I’ve written before about the many different lessons I’ve learned from practicing a capsule wardrobe (here, here, here, here, and here… whew!) and at the end/beginning of each capsule I find it very natural to do some reflecting — this is me doing just that. ;)
I realize at this point that the term “capsule” has come to encompass different practices for many different people, but by and large the overarching principle to anyone who utilizes this idea is: to buy less and be content more.
But what is less and what is more?
About 3 months ago I was 6 months into my all seasons capsule wardrobe plan. Things weren’t great. My “master list” just kept growing in my attempt to create the perfect wardrobe and instead of feeling content I simply wanted more.
It wasn’t until recently when Caroline over on UnFancy referred to her capsule wardrobe experiment as a “diet” (and having already read Drew’s take here), I realized something:
As much as I thought capsule wardrob-ing had changed my ways, had permeated my skin, my habits and revolutionized my lifestyle — it hadn’t. I wasn’t looking at it in a way that would ever allow me to really make that leap.
I liken it to the difference between (a)wanting to lose weight and using Jenny Craig to achieve that goal and (b) learning about nutrient dense foods, how much better they allow your body to work, how to prepare and cook them, desiring these foods, eating these foods in abundance and the rest falling into place. (Much like my own personal journey in discovering and desiring to cook and eat real food.)
I wanted to want to shop less. I wanted to want to be more content.
But I wasn’t. In reality I wasn’t any of those things and I pulled the plug on my “cleanse” too soon.
I am excited to say that with this reality having been unveiled to me over the last three months of being on my “capsule diet” I’m closer than ever to “(b)”. ;)
POST-WINTER CAPSULE CONCLUSIONS
1. I really don’t have to add color to my wardrobe just to “add some color to your wardrobe”. I feel as if though this notion has just been pounded into my brain, because every time I take a step back to re-assess the aesthetic of my wardrobe overall it looks, well, really neutral. All around me I hear people saying things like, “I need color in my life”, and the fashion industry touting “this seasons hot colors”, yadda yadda yadda… And some how all of that just seeps into my brain and ends up telling me that I need that color too. Except I don’t. I love wearing creams and greys and other earthy-ness. Texture is where I have my fun.
2. Off white is the (my) new black. I’ve always relied on as black as a go to ‘color’ for myself. But recently I’ve found that I actually really like an off white way better. Turns out it’s just as versatile. ;)
3. Heels aren’t completely non-functional. Over the winter all of my shoes were the exact same heel height. Ever since embarking on this capsule experiment I’ve realized how much power there is in having a small but varied selection of shoes. I started to write of heels as just too impractical for hauling a 2 1/2 and 11 month old around on my hips — and perhaps the strappy, teetering kind still are, but a good solid ankle boot with some heel height would have been just the variety I needed for this past season.
PRE-SPRING CAPSULE STRATEGIES
1. Tees are my jam. Like my strawberry-ruhbarb-slathered-on-buttered-toast jam. People. I mom-it-up pretty hard around here. And that just means, that sometimes, I sweat a lot gosh darn it! Cotton, rayon, etc. all of these tee materials allow one to breathe and not feel like you’re wet and drowning in the polyester that is most dressier tops. (Albeit, I’ve never owned silk…) So, I’m just going to go with it.
2. Spice things up in the shoe department. Flats, heels, toes showing, toes not, sneakers, laces, print? It’s gonna be grand. ;)
3. Keep the shopping list short and simple. Just a handful of things. I’ve come to the realization that shopping is stressful and I enjoy the break. I honestly just want to get what I need within my budget and be done this time around. (Growth?)
4. More secondhand my friend! I think this one is self explanatory? I’ve written about thrifting here and here before — and still have one more to finish off the series hopefully next week! Also, I enjoyed Caroline’s recent thoughts on buying secondhand as well.
Anybody want to share plans they have for putting together/refreshing their spring wardrobes?
^^pictured above^^
TOPS: graphic tee (old, but still available!), shirt dress, buffalo check top, grid striped blouse, similar lace top, grey tee, dark grey marled tee, jean jacket (thrifted) – similar
SHOES: peep toe booties, sandals