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Louise Stone's avatar

The other problem with the capsule wardrobe is that, while fashion magazines would have us believe that there is such a thing as a 'classic white shirt' or a 'classic blazer', the fashion industrial complex has other ideas. It's literally their job to make us believe items are 'old fashioned' and out of style a single season after we've bought them. What once seemed 'classic' now seems 'déclassé' - intentionally.

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Absolutely true. I'm starting to become quite grouchily averse to being sold to - ie, every time I look at Instagram, etc. And tbh I do have some old faithful items (loose yoga type black trousers, birkenstocks, breton tops) and don't care whether they're ever deemed out of style. I can't imagine living without them!

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Maggy's avatar

Apparently we are all supposed to look like we work in a Toby carvery. (Much respect for everyone who does have to wear a work uniform) 💖

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Mellow Bunny's avatar

The whole capsule wardrobe thing is a strange Western way of dressing and it’s very boring 🤣. I grew up in India, and what one had was outfits. Every outfit was distinct and had matching pieces. So my mum would wear a cream and maroon saree paired with a maroon blouse made for that saree. Sometimes she wore matching maroon earrings and sometimes something neutral like pearls. No one could copy this outfit because (if it was a handwoven saree) only one such existed in the whole world! The next day, another unique saree. People would compliment each other on the uniqueness of their sarees, the cool neckline on the blouse, etc. It was just so much fun! Let’s say I like green.

I’d buy unstitched fabric for a salwar kameez set, and the tailor would make me a tunic top, matching pants, and a long scarf as one distinct outfit. I’m telling you, have some fun with your clothes!

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Love your description of your mum's outfit, and also the notion of being guided by the colours that appeal to you. Makes absolute sense!

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Joanna Callander's avatar

Loved this piece, surely a capsule wardrobe can be styles that suit you (definitely no blazers for me) in colours that you love? I wish "quiet luxury" would stop being a thing bring back joyous, clashing colour!

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Yes absolutely - I guess it COULD simply mean a few very wearable pieces that you love. The things you're mostly drawn to. Perhaps we all have a certain type of capsule wardrobe in our wardrobes already - just not the 'classic' Vogue one!

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H’aitch's avatar

We are separated at birth. As I get older I have decided if I can’t wear harem pants and a slogan t shirt to it, I don’t want to go.

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

That's an excellent rule for life!

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Caroline's avatar

Why are white shirts always ‘crisp’?

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

I wonder that myself. I'm on hol in France with husband and daughter and daughter has a lovely very soft white shirt with her that's the opposite of crisp. The softest of light cottons. I think it's the 'crispness' that irks me!

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Caroline's avatar

Absolutely! A nice drapy muslin or voile or linen is a thing of beauty. ‘Crisp’ poplin an abomination.

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Lucy Williams's avatar

Inspired to create the antithesis of a capsule wardrobe:

Theme - dressing up box

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

I like that! A LOT more fun...

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Rafael Concepcion's avatar

My sympathies to you and all the ladies in the comments. Dressing is simple for me because I look like a shaggy old man no matter what I’m wearing. Nitey-nite, luv!

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Rafael Concepcion's avatar

Hi luv! At 3:12 AM I’d say it consists of dark, worn, comfortable cottons and slip-in shoes that don’t have to be laced up. Definitely loose-fitting tops and elastic waist on the trousers. I don’t want people to see what shape I am, lol. Nitey-nite, luv!

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

I'm picturing the shaggy old man capsule wardrobe!

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Annie Tempest's avatar

very definitely

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Louise's avatar

I love this! Have you also noticed that capsule wardrobes are terrified of pattern and advocate a small-scale one in beige if you absolutely have to. Plus, I cannot ever get over the uselessness of a trench coat!

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Utterly useless hateful item

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Maggy's avatar

Trench coats, what are they FOR? What are you supposed to do with all those flaps? They take ages to put on, which is the last thing I want at 6.30am.

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

I used to think one would make me look sophisticated! 😄 I actually still own a (short length) hideous one bought in Hobbs sale a decade ago. Can't understand why I don't just charity it!

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Maggy's avatar

Give it to a good cause. Whenever I bought something hideous my mother used to say "Dr Barnardo would look nice in that".

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Gillian Shakespeare's avatar

Me too! Not drawing my own, that is, but doing all the cutting out.

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Blissful pastime!

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Sarah Honeyman's avatar

Apparently we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. I seem to pick things from the top layer of the drawer! I think my capsule would be quite big, the size of a grain silo?

Thanks for making me laugh as always 😆👍🥰

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Maggy's avatar

Mine is not a capsule wardrobe. It's the entire pharmacy.

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Haha - wish I'd thought of that line Maggy! 😄

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Haha yes that could work - a vast capsule, where nothing goes with anything else! Xx

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Gillian Shakespeare's avatar

I love your illustrations, complete with two little white tabs so you can cut out the shirt/sweater/trench, fold them round your cut-out doll and really see just how boring they are.

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

Thanks Gillian - I loved those paper dolls. Used to draw my own with extremely non capsule outfits! X

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Gina Ferrari's avatar

I’m currently in the middle of trying to sort out my wardrobe (it was desperate as I can’t actually fit anything else in never mind actually remove items) and I can so relate to this Fiona. So many things bought on a whim that I sort of like but don’t go with anything else… items that are thirty years old (and more) but the idea of navy ‘slacks’ and a camel coat… yuk! I live in jeans so not really sure why I have this problem!

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

I think dressing gets trickier as we grow older… finally Uniqulo is coming to Glasgow. Rejoice! Opening day should be a city-wide holiday! 🎉 x

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Rachel Carruth's avatar

I can relate to this!! I seem to always gravitate towards the same pieces in my closet, rotating them with a bit of color for the various seasons. But would my life be better with a capsule wardrobe? Hmm...

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

In theory yes but you might resent its rigidity and lack of fun? I know I would x

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Annie Tempest's avatar

Haha. Me illustrate it! I forgot you are a brilliant illustrator yourself! You\ve got it covered!

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

You’re very kind Annie! Could the Totterings have a capsule wardrobe conundrum? X

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Annie Tempest's avatar

Utterly relatable and brilliant as always...This is me entirely! I hope these will be collected into a book which I will illustrate for you!

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Fiona Gibson's avatar

I’d love that! Xx

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