at the store looking for a new top, let your heart guide you to whatever crazy pink, oversized, painted shirt it wants to.
Try one new fashion item this month, or wear one of your classic outfits in a new way- style that same shirt with a new scarf, oversized blazer, or wacky pants.
You do have an innate fashion sense. It’s time to start stepping into it. Check out this GREAT article for tips: Mamamia - Over 40 Style Tips
Olivia Wilde's Closet - NOT a capsule wardrobe!
- Women need those special one-of-a-kind pieces
YES, you should keep that cute knitted sweater you bought in Napa last Fall!
A major flaw in the capsule wardrobe prescription is the fact that there is no room for those special one-of-a-kind pieces you have. In a capsule wardrobe, I’d have to donate my majorly oversized dusty teal linen pants I bought in Paris? No thanks.
A true capsule wardrobe has space for a few neutral pants, basic white blouses, a few white t-shirts, maybe a black skirt or two, and a few statement pieces. What if you have a lot of statement pieces? What if you bought a really beautiful navy blue hand-knit wool sweater in Napa last year on that romantic getaway? Or where does that breezy white boho maxi dress you bought a while back on that girl’s trip fit in? Nowhere. Which is why I’ve ditched the capsule wardrobe for good.
I want the freedom to buy those crazy special garments when I see them. I love a good thrift shop and there is no telling what gems I’m going to find there. I love a good, unique vintage piece that I know no one else in the world will have. I recently scored a mint denim sleeveless wide-leg jumper that fit my middle-aged body like a glove (we all know that NEVER happens these days). How could I not add it to my closet?
I don’t overconsume, and I’m super aware of what I buy and how many products I’m adding into my world; however, when it comes to my wardrobe, I don’t want to be limited by what I can and cannot buy. I love colors, buying items from special trips, and garments I’ve sewn myself. Unique items are becoming staples in my wardrobe and I feel more confident when I wear them. So, no I’m not going to stop buying them and I don’t think you should either.
- There is more to life than basic white blouses.
Yes, I said it. And yes, I love me a good white blouse too. But there is so much more to life than another basic white top with a statement earring or chunky necklace. Having a few white blouses, white t-shirts, or white tanks can, and probably should be part of everyone’s wardrobe. They certainly are a part of mine, but they don’t need to be ⅓ of your boring beige, black, and white capsule wardrobe.
Did you know that there are other colors of blouses and tops? There are fuschia, abstract blue splatter prints, dainty floral prints from the south of France, and even rainbow-colored sprinkle prints. I have all sorts of colored tops in my closet: tie-dye, uber feminine flower prints, black and white striped, and lavender polka dots too. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. No amount of statement accessories can dress up an entire closet full of neutral colors as the capsule wardrobe prescribes.
Colors are beautiful and evoke emotions when we look at them, wear them, and create resonance with them. For example, according to Harper’s Baazar “Green gives us a level of reassurance and rejuvenation…whereas brown feels supporting and very grounding, like a tree.” (Davis). Colors are good for us! They literally change our mood. Wearing a few limited colors for months at a time can’t possibly be good for our health! (a bit dramatic there, but maybe true?!)
So please don’t do the capsule wardrobe! You don’t need to invest your time and money in a capsule wardrobe.
January Jones' Closet - NOT a capsule wardrobe
5 tips for what you should be wearing:
- WHATEVER THE *&$% YOU WANT!
- What makes you happy.
- Wear what feels good on your body.
- Wear what you can comfortably afford.
- Wear what you feel confident wearing.
What does this mean for you?
It means you don’t have to follow the “steps” the Instagram gurus tell you. It means you do NOT need a capsule wardrobe. It means you should follow your heart and own sense of personal style when buying clothes!
5 questions to ask yourself before buying new clothes:
These always work for me and have prevented me from making a lot of unnecessary purchases!
1. Will I still love this in 5 years?
Does it scream “me” or is it just whispering “trendy TikTok bait”?
2. Does this fit my body right now?
Not my imaginary future Pilates-instructor self. This bod, this moment. No “someday size” shopping allowed.
3. Can I style it 3 different ways?
OK, that one’s actually from the capsule wardrobe...
4. Will I feel confident/sexy/smart/etc?
Will I strut or tug at it all day? Clothes should be your hype man, not frenimie.
5. Is it eco-ish?
Was it made with Mother Earth in mind? Natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, bamboo, and Tencel = yes, please. Plastic sweaters that smell weird = maybe not.
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Work Cited
Davis, Jessica. “The psychology behind wearing colour – and how to make it work for you.” Harper's BAZAAR, 20 May 2023, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/shopping/a43093336/colour-psychology/. Accessed 29 June 2025.