New project = Capsule Wardrobe Project

Have you guys ever heard of a capsule wardrobe?  If not, I recommend you learn more about this method of planning your outfits.  A capsule wardrobe is collection of about 30 pieces (including pants, tops, jackets, skirts and shoes) that you wear for a defined period of time, for example Fall/Winter or Spring/Summer.  You choose your outfit combinations only from this group of clothes.  And when the season changes, you review what you have and change out a few key pieces to have a fresh wardrobe for next few months.

I challenge you right now to go into your closets and count up how many articles of clothing you have.  Go.  Right now.  I bet it’s a lot more than 30 pieces right?  I bet you have clothes from when you were skinnier.  You have clothes that were for a “one time” event.  You have clothes that were a “trend” 5 years ago.  And let me guess, you stand there more than half the time and think “I have NOTHING to wear!”  Well this capsule wardrobe project might be your solution.

The other things I am hoping this project will do for me is:

1. Better define a more polished style for myself.
2. Allow me to think more critically about purchases I make.
3. Always feel good in everything I wear.
4. Getting rid of clutter in my closet.
5. Save myself time, money and heartache.

For me, it’s that last bullet that is key.  I am not really the kind of person who enjoys spending hours on end in a department store shopping and searching for clothes.  Especially if I am not sure what i am looking for.  I don’t have the time for that.  Also, I think this will save me money in the long run allowing me to purchase fewer, but better quality items that will last longer.  And finally, I don’t want to have any more heartache/regrets about owning something that I only wore once because it was a trend, or it “would do for now”.  I feel bad looking at that sad lonely piece in my closet that goes with nothing else.  What was the point of the purchase?  I think with this capsule wardrobe plan, I can be more decisive about the clothing choices I make.  I can make better quality choices and only purchase those items that I love to wear.  And what does that do?  It adds to your joy, and more joy means you feel good.

So what have I chosen?  Let me walk you through some of the things I would like to wear in my everyday life (outside of work) this Fall/Winter Season 2016.  I think it maximizes the possible combinations of outfits because almost everything goes with everything else.  It’s new look every day.

I think a great pair of black jeans, like those up there ^^ are important.  Depending on how you dress them they can look softer or edgier and go from day to night.  Along with black jeans, I also like a classic chambray button down, a red buffalo check button down for that pop of color and of course the classic black and white striped tee.  Very français don’t you think?  Mais oui.  And I really like that black leather moto jacket up there too.  I am feeling like I want to be edgier this season and I think a black leather jacket will work.  Also, it’s a memory of my youth.  The official uniform of Greek people, LOL.  I think every Greek person I know owned or still owns a black leather jacket.  You would think we were a people of Arthur Fonzarellis.

Next, I think a great pair of blue jeans and 2-3 blazers will add to that pulled together feeling this fall.  I like a great tweed professor blazer, maybe with elbow patches.  In this image you can see it paired with that chambray top I mentioned earlier.  It just makes me feel so smart.  I like a classic navy blazer, alà Kate Middleton.  Look at her up there ^^ in the center.  She is wearing jeans, a striped tee AND a navy blazer.  It all works.  And I also like a grey wool or corduroy blazer to wear with jeans and white tee.  It makes this look feel more “finished”.

The Rule of 3 suggests that things that comes in a set of 3 are always more powerful, aesthetically pleasing and memorable.

The Rule of 3 is something every woman should think about when dressing.  This rule is very easy for guys and is more often than not why they can look “complete” let’s say wearing something as plain as khaki pants, a button down and a tie.  It’s 3 pieces.  It’s complete.  I recommend you try it.  Next time you wear that skirt and button down or jeans and plain white tee shirt.  Think about it for a minute.  How do you feel?  I bet you feel it looks like it’s missing something.  It is!  It’s missing that third piece.  Add a chunky necklace to that button down and skirt.  Add a blazer to that white tee and jeans.  You will immediately feel transformed.

Other things I want to add for this capsule: long necklaces and brown booties.  I think long necklaces add some interest and details to a grey or white tee shirt.  It can also help you with that “Rule of 3” rule.  Necklaces are the female equivalent of men’s ties.

I also love brown shoes.  Any shade of brown in fact is A-OK with me.  Beige, tan, honey, butterscotch brown, it’s all good.  I think it adds a softer and more natural look than the austerity of black.  The perfect neutral.  Also important for fall I think is a great greenish khaki utility jacket for tooling around town when you run errands and of course the classic white button down.  You can’t go wrong with that and it goes with almost any pair of pants or skirt, ready to be dressed up with a necklace or blazer…mmm-hmmm.  Rule of 3.

And I can I talk a minute about this woman’s style up there ^^ with the chambray shirt?  Wow.  This is the ultimate in flexibility of a piece and shows you exactly the point of a capsule wardrobe.  So you can take this chambray shirt and “dress down” with a khaki or tan colored skirt, or make it more “professional” with a great pair of trouser pants or “dress it up” with a skirt in a surprise pop of color.  Very unique and stylish.  I like this.  A lot.

Finally, I really love grey jeans or grey cords.  It’s different, a little softer, kind of like a very washed out black jean.  And it’s neutral enough to change up your look when let’s say you are matching it withe other pieces in your capsule, like a white or grey tee shirt.  It can also match well with you blazer and leather jacket.  Love all of these options.  I need a cardigan too.  That cream colored one up there in the center matches some nude heels and works great.

If you are looking to work on a similar project to make your fashion life easier, Caroline Joy from Un-Fancy is the QUEEN of this method.  I recommend going to her website for inspiration and tips.  Also Pinterest is a great resource when trying to scout out different pieces and see how they work with different looks.  That’s how I was able to make the image trios in this post.  If I print out the images and tack them on the inside of my closet I have an immediate reference to how the inventory of clothes I have work together.  I think it’s worth the effort.

So let’s build a Capsule Wardrobe recipe.  Here is what I am looking for this Fall/Winter season of 2016.

What will you include in your capsule wardrobe?  What’s your style?

Tell me in the comments below =)

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Fall/Winter 2016 Capsule Wardrobe

Ingredients

1. Black pants/jeans
2. Blue jeans
3. Grey jeans or cords
4. Tan cords/khakis
5. Trouser pants
6. Chambray button down
7. Buffalo check button down
8. White button down
9. Navy button down
10. Black and white striped tee shirt
11. White tee shirt
12. Grey tee shirt
13. Black tee shirt
14. Graphic tee shirt
15. Tweed blazer
16. Navy blazer
17. Grey cord blazer
18. Brown booties
19. Black wedge booties
20. Animal print flats
21. Green chuck tailors
22. Tan skirt
23. Bright color or print skirt
24. Black pencil skirt
25. Cream fisherman’s sweater
26. Dark grey fine wool knit sweater
27. Long beige cardigan
28. Black moto jacket
29. Khaki utility jacket
30. Navy pea coat

Mix, match, combine and enjoy a season of no worry fashion.

-Kallie