Capture Your Capsule Wardrobe

Defining your new minimalist lifestyle.

It’s Time To Declutter

Introducing the 2nd blog in my 3-part blog series about capsule wardrobes and their impact on happiness.

This blog is about the phenomenon of a capsule collection and the environmentally-friendly ways to eliminate unwanted clothes from your closet with a focus on replacing them with a single Oliver Charles Sweater.

• 7 Day Sweater Challenge
• Capture Your Capsule
• Seasonal Minimalism Is Out

Defining Decluttering: How Much Is Too Much?

When the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, we once again find ourselves spring cleaning, eliminating unwanted clutter and mess from our homes.

For those in colder climates, this sun-soaked ritual marks the end of a long winter and welcomes new beginnings.

For most, this cleaning may occur in the most lived-in spaces of the home; think kitchens, bathrooms, and common living spaces. But, what about bedroom closets?

Decluttering is defined as removing excess, unwanted items from a space. It allows one to prioritize what’s most important – cherished possessions, necessary clothing articles, everyday items – while also organizing what remains.

When thinking specifically of decluttering a closet, one must ask: how often do I wear this?

If you can’t remember the last time you wore that top for a night out with friends, or that pair of pants because they’re just a tad too small, it’s probably time to say goodbye.

Don’t know where to start? Follow these 5 easy steps to reset your wardrobe:

1. Take Everything Out
The only way to know what to eliminate is to take everything out and see what’s hiding in your closet. To really compare what you have, organize in piles by type of item (knits, pants, shoes, t-shirts, etc.).

2. Keep, Recycle, Donate
Categorize your clothes. This way, you’ll know exactly where to place each item, allowing for an easier transition when you’re done sorting.

3. Try Everything On
The only way to truly know if you want to keep something is to try it on! If you don’t feel instant joy when wearing it, is it really worth saving? Also consider the condition of the items (are there holes? Is the coloring really faded? Can these things be fixed?) and the versatility of the item.

4. Put The “Keeps” Back
Hooray! You’ve made a big first step to redefining your wardrobe. Place everything back into your closet, and consider organizing by type, season, color, or however makes you happiest!

5. Eliminate Unwanted Items
The philosophy of decluttering is a tried-and-true method for eliminating chaos from your home and your mind. But, how can you ensure you’re removing excess clothing in a sustainable way? Responsibly declutter your wardrobe while reducing waste by donating your unwanted items to a local charity or organization.

Oftentimes, you can find a local donation drop-off point where you can donate unwanted clothes at any time. Also consider online marketplaces, such as Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace. Depending on the item and fabric, you can recycle your clothes, ensuring they are kept out of landfills.

How An Oliver Charles Sweater Transforms Your Wardrobe

After you’ve decluttered your closet and eliminated unwanted clothes, maybe you’re wondering, “Now what?” Well, you’re in luck!

Enter: the Oliver Charles Sweater. Did you know that a single sweater can replace what you’ve just donated and recycled? My Oliver Charles Cable Knit is temperature-regulating and soft due to its 100% yak wool material.

It can single-handedly replace several tops in my wardrobe because of its versatility in any climate and season.

The most impressive part about Oliver Charles is their color and style options, which break the boundaries of “seasonal” apparel.

From neutral hues to blues, green, and red, every color offered on their website plays perfectly into every season, making it easy to replace multiple articles of clothing with a single Oliver Charles garment.

By letting go of traditional color rules, you open up the possibilities of wearing an everyday, All-Season Sweater.

If you prefer to have different sweaters based on the season, Oliver Charles also offers winter and summer tops. I especially love the Short-Sleeved Sweater option for summer and the matching Beanie and Scarf for winter.

I’ve recently followed my advice and completely decluttered my closet. I was able to replace most of my thick winter sweaters as well as some long-sleeve tops with the Oliver Charles Winter Cable Knit Sweater. I found it wasn’t too heavy or thick, and it was very breathable during all my activities.

Over the past few weeks, it has been a super comfortable, go-to top for nightly walks. Its versatility and color are what drew me in.

To add more, I haven’t had any issues with regulating my body temperature while wearing it. I can see myself wearing this sweater hiking and casually going out with friends.

Eliminate Clutter And Build A Community

An unexpected side effect of decluttering my closet is how much lighter I feel mentally. Since the physical clutter is gone from my mind, the mental space it was housed in feels free. By eliminating articles that no longer served a purpose, I created more room for things that matter in my daily life.

I don’t normally go through things that pile up until it drives me crazy. In the case of my closet, I was able to shut the door and pretend the mess didn’t exist, just to have hangers and shirts fall on me every morning.

I can almost guarantee that if you were to open your closet door right now, there would be items that haven’t been worn in years.

Take the time to consider the purpose of every shirt and sweater in your room. Ask yourself: does this item serve a purpose for the person I am today? Chances are you’ll find many more “no’s” than you were expecting.

An amazing characteristic of Oliver Charles is the community they’ve built online, particularly on Facebook. Their Motto – “a single sweater for all of life” – encompasses what it means to be part of their online group.

You’ll find people cheering each other on as they partake in special challenges, as well as reviews of different Oliver Charles products.

My favorite part is seeing the smiles on people's faces as they share photos of how they incorporate their sweaters into their everyday lives.

Joining a community such as this one is incredibly impactful on your mental health as well, as you’ll become more socially connected to those with similar interests.

As I’ve learned in the past few weeks, paving the way for a more fulfilling, happy life starts at home. I’ve become more aware of the spaces around me that need a refresh, and I feel accomplished and proud of the progress I’m making.

Every day I look forward to seeing the posts in the Oliver Charles Facebook Group, as it allows me to stay connected on the adventures of those completing a challenge.

Decluttering my mind and my closet has been an amazing experience, and I 100% recommend it for anyone looking to hit the refresh button toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.