i have gone and done something smart. i’ve made a fall/winter wardrobe capsule. this is something i’ve been meaning to do for a long time but every time i set out to do it i get distracted by shiny things, jumpsuits, velvet platforms, big headbands adorned with even bigger pearls, pink pants, trendy sweaters, dresses i’ll only wear once a year if that and crop tops. those things are all fine and definitely deserve a place in my wardrobe but the simple fact is i have nothing to wear. as i get older i do find that i just want to not think about it so much. and let’s be honest: i really just want to be comfortable. i’ve lived my entire life as an occasion shopper. if this were a job i would be the CEO. i almost never buy practical things or things that i can build upon. i look through other capsule wardrobes on pinterest and think, i’d never wear that. that’s not me. it’s so boring. and yet here i am with a closet full of party shirts and purple. so i took a long hard look at my style - not going out style but every day style. and then i took notes. mostly mental but still.
i watched this youtube video and learned A LOT. (don’t watch it at night bc her gentle dulcet voice may put you to sleep. this happened to me twice.) i was truly amazed at all the outfits she put together with 23 articles of clothing. her style isn’t necessarily mine and it may not be yours either but there is much to learn here. i especially like the idea of accent colors and knowing what yours are, aka personal power colors. it was a revelation to me to think i could go shopping in an actual store (do people still do this?) and only look at items in my personal power colors. like whut??? for the record my PPC are: soft blue and soft green, with soft pink and lavender pinch hitting. going further i had to discover my season. i am a light summer. so i can wear these colors successfully. i like the idea of never having to be distracted by any article of clothing that isn’t in this palette. because the truth is while i love fashion i LOATHE shopping.
btw, this video blew my mind. the whole section on how to tell if clothes fit without ever having to try them on is info we should all have.
anyway, subscribe to her youtube channel. it’s a treasure trove of helpful videos.
ok, on to my capsule. first of all can we acknowledge that the word capsule when describing a collection of clothes is odd. i just envision a tylenol or an old rotting box dug up after being buried for centuries filled with mementos of the past. what does that have to do with clothing basics? SECOND of all this was hard for me. REAL hard. mainly bc there’s just no edge here. not really. i had to bypass so many things that i loved (trendy sweaters and spruce green velvet pants to name a few) in favor of things i will actually wear year after year. in other words nothing in my current closet. i did do a smart thing last year and bought a black blazer which i wear a lot. maybe too much and it’s not great quality (not terrible but not excellent) and for something you wear a lot it should be at least the best quality you can afford. also i’m learning a lot about how capsules work and building several outfits based on said capsule. i’m not entirely there yet. baby steps.
so, while this capsule looks bland it is C A R E F U L L Y considered.
i stuck to my guns and picked items that i would wear year after year i.e. nothing too trendy, that were in my color palette (black technically isn’t but IDGAF i will never not wear black), that could be layered and MOST IMPORTANTLY would never fail me. items i could just throw on and look 100.
top row: jackets/coats. i already have a long statement coat and a black blazer but need to add these:
l to r: tweed boyfriend blazer- i opted for a looser fit so that i could wear thicker layers under it (hoodies, sweaters with ruffle collared shirts etc). i deliberated a fitted blazer but i decided i would wear it far less.
teddy jacket - what’s not to love? (comes in 8 colors)
puffer coat - because it DOES get cold in atlanta. aritzia has a TON of color options.
second row: sweaters. i actually need a bunch more sweaters than this. you can’t have too many sweaters or pairs of jeans right? BUT, for the purpose of this capsule i just stuck to cardigans. for starters i have hot flashes. and it’s a whole lot easier for me to take off a cardigan than a chunky knit pullover.
l to r: light gray wrap cardigan
tie waist cardigan - love the fit of this.
pink cropped cardigan - i love the sleeves. and i love a crop. comes in 4 colors including this pretty red.
3rd row: sweatshirts. sweatshirts are the new sweaters. i think?
l to r: everlane black renew hoodie - everlane is my go to for sweatshirts. i have this one and this one and they are very well made and i wear them a ton.
navy teddy fleece sweatshirt - comes in 4 colors.
soft cotton crew - ok this is a sweater. it’s cotton so not too warm but that’s great for me as i tend to need layers. i gotta be able to disrobe quickly. comes in 7 colors. i honestly need 3 of these. maybe 4.
row 4: the under unders. the true base layers. never underestimate the power of a thin turtleneck. these are $35 and have over 600 nearly 5 star reviews.
l to r: pima ribbed turtleneck in white
pima ribbed turtleneck in black
also not to be dismissed- a bodysuit. comes in thong or bikini. i also really love this one.
row 5: the shirts. i really need 2 of each if i’m honest and since making this moodboard i discovered this white shirt via this post and trust me you will want it too when you see how cute it looks on her. so yeah, adding it to this list.
l to r: it’s crazy but i don’t own a denim/chambray shirt. not one. you can do so much with them. i love their versatility. i feel i may need 3 to be truly happy. this one from j crew is nice. but i also want a men’s vintage RL situation without pockets. think prep school rather than western.
silky oversized button down in black - this is one i would probably order two of because i would wear it a lot. do you buy multiples of things you love and wear a lot of? because that just seems smart to me.
lace collar blouse - for layering under anything basic to give it some oomph. see? i’m growing. this one speaks to me too.
6th row: the jeans. you cannot have too many pairs of jeans. you really can’t. you should have at least 10 pair of jeans. AT LEAST. styles go in and out, lengths go up and down. it’s pressure. i know. these are the styles i want to add:
l to r: cheeky straight leg in ankle. comes in regular too should you need. they also come in black which seems right too.
black stretch high rise cigarette jeans - you could do so much with these. 5 gold stars.
demi boot in comfort stretch - you honestly have me at comfort stretch but i like more than that. the wash, the slight ankle crop and the slight flare. cute cute. also i don’t have anything like this. and i would like her with a loafer and a cropped sweater. also they are on sale for like, a crazy discount.
high rise mom jeans - these get consistent good reviews. also the price is definitely right.
row 7: every day pants and a skirt. so i’m not a skirt person. it think it’s bc of my body type. i’m bigger up top than i am on the bottom so i feel like skirts accentuate that aspect. BUT…i have since been attracted to big, oversized sweaters with satin midi skirts. and i THINK it could work for me.
l to r: black satin midi skirt- this one has a little rise in the front which i like and think could work in my favor. also comes in a pretty forest green. this one from madewell is nice too.
carpenter pant in black - great reviews on these and the look is just right. comes in a variety of colors and i think i’d generally get a lot of mileage out of these. under $70. i’ll take 2.
wide leg cropped cargo - honestly same as above. i’ll take both colors.
row 8: shoes and an everyday bag. i already have a pair of fleece lined boots so i’m good there and it just doesn’t snow much here (if at all) so while i would LIKE a pair of lug soled boots i can’t justify them when i need so many other everyday shoes. i have completely worn out my everyday white boots AND my everyday black boots. i haven’t featured an everyday black boot bc i can’t decide which ones i want. these are my (highly considered) choices:
l to r: the day boot in bone - this comes in a bunch of color options. but i tend to do white boots in the day only and these look perfect. also thousands of almost 5 star reviews.
apc demi lune bag - i have wanted this bag forever. it’s just such classic french girl vibes.
knee boots - these are the perfect knee boot. i like the slight shine, the crinkle…they’re just extra enough. if i could i’d get these too. because OMG.
perfect every day loafer - zero trend here. just classic and affordable.
heeled oxford - i’ve wanted these for SOOO long. i think i’d wear these more than any other in my closet.
that’s a lot of linkage. i hope i didn’t fuck any of ‘em up.
ok so in summary the name of the game was building on basics. nothing shiny. nothing trendy. must be as high quality as i can afford and workhorses. things i would grab every day. things i genuinely need. there’s a word. NEED.
i will still buy the shiny. just not until i lay the foundation. i don’t have the means or patience to shop like a fucking idiot anymore.