10 *surprising* reasons why a capsule wardrobe isn't working for you

[@MiliVelikova]

Learn how to build a capsule wardrobe that works for YOU with the PDF guide: stan.store/stylewithmili/p/get-the-ultimate-fall-capsule-wardrobe-guide-now

[@rosethorn0232]

I'll add one more point: not having enough accessories or not knowing how to accessorize. Different accessories are how all the neutral capsule wardrobe girlies make their outfits feel different. If you're not afraid of color or flashy pieces, then I think accessories can really do even more work in your wardrobe and give you more of a creative outlet.

[@MiliVelikova]

@@rosethorn0232 that's an amazing point, thank you for sharing! I think I used to be someone who had accessories but didn't use them! And now I make sure to include belts, bags, hats and scarves in my capsules - they're such a game changer!

[@dariajabonska3303]

I think I also resonated with more than one reason. My style varies depending on my mood so sometimes the capsules are slightly too restrictive for me. This is probably the main reason as I love the creativity behind the outfit that fit specific day, mood and weather. Having too many items is also an issue but since September I pretty consistently have been tracking my everyday outfits to see my patterns, what I enjoy to wear the most and which items I am usually avoiding. I generally dedicate the coming few months to better understand my style and that’s why I love watching your videos so much ❤

[@MiliVelikova]

@@dariajabonska3303 thank you so much Daria! Such a great reflection about creativity and capsules, and I love that you're tracking your outfits to understand yourself better - it's one of the best tools! Thank you for being a loyal supporter ❤️❤️

[@feather8894]

I think the reason capsule wardrobes are not working for me is that if I find an outfit formula I am happy with, I tend to repeat and recreate it for at least two months. Which means I have 10 identical white and 10 identical black turtlenecks in my capsule, because as a smelly human, I cannot rewear the same (fitted) top. I have seen a lot of capsules where people show their one white shirt and one black turtleneck, but how do they do it?? Do they handwash their one shirt in the sink to repeat it every other day with a different outfit? I'm also in awe with people who create different outfits with the same item(s). If I found the best way to style an item, I do not like combining it with others to create less chic/stylish outfits. Unless my favourite pair of pants is in the wash and I need to wear my second favourite one...

[@szfrj]

Interesting! I’m the same, I can’t re wear the same top 2 days in a row and I also will always go for the best combo of possible and don’t mind repeating it. The concept of sets from Ellie Jaynes book really helped me. My colours are black, chocolate brown, navy, olive with red and plum accents. So I’d like to have at least one item from my favourite style templates in each colour. For example one of my winter templates is knee high boots slim trousers, long chunky jumper with a belt plus winter coat and bag. So would have accessories, trousers and jumpers in each colour. My other template is knitted midi jumper dress, belted with knee high boots. Again would have a knitted dress in each colour and so on. I only have 4 templates 🤷🏻‍♀️ seems to give me enough variety

[@rosethorn0232]

I think those people with only one white/black shirt are suffering from the "always doing laundry" problem. 😂 They have to be. Even if they're okay only wearing the top about once a week and will just make whatever is clean work, they don't have that many tops to begin with. Having duplicates of the most basic of basics like neutral t-shirts just seems like common sense to me.

[@Deem57]

I'm impressed with the number of reasons why a person might find her capsule wardrobe isn't working. I resonate with a few of them: too many items in the wardrobe, too many items that don't fit my lifestyle any more (I'm retired so don't need anything for work or for formal occasions), and feeling creatively stifled by a capsule wardrobe. I need to do more down sizing and get rid of items I no longer need. And I need to challenge myself to wear my more colourful and creative items in different combinations so I don't feel bored with my wardrobe.

[@MiliVelikova]

@@Deem57 to be honest, it started as a list of 5.. and then I kept adding as I realised there are definitely more things I've struggled with! So interesting to read about your changes in lifestyle - downsizing and removing things can feel so cleansing!

[@GCBookworm]

Socks, PJs and suitable under layers are an issue for me. Also, downsizing from an existing wardrobe (too many items) & getting bored of items that live in my wardrobe, as you said. For all clothes, I have can/can’t wear to work items, but I have 2x 7.5 & 4.5 month capsules instead of 4 seasons, with a lot of items that work year round (eg. Summer T-shirt = winter base layer). Also, setting aside time to steam & (roughly) plan outfits, like many “good” routines/habits, has fallen by the wayside this year. This is a helpful video to focus on exactly what is/are my problem(s) & some possible solutions without feeling judgmental. Thanks again.

[@emmamartin4045]

White, especially bright white, looks especially good on you :) Great video, thanks.

[@MiliVelikova]

@@emmamartin4045 thank you so much Emma! I love white 🤍

[@AliceBöwe-n8e]

I'm currently struggling to find interesting looking pieces that fit all the criteria while also being second hand and also online. The struggle is real 😫 Your PDF file is really helpful, though. I'm glad I have it 😁

[@katem3961]

I think my issue is too many items on my rail. Your tip to reduce the number of items resonated with me, Mili. I was then thinking I could do two smaller capsules and swap them out as the summer gets hotter here in Australia. We are already mid 30°C some days, but the high 40°C are just a few few weeks away. Great video. All of the tips were excellent suggestions. Thank you ❤

[@annacalhan2628]

Your last tip is so useful! Having pre planned all the outfits is exactly what takes away the daily creativity that makes me so happy.

[@MiliVelikova]

Which of these reasons did you most resonate with?

[@szfrj]

Hi Mili, loving your channel. Another question maybe for future videos relating to the style roots. Wonder if you have any ideas on how to express a style root in the ‘off season’. For example my third root it fire, but it’s very difficult to express it in UK winter when you’re al bundled up 😅 I imagine flower is difficult in the winter too and moon might be differing the summer

[@MiliVelikova]

@@szfrj what an excellent question! A few people have expressed that actually about fire - I'll have a think!

[@happytofu5]

Having not enough weather appropriate items and not enough basics was a problem for me, but this year I fixed that. I am still working on my capsules and winter is definetly the biggest challenge. Layering is not really my passion, and I find it quite hard to do, because not every item can be layered well. Summer is way easier.

[@MiliVelikova]

@@happytofu5 great to hear you've fixed these! I'm not a huge fan of layering myself, so I get it! I think for me what works is having a few black merino underlayers (that don't get seen) and then 10-15 nice jumpers I can rotate between so I'm not bored!

[@happytofu5]

@MiliVelikova haha omg for one brief moment I pictured the 10 to 15 tops all layered over each other before I understood your sentence... thats warm enough for sure 😂

[@MiliVelikova]

@@happytofu5 hahaha that would be one way to layer! No coat needed!

[@rosethorn0232]

@@happytofu5 I feel you on this so much. I live in a place that gets real winters, and I'm always cold, and yet layering just does not come naturally to me. I think partly it's just me being lazy and also not wanting to dirty up more clothes than necessary. But the thing is...I'd be so much happier if I did. 😭 This winter I'm going to focus on making sure I'm wearing a neutral shirt under all my sweaters/cardigans. Not the most creative, but I need to learn to walk before I can run.

[@lorilee1931]

These are good tips. Appreciate it.

[@MiliVelikova]

@@lorilee1931 thank you for watching!

[@dees3179]

I would need multiple capsules. Because there are seasons. And there’s lots of different things going on in my life which require very different clothes. So in fact, I just need a wardrobe. And a very big one. So I’ll stop beating myself up about it. It sounds bad, but I’m still wearing thing I wore in university, last millennium. I don’t throw things away until they fall apart and can’t be fixed anymore. And I don’t buy anything until I need something specific-ie I have no coats with working zippers and they can’t be replaced again. I always thought capsule wardrobe meant just a small amount of things. You seem to just be talking about having a normal amount of clothes.

[@HosCreates]

My capsole wardrobe doesn't work cause the temp here is being wild. one day its 60F the next its 40F. Summer is easy. But fall and spring is a struggle between the seasons

[@MiliVelikova]

@@HosCreates oh have they?! I've heard people have had wild weather!

[@HosCreates]

I live in the midwest, kansas. ​ we joke if you dont like the weather, just wait!😅@@MiliVelikova

[@MiliVelikova]

@HosCreates hahaha seems a bit like the UK to be honest!!!

[@andreaf.6572]

I think it’s common sense to have separates and clothes in your wardrobe that you can mix and match. I don’t like the idea of having a specific number of items only to wear- 5 pairs of pants, 10 tops, etc. It is too limiting!!! I do know I have too many clothes. I did the trick to turn my hangers around in Jan to clean out my closet. I am purposefully wearing clothes I haven’t worn in forever or haven’t worn at all to decide if I want to keep them. The clothes I’ve worn and want to keep go back into the closet. The clothes I don’t want to keep go into a donate pile or eBay pile to sell. It’s worked well so far.