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Starting a Spring Capsule Wardrobe

FASHION

If you have never seen a bandwagon jumper….open your eyes right now.  Get ready.  Keep them open.

BOOM.  That’s me y’all.  I’m jumping on the capsule wardrobe bandwagon so hard I might make the wheels bust off.  That’s right. I’m here to tell you that this past February I decided that I would be starting a spring capsule wardrobe.  AND I DID.

So what is a capsule wardrobe?  Well, mom, it’s basically still a wardrobe….a collection of clothing….but less items than what people typically have in their closet and all the pieces need to be either versatile or complimentary or intentional.  Instead of having a bunch of different jeans in a bunch of different washes and fits and styles, you have just your FAVORITE.  The one that you will always grab because you love how it looks on you, makes you feel and goes with all your tops.  The capsule wardrobe can be on the larger side of things (I’ve seen ones with 50 items including accessories) and it can be on the smaller side of things (think under 20).  I have heard of people doing capsules for a year, a month, a season and even for 6 months.  There are a million different ways to do a capsule but for me, I decided I wanted to try it out for a season and see if it is a good fit for my life.

A few months ago, I started my plan.  The first part was easiest for me.  I decided that in order to make my pieces work together, I would tackle this from a color scheme starting point.  I knew that this spring I would wear a whole lot of jeans and would want options for this crazy spring weather.  Since most jeans are blue, I knew that navy would be one of my colors.

I also find myself drawn to blush pink for spring and including that color made things really simple for me.  I tend to have some staples in army green so that was in.  And then there are my neutrals that I love in a lot of outfits – gray, white and tan.

Once I had the colors chosen, I then decided on some patterns I would like to incorporate.  I like simple florals, stripes, camo, eyelet, gingham and of course, solids.  I know the camo is kinda random but I wanted to be sure I had some pieces that I could wear outside and not feel overdressed.  We do live in the country y’all.  The idea of the patterns is to have a couple that dress up and a couple that dress down.

And lastly I had to decide on how many items.  I honestly don’t know the answer to that question.  Spring is tricky here in the south.  It’s hot.  It’s cold.  It’s wet and not.  It’s outdoorsy and inside-y.  It’s a little bit of everything.  One day you will want to wear shorts and a tank and you will sweat like a pig.  The next day you need a couple layers.  I researched a bunch of ways other people do it and I decided to not count workout clothing (I also do a lot of building in these types of clothing and they get covered in sawdust really fast!) or lounge clothing and I would only count items that I would wear when non-family-other-people see me 🙂  Basically these are my leave-the-house clothes.

Today I am sharing the bottoms.  There are pants and shorts.  I’ll share the skirt with the dresses and tops and shoes in the next capsule post.  I am not really done picking out the shoes so if you have any musts that will last into summer, I’d love to hear them!

Ok….so for pants I chose five different jeans.  What can I say….I am pretty predictable.  I would have loved to include a tie-waist wide leg pant but I don’t actually go in at my waist so I am working with what I got.  If you do have a waist…embrace that thing because some of us envy you.  A lot.  A waist is a terrible thing to waste.  Also rompers – I want to find the one.  I LOVE this one but I haven’t tried it on.  I’ll let you know when I do.  ON TO PANTS!

  • The white jeans are to replace my current white jeans….which are maternity.  I consider them my ‘fancy pants’ because they look really good with a blousy top that oozes that fresh bright and light feel.
  • Highwaisted distressed jeans were on my must-buy list this year and these do not disappoint.  They stay up.  They cover up my GP’s (that’s granny panties if you were wondering) and they don’t get saggy butt syndrome.
  • I went out on a limb with these lighter colored distressed jeans and it turns out, I love them.  I really do.  I grab them to lighten up an outfit if the top is darker and the wash is still flattering if you are in double digit sizes (like me!).
  • My capsule had to include my favorite jeggings.  I have probably four or five pairs of these but I’m gonna try to stick to my non-distressed, darkest wash for the capsule because they are the most versatile.  I can dress them up or dress them down.  I can wear just about anything with them and feel confident and COMFORTABLE.  I do not wear a whole lot of front tucked shirts or short shirts so the lack of true waistband/button/pockets doesn’t bother me….I just will opt for the distressed ones if I need to wear that kind of top!
  • Lastly I included another pair of my favorite jeggings….this time distressed.  I found that the comfortable waistband is just simply great for chasing kiddos.  And yes, apparently I really like Old Navy but whatever….I hope to not be in this size forever and stretchy pants are literally the best thing ever especially when they are 40% off 🙂

Following the lead of the pants, I chose shorts pretty similar.  To be honest, so far, I’ve worn shorts very few times just simply because the weather has been more jeans friendly.  I think that the idea of having a few options is good though.  Like I said before…you just never know what you will get.  And having shorts already in the brain for summer is great.  Especially since I stuck to a similar set up as the jeans.

  • This first pair are the distressed ones and I went up a size to be able to sag them just a little.  I haven’t worn jean shorts this short in a long time so embracing them at my biggest size seems contradictory but surprisingly the fit works if I push them down around my hips.  Go figure.
  • Darker wash jean shorts are also new….and I think of them as my do-anything-shorts.
  • A pattern on bottom can help with outfit mixing – that’s a tip I read from capsule wardrobe experts so I grabbed one bottom in a stripe for mixing it up!
  • I bought scalloped edge shorts as soon as I saw them.  I am obsessed.  Nothing feels more instantly put together.

Soooo I have been wearing the bottoms already and loving the limited choices.  It’s probably because I know they all fit so as long as there isn’t yogurt fingerprints or mustard droppings on them, they are easy picks.

Here are they in action the past couple months….

Lighter jeans / top / shoes

Lighter jeans / floral top / shoes / jacket

distressed jean shorts / top (it’s actually a dress!) / shoes

distressed jean shorts / top / shoes 

distressed jeggings / bag / shoes 

distressed jeggings / shoes

distressed highwaisted jeans / dark jeggings / pink cardigan / floral top / shoes / similar scarf

distressed highwaisted jeans / striped top / scalloped shoes / similar necklace

distressed highwaisted jeans / sandals

distressed highwaisted jeans / cardigan / shoes

distressed highwaisted jeans / scalloped shoes

 

So that is what has been on my brain for a while and I’m experimenting with it.  Have you done a capsule wardrobe?  Interested in trying it?  Maybe you aren’t into it?  I don’t know that it’s a good fit for me long term but since I feel like I’m in a weird transitional place with clothing, it seems to feel like a natural solution.  I like the fact that it limits me too….makes me compare one blush tshirt to another and pick the VERY best one vs the one that has the lowest price tag (which is my instinct).  Now I look at it as a member of a team….will it play well with others?  will it get along with my other layers and choices?  If it doesn’t, it seems like an easy pass which before would not be the case.

Anyhoo….I’d love to hear if you are doing a capsule and how many pieces you pick.  I feel like I will be more drawn to tops and variety there and with shoes.  I’ve read like ALL the bloggers accounts on how they do it but I really want more input from my readers because YALL ARE THE BEST AND MOST AWESOME.  Well I gotta go….laundry to do and I’m sick (again) so I am fairly certain I need to disinfect all the things 🙂

 

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Comments

  1. I think you are missing the point of a capsule wardrobe. It’s to work with what you have, buy a few great staple pieces to fill in the gaps, and then purge what you aren’t wearing. It looks like you are just buying a whole new wardrobe…so far your “capsule” wardrobe has more jeans and shorts than my entire regular wardrobe…

  2. Your capsule wardrobe is like my actual wardrobe (no judgement here). I love seeing what you wear and how you mix and match everything. I personally have embraced the “uniform” wardrobe and am able to fit all my clothes in two drawers. I have a couple pairs of skinny jeans, Vneck shirts in different colors, and a couple jackets… then workout gear (aka anytime I’m not working gear) are a couple of leggings and tshirts.. I definitely think capsule and uniform wardrobes are so much easier on the brain and leave all your decision making energy to the important stuff… like pizza or nachos.

  3. I have done capsule wardrobes for years. Mostly on accident because it turns out that how I naturally think about clothing = capsule wardrobe mentality. I don’t like creating outfits. I don’t like spending money. I don’t like thinking too much about what I am wearing, especially in the morning when it is so busy. So, periodically I refresh my wardrobe when things get worn or full of holes or whatever. I also inject a trend here or there with a colorful scarf or shoes. This is the capsule:
    3 v neck navy t shirts (all identical…I am intentionally reducing my decision-making)
    3 v neck black t shirts (all identical)
    2 black v neck tanks
    2 cobalt blue v neck tanks (navy and bright blue are my best colors)
    2 colorful silk tanks, one in a bold color, one in a soft color
    gray softly structured jacket
    black cropped jacket
    black jeans
    indigo jeans
    medium wash jeans (all jeans bootcut, curvy, undistressed b/c distressed jeans fall apart and I want my jeans to last as long as possible. I mend them all the time!!)
    nude flat sandals
    Merrell sandals
    skecher sneakers in dark gray
    black peep toe wedges

    My dresses are more randomly chosen but they are for date nights and baby showers and going out. The capsule is the day in, day out uniform. I also tend to wear the same necklace my mom gave me every day because I love it and her. It is a comfort piece.

    It takes me 2 minutes to get ready in the morning. 😉

  4. I really should do this because I feel like I’m always just searching my closet for something…anything…that looks decent when I venture out of the house 🙂 My sister has followed Get Your Pretty On for a while and does her style challenges….I should try it sometime. So far I love your choices! I’m looking forward to the tops and shoes portion – I need to get out of my graphic tshirt and flip flop rut to make my 14 yr old happy….ha!

  5. This was great. I love the idea of a capsule for the transition times. I’m pregnant and feel like maternity clothes are their own capsule wardrobe since I’m dressing for a different season than my prior maternity clothes! I forsee it being useful again postpartum when I’m not sure what to wear. They’re a good reminder than nobody reallllly remembers if you wore the same bottoms last Tuesday when you saw them 🙂

  6. You should try the Putting Me Together challenges. There is typically one every season I think, except for summer. Audrey picks out all the pieces and then styles them into outfits and you end up with a ton of different outfits. She includes tops, pants, dresses, skirts, shoes, and jewelry. She picks out specific pieces to show the outfits, but there are descriptions so you can try them find your own things from your closet that fit the description.

  7. I think a capsule would be great because it would help you not buy all the clothes. I love Old Navy most of the time. There are times when their line comes out that I just don’t like much of anything but last fall and this spring, it has been great. It’s my go to place to shop because it’s affordable and I like how most of their clothes fit me. I will say that if I buy something different (like my new hot pink pixie pants from ON) I stood there and thought about what in my closet would go with them. I had a few shirts. I hate to get something and then get home and have nothing to wear it with.

  8. I basically did a capsule wardrobe when I was pregnant. I didn’t know it was called that, but I just stuck to basically 2 week’s worth of clothes that I could mix and match since I didn’t have a lot of money or really care to invest in a short term wardrobe. I liked doing it, and have been toying with the idea again. Thanks for sharing part one of your wardrobe. Looking forward to seeing what else you include!

  11. What a great idea! Love the pieces you picked! I’m trying to get better! and I think its a must that I get the distressed jeggings because I have read this post two different times and I have pulled up those each time… Have a great day and keep being a bright spot!!

  12. Old Navy has quite a few cute rompers this spring – short sleeved and tank style…

  13. It’s my understand that a capsule wardrobe is all about downsizing and learning how to wear fewer pieces in combinations so you can mix and match. I don’t think that’s what you’ve done here. You’ve selected 9 different bottoms (pants and shorts); that’s a full wardrobe for most people.

  14. Love what you’re doing with your wardrobe. I have a 3 month old daughter so I know what you are saying about this transitional stage. I’m struggling finding things that i like that are nursing friendly for the AZ heat. No layers here. I find myself drawn to certain colors each season so i think I’ve always unconsciously done a capsule. Having a small closet helps. If I’m not wearing it this season, it has to go into storage.
    On a side note, I’ve read about your plan to get back to a place where you feel comfortable in your own body after Ella was born. I commend you for doing this for yourself. I encourage you to show yourself some self love. Be kind to yourself. There were several spots in this post that seemed like you were not giving yourself enough grace. I only have 3 kids but it’s insane. I keep trying to get up early to do yoga but they seem to anticipate this & just get up earlier. I can only imagine how chaotic 5 must be. You can work toward a goal but I encourage you see yourself as we all do. You are AMAZING. You have gorgeous hair, beautiful skin, an amazing smile, endless love & patience with your spouse & your littles. You got more DIY accomplished during your pregnancy than I did during the last 5 years. You’ve spent the better part of a decade either being pregnant or nursing. That’s tough on a body. It will take time. I think you look fabulous already but I understand having an ideal. I am back to my pre-pregnancy size & weight but everything has been redistributed & rearranged. That’s hard.
    The most important person for you to show grace to is yourself. The rest will come.

  15. Woah, that’s more bottoms than I actually own! Unless you count leggings, which I only wear under dresses. Of course, that’s because I hate shopping, especially for bottoms. So, I’m just mega jealous that you have so many awesome clothes that look great on you 🙂 I have one of those accidental capsule wardrobes that happen when you have no clothes haha

  16. Yeah but by comparison, it is downsizing for me. I think that the idea of a capsule wardrobe is finding what the right solution is for each individual. My problem is having too much that doesn’t work for me now since I have been multiple sizes and fits and situations for the last eight years. I’m not looking for the solution to have less…I’m looking for the solution to have more that fits.
    xo – kb

  17. Yeah…that would work if I was still the same size as I was before Ella 🙁 I kept thirty pounds and lost the ability to ‘work with what I have’….
    xo – kb

  18. You are so kind. Really. This comment was really such a gentle response and I needed to hear that! Thank you.
    xo – kb

  19. Katie (and Cynthia) – Thanks for this post and these comments. Katie, I stopped by your blog just now because earlier today I pulled out my summer clothes to try them on (first hot day in the northeast, plus I’m packing for a trip to Nashville this weekend) and have felt horrible (i.e. crying) about myself since. My one and only kid is 20 months old and I’m still about 15 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight. The weight combined with the fact that I’m still nursing, my body is just different, and I’m over 40 makes it difficult to see myself in a positive light. Over the past few months I’ve seen you post a few outfits that I like, so I came to your blog today in hopes of getting inspiration for a top or a dress that might make me feel better about myself and my body (whether it’s my transitional body or forever body is TBD).

    Anyway, while I understand other comments about this not being a “true” capsule wardrobe, I also understand the challenge of dealing with a closet overfull of clothes that are unflattering/uncomfortable but you wear anyway, or clothes that don’t quite fit but you keep trying. To me, it’s worth investing in a wardrobe where you know you can put anything on and feel good. That can be 10, 50, or 100 pieces; regardless, you are simplifying things for yourself and clarifying your style, which I believe is the spirit of the capsule wardrobe. Since you’re too nice to say it, screw anyone who tells you that you aren’t doing it right.

    Looking forward to seeing more in this series! And yes, you are one hot and inspiring mama. Thanks for all of the work you put into this blog. XO

  20. P.S. I realize that the last sentence of the second to last paragraph is lacking grace. To each her own. Most of the comments on this post are encouraging. The less supportive ones are entitled to define a capsule wardrobe differently. I follow several “capsule wardrobe-ers” and a theme I’ve gotten is that there aren’t any rules.

  21. I don’t do capsule… but thank you for these posts! I’m a work-from-home software engineer, can’t match my socks, so my wardrobe –> gym shorts and old math club t-shirts 🙂 Your detailed explanations on why stuff mixes and matches well is really giving me the confidence to make wise decisions when I shop. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the posts in this series!!

  22. I have read your blog for years and have loved watching your family grow. We have 6 boys of our own. I’m sharing this with love and genuine care. Please be aware that many females out here are much, much larger than you are and really struggle with their weight and size. I have noticed a general trend that you put your body down and please be aware of how that makes others feel about themselves. You are definitely of average size and are blessed after five kids to not be fighting a much larger weight problem. I’m sure many of your readers need to shop in plus-sized stores. It is very hurtful when I read how much you share about your size negatively and jokingly. You are coming across to me and possibly others that are larger than you and fighting obesity that you would really look down upon and frown upon our size. I do believe that in your heart you mean well and are comparing yourself to your former size. Please be aware that your comments are very hurtful. When you write about your waist, etc. I feel as if you would be disgusted seeing my tummy after multiple C-sections and weight gain. I hope you take this in the most helpful and encouraging way possible. And also, I believe so many others are trying to share about the # of jeans, etc. I expected you to share a pair of jeans. I have had 1 pair of fitting jeans to my name at a time for winter and 1 pair or capri-jeans for warmer moths for the past 10 years. I wear a uniform by day, yoga pants and comfortable shirt at home doing housework, cleaning, projects, etc. I find it hard to clean and build in jeans, etc. I believe people are just commenting that, that is a lot of jeans for the average SAHM. Especially a capsule or a temporary wardrobe, one would think of a pair of jeans to wear out of the house to look nice. I’m not judging at all and think its wonderful that you have found so many different jeans and bottoms that you like and wear. Just a thought to share them like other bloggers…these are jeans/bottoms I’m loving lately, etc. Perhaps using the words capsule and coming across as if its a temporary wardrobe comes across hard for me and others to “digest.” Speaking for I think many…we don’t have the income or body to find nearly that many options of just jeans, etc. Also, your daughter will someday read your post and read the body-shaming. I’m sure you want to set a positive foundation for her to not do that to herself. I appreciate you reading this with an open mind and an open heart…the intentions are to help you see how you are hurting others. Thank you!

  23. You look great! I love your choice of jeans and those scalloped shorts are so cute!

    High wasted jeans are THE BEST!

  25. I definitely am not tryin to hurt anyone or make anyone feel less than. I just know that for my bone structure and for my body, my weight is unhealthy. I don’t think that saying that I am unhealthy or unhappy with my body currently is intended to hurt anyone and I hope that you can understand that this is my way of digesting the fact that I have gained weight and I can not wait to adopt a more healthy lifestyle. I’ve written about it before and how I want to change it slowly but being a nursing mama who struggles with supply…it can’t be a drastic change. That aside – I get that seeing others online purchasing items can be frustrating with different incomes and all that….but remember that this is part of my business and I have a job that includes sharing new finds and buying more than average. I get that most people might not wear jeans but I literally wear them all the time…so what works for me obviously might not work for you!
    xo – kb

  26. Completely agree with the idea that the idea is to clarify your style and simplify things for yourself! That is what I got out of it so far and LOVE hearing you state that so clearly! I definitely understand that my situation is different…five kids in seven years is not the average family and definitely takes a toll on your body and wardrobe situation!
    xo – kb

  27. Hello, first time commenting but long time reader. Thanks for the cute/functional/mama outfit ideas! I think I feel compelled to comment because I too am in transitional body phase (11 weeks postpartum with baby #2, about 12 lbs to go). It’s hard when nothing fits, whether you have 5 or 50 lbs to go! I was excited to get dressed up for our 10 year anniversary dinner tonight, thinking I could wear something flowy, but then realized I probably don’t have anything that is pretty AND fits AND nursing appropriate haha. Oh well! I appreciate your honesty and sense of humor. It’s refreshing. Looking forward to the tops post. I could use some inspiration (I’m unpacking after a move, and I had to resist the urge to throw all my clothes away ). Anyway, you have a beautiful family. Keep up the good work, and keep the posts coming please (I’m always stoked when I check during a middle of the night feeding and there’s a new one)! Take care

  28. It never hurts to be kind. Konnie is a troll. Ignore her. You have no control over how your words are interpreted. If she finds your words “hurtful,” that’s on her. I just can’t believe someone would put you down like that & package it as though they are trying to “help” you. Keep being you. I read your posts because I find your life & work both attainable & inspiring for my own. <3

  29. You are beautiful and I love the outfits you’ve picked out! Thanks for linking up to all the beautiful pieces you chose- those scallop shorts have me swooning 🙂

    My hubby and I have just bought our first house, and are mid-move which has caused me to look at my wardrobe with more intention than usual. I actually have a very small wardrobe already, since we downsized a year ago to go on a thru hike…however, I’ve decided to only move the pieces of clothing that I LOVE to our new house, (plus lounge wear and athletic wear) and then work up again from there to try a capsule wardrobe myself.

    Excited to see the rest of the posts in this series 🙂

  30. I love how sweet your responses always are! That’s got to be Jesus. You look great proud of you!

  31. So tomorrow is the first day of summer…guess we’re not getting the rest of the spring capsule wardrobe?

  32. I was gonna do a recap of the spring wardrobe & how I felt about the experiment. It was definitely new to me!
    xo kb

  33. Love your style! Quick question where did you get the white shirt/tank underneath your navy striped cardigan? I cant find a top to go under things that isn’t see through and not super tight/clingy.
    Thanks Kmomma

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