I wasn't impressed with this book as I don't think I learned anything new. However, it can be a good beginners guide for fashion novices.

Thank you for the opportunity to read The Capsule Wardrobe. Unfortunately, I did not download the book before it was archived in April 2017. I do not plan to finish the book.

Fine. A bit lightweight. In the version I read, all the figures were at the back which wasn't that useful. Some good information but I felt like more was needed.

This book was very useful for guidance in putting together a capsule wardrobe.

I think it's more complicated if you live in an area with four true seasons; you might not be able to par your wardrobe done as far as someone who lives in a steady climate.

My only concern with the ebook is that a "real" book with color pics would be better.

I read 90% ebooks but for cookbooks and how to books, I prefer a real book over an ebook.

I received this from Netgalley in return for an honest review. After about 11% i couldn't keep reading it, something went wrong from the Netgalley or Amazon end and for this i am grateful. I already practice a Captule wardrobe and was looking for additional ideas, but this was complicated and didn't suit a variety of people..No sneakers?? Is this written for frumpy old biddies? No sneakers, no read.

I also didn't enjoy Wendy's constant chirpy referrals to things like 50 shades of grey and exclamations: "we all love chocolate". It made me feel quite squeezey.

And there was nothing new as far as i skimmed.

Wendy is a stylist and in this book, she writes about the angst women go through in deciding what to wear.

As cluttered closets create cluttered lives, she provides guidelines for ladies who want to switch things up a bit.

A capsule wardrobe is one that creates multiple outfits from a handful of pieces. Wendy details 30 styles and piece that can be worn in multiple ways-”terrific thirty”. I particularly love page 122 where she mapped out a list of 1000 outfit combos.

I love her advice so much I will outline it here:

1. Clean out your wardrobe with zero emotion and no sympathy - don’t hang on to stuff that doesn’t work (AKA bad fashion mistakes/ unwanted gifts).

2. Make decisions about what to keep and toss. She recommends her KTAGS system - Keep, Toss, Alter, Give and Sentimental.

3. Accessorize but throw out painful shoes, impractical bags and tarnished jewellery.

She also identifies certain types of shoppers (Boring Betty & Sparkling Sally) and prescribes formulas to break the cycle of buying the same thing repeatedly.

Favourite quote: “Planning is the key to creating wardrobes that work. It may take you thirty minutes ro do now, but it will save you precious time (and money) from fashion mistakes, such as buying the non-essentials.”

Rating: 4.5/5

Recommendation: If you struggle with your wardrobe staying styling and practical, this book is for you. It is was so easy to read. Full of humour and practical step to declutter your wardrobe. It provides the basics required to look stylish without breaking the bank…or a nail. Wendy’s writing style is very fluid and she makes the tips relatable and easy to follow.

I really enjoyed this book i cant wait to try a capsule wardrobe for myself as i became a mum last year my needs have certainly changed as have my body so i cant wait to try making a more mum friendly wardrobe firstly trying to weed thru what i have. I enjoyed the authors tone and direction throughout this book and cant wait to share what i learnt with others.

The Capsule Wardrobe by Wendy Mak is the perfect starting point for building a cohesive wardrobe.
Starting with steps for clearing out your current wardrobe and identifying what's worth keeping, it then guides the reader towards the items that will provide the most versatile wardrobe for the fewest total pieces. This is a guide for all of us whose wardrobe options don't match how we actually live (4 different evening dresses and 1 or fewer occasions to wear them in any given year. Lots of office attire, but my job comes with a uniform! - or is this just me?!)

I found the author's style to be warm and engaging and she certainly seemed aware that not all of us would be comfortable with her first choices (but I might be tempted to give them a try having heard her perspective!) The suggested changes to the mix for different climates/lifestyles are handy too.

Possibly the greatest benefit of this book is that it encourages taking stock of what you have in front of you and mixing it up! The lessons in this book will transfer well to travel scenarios too.

Let's be clear: I hate to shop for clothes. My short (5'1"), rotund (I'm not going to share, but I'm definitely plus-sized) body does not lend itself to a happy day of perusing the racks and searching for the next great piece. Add in a relatively boring sense of style (solid colors, black pants, penny loafers) and fashion and I are not on speaking terms.

If this describes you in any way, The Capsule Wardrobe is the book for you.

Think of The Capsule Wardrobe as the successor to the KonMari method. If you, like me, have considered a great clean-out but panic over the idea of being naked and afraid, Wendy Mak's book will provide you with some peace of mind and comfort. Wendy Mak demonstrates that it is possible to pare your wardrobe down to 30 items and still have a functioning wardrobe. The thirty items?

7 bottoms (skirts, pants, etc)
6 tops
6 top layer items (blazer, sweater, jacket, coat, etc.)
3 purses
6 pairs of shoes
Accessories.

(Don't count that. I know it's not 30 but I don't have the book in front of me right now.) Work wear, weekend wear and going out are all included. This does not include loungewear or gym wear. She doesn't tell you to pare down underwear or socks. Just your main dressing pieces.

More importantly, she provides a full table of possible combinations. Again, I'm not brave or confident in my attire and my ability to match things up, so having a foolproof guide helps.This book is designed as a jumping off point and not something that is set in stone. Work with it, make it personal, and remember: each part must work with the whole. Don't buy just because it's on sale. How will the new piece work in your wardrobe?

Now, the book does have a few weak points. I think every woman will raise an eyebrow at her impassioned defense of skinny jeans (or is that just me?). She defends it ably (your legs and bum don't look as bad as you think, you need to be able to tuck your pants into your boots, etc), but that might be further than most women want to go. Also, she maintains that this will give you over 1000 different looks. I think that might be overstating it, but you'll definitely get over 100.

So now that it's January and I'm standing in front of my closets in disgust, looking at clothes I must have purchased on an alcoholic bender, shoes in need of repair that I haven't repaired or discarded, and shirts and bottoms I haven't worn in two years, I'm feeling brave. Between Marie Kondo and Wendy Mak, I can finally remove some of these clothes from my closet and pare down to the essentials. The Capsule Wardrobe is helping me make the decision on what to keep and what to toss/donate/give away and I'm doing so in the knowledge that I'll still be able to leave the house looking relatively put together in the end.

Advance Reader Copy supplied by Publisher. This review is my honest opinion.

Great read and easy to follow story line. Look forward to reading more from this author.

In a world of plenty, this is a great book to help refocus and simplify one aspect of ones life; getting dressed.

The tools and advice contained within this book are very useful and I will certainly be implementing some of them on my next few days off, starting with throwing out unnecessary clothes I no longer wear and then picking up a few new key pieces to enable me to best create versatile outfits.
There is a useful pocket guide to print and take with you when shopping which I shall utilise.

Whilst the colours suggested are not at all to my main thrust of Wendy's theory is extremely useful and one I will adapt which is encouraged.

It would have been useful to have some of the images alongside the text rather than in one block section, but that is a small quibble.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse publishing for my copy.