My 10 Item Wardrobe

Spring-Summer 2015

A closet full of clothes but nothing to wear! In an attempt to eliminate the frantic scramble to put myself together before the kids wake up, I decided to simplify my wardrobe.

Most of us don’t picture ourselves as the mom frumping around in baggy clothes with frazzled hair, no make-up (or smeared make-up from three days ago) and cheerio crumbs stuck to her backside. Oh no! I am going to be the stylish, trendy mom, with make-up on and hair done! Animal print diaper bag that looks like a Coach tote…that will be me! ha ha!

But, after 3 kids, that is what I had become.  I had a closet full of clothes that didn’t fit quite right.
My closet was a MESS–pre-pregnancy clothes, maternity clothes, nursing clothes, postpartum transition back to pre-pregnancy clothes, clothes I hoped to fit into one day….etc. Every morning was a major production trying to find something that looked good and was comfortable.

Typically, I ended up wearing the same basic things over and over. (The same t-shirt in different colors and shorts.) I was also determined to lose 15 stubborn pounds of baby weight so I was sporting a “transitional” wardrobe.  By the end of summer, I had “my body” back and was figuring out what kind of “Mom wardrobe” would be most functional for my new lifestyle: a life at home with two pre-schoolers and a toddler.  Not only that, but my eldest was about to embark to pre-school.  The added pressure of having to be seen in public three times a week motivated me to upgrade out of those cheerio pants!

Introducing the 10 Item Wardrobe: I ran across Jennifer Scott’s “10 Item Wardrobe” concept on her blog The Daily Connoisseur when I was googling “Mom wardrobes.” Wow, what a crazy but great idea!  This minimalist approach to dressing was so intriguing.  We really only wear about 20% of what is in our closet.  Her idea is to slim down to 10 everyday core items.  This does not include “extras”, which are t-shirts, cardigans, blazers, special occasion dresses, accessories etc.  Everything works together to make a capsule wardrobe that you can mix and match. I decided to take the plunge (or should I say purge) and try it out.

After eliminating 75% of my clothes, I now fit everything I wear on a daily basis (minus underwear and pajamas) on a rack less than two and a half feet long.  I store all my clothes (except winter coats and off season shoes) in my closet and dresser space.  In the morning, I love the fact that I can slide open the closet door and everything I need is on one rack – scarves and belts included. Shoes are right below.

Why I love the 10 Item Wardrobe Concept: Less is so much more!  Less choices means freedom from having to decide what to wear. I already did the hard work of carefully selecting garments that fit and flatter my body and lifestyle.  In the spring, I purchased 7 dresses and 1 romper to carry me through spring and summer.  It takes me less than 10 seconds to get dressed.  I’m not digging through clothes to find something to wear.  Keeping the bedroom neat has been significantly easier because there are less clothes to manage.

Five reasons why I love wearing a dress everyday:  I have always been a jeans and t-shirt girl.  But this spring/summer I decided to try out dresses. 1. It only takes about 5 seconds to put on a dress.  That is 95% to a complete outfit.  Just add shoes, accessories and you are ready to go!  2. Dresses flatter every figure.  They tend to slenderize, elongate and conceal lumps and bumps.  3. Dresses are comfortable and cool for warm weather.  4. They instantly add a feminine, chic, pulled-together look. 5. I have noticed a difference in how people treat me in public.  Generally, men and women are more courteous, friendly, and attentive to what I say, whether it be a sales person or someone I chat up in line. Try it! You will be amazed with the results.

Read about Jennifer Scott’s 10 Item Wardrobe

See my winter capsule wardrobe.
Please Comment:
What do you think of the idea of a capsule wardrobe?  Have you tried this yet?