I (Debra) started operation Dump Frump a few months ago, when basically the only clothes I had that fit were some socks, and my almost any size crazy wrap pants. Spending money on clothes is not my idea of fun, but the daily frustration of trying to get dressed from any of the hundred pieces of clothing that did not fit was worse. Thus, began operation dump frump. If I was going to have to spend money on clothes *groan* I wanted to do it with purpose.
My frumpiness had been a source of frustration for a while, but not one I was doing much about. I would think about it, then put on Mark's t-shirt over my ill fitting bra, above clashing pajama pants, and sigh.
Finally not having anything nice to wear coupled with not having much of anything to wear at all convinced my admittedly cheap self to spend money.
Once I began to get some core pieces that fit (jeans, a few shirts, and a bra) I started to enjoy it a little more as I could get the crazy pieces. I now can frequently look like I was dressed by an enthusiastic tornado, which despite how it sounds, I consider a good thing. Let's just say bright colors and polka dots are a huge mood boost for me.
When I heard about capsule wardrobes, my curiosity was immediately peaked. It is 30-40 pieces that all work together to make several outfits. Every three months, you take the time to prepare it for the next season. Less pieces to buy, and care for, with more outfits overall? Yes please. Beyond it meaning fewer clothes, one of the major benefits I saw was the simple fact that it is a system. That means, I can know when "operation dump frump" is complete. I will /know/ that I have a well thought out wardrobe and won't need to worry about it till the next season when I exchange a few pieces.
By trimming down the clothes that don't fit, and building up a well thought out wardrobe, I can eliminate (or at least drastically reduce) my daily dress frustration. Which, in turn has gone leaps in bounds to getting this socially awkward extrovert actually out of my house (where I sometimes need to go to find my sanity). I truly did not know how much it would positively affect my internal narrative (I am worth this), my day (this day is too good to hide uncombed hair in a messy bun), and truly has allowed me to be a bit less of a housebound grump.
I wish I had heard of a capsule wardrobe before I began operation dump frump, as I think I would have gone about building my wardrobe up a little differently. As it is, I wasted a bit of time and money in figuring out how to work it out but even so think this journey has been, and continues to be, well worth it.
I am now merging from simply dumping frump, to coming up with a good capsule wardrobe. Mark is joining me directly for the wardrobe encapsulating. Since we are starting with so little to begin with, the process is slow as even discount and second hand clothes add up. We are (somewhat) hopeful we will have a full winter capsule before it is time to build the spring one though!
Here are Mark's expectations of what having a capsule wardrobe could mean:
1. The clothes are hung up so they are easier to look through saving time getting dressed. (Hanging clothes is not necessarily part of a capsule, but we plan on doing that.)
2. Clothes don't end up on the floor so our room is cleaner and clean clothes aren't mistaken for being dirty and overall laundry levels are reduced.
3. Our wardrobe is thought out so we feel better about ourselves.
4. It is one, or really several messes, that aren't eating at the back of our minds.
5. It reduces the amount of stuff in our room.
6. It makes shopping a lot easier and more focused.
7. It means we look better.
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