The Capsule Wardrobe
It’s not just for traveling
This time of year always gets me giddy for fall fashion even though here in Texas, crisp fall-like weather is months, if not a plane trip, away. With the end of the more carefree days of summer comes the sometimes comforting, reliable routines. From sporting events to parent meetings to nights out with friends, I want to look put together; I want to be able to rely on some staple pieces that allow me to feel great and communicate who I feel I am on the inside…or at least the person I know I can be if I hadn’t spent the morning yelling about where my kid’s shoes were.
I also know that I want to embrace the fall season even though it’s still H-O-T hot. Like the upper 80s-90s hot and humid. No sweater weather here until at least the end of October-beginning of November.
Enter the capsule wardrobe. Easy pieces convey how you define your personal style with minimal effort and maximum style. Sustainable fashion with fewer better quality pieces simplifies your morning routine while maximizing style at home or when traveling… but there must be a formula, right? Like a ratio between tops and bottoms, dresses and layering pieces? That is precisely what I asked my friend Priscila Smith, queen of capsule packing and intensional style.
We came up with a challenge to help to get us all started with capsule dressing. Five days, ten pieces, lots of possibilities!
5 day capsule wardrobe challenge
Top 5 Capsule Wardrobe Guidelines:
Fit Well
Feel Great
Versatile
Seasonally Relevant
Lifestyle Appropriate
Fit Well
Make sure each piece you select fits well for the body you have now. Not the one that you had last year, not the one you hope to have after you lose weight, get taller, etc. Which brings me to number two. The size in your clothes has NOTHING to do with you. Your size does not dictate your worth.
Feel Great!
Your clothes should make you feel your best. If your clothes don’t fit, they will pull, you will tug at them and not be comfortable.
Versatile
Select pieces that are versatile. Priscila and I recommend choosing 5 tops, 3 bottoms, 1 dress, and 1 jacket for maximum versatility. If you choose a neutral color palette with a pop of color, all of your pieces will coordinate with each other. That button down shirt can be worn with jeans, shorts, or opened in the front as a laying piece/jacket. You can wear that blazer with shorts or jeans.
Seasonably Relevent
Will that cute sweater you just bought be too hot in the afternoon? It might not be a good option for your current capsule. Maybe you live somewhere that isn’t really warm enough for shorts…well God bless.
Personally, while there’s no rule against white jeans in the fall, I tend to change my color palette to more fall colors when the seasons change because the temperature doesn’t really change here for a while.
Lifestyle Appropriate
Where clothes that are comfortable without being sloppy, and stylish without feeling restrictive. When my kids were toddlers I hated wearing heels because it was harder for me to get down on their level and I hated towering over them. Now, I choose to not wear heels for entirely different reasons, but you get what I’m saying. Your office environment might not be conducive to shorts at work.
The Five day Formula - 10 Pieces
Five Tops
Three Bottoms
1 Jacket
1 Dress or Skirt
Wildcard (Something fun that will dress up or down any of your outfits)
We aren’t counting active wear, shoes or accessories. That’s where we can get creative! Use this formula as a guide for maximum versatility, however work with what you have in your closet and what you already love!
Are you ready? Need some more guidance? Download the capsule wardrobe planner to help get you started. Follow Priscila and I on Instagram #cleanclosetedit! The challenge starts Tuesday September, 6th but will also be saved in my highlight reel! Are you in?